Im sooooo excited, yet kind nervous too. In the back of my head I always have this grumbling fear of totalling my car or getting into an accident.

Any tips or tricks to get rid of the jitters? How bout equipment what do you recommend I bring with me? The car is a bone stock M3/4 with (well maybe an intake). The RSM's, RTAB's, shocks, mounts, are in good shape, maintainance is up to spec, and the tires are Michelin Pilot Sports.

What PSI rating is recommended? Anything on thunderhill I should look out for aka. deceiving turns or anything? Let me know, thanks!

Also what the hell is 5/10 6/10 7/10 ... 10/10 mean and how do u guys define those values?

Check your brakes. They are the most important piece of equipment out on the track. You'll need fresh fulid, and pads/rotors that are not too worn.

There is a thread parked at the top of this forum called "First Track Event Tomorrow:" Check out all the good advice in there. Have fun and be safe!

Scott

I did my first event a month ago and I can tell you that the jitters are completely gone half way through your first lap and are quickly replaced by an ear to ear grin :D

The X/10th's thing is a guestimation of how much your are pushing the limits of your car, with 10/10ths being right on the edge.

And Spencer is right, flush your brake fluid and make sure you have at least 1/2 your brake pad life still there. Oh, and have fun!

You'll like T-hill. Plenty of run-off room. Some elevation changes. Great track.

Leave your ego at the gate. Keep an open mind. Listen to your instructor(s). Remember, the communication between you and the instructor is 2-way. Be sure you talk to him/her. You don't have to go any faster than you are comfortable with.

The course is normally run CCW. If this is the case and you run the full course, T5 will get your attention the 1st time through. Also T9. If you do your 1st laps as a ride-a-long with an instructor, make sure you get a front row seat.

Two things:

1) Go slow to be fast (or, slow in, fast out) 2) In a spin, both feet in

You'll have a ball. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Jay

Have a qualified mechanic do the technical inspection on your car. If you don't know one, ask your local BMW CCA chapter who they recommend.

Don't worry about passing people or comparing yourself to other drivers.

DEFINITELY seek out your instructor before the event and ask to get a ride in his/her car the first run group out. This will give you a feel for the speed and the track before you get in your own car. If they can't give you a ride, find an instructor that will.

Great track. Not many people agree, but it's my favorite on the west coast, even more than Laguna.

Things to look out for (assuming you're running the whole track):

Turn 3 is a seriously off camber corner that will toss you into the infield weeds if not careful.

Turn 5 takes you up over the hill with a blind exit. Watch the corner station for sh*t happening on the exit. There are two options that the organizers can run, Turn 5 over the hill or Turn 5A (bypass). Either one requires attention, especially as the car unloads at the crest.

Exiting 5 don't let the car track out all the way to the left, because you have to set up on the right for the entry to 6 right away (fun corner). A fast exit from 6 is way more important than a "fastest" exit from 5, because it leads to the fast 7/8 complex.

The Turn 7/8 complex is a seriously fun series of fast, fast left hand kinks/sweepers.

Turn 9 requires attention at the crest of the hill, and the exit is blind. Learn where the exit is and trust that it's there after you've seen it the first time. Look for the corner worker here, too.

Turns 11/12/13 are a slow (2nd/3rd gear depending on car) entry, with a fast exit, right out to the wall on the RHS.

I've done two 12hours there and the last 25 hour. It's a great track, with good grip. Have fun!

i think you picked the right track to have your 1st DE. Remember it's not a race, cant stress that enough...have fun, drink plenty of water thru out the day

The X/10th's thing is a guestimation of how much your are pushing the limits of your car, with 10/10ths being right on the edge.



It's actually an estimation of how much you're pushing your ability to drive, not the ability of the car. My 10/10ths ability is probably a 5/10ths Sunday afternoon drive for someone like Michael Schumacher.

It's actually an estimation of how much you're pushing your ability to drive, not the ability of the car. My 10/10ths ability is probably a 5/10ths Sunday afternoon drive for someone like Michael Schumacher.
True, that is a more accurate definition.

Good to see you are getting out to the track! I have run T Hill many times, like the others above. All of the comments are very good ones and should be taken to heart.

The big things I would tell you (mostly stated above) are:

1. Ensure the car is track worthy....have it looked over by a trusted mechanic and tell him what you are doing (tracking).

2. Try to meet up with your instructor early and talk with him/her.

3. GO SLOW your first session...learn the track, that is the most important thing to do at a new place!!! The instructor will talk you though the course, tell you where to be on the track etc. He will constantly remind you throughout the day too!

4. Dont worry about passing, etc. It is very controlled and structured. I have never been to an event where there was car to car contact.

5. Dont "race" other cars...if you see somebody in your mirror that was not there the last corner or two, he is faster, let him pass (this will require a "point" from you, which you will learn al about, and only in designated areas).

6. Ask your instructor if you can ride with him in his run group. Not only will you learn the track even more, but most likely, he will talk the whole time about what heis doing and why. Note track position, braking areas, entry and exit speeds, etc. By going with him, you will pick up so much more info that when you are behind the wheel concentrating on this or that. Also, it will prolly scare the shit out of you too. LOL. You will be wondering if he is going to brake or just fly off the course. lol.

7. HAVE FUN. This is a school.....and you paid for it. Enjoy yourself and look at it as a school with no exam per se. No winner, no looser. Just go to have fun and develop your skills.

Hopefully I will see you there...if not instructing, then driving. You are more than welcome to ride with me if I can make it!

TTYL, Tim