7-9 Nov
Autos on Firebird Main with www.proautosports.com/ARIZONA.html. I plan to have my M3 with new coilovers (PSS9s) on the track all day Friday.

8-9 Nov
Motorcycles at Arizona Motorsports Park (AMP) with www.teamarizona.com on Saturday and Sunday. I'll be there on the CBR600 F4i

Other trackdays I'll be attending:

15 Nov
Motorcycles on Firebird East, Championship Cup Series with www.formulausa.com.

16 Nov
Motorcycles on Firebird West, www.aztrackday.com

21-23 Nov
Autos on Arizona Motorsports Park with www.azsportsracing.org

28-30 Nov
Autos on Firebird Main with www.proautosports.com/ARIZONA.html

Click here (http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=88971&highlight=AMP) for an idea of what a trackday is like. Anybody interested?

AMP

Ready to Ride

Bimmers Representin'

sounds very fun .. any of those that i can participate in with my own car??

kind of wondering the same thing....

They have PSS9's for the E36 M3?? I thought you could only put the PSS's on there.

I'll be out at AMP on Nov 22nd with the M3. It should be a blast. From what I have heard that track is outstanding.

GNALUZU, I'll be instructing at AMP Nov 22 & 23. Look for me in the yellow-orange instructor shirt, nickname "Phantom". What color is your M3?

Originally posted by FastE21
sounds very fun .. any of those that i can participate in with my own car??
Yes. Bring your own car, like everyone else. Check out the website links for all the info.

Originally posted by ArcticSilverM3
They have PSS9's for the E36 M3?? I thought you could only put the PSS's on there.

You can put PSS9s on the E36 M3 (Just finished my own DIY install). They require 15 mm hub spacers on the front wheels to clear the coilover, no problem.

Phantom,

My M3 is Carbon Black and I am signed up for the school because I have never been on AMP before. I have mainly run out on PIR, but I am looking forward to it. See you there.

Sooo, can i run my car at any of these?? i want to track her bad

Originally posted by FastE21, 11-05-2003 01:15 AM
sounds very fun .. any of those that i can participate in with my own car??

Originally posted by Phantom, 11-05-2003 03:21 PM
Yes. Bring your own car, like everyone else. Check out the website links for all the info.

Originally posted by FastE21, 11-06-2003 12:15 AM
Sooo, can i run my car at any of these?? i want to track her bad

I say again, YOU CAN RUN YOUR OWN CAR. Check the websites for all the info you may need. If that isn't enough, just show up and spectate, ask questions, bum passenger laps, and see if it's something you're interested in doing. No admission fee to get into the track.

One more time, MOST EVERYONE RUNS THEIR OWN CAR.

FastE21, PM me with any questions. We can talk by phone.

Hello Kelly,

ASRA continues registration for our ANNUAL FALL ENDURO EVENT WEEKEND.

This year, ASRA presents an opportunity to run with us and still have Thanksgiving weekend free for the family!!!!

ASRA will host this ANNUAL FALL ENDURO EVENT this year at AMP over three days, Friday through Sunday, November 21st-23rd, 2003, the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving!

General and SuperStreet Sessions are available for this on FRIDAY ONLY $99.00!!! OR, signup for both Saturday and Sunday get FRIDAY FREE!!!

The ENDURO RACE WEEKEND will be a 2-day format this year, and will include a 40 minute race on Saturday and a TWO-HOUR ENDURO on SUNDAY. The finish in Saturday's race will determine the starting positions for Sunday's TWO-HOUR ENDURO. Both races will qualify for ASRA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES and AZCUP Driver's Championship points with the ASRA CHAMPIONSHIP Class winners determined at the conclusion of the TWO-HOUR Enduro on Sunday. Double Points will be awarded finishers in Sunday's LONG TWO-HOUR ENDURO. This event is the season Finale for the ASRA Championship Series.

The race weekend will also feature the running of a pair of BMW-CCA club races concurrent with the enduro races. For BMWCCA Race Registration, go to: http://azsportsracing.org/?dest=bmwcca

================================================== ==
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY: Race TEST DAY <!!!! $99.00 !!!!>
4 - 20 Minute General Test&Tune Sessions <!!!! $99.00 !!!!>
4 - 20 Minute SUPERSTREET Sessions <!!!! $99.00 !!!!>

SATURDAY: Race Practice, Qualify, 40Minute Race
4 - 20 Minute Combined Street Sessions
ASRA NOVICE DRIVER'S SCHOOL *

SUNDAY: Race Practice, TWO-HOUR ENDURO !!! Double POints for ACS and AZCUP series!!!
4 - 20 Minute Combined Street Sessions
3020 Introduction to Performance Driving **

REGISTER ONLINE FOR THIS EVENT AT: http://azsportsracing.org/?dest=novevt

FOR A DETAILED SCHEDULE FOR THIS EVENT see: http://azsportsracing.org/?dest=sched

FOR details on the ASRA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS and DRIVER STANDINGS: http://autosportcentral.net/results/asra/default.asp?seriesid=10000

Up-To-Date information on the ARIZONA CUP SERIES POINTS and DRIVER STANDINGS will be available not later than Friday Morning, November 7 at: http://autosportcentral.net/results/azcup/default.asp?seriesid=10100

================================================== ===


Register at: http://azsportsracing.org/?dest=novevt

* For Information on the ASRA NOVICE DRIVER'S SCHOOL, please go to:
http://azsportsracing.org/?dest=school

** FOR Information on the 3020 Sessions for non-members, please go to:
http://azsportsracing.org/?dest=3020

This event is also scheduled to feature the FRAN-AM 2000 series finale races, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so come out and watch this great series run it's season finale races! Find out more about this great series at: http://www.fran-am.com

ASRA will also be holding it's November General Membership Meeting at RacerWorld on Thursday Evening, NOVEMBER 15th, 2003 at 7PM. RacerWorld is located at: 21639 N. 14th Avenue, in Phoenix... that's just south of the Deer Valley Airport on the southeast corner of Deer Valley Road and 14th Avenue.


See you at the races.

Your ASRA MEMBER# is XXXXXX and your PIN is: XXXX Our records show your membership expiration date is: 2/8/2004

Originally posted by Phantom
Ready to Ride

No yer not. Your lid's open.

What's up man? Long time, no talk. Hope things are good....

Hey, Bryan. Things are going very well. You gonna make it out to the track one of these weekends?

Originally posted by Phantom
Hey, Bryan. Things are going very well. You gonna make it out to the track one of these weekends?

I'm outta town a few of those dates, but I'll try to stop by to hang. I hope to do another trackday at AMP, but I'm having trouble finding an LSD to put on my car.

Well, after spending Mon-Wed installing the PSS9s with the help of a lady friend (awesome woman), I had the car corner-balanced and aligned Thursday at Bavarian Motors, Ltd, on 16th St near Thomas. Andrew's shop does excellent work.


Removing the left front strut . . .

Hot babe driving a sports car.
Hot babe riding a sportbike, any bike.
Hot babe who can wrench . . .

I was under the car reattaching the drive axles to the differential while she was remounting the rear brake caliper. I look up to see one manicured hand without the Mechanix Glove working the caliper bolt and couldn't help myself.

"Hey, reach in there again and turn that bolt while I take a picture:devillook :devillook ."

"Why??"

"Because it's just so sexy!"

I mean, c'mon, how can ya not get a woody? Check the PSS9 damping adjustment knob blurred in the left foreground, the steel-braided brake line, the hint of bracelet, the woman's hand working that bolt. Performance hardware and femininity, what a combo!

finished the rear on Monday. Rather straightforward. Afterwards we attended to that aforementioned woody:D :D

Along with replacing the cracked windshield. Dropped the car off on Thursday and ran errands to prep the motorcycle.

Corner balancing results:

Total Vehicle Weight w/o driver, half tank of gas: 3137 lbs
Weight Distribution, f/r: 49.9% / 50.1%

Can't get much better than that:buttrock :buttrock

Drove the car home thru some city streets Thursday afternoon, running more errands. Suspension is taut, but not harsh. Lowered about 3/4 inch. Nice ride, responsive handling. I like it so far.

Up early Friday, got to the track at 7:30 am. Signed in, got my registration packet, unloaded the gear outta the car. Double-checked the PSS9s set on softest setting (9) all-around for starters, with cold tire pressures set at 39 psi.

On track in expert group at 8:40 am. Initial impression: Verrrrrrry nice! I gradually up the pace, turning it up a bit each lap. I get into Turn 1 hot on purpose with lift-throttle oversteer. Rear starts to come around and I countersteer to gather it up. Slight dab of throttle to transfer weight and traction rearward, stabilize the slip angle and carry it past the apex to track-out. Very nice!!! Predictable, tractable.

I'm running street alignment settings with the KMAC camber plates, not dialing in more negative camber yet so I can get a feel for the baseline performance. Tires are Yoko A032R, standard size 235/40 17s on the OEM rims.

because the track is pretty much wide open. Only 5 cars on track in my run group!!! Recognize several guys from before, a Z28 and an NSX, plus a supercharged Mustang up from Tucson.

Lady is loving the lapping. We're blasting down Firebird's main straight, winding out 4th gear to 118mph indicated, she gives a simple thumbs-up with a smile! Schroth harness has her strapped in snug as a bug.

I dial the damping up to midway, setting 5 of 9, for the second session. The result: More of a good thing. Car is PLANTED. Feels good. I can summarize the effect of the PSS9s this way:

They retain the superb stock handling characteristics of the M3, there's just more grip all-around.

Just before the third 20-minute track session I notice a shimmy feeding into the cockpit while idling in the staging area. I think to myself, "Hmmm, must be the tighter shocks transmitting more engine vibration into the chassis."

Third session goes well. I spend a lap hanging the rear out at will, catching it, then backing off to prevent overheated tires. Back in the paddock I check the tire wear, pressures and under the hood. Pressures rise from 39 psi cold to 45-47 psi hot.

Under the hood I notice the radiator fan shroud is slightly loose. Further inspection reveals two fan blades missing!!! I think about breaking off the opposing two blades to balance it out while I finish the track day, but that won't work because there's an odd number (11).

So I hustle up to Chapman BMW on Camelback, realizing it was the out-of-balance radiator fan that caused the engine shimmy. Back to the track, I pull the radiator and replace the fan, with the enthusiastic help of the lady and my motorcycle trackday bud, Ted, from AZtrackday.com.

I miss two sessions due to repairs, but the organizers let me double up, running with the Novice group, to make up for lost track time:alright :alright

Ted rides shotgun this time. He had ridden with me at Firebird Main, before, so he was very surprised at my entry speed into Turn 1 this time around compared to previously. He notices how the suspension allows much more corner speed.

We dice it up with Brett's E30 325is. To my surprise I can't take him down the main straight!!! Later he tells me he had the engine stroked and cam'd, dynoing 225 hp at the flywheel, which explains his straight-line speed.

I pass the NSX and the Z28, catch a couple of C5 Vettes, then back off again, remembering to preserve my tires and brakes for ASRA's three-day event at AMP Nov 21-23.

We keep expecting the checkered flag to end our "20 minute" session, but it doesn't happen. Finally, after 33 minutes (!), I tell Ted we'll do a cool-down lap and exit the track. Checkered flag ends the session. Talk about value for your dollar!! 35 minute track session!!!

Back in the paddock I do the usual walk-around inspection. Ted says the right-front tire has given up the ghost. Sure enough, it's worn beyond limits, the tread wear sloping off from inside to outside, indicating I need more negative camber for the track. Lesson learned: dial up the KMAC camber plates for more negative camber (~-3 deg) on track.

Pic of Right Front Tire

from the rear looking forward. Notice how there's more inner tread left. More negative camber will help that, plus it will give more grip up front. I expect I'll have to lower rear tire pressure 2-3 psi to give more rear grip to balance the increased front grip.

Well, after prepping the bike last week . . .

raising the fork tubes in the triple-clamps a coupla millimeters for sharper steering and by swapping to the track wheels/tires and fiberglass track bodywork . . .

in a borrowed minivan

to Arizona Motorsports Park for 2 more days of track bliss!

Kelly, you are by far the most hard-core and well-prepared track slut I've ever met! :buttrock

Have fun out there....

16 Turns, 2.25 Miles

Free Admission

I just attended the monthly ASRA membership meeting and I got some more details on next weekend's event:

Featured Events/Hardware
Dodge Viper Competition Coupes - 505hp/550ft-lb cars. A group of Coupes will be running this weekend Fran-Am 2000 (Formula Renault) - Three featured races. These are the same cars Kimi Raikkonen drove before entering Formula 1.
One-on-One student training. Each student will be matched up with an assigned instructor for the weekend Novice Driver's School (sorry, I'm already assigned to a student) :D
30/20 Introductory program for First-Time Drivers - Pay 30 bucks and run your car for 20 minutes on the track with an assigned instructor. This program is for those who have not tracked their car before and would like to turn some track laps to see if driving on a full race track is for them.
$99 Friday - Drive Four 20-minute sessions on Friday for 99 bucks

Click Here for Great Pics and a Report from ASRA's March event at AMP (http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=91692&highlight=amp)

Also, go to www.azsportsracing.org or call (480) 236-3488 for more info.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.


The March event was worth attending just to see the hardware:

What events can we come spectate?

As far as I know, all of the events are open (and free) to spectators.

I think I'll have to cancel on the Seguaro drive, and go watch some racing :)

If you have a helmet, bring it along. Most of the people at these events don't mind giving a few hot laps to people. I know that I don't mind.

Really? Good thing today was payday...maybe I'll just have to!

EDIT: Wheres a good place to go pick up a cheap helmet?

I can sell you my black Arai Quantum/s (large) for $50 if you want. Shoot me a PM...

I'm bringing an extra helmet (XL) for folks to borrow. All events are open to spectators.

The paddock area is completely open. Cruise the paddock, check out the hardware, ask questions, talk cars, take pics, bum passenger laps, etc. It's like Saturday at Scottsdale Pavilions, with the added benefit of seeing all the hardware in action on the track. Better than a pit pass.

Thought I'd post some pics of me from the Championship Cup Series (CCS) event at Firebird Raceway East Track.




I started off slow. First lap my bike wouldn't upshift because I had misadjusted the shift pedal. Had to pit and make a quick fix. Eased into it after that.

Main Straight . . .

Last Saturday I fell at Arizona Motorsports Park. The front tire washed out entering Turn 10 at ~75mph due to a combination of factors (slippery turn, front suspension settings, rider technique or lack thereof). I slid then tumbled to a rest over 30 yards. Leathers did a great job of protecting me. I was unhurt.

Spent the week repairing the bike (rearsets, fairing stay, shift lever, rear brake lever) and getting the leathers repaired. Fiberglass bodywork held up pretty well, so I used it again before I have it repaired it next week.

Here's Turn 1 at Firebird East, this afternoon.

Note the scuffed bodywork. The left side looks quite a bit worse.

Didn't realize how large my eyes look in the helmet:eek:

I switched to a dark visor in the last session. Sun glare was getting worse.

Approaching the apex . . .

Up at 5 am for Firebird West with AZTrackday.com