Managed to get some time at the track this weekend and it was pretty good stuff. Did pretty well and got bumped up into intermediate class for the next time with SCDA.

Also I got to try out the new wheel/tire combo at New Hampshire International Speedway. They are 235/40/17 Nitto NT-01s with 17x8.5 Enkei RF-P1s.

Great weather this weekend perfect for these tires. Grip is insane coming from only racing HPDEs on street tires. Very little noise on cornering, only some minor squeal when you reach the limit of traction and they are forgiving at the limit as well. Probally about 4~6 more track days with these tires and they will be corded. For me that's more than a season so cost shouldn't be an issue.

Like most of the SCDA events they have a pro taking pics and here are a few.





My Max got blue eyes on the 2nd day. Alot of track debris getting kicked up.







Good times

 

Some of my own pics in the garage area.







Two cars that don't belong in the same setting.

 

Nice pics!
Isn't that a Noble next to you? Man I'd love a ride in that thing!

I'm running a set of NT-01 in 245/40/17 on my 240 as well. awesome tires.
I've been told they're the same compound as the toyo RA-1 (since toyo is Nitto's parent company), but the more aggressive tread pattern makes the tire more predictable.

Personally I think the NT-01 are much stickier than the RA-1 though, but it's been a couple years since I ran the RA-1 and I ran them on the maxima only. no direct comparison between the two tires yet. but I love the NT-01s so far..

 

Nice i went up there with BMWCCA white mountain chapter in august. Did you like the bowl? Pass any cars where the driver was actually slowing the car down (bad line)?

 

Yeah that's a Noble M400 with a bit of work done to it. It is co-owned by a doctor and a buddy of his who drives a Ferrari 550. Speaking of R comps he runs some serious race rubber on the Noble with the Dymag CF/Mag rims. I think one Dymag rim and race tire is worth more than my Maxima.

I wanted to catch a ride with him but there was a waiting line the whole weekend.

Also im pretty much sold on the NT-01s, other than not being able to mount them inside out they are a great dry track tire. I have all 4 wheels the same size so I can move them front to back to get even wear.

Im also getting noticed with the car and my driving. Alot of surprised faces from passing cars I had no business in passing. So much so that they bumped me into a higher run group, that made my weekend. Im probally going to get my *** handed to me next time but for now im pretty happy.

The setup I run now is almost neutral on corners and I really can't find fault with it. Though the org might find it a bit contriverisal. I went back to stock SE suspension and im pretty happy with the handling. Also people who said the rear beam being bent to 0 Toe would cause oversteer or weird handling are full of ****. Mark (IwannaBMW) is now an instructor with SCDA and he rode along with me a few times. He even noted that the car handles very flat now and only gets understeer at the limits or if I screw up the corner entry.

 

I got the rare chance to walk the track early Sunday morning and it's such a different perspective. The banking of the bowl is 15~20 feet and it is a very tight corner!

IMO bowl is the best part of NHIS. This car seems almost setup for the bowl as I was able to catch so many cars coming out of it. By turn 8 I would have to lift or risk rear ending other cars as it is a no passing zone on SCDA track days. If I had a clear shot I would almost get to the top of third at turn 8 and then start braking hard for that screwed up turn 9.

 

That's a pro taking pics?! I've seen better pics posted by .org members. LOL. Great job, great driving, and good to hear that the stock setup was idea.

Jae

 

The first set of pics are a few of the pro shots.

The ones I took are of the garage area with my own digi camera.

 

I ran Pocono with a stock suspension, I would like to try it again now that I've done some work to it. I could only get to around 100mph through turn 1, and it was a little sketchy holding it there, I have progress/agx now, and it would be interesting to try again now that I have a prior benchmark.

 

This is what I've been wanting to do the whole summer! I know its late in the season but can I get details and locations on upcoming events?

thanks!

 

http://www.scda1.com/

 

Theres also BMW White Mountain Chapter and you can sign up @ motorsportreg.com. Theres also comscc.com which also runs @ NHIS.

 

I've done a few events in my car and I have stock suspension too. It's not as bad as some people make it. Obviously, if one is trying to go 8 to ten/tenths, then yes, suspension work would be in order. But, imho, the car does pretty well for what it is.

 

Wow really nice pics that pro got.. and those garage pics are nice as well.. I really want to get into track / auto cross racing .. And glad you did well on your runs..