M3 Pilot

Changing hood struts / shocks on an E36 M3

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:20:00 +0000

I changed the hood struts on my M3 is one of the easiest things I've done on my car, once I figured it out. The spring clips are deceptively simple.

2010.03.27 Trip to Metric Mechanic

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 02:26:00 +0000

The St. Louis BMW Club took our annual pilgrimage to Metric Mechanic in Richland, MO.

The main group took the normal Hwy 44 route from Sunset Hills, but I wanted to take a more scenic route. Southeast Missouri has hundreds of miles of hilly, twisty roads that are wonderful for recreational driving. I mapped out my own directions to get to Richland. Even though I had to leave an hour earlier, it was well worth the extra time. The driving was exciting, but I also discovered a lot of great little towns along the way.

We arrived at Metric Mechanic at about 10:30. Jim, Teddy and Cort are always hospitable, and there’s so much to learn from them. It doesn’t take long to figure out that these guys really know what they’re doing. They have a great deal of detailed knowledge, and have developed many of their own special BMW high performance parts for motors and differentials.

I was specifically interested in learning more about differentials this time around, and Cort was happy to accommodate. He taught me how a BMW Limited Slip Differential works, and how he modifies them to improve their performance. Jim talked about piston design, and also showed us how much time, effort and expertise goes into a Metric Mechanic engine. I understand now why so many people buy motors from them.

We also learned about their oil pan baffles, and why it’s important to have one. A prolonged higher speed left-hand turn presents a challenge. The slanted engine design, motor mount flex, body roll and other factors can reduce the amount of oil available to the pickup in the pan. That can lead to oil starvation. That’s a bad thing. I know from experience that oil pan baffles work, but Metric Mechanic has an additional part that I wish I had in my car.

Every year we go down there, Mary has a great meal prepared for us. This time was no exception. She had a wonderful potato bar set up, with a great salad.

I’m already looking forward to next year, and I’m starting to dream about having one of their engines in my car.

If you want to know more about them, try www.metricmechanic.com

First Autocross Experience

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:21:00 +0000

It wasn't the ideal day for my first autocross experience, but I'll certainly be doing it again.

I arrived at 7:15. Registration was chaotic, but this was the first St. Louis SCCA event of the season, so they're clearing out the cobwebs.

It was good to see some of my BMW Club friends there. I went through tech inspection, and got my assignments work in heat 1 and drive in heat 2. I then walked the course a couple of time prior to the drivers meeting.

In the low 40's, windy and a wet mist, the weather was miserable as I took my work station at corner 2 with three other guys. Although you have to pay close attention to what's happening, it does provide an opportunity for socializing. Running to pick up cones helped to generate some welcomed heat.

The variety of cars being driven was amazing. Everything from old beaters, to a Ferrari F430. It was particularly fun to watch one particular Subaru drift through some of the turns. The best times were under 50 seconds.

One section of the course was getting torn up, causing another delay. One of the turns had to be rerouted. All drivers were then given an opportunity to walk that part, and the event had to be restarted. I slammed down my sandwich and went to the grid to prepare for my runs.

Although I was treating this as an orientation, I was a little disappointed with my slow times. But I figured out that I could take some of the turns a lot faster than I first imagined. One of my BMW friends, Mike Kenney, rode with me on my last run. He gave me some pointers that helped a lot. I was able to improve on my time over the four runs by about 2 seconds. Mike said that was a worthwhile accomplishment.

I'm looking forward to doing more of these, and hope to record future events and put them on YouTube.

Wishing for spring

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:59:00 +0000

It's not as cold as it's been in recent weeks, but I still wish for warmer weather when it's time to get my car out and play. On January 1 I got my video camera out and recorded the exhaust on my M3. I simply wanted to play with setting up a YouTube channel and figured this would be easy. The vid is kind of boring - except when I play it over my computer speakers, complete with subwoofer. I'm gonna hafta get those idler pulleys fixed.

Props to Autohaus BMW

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:35:00 +0000

I have a problem with my DME that only shows up when I go for emissions inspection every two years. Apparently the memory is messed up, but there's no adverse effect on performance.

This is the second time Autohaus BMW has worked with me on this, and they've gathered a good bit of intelligence for my particular case. They had me come in, leave the car running, and get immediate service - so the memory wouldn't erase when shutting off the motor.

Their original reading showed that I needed a few parts replaced. But the technician was able to connect with BMW NA, cycle those parts to show that they were indeed working, and legitimately pass my M3 without any real expense. I doubt that any other shop would have gone to such extensive measures to help me out.

The technician, Don, has over 20 years at Autohaus. He's one of many that have been there a long time, and that's a good sign that speaks to the quality of their organization.

Autohaus has helped me out of a jam on more than one occasion, and I've found Rusty, Victor and the rest of the crew to provide some of the best service I've ever had from any organization.

I love to do business with these guys, and it certainly has paid off to get to know them.

Patron Highcroft Acura Rebuild

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:15:00 +0000

I'm reflecting on one of the remarkable moments in ALMS racing this last year. Scott Sharp crashed the Patron Highcroft Acura race car in a horrific shunt while preparing for the Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta. The car needed a new tub and had to be completely rebuilt in record time in order to make the race. Two videos for your entertainment: The crash, and the time-lapsed rebuild.

Fall trip to Hermann

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:29:00 +0000

Yesterday was a bright, sunny Sunday - perfect for a drive out to Hermann, MO with my wife. Driving the twisties of highway 94 is a lot of fun, unless you get behind some slow pokes. We found some of that, but I the road was mostly open for us.

It took about 90 minutes to get to our lunch destination, Simon's on the Waterfront. The food and service were good, but nothing to really to jump up and down about. We then left Hermann and took highway 100 to Washington, crossed the river, and took 94 the rest of the way home. We encountered lots of slow traffic on that section of 94. I called it a funeral procession. I don't know why people insist on driving 10 MPH under the speed limit, unless they've been really hitting it at the wineries.

A wonderful Street Survial experience

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:49:00 +0000

Instructing at Street Survival is one of the most rewarding things I get to do all year. My student last Saturday was Melanie, a 16 year old high school junior who had been driving for 6 months. After the first classroom session, I took the wheel of her Chevy sedan while she observed from passenger seat. As I worked through the course, she looked a little nervous. The wet and dry slaloms weren't much of a big deal, but the wet skid pad, emergency lane change and hard-braking exercises made her uncomfortable. I asked, "Have you ever been in a car with these kinds of thing happening?" Her wide-eyed answer was a simple, "No!"

Melanie's concern was that she would damage the car. I explained that her parents would gladly trade minor superficial damage for the training that she would get that day. I also told her that the worst thing likely to happen would be that she'd eat a few cones along the way - which she certainly did. Melanie took the wheel and worked through the course. A little tentative at first, Melanie quickly became confident, and the transformation was a delight to watch. She seemed to benefit from her experience in sports.

Her favorite exercises were the wet and dry braking areas, where we accelerate toward a set of cones lined up at the stopping point. The challenge is to brake hard at the last possible moment and come as close to the cones as possible without hitting them. She frequently came within just a few inches, but often fought the instinct to brake early and more gradually.

At Street Survival, the most rewarding moment for me is the end of the day. Students take their parents out on the course. It's fun to watch the parents bracing themselves in some of the exercises. But it's touching to me to know that many of them are beaming with pride and thinking, "Wow! Look what my kid can do now!"

Street Survival is a nation-wide safe driving school for teens, sponsored by Tire Rack and the BMW CCA Foundation. The St. Louis BMW Club hosts two events each year. The cost is minimal, and spots fill up very quickly. To learn more, go to the Street Survival web site.

Exhausted

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:54:00 +0000

The rattle of an old exhaust is often from a loose heat shield. I had mine tack welded, but it only got worse. It was embarrassing while sitting at a stop light. Diagnosis at a muffler shop revealed that the catalytic converter itself was going bad, and would eventually clog the exhaust. Even with the generous club discount at my favorite BMW dealership, the replacement part would be $1800. More than I’m prepared to pay at the moment.

Just by chance, I ran across a related post on our local club message board. Dr. Ken, one of our prominent members, all-around good-guy, and my instructor at our last DE, had a used one available for about $100. If was from a similar vintage 328 (with about 160K on the clock) and would supposedly fit. Not sure, though, if it would throw an error code upon installation.

My friends at Autohaus BMW verified that yes, the CAT was indeed at fault. They installed the new/old unit and it worked just fine. They also tack-welded the heat shield, as it also was rattling. Now I’m on my way, having spent about $300 instead of $2,000. I’m grateful for the help of my friends in the. It’s amazing to me how willing they are to lend a hand. Dr. Ken, and Rusty and Victor at Autohaus, you guys are all rock stars. Your Lear jet will be arriving shortly.

Hyundai Genesis - Test Drive

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:33:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Sasha Nialla
The Hyundai Genesis is a fun car to drive! That’s my assessment from my very brief experience at Hyundai’s Adrenalin Tour. My evaluation is neither extensive nor professional, but I’m left with the impression that it would be both sporty and civilized as a daily driver.

The Adrenalin Tour gives participants a first-hand experience with Hyundai's new performance-oriented coupe. To add to the sporting image, Hyundai brings the drifting version of the car to the event.

Each participant was allowed 2 runs on an autocross course, but I snagged a third. I chose the V6 3.8L “Track” version with a 6 speed. The car accelerated well, but I would have expected just a bit more out of 306 HP. The course was designed to be driven entirely in 2nd gear, and was easily navigated. There was one decreasing radius turn to make it more interesting. On my first try I noticed a fair amount of understeer. The Hyundai representative in the passenger seat then suggested that I brake easier and longer, keeping the weight more on the front tires for better grip. Subsequent runs proved him to be correct. This is a much different approach from my road course experience, where you have to get more braking done approaching a turn at a higher rate of speed.

Another thing I noticed was that the car plays very well when getting tail happy. It doesn’t suddenly snap around on you, but can be easily controlled with the throttle. I’ve never done much drifting, but this car feels like it would be at home doing just that. I would have loved to have driven the course in my BMW to compare. The Genesis has more power than my 240 HP M3, but weighs 170 lbs more. The tires are the same width (225 front, 245 rear) but the Genesis has 19’’ wheels, compared to my 17”.

If I were in the market for an affordable daily driver, I would certainly consider some version of the Genesis – especially with the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. I’ll be paying attention to reports on their reliability.

HPDE #4 Notebook | 2009.06.13,14

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:08:00 +0000

Basic details:
- Instructor: Dr. Ken Kloess
- Car: '97 BMW M3
- Track: Gateway International Raceway
- Weather: Sunny, high temp's in mid 90's
- Tires: Yokohama S.drive, 225/45 R17

My best HPDE so far, I ran in group 2 again. My instructor was Dr. Ken Kloess, affectionately known in the club as “Dr. Ken”. Top ambient temperatures were around 90 degrees. I continued my habit of recording tire pressures before and after the session. It usually increases about 5-7 lbs depending on which tire. The amount of increase seems to differ slightly, probably due to speed and driving style variations. On Saturday I had the temperatures checked by my friends at Yokohama. I think it’s more practical, however, to use pressures instead of temperatures as a benchmark.

SATURDAY: A good day with some great runs. Although most of the reference cones were absent from the track, I got up to speed much more quickly than my last school. The exception was turn 6, where it was harder to find the apex.

Managing tire wear is important to me. The front right tire had a little chunking, so I rotated the right side tires after lunch. Dr. Ken suggested that I brake harder in the approach to turn 2, and avoid using the turn itself to scrub speed. That seemed to help.

The car felt well-balanced, except for the fact that the front seemed to wash out at the exit of turn 6, toward the end of my last 2 sessions. This has been my experience before, and I'd like to find a solution to that.

I was signed off to drive solo, and did the day’s final session by myself. I was pleased to discover more confidence than I’d anticipated, and I turned several fast, consistent laps. I’m approaching a level where I could use sticky tires and performance brake pads.

I felt less fatigue than previous HPDE's, probably due to a more relaxed grip on the steering wheel, and the littl bit of physical conditioning I'd been doing.

SUNDAY: I continued improve my speed and consistency. I went through the turn 3/4/5 complex much faster, sometimes taking turn 5 at 80 mph before braking into the carousel. On my final session my concentration started to fade, so I ended the run a lap early.

Dr. Ken gave me high marks on my evaluation and commented that I had gained a lot of speed over the weekend. His instruction made a big difference, and I give him high marks for doing a remarkable job in coaching me.

I can see at least four things I want to work on at my next Gateway DE:
- Carry a touch more speed into turn 1
- Improve my execution in turns 3/4
- Consistently kiss the curbs at the turn 5 apex
- Better execution of turn 6, especially the exit

Preparation for DE #4

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:24:00 +0000

I’m preparing for my next BMW Driving School, with three areas of focus: physical, mechanical and mental.

PHYSICALLY, I’ve been exercising some muscles that get used more than normal at the track. I’ve found that fatigue comes easier as I get older, and I’m trying to compensate.

MECHANICALLY, I’m taking a number of measures. I flushed the brakes, using Ate Super Gold racing brake fluid. It's normally easy for me to do myself. But my pressure bleeder was broken, so my friend John Hoffner was gracious to help by pumping the pedal.

Other areas of the car are being addressed by Jon Rhodes at Euro Trix Tuning. The first area is the oil pump gear nut. Tales have been told about the nut sometimes backing off, which can turn into a catastrophic event for the engine. I’m having the nut fixed so that it can’t back off. In order to do that, the front sub frame and oil pan must be removed, so there are two other areas that will get attention while we’re in there.

A baffle will be welded into the oil pan, to prevent oil starvation in hard cornering. This will become a bigger concern in the future, if I run high grip tires. I’m also having some reinforcement pieces welded to the sub frame, also to handle the additional forces imposed on a car using sticky tires.

The photo shows the oil pan gasket and the pump nut and wire, purchased from Bimmerworld. Also seen are the pieces for the oil pan baffle, and the front sub frame reinforcement kit from Turner Motorsport.

MENTALLY, I am preparing by reviewing notes from previous schools, setting goals for this school, and running laps in my imagination. I’ll make another blog entry after the event, and if I’m able to record any of my sessions, I’ll post one of them.

Metric Mechanic 4/11/09

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:19:00 +0000

This past Saturday a handfull of us from the St. Louis BMW Club visited Jim Rowe and his crew at Metric Mechanic in Richland, MO. Metric Mechanic is one of the premier BMW performance engine builders in the US. They also specialize in differentials and other drivetrain components. We try to make an annual pilgrimmage there, and this is my second trip.

The event was pretty informal, but very worthwhile and informative. At any given time there were two or three small groups of enthusiasts surrounding Jim or one of his employees. It could be described as a series of mini-seminars, complete with questions and answers.

Jim started off by talking about oil distribution in crank shafts, and what they do in their engines to improve the flow. Their custom design greatly increases the performance and life of the motor.
Jim went on to talk about piston head design. He also addressed issues relating to piston rings, connecting rods, and a host of other technical elements. Some of it went over my head and it quickly became apparent to all of us that he has a vast amount of knowledge and experience. It's obvious why people come to Metric Mechanic for reliable, high performance equipment.

Courtney McCoy, one of Jim's employees, also has a depth of knowledge that is stunning to mere mortals like myself. Courtney's specialty relates to differentials and transmisisons, but we could all plainly see that he is very well versed in many areas of the BMW.
He answered questions about oil starvation in the engine, and various ways to overcome the problem. He also talked extensively about the Vanos, and was kind enough to examine some of our cars to determine the condition. Mine is making noise. It isn't ready to be replaced yet, but I need to be setting money aside to do that.

After touring the shop and learning more than we can absorb in one trip, were were treated to lunch. Mary, Jim's wife, does an amazing job of providing a very tasy and (burp) filling lunch. If you want to upgrade your BMW engine or other drivetrain components, Metric Mechanic is an excelent choice. Call them and let them demonstrate why they are so much in demand. http://www.metricmechanic.com/

Photos courtesy of Pete Knese

Power Steering Fluid

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 23:31:00 +0000

Spring is well on its way and it’s time to get the M3 ready for summertime play. Since November it’s only been driven on the occasional warm, sunny day.

I rarely hear about BMW owners changing their power steering fluid, or the associated filter. It's possibly the most neglected of all fluids, and many BMW owners are unaware that their steering fluid canisters have filters in them. With the canister located behind the alternator, it's a little more awkward to reach than the oil dipstick. But all fluids break down over time, and should have a designated replacement interval. Some schedules suggest P/S fluid replacement at 30,000 miles. I’m sure there are many Bimmers out there with well over 100K with the original fluid and filter.

This project started as a plan to simply replace the fluid and canister/filter. Closer inspection revealed that the supply and return hoses were leaking near their connection to the canister. The leaks were slight, not leaving any evidence on the garage floor. With the hoses being over ten years old, and the metal ends being corroded, replacement was in order. The high pressure hose from the pump to the rack showed corrosion, but no evidence of leaking. It’ll save it for later. When I pulled out the old parts I could see the leaking and corrosion more clearly.

I installed the replacement parts including new banjo bolts, torquing them to 40 Nm. The old bolts showed some rust. I like replacing fasteners, especially if there’s corrosion or any deformation. One of the challenges was getting access to remove the banjo bolts, which were at odd angles. Another challenge was getting the correct orientation of the canister so that the hose clamps beneath would not interfere with other parts. Most of the work had to be done from underneath the car. Up until this point it took about 2 1/2 hours to replace the parts. I filled the fluid canister and prepared to check for leaks.

Things got messy when I started the car without the cap on the canister. I didn’t realize that the fluid would return to the canister with such force. Fortunately I only ran the car for about 3 seconds before shutting it off. I also discovered another problem. Although I’d installed new crush rings between the bolt and the steel hose head, I’d failed to install them between the hose heads and their corresponding components. I disconected both hoses to install the other crush rings. One of those crush rings was particularly difficult, and I’m not sure I got it right. I’ll have to keep an eye out for leaks.

I have a long list of things I want to do to the car, some designed to make it more suitable for the track. The next project could be preventative maintenance for the cooling system. The vanos, however, is making noise and may require attenton before the cooling system. A minor area to address is the clutch pedal bushings. For now, I’m ready to play.

HPDE #3 Notebook | 2008.11.01,02

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:36:00 +0000

Preparing for my 3rd BMW Driving School, I took my M3 to Reid Vann Luxury Imports for the required inspection. Everything passed except for the brake fluid. I changed it myself using a bleeder offered by Bavarian Autosport. Their unit has special features that makes the job easier.

Basic details:
- Track: Gateway International Raceway
- Instructor: Keith Lee
- Weather: Sunny, high temp's near 80
- Tires: Yokohama S.drive 225/45 R17 UTQG rating 300/AA/A
- Pressures: FL-36, FR-35, RL-37, RR-37

I met my instructor Keith Lee at the track. He gave me a ride in his Honda Prelude equipped with R-Compound tires and a comfortable harness setup. He demonstrated great skill with several fast laps with remarkably smooth braking.

Being in group 2 for the first time I elected to start from the back of the grid. I was not surprised at being frequently passed. What DID surprise me was the speed of some of the other cars, especially a Porsche 911 Turbo which blew by with an extra loud exhaust note. Most of the drivers in this group have a higher skill level than I, and many have the R-Comp tires with massive grip.

I used different tires than I had in June but decided to start out using the same pressures. The result that they were getting greasy early in my runs. I also felt that the brakes were a little spongy for my liking.

In my second session of the weekend I was progressively picking up speed. I spun off the track at the end of T6, a long right-handed decreasing radius. I'd come in a little too fast, with less than optimal grip. I slid off the track as I attempted the turn to head toward T7. PHOTOS HERE. Others had off-track excursions of their own this weekend but nobody got hurt.

Grateful for no damage, I dialed it back for the rest of the day and focused on smoothness and consistency. Keith coached me in smooth braking techniques. He also taught me to segment my sight lines in the long banked turn, resulting in higher speeds going into the front stretch.

I found that reducing tire pressures a little helped me maintain better grip throughout the 20 minute sessions, although I noticed a little more drift in the last lap or so.

Julian Cates, one of my friends in the BMW club loaned me his video camera setup and posted one of my runs HERE. It looks slower, but top speed on the front stretch is about 115 MPH.

Toward the end of the event, after achieving my goal of several smooth and consistent sessions, Keith asked me to provide a narrative as I drove through my laps. I described what I was doing; identifying visual targets, braking, turn-in, accelerating, etc. I found myself in a "zone" of greater confidence and more speed, particularly through turns 3-5. I ended on a high note, looking forward to getting up to speed more quickly in my next track event.

One of my objectives was to evaluate the Yokohama S.drive tires in comparison to the Avid H4s. Ambient temperatures were lower this time, so it's difficult to compare grip. What is obvious, however, is that the compound is much different. The S.drives are "gummier" to the touch. Here's the comparison by photo:

I will evaluate them further in the higher temperatures of next summer's DE. I don't expect to see any of the chunking I saw in the H4s tires. I am confident that the S.drive is better for my application of a warmer weather street/track tire that's reasonably priced.

Driving with Sharon

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:01:00 +0000

Sharon is a good sport and a great passenger. But she got a little uncomfortable on a recent Sunday drive out in the country. She cited the fact that it can be unnerving for a passenger "when you're doing 60 and still accelerating toward a curve marked 30....". I see her point.

A few days later, Alex, one of my friends in the BMW Club emailed a link to this video to me and it really cracked me up. Former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese gave his wife a ride on a race track in a Honda Civic Type-R. ENJOY!

Yokohama S.drive tires

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:42:00 +0000

My next driving school is a few weeks away. It's time to prepare.

The tires I used last time are Yokohama Avid H4s with a UTQG rating 0f 500/AA/A. I thought they had enough tread left to use them again if I flipped them on the rims. I was wrong.

Keith Emery is my friend at a local Autotire store. He has a lot of experience with tires and high performance driving. I trust his assessment as follows: The tires have been cooked pretty badly from the last school. Don't use them again. The tread could pull away in another track situation, even in November's lower temp's.

I was able to get a set of Yokohama S.drives, slightly used in another driving school by another friend in the business. They have a silica-based compound and a UTQG rating of 300/AA/A.

I had the tires installed and I've driven on them for a couple days, dry conditions only. My first impression: They a little louder but I notice a little more grip and slightly improved turn-in. I'll see how they do on the track on Nov.1

The M3 is scheduled for inspection on Oct 16. I expect everything to pass, except maybe the brake fluid.

HPDE #2 Notebook | 2008.06.07,08

noreply@blogger.com (About Steve Smart) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:04:00 +0000

My first High Performance Driving Event was a year ago. I loved it in spite of some mechanical problems with my '96 BMW 328. Now, a year later, I returned to the track in my '97 BMW M3 with more power and a 5 speed gear box.

I was assigned to run group 4 (novice class) and I came with my checklist of goals:
- Drink plenty of water and get lots of rest
- Get in the habit of regularly checking tire pressures and lug nut torque
- Refresh my skills in passing and letting others pass
- Learn the line and become smooth in execution of braking points, turn-ins, etc.

Basic details:
- Name: Steve Smart

- Instructor: John Cox
- Car: '97 BMW M3
- Track: Gateway International Raceway
- Weather: Sunny, high temp's in mid 90's
- Tires: Yokohama Avid H4s (all season) 225/45 H17 w/ 25K road use
- Pressures: FL-36, FR-35, RL-40, RR-40

My instructor, John Cox, helped me quickly get up to speed. I had competed in over 100 indoor kart races when Grand Prix Speedways was open. I think that experience helped. We soon found ourselves passing slower cars, some of which had more horsepower than I did.

One area of focus was the turn 3/4/5 complex. I began to see that section as a series of blended arcs rather than point-to-point. We did our best to start from the front of the grid to get as many clear laps as possible. Working through a line of slower cars can prevent you from using valuable track time to develop skills. On the other hand, there's something rewarding about passing your higher powered comrades.

We also worked on turns 1/2 and I eventually saw my speed get up to about 115 MPH approaching turn 1. I could have gone faster but I elected to keep my speeds down to 80-85 mph in the banked oval to save on tire wear.

At one point in the heat of Sunday afternoon I noted more drift and oversteer as my all-weather tires were getting greasy. I took it a little easier for a lap and the tires seemed to get more grip for the remainder of the run, even after returning to normal speed.

By the end of day two I had improved greatly and my instructor recommended that I jump up two perfomance levels to group 2 (where I'm sure I'll be practicing my skills in letting others pass). I also found that I stayed more alert (less brain fade) as a result of drinking lots of water.

I had a very satisfying experience and I'm looking forward to my next school.

After coming home I checked my tires with the following obervations:

Right front tire showed the most wear. Chunking noted on the right side out to the shoulder.

Right rear showed some wear/chunking to the right of center to a lesser degree.