Taking my G70 to the track

[ephone1]

I just signed up to take my car to the track for 2 days over Labor Day weekend. I really want to see what it will do at the limit, and I really can’t explore the limit on any the roads around where I live. Back in 2013, I spent 2 days at BMW driving school in South Carolina, and I really enjoyed it.

My only mod is Eibach sway bars, but I should have a Maintec exhaust on in the next week. My track prep is as follows:

• Upgrade to Pilot Sport 4S tires from the stock PS4
• Change brake fluid to a racing fluid (recommenced by the club)
• Change my oil to Mobil 1 5W40, replacing my Mobil 1 5W30
• Set my sway bars to the firmest setting

I’m hoping the stock cooling can handle some track time. I live in Michigan, so I would expect upper 70s to low 80s that weekend. I installed the Euro-spec pads when I first got the car, and I’m debating about using them or switching to Hawk HP+. I know Car and Driver fixed the issue with the Stinger with those pads at Virginia International Speedway 2018, and they ran the G70 (Dynamic Edition, I think) in 2019 - praising the brakes.

If anyone has any advice, I’d love to hear it.

 

[canucklehead604]

sounds awesome. jealous. but looking forward to hearing how you make out after the track time. i am considering taking mine to a local track circuit and have wondered about prep.

brake fluid is a no brainer, and sway bars are the single best 'mod' after tires. seems to be a pretty good list you have. maybe someone who has tracked more will know additional items.

C&D used the euro performance brake pads like you said. so if you already have those i'd leave them as-is. maybe take the HP+ with you and change after day 1 to see if there's a difference?

sub'd for updates!

 

[Husky]

I just signed up to take my car to the track for 2 days over Labor Day weekend. I really want to see what it will do at the limit, and I really can’t explore the limit on any the roads around where I live. Back in 2013, I spent 2 days at BMW driving school in South Carolina, and I really enjoyed it.

My only mod is Eibach sway bars, but I should have a Maintec exhaust on in the next week. My track prep is as follows:

• Upgrade to Pilot Sport 4S tires from the stock PS4
• Change brake fluid to a racing fluid (recommenced by the club)
• Change my oil to Mobil 1 5W40, replacing my Mobil 1 5W30
• Set my sway bars to the firmest setting

I’m hoping the stock cooling can handle some track time. I live in Michigan, so I would expect upper 70s to low 80s that weekend. I installed the Euro-spec pads when I first got the car, and I’m debating about using them or switching to Hawk HP+. I know Car and Driver fixed the issue with the Stinger with those pads at Virginia International Speedway 2018, and they ran the G70 (Dynamic Edition, I think) in 2019 - praising the brakes.

If anyone has any advice, I’d love to hear it.

It sounds like you've prepped pretty well. Make sure you've got a good tire gauge and a portable air compressor in case you want to adjust the pressures (and a helmet of course )
We're eager to hear how it goes and what your impressions are. Good luck, have fun!!
The first time I ever got to track a car, at Limerock some 35 years ago, I had a smile that wouldn't wipe off for days afterwards.

 

[Slip_Angle]

Maybe grab a BlueTooth OBD reader and use the Torque app to monitor engine oil, coolant and transmission temps?

Maybe a dash cam to get some nice track video!

 

[ephone1]

Maybe grab a BlueTooth OBD reader and use the Torque app to monitor engine oil, coolant and transmission temps?

Maybe a dash cam to get some nice track video!

I didn't know that existed - and I now want it!

 

[Stanlol]

I just signed up to take my car to the track for 2 days over Labor Day weekend. I really want to see what it will do at the limit, and I really can’t explore the limit on any the roads around where I live. Back in 2013, I spent 2 days at BMW driving school in South Carolina, and I really enjoyed it.

My only mod is Eibach sway bars, but I should have a Maintec exhaust on in the next week. My track prep is as follows:

• Upgrade to Pilot Sport 4S tires from the stock PS4
• Change brake fluid to a racing fluid (recommenced by the club)
• Change my oil to Mobil 1 5W40, replacing my Mobil 1 5W30
• Set my sway bars to the firmest setting

I’m hoping the stock cooling can handle some track time. I live in Michigan, so I would expect upper 70s to low 80s that weekend. I installed the Euro-spec pads when I first got the car, and I’m debating about using them or switching to Hawk HP+. I know Car and Driver fixed the issue with the Stinger with those pads at Virginia International Speedway 2018, and they ran the G70 (Dynamic Edition, I think) in 2019 - praising the brakes.

If anyone has any advice, I’d love to hear it.

I didn't know BMW had a school. I might check it out but I am quite far, I'm in the Conneticut Area.

 

[canucklehead604]

this is my target, likely next year due to COVID:

Area 27 - Exclusive Membership - Luxury Motorsports Club

they have several user-pay sessions a year, otherwise it's a ~$40k buy-in i think.

i did the kart track this year and hung out at the main track's viewing area for a while to check out the members lapping. tasty.

 

[EdP]

I didn't know BMW had a school. I might check it out but I am quite far, I'm in the Conneticut Area.

There used to be classes at Lime Rock. Skip Barber School used to operate there but I think they disappeared. Perhaps it is someone else now. My neighbor was an instructor.

 

[Toddasaurus]

I just signed up to take my car to the track for 2 days over Labor Day weekend. I really want to see what it will do at the limit, and I really can’t explore the limit on any the roads around where I live. Back in 2013, I spent 2 days at BMW driving school in South Carolina, and I really enjoyed it.

My only mod is Eibach sway bars, but I should have a Maintec exhaust on in the next week. My track prep is as follows:

• Upgrade to Pilot Sport 4S tires from the stock PS4
• Change brake fluid to a racing fluid (recommenced by the club)
• Change my oil to Mobil 1 5W40, replacing my Mobil 1 5W30
• Set my sway bars to the firmest setting

I’m hoping the stock cooling can handle some track time. I live in Michigan, so I would expect upper 70s to low 80s that weekend. I installed the Euro-spec pads when I first got the car, and I’m debating about using them or switching to Hawk HP+. I know Car and Driver fixed the issue with the Stinger with those pads at Virginia International Speedway 2018, and they ran the G70 (Dynamic Edition, I think) in 2019 - praising the brakes.

If anyone has any advice, I’d love to hear it.

Both @Husky and @Slip_Angle mentioned some really good recommendations. Tire pressure is a big thing that you'll want to both monitor, and adjust when you're out there. Double check your lugnut torque, make sure you've got a good helmet, and if you can try to set up some sort of camera to record it! Bring some snacks and plenty of stuff to drink and stay hydrated.

Don't stress too much about modding the car. There is nothing wrong with running everything completely stock on your first track day to find out what the limits of the car are. You've for the Euro spec pads which is probably the only necessary upgrade.

Racing brake fluid is great due to the high boilover point, and it will pretty much always be an upgrade from stock; but, honestly as long as your current fluid is pretty new it's unlikely to be contaminated with moisture, and I'd really doubt it's a major weak point.

Again, don't stress about mods right now. Just go with the intent to learn the feel of your car, and get to know the limits. See it as a learning experience, a very fun learning experience!

 

[Husky]

Great point about the snacks and water Todd. It can be a long, hot day. That's actually one of the reasons I didn't take my son up on his suggestion I autocross one of my cars last summer. After going to watch him, I found out just how hot it got standing out on the tarmac all day, waiting for your turn. Road courses aren't as bad.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[CVODON]

Shade is most important. $69.95 Walmart 10X10 Pop-up shelter, GOOD cooler with lots of water and a GOOD lawn chair. Standing in the sun just sucks. Shelter can be held down with your spare wheel from the trunk and your cooler.
Driver wise, heat related here again, a GOOD pair of driving gloves that fit. Not a pair of thin leather BMW goober gloves but a real pair of Simpson or similiar driving gLoves. Your hands become amazingly sweaty when stress is high. Couple of good towels, one to wipe sweat and one to soak in the cooler and put around your neck when you come in from a session.

 

[Husky]

Very good suggestion on the pop up tent, the chair and the cooler, except they won't fit in many cars (never tried putting one in the G70). You need your significant other to bring all that in their SUV, haha.

 

[CVODON]

FYI: I have a EZ-UP commercial grade pop-up, 10'x10' and it is 48X12X12 when collapsed It along with my RTC 18 Cooler both fit in the back seat of my G70. Won't fit in the trunk but definitely in the back seat.

 

[ephone1]

Very good suggestion on the pop up tent, the chair and the cooler, except they won't fit in many cars (never tried putting one in the G70). You need your significant other to bring all that in their SUV, haha.

I'm not sure if I'll have the wife pit-crew or not. We used to do a lot of horse shows, so we have all the stuff for hanging out at an event.

 

[ephone1]

Track day starts to tomorrow and goes through Sunday. I flushed my brakes and put in Motul 600. I also installed Hawk DCT60 pads on the front and Hawk HP Plus on the rear. My regular street pads are the Genesis Eurospec and they were expensive, so don’t want to risk frying them. I’ve had the track pads on for a week so I could properly bed them. I don’t drive much, but when I do they squeal like the pig in Deliverance - its actually comical how loud they are.

I set my Eibach to the stiffest setting in the rear, and left the front on soft. If I want to change the front, I can do it tomorrow after the track closes, since I only live 15 miles away. I changed the oil to Redline 5w-40, and I will run that until the end of the month, since there’s another event the last weekend in September that I’ll probably do.

I wasn’t anticipating any issues with my helmet clearing the roof but, in reality, I had to move my seat back more than I’d like and lean the seat back for good clearance. I’m only 5’10, so taller guys would really have an issue. I did a lot reading on BMW M3 forums, and they the same issue.

I decided to keep my stock P4’s on for the weekend. I figure I’ll probably finish them off this weekend and buy new PS4’s next week. Everyone on track forums has a different opinion on how to set the air pressure. I’m starting at the stock settings and will change it if I need to.

From all the reading I did the past few weeks, one thing is pretty clear from the guys who do this a lot - negative camber is important when tracking, as it saves wear on your tires. Unfortunately, no one makes camber plates for the front of the G70/Stinger platform. I hope that changes. Megan Racing makes a full rear kit, but not the front. If I keep doing this, I’ll probably put them on, but I really want to be able to do the fronts as well.

 

[EdP]

Track day starts to tomorrow and goes through Sunday. I flushed my brakes and put in Motul 600. I also installed Hawk DCT60 pads on the front and Hawk HP Plus on the rear. My regular street pads are the Genesis Eurospec and they were expensive, so don’t want to risk frying them. I’ve had the track pads on for a week so I could properly bed them. I don’t drive much, but when I do they squeal like the pig in Deliverance - its actually comical how loud they are.

I set my Eibach to the stiffest setting in the rear, and left the front on soft. If I want to change the front, I can do it tomorrow after the track closes, since I only live 15 miles away. I changed the oil to Redline 5w-40, and I will run that until the end of the month, since there’s another event the last weekend in September that I’ll probably do.

I wasn’t anticipating any issues with my helmet clearing the roof but, in reality, I had to move my seat back more than I’d like and lean the seat back for good clearance. I’m only 5’10, so taller guys would really have an issue. I did a lot reading on BMW M3 forums, and they the same issue.

I decided to keep my stock P4’s on for the weekend. I figure I’ll probably finish them off this weekend and buy new PS4’s next week. Everyone on track forums has a different opinion on how to set the air pressure. I’m starting at the stock settings and will change it if I need to.

From all the reading I did the past few weeks, one thing is pretty clear from the guys who do this a lot - negative camber is important when tracking, as it saves wear on your tires. Unfortunately, no one makes camber plates for the front of the G70/Stinger platform. I hope that changes. Megan Racing makes a full rear kit, but not the front. If I keep doing this, I’ll probably put them on, but I really want to be able to do the fronts as well.

Have fun. Post some action photos.

 

[Husky]

Yeah, enjoy and let us know how it goes. Good luck, keep the shiny side up

 

[ephone1]

One day down, one to go.

The car did great. The engine temperature never moved beyond where it sits street driving. Oil temperatures ran about 250F, which is about 45 degrees higher than normal, but still fine. It was about 75 today, so I'm not sure what would happen if it were 90. I wish there was a way to see the transmission temps and oil pressure - I don't think you can get it from ODBC connections. I did four 20 minutes sessions, each ending in a cool down lap. By the time I parked the car, I would let it run for a few minutes, then turn it off with the hood open. The fan would blow for another 5 minutes with the engine off.

With my swaybar setup, the car is very neutral on the track, and managing the weight with brake and throttle is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. The big issue is the OEM tires, they're the real limit. I'm probably going to get new rims and a set of track focused tires before the next event at the end of the month.

I ran with the traction & stability control off. The only time I ran into an issue was in a tight banked corner where the car slides nicely (it's a ball!). The problem is if you lay on the the throttle halfway through, the front tires start to scrub - an issue a RWD car wouldn't have. that was the only time where I felt the AWD was a hinderance.

I had intended to use the paddles, but I wound up letting the car shift automatically - the reason - I couldn't hear the engine enough through the helmet to gauge the shift points at all - even with the fake engine noise turned to maximum. My new exhaust will be here next week - maybe that will help. Amazingly, the car auto shifts really well on the track - like it knows it's on a track. I never found myself in too high of a gear, which I wouldn't have expected from the times I've flung it around on curvy roads.

One thing I would recommend if you ever track your car - put race pads on it. There's no way my Eurospec pads would have held up on this track for a 20 minute session. The guy who did the driver briefing in the morning said they had 3 cars lose brakes at the end of the main straight this year. I had no fade with track pads, but it looks like I have deposits - that said, I don't have any shutter.

Overall, I had a blast. I'll post some pics and videos after I go through what my wife took today.

 

[ephone1]

Forgot to mention, I burned nearly 3/4 tank of gas in 4 20 minute sessions.

 

[Aquineas]

That sounds like a blast! Are the event organizers taking photos?