Ok...but can you DRIVE it?

[SLICKTITTLES]

So NY/NJ/CT/PA forum world I'm back with another question-hopefully one beneficial to us all:


WHERE CAN I GO TO LEARN HOW TO ACTUALLY DRIVE MY CAR?


Sure, having an M that stands out from the rest (more so than it already does) is great-but I have to say it isn't quite as impressive as someone who can control that power.

I have ZERO track experience (as I believe karting isn't a fair comparison..and motocross definitely isn't) and would like to go to a school or event or ANYTHING that could improve my ability behind my 'god knows how many horses I have now' beast.

I'm not going for "sticky" status here-but I believe this is a topic that's gone relatively ignored, or so my search results tell me.

With that being said, please respond with suggestions of where somebody eager to learn how to properly drive an M could go in the area. Schools, instructors, events etc.

Finally-and this needs to be said-Let's all be honest about our true ability behind the wheel. If I can realize the best way to get this car faster is with a better, smarter, safer driver than so can you.

Thank you

[bmwe34m5]

BMW CCA members can sign up for any track events with their local chapters. The NJ BMW CCA will be running their first school on April 16 and 17 at the NJMP Lightning Racetrack. If interested, please check out their website for more information.

http://www.njbmwcca.org/

There are a number of us on this forum who are regulars at these events. Hope to see you on the track or our next meeting.

NJBMWCCA #157315

[midlifecrisis]

I agree - BMW CCA events are a great way to really learn how to drive your car. You'll be on track with drivers of your own skill level, and the focus is on skill development and safety. The instructors are great, and you'll see lots of other E9x M3s.

Personally, I think anyone that buys one of these cars should attend driver schools like these. They provide a safe venue to explore the performance envelope of the car. They also teach drivers how to respect the power and stay out of trouble.

Lightning is a great track for a first-timer, too. It has some great turns, and it's not too complicated to learn. It's pretty fast and has a nice flow to it.

Hope to see you at the track!

[Sejzilla]

does BMWCCA allow e93s to come?

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by Sejzilla

does BMWCCA allow e93s to come?

Not to driver schools, but they're welcome at Autocross.

[monsta]

BMWCCA like others have mentioned...

I'm a member of Audi & Porsche CCA's also even though I have never owned either car...their days sometimes work better for my schedule...it costs me a couple bucks more but I could careless...

check out

www.motorsportreg.com most clubs use this site for signup to there events...

enter what type of event you would like DRIVER SCHOOL, AUTOCROSS, SEMINAR ect ect within mileage that your willing to drive from your zip & you'll get an huge list broken down by months, I typically do individual searches since it will be so fast...so I don't click on AUTOX if I'm just trying to see dates of HPDE's

motorsportreg also keeps a record of events you sign up for & allows you to keep a driver log also..

HTH

[1Sleeper]

Skip Barber is fun. The High Performance Driving School gives you some M3 seat time too. Any of the BMW club events are a great option as well and cheaper.

[SLICKTITTLES]

at what percent would the chief tech fail you for tints?

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by SLICKTITTLES

at what percent would the chief tech fail you for tints?

For NJBMWCCA, it's a visual inspection by the chief of tech. They don't list a percent tint. Take a picture of the car looking through the back window. Make sure the car is against a light background like a white garage door. Email it to the chief of tech asking him if he can approve it. (His email address is on their website.)


If it looks OK, they'll give you a one time exemption until they can see it in person at the track. They just want to make sure a car following you can see through your car if there's trouble ahead.

Please don't show up without first following this procedure. They feel strongly that part of running a safe event includes being able to follow instructions and being predictable. Blowing off their procedures would indicate an inability to follow instructions.

[the///Mthree]

There are some different routes you can take, if your looking to go have fun with your own car, burn up some tires, free brake pads, get some above par instruction and not spend a handful of cash upfront then a BMWCCA day would be appropriate.

But if you really want to get into some more serious professional instruction I would suggest a Skip Barber 3 day school at lime rock (local)
http://www.skipbarber.com/formula.asp

What you learn in the formula car at skip barber will apply directly to the M3 on the track and road. You will learn a lot more about driving lines, vehicle dynamics and car control in this school than at an HPDE with a street car. If you don't see yourself fit for a formula car there is always the option of the Mazda MX-5's skip barber utilizes.

I did this course myself, at lime rock as well. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

[SLICKTITTLES]

Thanks so much for the help everyone!

[TheMaverick]

Originally Posted by SLICKTITTLES

Thanks so much for the help everyone!

I notice you are in Livingston ... so am I ;-)

I have an e93 and most of teh places do like e93 even though it has rollover protection and is a hardtop.

One place that seems to be good with e93 and also looks like a good deal is going to Lime Rock & running yoru own car on it. What you get is an instructor who will take you on teh track in the tracks car ... happens to be an M3 which helps us. Then you go on the track in your own car with the instructor riding shotgun.

So far this seems to be the best bet that I have found locally.

[SLICKTITTLES]

Good to know-i'm the e92 Jerez black w/ the meisterschaft