Steve Aug 28th, 2007 Link
Looks like a blast. You should have had your NAV on so you could see the turns ;-)
BMWCCA Track Weekend Video
A couple of important things to remember while viewing this video. For one this was absolutely not a race. If you watch closely you’ll see me giving the cars in front plenty of room in the corners and in fact slowing down a little before and after entering. All passing was done within designated areas of the track after I was given a signal by the person in front.
BMWCCA driving schools are purely about you and you alone. Everybody is on their own pace and individually come to terms with the track and it’s specific character.
The person in the passenger seat was an instructor who I worked with all weekend. You can hear some of his instruction and our conversation as we start off but eventually the wind noise drowns it all out. However the conversation continued throughout each of the 30 minute track sessions as we had a mic/headphone set-up that allowed to clearly hear each other.
Now that that’s out of the way, wow, what an amazing experience. I’m also thrilled with my progress throughout the weekend. Putnam was entirely new to me so just learning the course was a big part of the experience.
Written By: Gabe
11 Comments
Jon Aug 28th, 2007 Link
Nice run Gabe, nice track too
Rodney Aug 29th, 2007 Link
Hey Steve thanks for sharing this, it looks awesome!
Pedro Aug 29th, 2007 Link
Awesome video! Nice driving by both MINIs. Gabe - obviously you were faster overall than the red MINI, even taking a finer line around the track, increasing your exit speed. I understand what you are saying about leaving plenty of room in the corners but I noticed a few times that on that long stretch - the red MINI seemed to pull away. Was that red MINI heavily “modded” or were you easing off the gas to let him go?
Gabe Aug 29th, 2007 Link
I noticed a few times that on that long stretch - the red MINI seemed to pull away. Was that red MINI heavily “modded” or were you easing off the gas to let him go?
Good eye Pedro. The first corner was so fast that I wanted plenty of room between us.. so yes I did let-off from the mid-point on. There was one or two laps however where we both had the hammer down for most of the way and, as you can see in those laps, both cars are pretty even in terms of acceleration from 50-100mph. The red ‘06 MCS (driven by Brian Lalor) has a 15% pulley and Alta intake and my ‘07 is bone stock in the drivetrain department.
timmee Sep 4th, 2007 Link
wow. that is awesome. quite jealous of you guys in the states. over here, your warrantee get’s invalidated if you race your car in any way or form, or take it on a track of any kind. there are even spotters at track days noting down which cars go on the track, and then feeding this back to BMW. we have no officially sanctioned track events, and have been told that insurance and legal issues prevent such events from ever happening here. what a crock!
Ken E. Sep 6th, 2007 Link
wow. that is awesome. quite jealous of you guys in the states. over here, your warrantee get’s invalidated if you race your car in any way or form, or take it on a track of any kind. there are even spotters at track days noting down which cars go on the track, and then feeding this back to BMW. we have no officially sanctioned track events, and have been told that insurance and legal issues prevent such events from ever happening here. what a crock!
Where are you located?
