One other thought: M Coupe Torque, the Track and. (archive)

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The torque of the motor makes the car much easier to drive for the novice -- you simply don't have to shift that much. In fact, at VIR, I was basically shifting 4 times: from 4th to 3rd at the end of the front straight, from 3rd to 4th and then back down again at the short chute before the uphill esses, and then to 4th upon entry to the front straight.

Bottom line -- I always thought road course driving involves a lot of shifting, and maybe in other cars, on other tracks, it does. But the with M Coupe, you can basically leave it in 3rd or 4th gear, and get around respectably fast. That allows you to pay more attention to the line, which is a huge advantage for the novice.

Had my first track day today at Virginia International Raceway in southern Virginia, about 65 miles north of Raleigh, NC. Car was a 2000 M Coupe, no modifications (other than hipo brake fluid), Pilot Sports with about 2k on them.

First, about the track. Seems like most of you guys are on the West Coast, and I don't know if you ever get over this way. But, I have to say, VIR is simply awesome. Some wealthy real estate developer bought the track (shuttered since 74) and put 12 million into it. NOTHING like it, from what I've seen (pictures only) of other tracks. It's like a road course in the woods, with excellent facilities -- racing parts/clothing store, restaurant, air conditioned paddock, smooth pavement all the way around.

The North Course max speed (in my car) was 120 at the end of the pit straight. But, you quickly learn its not speed that's scary, its those off camber turns in Hog's Pen, or Nascar Bend (so named because Richard Petty, David Pearson ad Wendell Scott ditched their cars there in succession during a Trans Am race in the 60s) where you basically have to point the car into the grass to set it up right for entry.

We ran the North Course, which is fairly technical (17 turns in just over 2 miles). The full course is known as being very high speed, and very difficult. Carrol Shelby (or maybe Gurney) said of it after a race in teh 60s -- "One lap at VIR is like 100 at Watkins Glen". In any event, check out the website at www.virclub.com. Lots of cool pictures and history.

On to the track day. I was nervous, to say the least, and really had no idea what to expect other than what I had read here. So, I hope that a report of my experiences will help other first timers and, if they are so inclined, get them on the track.

Because, let me say first, that's where this car belongs. It truly is in its element out there. Yes, I know it's got its handling faults, and I know purpose built track cars are better. But, what car can you check brake fluid, tire pressure, oil level and drive to the track, run all day with the some of the fastest cars out there, and then drive home comfortably and safely? Anyway, more on the car later.

What's a track day like? LOTS of waiting. But that's ok. Track driving is tiring, and the breaks give you time to recover, plus think about what the instructor was trying to tell you. Basically, as a first timer (this was a BMW CCA event), you show up, run a couple of car control exercises, watch the faster groups lap, and then head out for your first session (Saturdy morning). YOu have an instructor in the car, miked to you so you can hear him. The first session is little more than a brisk drive on a country road (in D, or novice, group anyway). YOu are simply trying to learn the line. A couple of D drivers with some schools already under their belt might make some fast laps, and you'll need to learn to get out of the way quick.

For new guys, learning the line, and where to be on the track, is KEY. You've probably got ok to fair car control skills (what does the car do when you lift? brake? half-throttle?) from "spirited" street driving, although at the track it is taken to a new extreme. However, there's only one way to learn your way around a track, and that's in a car (either you driving, or with an instructor).

By the end of the first session, you've picked up some speed, are comfortable with your line in places, not all, but some, and are starting to see why track driving is about as addictive as crack.

Once you get the line down, you then slowly learn to drive in harder and deeper each time, and carry more speed out of the corner into the straightaway. The next skill (for me anyway) was deep braking -- these cars (at least compared to your typical street car) have incredible stopping power. Many times, in learning my braking points by having my instructor demand that I stomp on the brake to the point of lockup), I nearly came to a stop 50-100 feet from turn in (obviously, don't do this when "Hotrod" in his new C-5 Corvette is barrelling down on you). it takes a while to get to trust your car's brakes, and to learn braking points.

We got three 30 minute sessions a day, and by the end of the day, you are worn out. More than enough for me. There was also 1 hour of class time, and unlimited autocross time.

A word on that, and no offense to the autocrossers. I liked auto-x, it was a rush. But it was so herky jerky compared to track driving. Other than car control skills, I'm not sure much translates onto the track, at least for the novice, and you certainly don't want to be brake-stomping and wheel yanking on a 80 mph turn on the track like you do at the auto-x.

Next rambling: one track day has CURED me of my desire to modify the car. I've got so much to learn on this car as is. It's limits are nearly as high as anything I ran against over the last two days, and I've got a long, long way to go before I can exploit them. I've seen it said over and over on this board, that the first modification you need to make is to the driver and until you actually take a 240 hp car onto a track, you won't (or at least i didn't) see why that is so true.

Dive and squat? Yes, our cars do that. Roll a bit more than you'd like? Yes, that too. But could I keep up with the M5s and C5s in the corners? Yes, although of course driver skill is the most important variable. Let me give you an example. The fastest car in our run group was not the modified E30 M3. It was not the two C5 Corvettes. It was not the M5. It was a 1999 540i with Bilstein shocks and M5 sway bars, that looked exactly like your aunt's 528i. This guy could smoke it -- hitting his marks, and making speed where he could. I had the pleasure of following him for a while, and nearly lost it trying to keep up.

Other pointers: LISTEN to the instructor (an obvious one). They know the course, and have far more seat time at the track than you. Ride with them if you get a chance. You'll see the line from the passenger seat, without the added worry of actually trying to hit it. Look through cars in front of you. Don't follow them, they are probably off line. Seems simple, but when you are in a train that is moving along at a good clip, it can be easy to focus on the car(s) in front of you.

And, last, the question that is probably on all first timer's minds, can you tear up the car?

The answer is yes. We had one guy in the "C" group lift in an off camber 70-80 mph corner. The weight shift brought the rear end aournd, and he went head first into the inside retaining wall, knocking the front off of his E36 M3. Not a pretty sight, although a sobering one, as it sat in the infield the rest of Saturday. Then, on the last run (the instructors will tell you it is the most dangerous, because everyone tends to run harder), one of the C5s in my group looped in the uphill esses, stopping about 20 feet short of the wall. Other than covering his car in dirt, he seemed ok.

Having said all that, you can run at a reasonably fast clip in D Group and not push the car any harder than you would on a spirited drive on a country road. So, it's really up to you how "dangerous" it is. And even if you are only running 60-70%, you are learning tons about line, turn in points, etc.

That's it. If any of you guys have questions about VIR, or about the BMW CCA schools (first class in my book), e-mail.

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