BMW CCA at Road Atlanta - OCT 8-9
 

OMG - This was a great event! First time I've attended a BMW sponsored event. It is run very similar to NASA. I got to be the track photographer this time and man did I take too many photos. I have a handful of images up right now but in time I will be weeding through over 3000 to pick the best.

Anyway, what I really wanted to say is... I'm no longer a track virgin. An instructor asked if I wanted to ride with him for two sessions and of course I jumped at the opportunity. WOW! He was driving a BMW Z3. I think this car is similar to our RX-8's power & handling capabilities. I was amazed at how he would throw the car into the turns, the tires would just grip and scream like hell but he was digging in. 120 down the back stretch, down turn 9 and still accelerating to 125 before hitting the first marker and a wild breaking and gear down... OMG! I'm freaking hooked! 100 around turn 12 and 110 before breaking (a little) into turn 1 and here we go again. OMG... did I say this was awesome!

He played with the lines and attacked turn 2 in different ways to show me how to line up for turn 3 and 4.

I couldn't sleep last night thinking about the hot laps. When I did go to sleep I was dreaming about it.

M3's, Vette's, and an EVO passed us and we had clean track to play. :D

Only one RX-8 was there. I requested he join in with our group. I expect us to have a new Black aboard soon.

What was his name? Looks like that's the same guy that autocrosses a black 8 with us sometimes.

nice try.....but until it's you driving your car....you're still a track virgin....:(

Well, I dreamed I was driving it! :D OK, so I'm still a virgin, I'm holding out for the right one! So, I've played around a bit with heaving petting (two track tours, big freaking deal)... I will get there eventually. I have one more photo session for the year (WERA Grand National Finals) and then I'm calling photo season done for the year. I think I will make spring my first track experience with my car.

Spyder, don't remember his name... sorry!

He was running in the beginner’s class (D). It was really cool to see him coming down from the bridge to turn 12 with a Duluth Cop (mustang) on his ass. Not a good position to be in... 3 cop mustangs and their breaks were worn out three times each.

You can count on it. Sometime in the spring is my goal. I will put the camera down for the event and I will just enjoy the event. Nabil, I could not sleep last night I was so excited. I woke up with a big shit eating grin that words just can't explain! I can't wait! :D

Nabil had the same grin, all freakin day at Roebling on Saturday. Unbelievable. I still can't believe how well his car looked out there.

maybe we as a group need to look into joining other groups, like the BMW clubs, on their track days. It seems like it might be a more financially viable option.

Silver, you will really love it when you track your car. Riding, is nothing like driving. I am looking forward to the next time I can hit the track. :D

Trhoads, I agree about branching out. Many of the same drivers attend this event as do NASA. It will just open up to more time slots. I didn't realize it was an open event when they asked me to shoot for them. I just assumed it was a closed event.

This was the Instructor I rode with, Michael, and he was an awesome driver. Not me in the car, I would have looked like a gibbering idiot with a grin to put Lego to shame!

STF, I got to see an EVO running the track and he was fast. He passed us down the straight after turn 5. Nice car!

yeah, after seeing the pictures you took, it is obvious that it is open to anyone who signs up. I wonder how much they charge to join them for their events.

@#$%, so it is even more than a Panoz day, or even NASA, well, maybe we won't join them. :eek:

i wonder if the Dodge Neon club does meets for $100. :D

I just got an email from Kelly Childress of the BMW Club. I had asked him about our participation. Thought you may be interested in his response. Guess now I need to see what the fee is iff we join the BMW CCA.

"For your friends in the RX-8 club, our next event is going to be in March,
2006. We haven't set the date, but probably the 2nd or 3rd weekend in March
(We also have events in July and October). Registration for the March event
will open sometime in mid-January and that school typically sells out in
less than two weeks so I recommend registering immediately when it opens
and paying at the same time through paypal to guarantee a slot.
Registration opens 1 week earlier for BMW CCA members, but if anyone is
planning on doing more than one event a year, you are better off becoming a
member than paying non-member prices for the event."

meaning what kind of $ break for members?

That's what I need to find out. I haven't had time to do my research. I'll have to wait till I get home. You can check out their website:

http://www.peachtreebmwcca.org/

Whew! BMW=Bring My Wallet.:rolleyes:

I feel the same way about NASA as you Nabil. Plus the opportunity to get free track time by working is great, too.

Remember that the BMW CCA does NOT put on track time type events. That $400 (usually $350 if you belong to the club) is for high speed, on-track, driving LESSONS. There will be a certified instructor in the car with you who will teach you how to improve your driving.

Don't think you need the lesson? Think again. Even professional racers have dropped back to this club for the occasional brush-up on technique. After all the driving schools I've attended, and all the 911TTs, Vipers, M3s, Vettes, and Cobras I've beaten on the track, I learn something new each time. Some have saved my butt on the street. All have been well worth the money.

If you're REALLY good, swap a few instructors through your passenger seat. Each one will probably pick up some subtle points where you can be quicker, or smoother (which is quicker), or smarter (which is quicker).

And it's great fun!

...just remember, no matter what, keep the throttle PLANTED as you go under the bridge and down through 12, or your rear WILL pass your front. And concrete is not soft.

^^NASA does that, too. Instruction but at a lower cost than the Bimmer school. If you've never been to a NASA event, I highly recommend it.

i have to agree, for less than 400 we get the whole weekend with NASA. I was hoping the BMW things was a little less, not sure what I was thinking there. :rolleyes:

From what I can tell, the instruction, many drivers and the rules are the same. I don't know about participation as a member and applying work time as credit for track time. My thinking was simply that it gives more opportunities to drive on the RA course. I wasn't thinking of the cost.

There are 5 groups, you start off in D group and work your way to A. The instructors run in their own group. Four sessions per day at 20 min. ea. Instructors get 2 sessions.

There were more accidents than I have seen with any of the NASA events. There were at least 6 black flags, and one blown engine in a Porsche. I don't think there were any two-car incidents. Black flags pretty well end the session! I saw a spin out and ass end in wall after turn 12, spin and ass end hard smack into the concrete wall in turn 4, hot into turn 10A eating gravel and numerous other spinouts with no consequences. I just don't remember seeing this with NASA. Not sure why?

That's certainly an interesting (and important) side note. I wonder if more of the BMW's are dedicated track cars vs. daily drivers. I would be more aggressive in a dedicated track car.

Don't want to hurt my 8.

Actually the ones that got into trouble were all daily drivers, that I saw.

I stand corrected.

jwitzer, nice ride... why did you sell it?

Please find out!
 

Is this the same Kelly from Data OSS Cox Communication

Not sure? Does the Kelly for Cox drive a BMW and is he a really nice, soft spoken and extremely effecient guy? If so, ask him if he works with BMW CCA. If it is him, then tell Cox to give him a raise.