Hi everyone,
I finished my day at BMW M track days down at Homestead-Miami speedway. Story short, it was amazing!! Tons of seat time between the three events.
Here is my run down of the day:
Everything starts with a quick safety and driving brief. Instructor was funny but nothing really new here. Quick talk of cornering, braking, and picking a racing line. Then off to the events. (Coffee and light food options were also available)
Event one: drag racing
"Pinks style" drag race with a stop box at the end. Everyone gets one race per car. Cars to drive were X6M, M5, M6 convertible (top down!). The M5 and M6 both had ceramic brakes. It was interesting to see stopping distances decrease as they came up to temperature. Wow these cars have short braking distances! The X6M is no slouch either. It held its own nicely.
Event two: lead/follow lapping
Put on some helmets and it's time for the part I was most excited about. They start us out in M2s (instructors were in M235is
. They take us out on the track right away. By the second corner we were at speed. I didn't expect the pace to be so fast on the first lap!! That was cool. The course was a modified version of the road course at Homestead-Miami speedway. They added in the banked turns of 3 and 4 of the nascar oval. Those were more fun than expected. 18-20 degrees of banking feels wild. Drivers cycle and take turns as the car immediately following the instructor. Complete 4-5 laps and then swap with the passenger.
M235i in capable hands is quick! The instructors would end up with huge leads after the more technical turn sections.
Then they have us hop into an M3 or M4 and do the same drill. This time they have us set the car to M1 (preset with max throttle response and firmest suspension and such). My car had the M performance exhaust - very nice!
One person had an issue at this point and went off the track. Talking with the instructors later, they said the car had a "chassis stabilization" error while driving. When this happens the computer turns off DSC and other nanny features!!
they ended up spinning into a wall! Damage seemed minor though.
I have seen this error pop up on threads before, didn't know how it would affect the car though.
Seat time in the M3/M4 was the same as in the M2. I was impressed. Way more laps than expected.
Event three: autocross!
Once again in the M4, this time car was set to MDM and required use of paddle shifters!! Love it.
The course was short and had a stop box finish. Penalties were in effect. We got three laps. Times for this were from the mid 15s to high 18s. I came in with a mid 16 - I was excited.
Now it's time for an instructor hot lap. We pile into an M3 and set off. This was humbling. I had personal confidence and felt I was "putting in work"... So much room to grow. These cars are phenomenal. First time hard braking nearly had my face into the dash. It's everything and more of those videos on YouTube. Our car started to shred a rear wheel. The driver was not phased one bit. When we get out, a chunk of tire about the size of my palm was gone and cords exposed. Wow.
Then it was off to lunch. BMW did not skimp. Steak sandwich or chicken and tons of other stuff in what has to be the coolest lunch box! Steak was perfect and thick. Very nice touch.
Sadly that was it. Not a bad way to spend the morning!!
(Typed from my cell phone. Sorry for the small grammar errors)
Photos:
Note the M4 GTS. So sexy
M2s with a M235i leader
Autocross at a distance
Autocross and an i8
Lunch
Thanks BMW, but do I really have to leave?!
Some more photos by brrgofast and ric124:
