Boston BMW Chapter Forum / Boston BMW CCA Forums / Boston Chapter Events

Watkins Glen (WGI) track video from GVC event 5/9-5/11

johnmdanskin — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:27:26 GMT

Me n my mini.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pYU5Z0lNz0

Unfortunately I don't have video of me very nearly keeping up with Joe, but I swear it happened.
I don't have video because I had a passenger (but so did he, so it was fair, although Joe's passenger was mass gifted and mine was mass insignificant) and when I try to shoot video with a passenger all I get is a nice view of the back of a helmet.

Joe and I tested out the new toyo R888s (joe) against the RA1s (me), and also Michelin PS2s (because I thought it was going to rain that day, but it didn't).

The R888s are apparently close enough to the RA1s so that it almost doesn't matter. (Who knows, maybe they are the same. Maybe my RA1s are 6x better and I only think I can almost keep up with joe.).

Good event. Basically unlimited track time friday. I only managed 3 1/4 hours in 3 sessions. That's 3 mostly tanks of gas.

My car had a gradual nervous breakdown over the weekend. It turned out to be a bad post-supercharger pressure valve. No big deal. I was able to drive until the last 10 minutes of the last session when the car started to jerk and I had to come in. Perfect.

When I took the car off the trailer at my parking to drive home, it went into limp home mode 4 times, but I made it (perfect), and then got a warranty (perfect) repair over the last couple of days.

I have to say that I really prefer the GVC stand-around-with-chicken-wings party to the formal banquet, but I guess that's just me.

=john

Do you love our driving school evaluation forms?

DanChadwick — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:19:40 GMT

The club is looking to improve these forms. If you have specific suggestions or comments, post them here or, if you prefer, send them to me (Dan Chadwick) via these the website form-based e-mail: http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/FormEmail.aspx?ID=DanChadwick

I'll start it off by repeating a suggestion from our club president, John Oglesby, that there be different questions for novice / less-experienced drivers from those for advanced / more experienced drivers, either in the form of different forms or different questions on the form.

I'm also quite keen to hear comments about the form where the student evaluates the instructor.

Comments given right away will be considered for the May driving event; subsequent comments will be considered for events after that (e.g. July).

NHIS track video

DanChadwick — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:00:59 GMT

Found this via another forum. I'm driving the M-Coupe. Boy, you can sure see the warts in your driving when videotaped from the car behind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouVYrDwaKYM&NR=1

Seats & Harnesses

timm — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:23:09 GMT

I just picked up a Miata with a SCCA Solo 1 double diagonal rated roll bar, OEM hard top, and 5 point harnesses for both driver & passenger. I plan to use this for BMWCCA DE's, but will have to lower or replace the OEM drivers seat to get helmet clearance below the roof. Will I need to replace the passenger seat with an identical unit to pass Tech Inspection?

Autocross Rain or Shine

Dolly Sprint — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:58:54 GMT

Hello, just wondering if the autocross still runs if it's raining?

Cheers

Mark

? about '08 a/x season

astock165 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:37:22 GMT

New guy here, to this forum as well as BMWCCA. Am hoping to run you a/x series @ Devens this year and had a couple questions:

1. Are the number of entrants limited? (I read the webpage and know that pre-reg is req'd)
2. Typically, how many runs are there?

Thanks,
Tom

Course rules? New driver...

00BMW540i6 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:14:26 GMT

I'm a first-timer for AutoX, and will be participating at the April 27th Event. I've watched some videos on YouTube of some of the events at Devens, but am looking for a better understanding of the on-track rules to follow, ie: what certain cones mean, what to look for, what will disqualify a run, best way to remember the course, etc.

Any help an pointers are appreciated, and I'll be there at 7am sharp to get the most out of the day!

Concours d'Elegance date??

JimLev — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:05:15 GMT

Anyone know when this event will take place this year? Has a date been picked?

Evolution Solo 2 schools May 10-11

Hazard — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:02:20 GMT

The schools are almost sold out. I still have a few Phase 1 & 2 spots open.

There are 3 spots open in the 2 day Extreme School, both Challenge schools are full with wait lists.

Se you on the runways in May!

Boston Instructors who will be instructing at Oktoberfest 2008 at the Glen ...

DanChadwick — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:20:56 GMT

There was some confusion about the number of days that instructors will be allowed to instruct at o'fest. The answer is that you can register for as many as all 5 days. Instructor registration is now open at the GVC website http://gvc-bmwcca.org/events/eventview.aspx?EventID=6

My First Ice Racing Experience!

chuyler1 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:08:09 GMT

Hi guys, I just wanted to thank everyone that made Sunday's ice racing day possible. I had a great time and it was tons of fun. I managed to shave 3 seconds off my time between my 1st and 2nd run but I wasn't able to stay to see how I did the 3rd time (will the times/results be posted soon?)...and yes, although this was my first time out I did manage to make it around the track without assistance all three times. I will admit, though, that I got beached once on the practice loop between sessions seeing if I could squeeze a little more [i]speed[/i] out of my Mazdaspeed6.

Anyway, I posted a quick video compilation of my 2nd and 3rd runs (the in-car shots are my 3rd run). Any critiques or tips are appreciated! And for other 1st timers who didn't manage to make it around the course without assistance you can watch this video and check my times when they are posted to figure out what you were doing wrong. My primary concern was keeping the car on the inside of the track where there was still snow (Thanks to Chris Brenton for letting me ride along with him and for showing me the ropes).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-YcXnwNK2E

Looking for recent track converts (people with 1-5 days of track experience)

DanChadwick — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:19:55 GMT

The Boston Chapter is creating a "New Track Driver's" guide to Driving Schools. It covers everything from where to go to what to pack to (most importantly) what to read and study before hand.

If you have been to the track (preferable with the Boston Chapter or other BMWCCA chapter) and the experience of your first day is still fresh in your mind, I'd really appreciate it if you could review this document.

You can reach me by click the DanChadwick link to the left and selecting Send Email from the pop-up menu. You can also email me directly via Dan_Chadwick _at_ boston-bmwcca.org.

Dan Chadwick

Member Survey Ideas

DanChadwick — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:31:08 GMT

We are about to create a member survey to see what interests our members have and to solicit feedback from everyone. We did this about 5 years ago or so.

I would be happy to consider questions or areas that anyone thinks we should be surveying. The questions can be broad or specific. We can't make the survey too long (or the response rate will suffer), but I'm definitely interested in hearing ideas and suggestions. I think we have room for a few more questions.

Feel free to post here or e-mail me through this site (or dan899 at gmail dot com).

Thanks in advance,

Dan Chadwick
Rookie Board member.

2008 Tentative Driving Events Schedule

DanChadwick — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:26:08 GMT

These are the events that Boston Chapter expects to put on this season.

Sunday May 18 ADSS
Thursday May 22 driving school at NHMS (previously known as NHIS)
Sunday June 15 ADSS
Saturday June 21 Street Survival
Sunday/Monday July 6-7 Driving school & possible Club Race (TBD) at NHMS
Saturday August 2 ADSS
Friday-Sunday August 8-10 Driving school and/or club race TBD at Mt Tremblant
Sunday Sept 21 Street Survival
Wednesday/Thursay Sept 24-25 driving school & possible club race school at Watkins Glen as part of O'fest
Oct 2 or 3 day driving school at NHMS, date TBD, in conjuntion with our WMC friends.

Please remember that these are tentative dates. This is not an official announcement. Professional driver on closed road. Results not typical. YMMV. The schedule and planning this year have been complicated by the sale of NHIS, by the integration of our Glen event into Oktoberfest, and by the new realities of Mt Tremblant.

Undercarriage Tech Session at Schneller in Newbury, Saturday May 10th

DanChadwick — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:26:58 GMT

The official notice for Mike Morris's tech session is up on the events section. http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/events/ultimate-calendarView.aspx?EventID=311

Mike is a super nice guy, a racer, an HPDE instructor, and a great mechanic. His shop does lots of every-day type maintenance, as well as special projects like supercharger installations, suspension upgrades, engine swaps (!), and track preparation. His shop is very clean and professional. He's done a lot of work for me and I recommend him.

2008 ice racing

rallikid — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:14:47 GMT

Is there any ideas or info out regrading the possibilty of ice racing on newfield lake this year?

2006 Autocross Schedule

z28bryan — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 12:41:40 GMT

So when do we find out the new AutoX schedule for the season? :D:D:D

2008 driving schedule

DanChadwick — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:34:42 GMT

While the driving events committee is still sorting out the exact track schedule for 2008, one thing is certain: Boston's traditional September driving school at Watkins Glen will be incorporated into the Oktoberfest.

O'fest will including the traditional Boston Chapter driving school days on Wednesday, September 24th and Thursday the 25th, to be followed by 3 more days of driving schools on the traditional Genessee Valley Chapter days of Friday through Sunday.

There are plans for a club racing SCHOOL on the Wednesday and Thurday and actual club racing on Fri-Sun.

There may also be other events, such as rally, autocross, and certainly a concourse.

If you haven't been to the Glen, or even if you haven't driven at the track, this is a great opportunity. Watkins Glen is very historic. There is a good amount of other stuff for spouses, too (Spa, Wineries, the gorge of Watkins Glen State Park (spectacular), Corning Glass Museum, etc.)

If you are a Boston Chapter member, I hope you'll be joining in the fun at this big event.

Karting League? Is there one?

johnmdanskin — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 10:51:32 GMT

F1 Boston lists Boston BMWCCA as an active karting league in some of their collateral.
This website has a checkbox to be notified of kart-league activity.
But I can't find anything specific.
Is this still going on?
thanks
-john danskin

BAB 8 safety rules?

wello — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:48:33 GMT

Hi guys,

I want to take part in the driving school (BAB8) at Tremblant, but I'm concerned about the rule on harness expriry date.

Does the rule on expiry date apply only for Club Racing, or does it also apply to students of the driving school?

I drive a 2000 miata with Autopower camlock harnesses that are rated SFI 16.1 dated Sep '01... which is well over the 2 year rule!?

Is this a by the book rule that would prevent me from participating in the BAB8 event?

Thanks, Phil

Preliminary Autocross Schedule

m3jim — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:02:52 GMT

Preliminary 2008 Autocross Events Schedule
Events will be held at Devens Airport - Ayer, MA

Sunday, 4/27 Autocross Series
Sat/Sun 5/10,11 EVO School
Sunday, 5/25 Autocross Series
Sunday, 6/22 Autocross Series
Sunday, 7/13 Autocross School
Sunday, 7/27 Autocross Series
Satuday, 8/9 Autocross School
Sunday, 8/24 Autocross Series
Sunday, 9/28 Autocross Series
Sunday, 10/12 Autocross Series

The Forums are back !

m3jim — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:58:29 GMT

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Forums are back. :) Please let me know if you'd like more topics created. Thanks - -Jim

2-15 Quarterly Meeting Presentation

rihirsch — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 10:07:13 GMT

Steve:

I wish that, instead of commenting on the Z8 problems to BMW’s USA M Brand Manager last night at the Quarterly Meeting, I’d given him some feedback on the overall tack he took on the questions and comments from the membership.

I would have liked to remind him that he had an opportunity to listen to “the core layers of the onion”, to use his analogy and to gain a better understanding of the desires of BMW’s most loyal but also most educated and critical constituency.

Very unfortunately, he responded to questions and comments like a presidential press secretary in defense mode.

The comments about the increasing weight of generations of M3’s were from members who were articulating, to my ears, the reasons why they have been BMW customers for decades. These were people who had been driving various incarnations of the M3 and had a wealth of experience and the ability to articulate what they liked about the cars.

Instead of hearing what was said as the positive characteristics these loyalists wanted to see in future versions of their beloved sports sedan, the M guy, hunkering down into his mental bunker, launched into a lengthy speech as to why weights had increased as features were added. This long spiel indicated clearly to me that this guy wasn’t thinking of his audience at all, but just reacting.

I’m willing to bet that the vast majority of the people at that meeting had a pretty full understanding and appreciation of the trade-offs between weight and features and that more than a few had professional engineering credentials in dealing with these issues. Nobody at the meeting should be presumed to be so stupid as to not understand that electric seats add weight.

What I heard people saying was “What we’ve loved about the cars was their simplicity and performance. Please keep it that way.” I also heard people saying, “Give us some options on options.”

The disappointing response I heard from BMW was an encyclopedia of reasons why BMW wouldn’t ever consider what its core constituency would want.

So the BMW M brand manager didn’t listen, and, judging from the laughter at my overly sharp comment about speed bumps, the audience in general pretty clearly felt annoyed that it wasn’t being heard.

Likewise, this guy’s flatly negative reaction to the interest in custom configurations of vehicles was more like a David Spade Capital One Bank Commercial on how to say no than any kind of “give and take”.

For me personally, when he caustically commented, both without knowledge and flatly incorrectly, that BMW would not have made a 50 year commitment to Z8 spares, (see the Phil Marx Roundel article, among other supporting documentation), I gave up on the guy. He was acting, in fact, like little more than a speed bump.

It really is a waste of time and resources for BMW to send out executives to “placate the provinces”. Understand that I’m not asking to get some bobble head to agree with every comment and mouth platitudes, nor do I expect a presentation of the ten-year product plan. I would appreciate it, however, if BMW would pay us the respect of listening with an open mind and engaging in a meaningful discussion that could refine the Company’s understanding of the perceptions and concerns of their core market and give that market a chance to be heard. Its for BMW’s own good.

As GM still hasn’t learned, if you don’t hearken to noise of your customer’s comments today, the silence of their wallets in the future will be deafening.

Non-BMW car classifications

z28bryan — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 11:36:11 GMT

For anyone who drives a non-bmw and doesn't know what their SCCA car classification is, you can find out by going here:

http://www.scca.org/Solo/Index.asp?IdS=004857-5DEA980&x=050|070&~=

This will tell you the restrictions for stock, prepared, and modified cars as well as street touring rules.

“Timing Devices” for Driver School ?

Kolia — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 09:11:42 GMT

Hello,

I’d like some clarifications on the “No timing device” rule for drivers eds.

I have a DL1 data logger with no onboard display. I have to download the data to my laptop to get any information. Does it still count as a timing device then?

It’s a really handy tool to analyze a run on the race track and it would be a shame if it was banned.

Thanks,

Kolia

If you are interested in Karting

johnmdanskin — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 21:09:52 GMT

The karting chair as listed in bimmer seems to be MIA.

I'd like to go karting with people from the boston club.

If you send me your email address, I will let you know when I want to go karting AND if you tell me when -you- want to go karting, I'll tell the others.

If there is a snowball effect, we can form a karting TEAM. If there isn't, maybe we'll have some fun karting.

I only know about www.f1boston.com if you know about something else, we can try that too.

Me email address is johnmdanskin@yahoo.com

-john

Video of last autocross

npavlo — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:18:17 GMT

A little video i put together from the last autoX

Enjoy

(right click save as, but is small enough to stream)
[URL]http://www.euromelee.com/across05.wmv[/URL]
10.6megs

Evolution Autocross Schools

Hazard — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 17:26:32 GMT

Seats are filling up fast!

So far I have three Phase 1's, one Phase 2, and one Challenge on Saturday.

On Sunday one Phase 1, two Phase 2's, and 1 Challenge, and one Dial In

Several of the schools each day are already sold out

Steve

2005 Season Feedback

z28bryan — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 16:28:35 GMT

I thought 2005 was a great season. Even better than the year before. The Boston BMWCCA handled all of the difficulties of switching to one course in a really good fashion. Also did a really good job dealing with the non-bmw ~30 car restriction which in the end began allowing like 50+ non cars once everyone got used to the single course. Being my second season, it was much better to get a chance to meet more of the BMW drivers and actually get to co-drive with one of them (thanks Cristo :)). I ran in a few other clubs this season and Boston BMWCCA is by far the most friendly, well-run, novice helpful club in Devins.

I just have two recommendations:

1. Course workers need a little more discipline to keep spread out and not bunch up 3 people in one area. Almost everytime when I see this, at least one re-run has to be given. That pisses off drivers too who are having a good run and have to get it thrown out. It also makes the whole club have to wait an extra minute (give or take) at the end of the day.

2. Now that there will be more nons admitted again, can we go back to the G,H,I,J,L, and M format? With only 30 nons, its better to just group the street and race tire classes together since most scca stock cars run with street tires and most street prep and street mod cars use the race tires. Of course I am mostly saying this because I had to beat certain cars by at least 4-5 seconds in order to get a better pax average adjusted time than them. Now that we have like 40-50 nons, the old format might be better suited for the amount of cars.

Thanks guys,

Bryan Hartling