BMW CCA SD auto-x 2/18/08

Don Nguyen · 02-15-2008, 12:51 AM

So who is going to be down there this weekend?

I will

sambonator · 02-15-2008, 02:23 AM

Me! What are you gonna be driving?

Don Nguyen · 02-15-2008, 11:19 AM

A slammed black 911.

I may raise it up for the auto-x though.

-Don

sambonator · 02-15-2008, 12:32 PM

Was that you in the black 911 in Fontana?

Don Nguyen · 02-15-2008, 03:36 PM

Yep.

sambonator · 02-15-2008, 06:58 PM

Nice! I'll see you on Sunday!

Don Nguyen · 02-15-2008, 11:58 PM

Nice.

Hopefully I can get more lean out of the car through the corners this time

I will probably raise it up in the rear, so that the handling will be better haha.

2e9x's · 02-16-2008, 09:31 AM

Have fun and good luck guys! I look forward to your report back.

Don Nguyen · 02-17-2008, 05:53 AM

I sprained my shoulder while snowboarding yesterday, I think. I landed on a box with my shoulder, and I could hear a nice loud crunch/crack.

Currently trying to ice it so I can be able to drive around the course easier.

-Don

roy@gambitmotorsport · 02-17-2008, 11:53 PM

I had a great time at the SD BMW CCA Autocross today!

The crowd was pretty diverse, with a 320i aftermarket turbo, a sweet S2K with a Spoon coupe-top kit (he spun at the exit and luckily missed a bridge support by a handful of feet), and a thoroughly-modded 240SX "Sileighty" (hah - beat you!), many 3.2 liter transplants, and the good ole 2002's putting it down, along with us more recent-year BMWs.

The course was an average 70-second lap, compared to the LA meet 2 weeks ago at around 90-second laps. I loved the fact that it had a few transitions with dips and bumps; felt I was learning something more here than on a very smooth track. The track also seemed to me to come closer to the "hard object" walls and light-posts: I'm not saying it was a big deal, but it was always in the back of my mind in a way it was not at the LA event 2 weeks ago. Along with the S2K, I saw an M3 come within 10 feet of damage.

The instructors were totally excellent, again. I learned a lot from them and it was fun to hear again this time "Wow! Damn!", when they first take off in the 335i.

It's really coming down to laying the power down skillfully in this car and by my jump to mid-pack with the M3's, it's both going well and there's still a lot to learn... Much better than my lower-quarter placement a couple of weeks back.

**Don, with his sprained shoulder, still beat my time in his 911**

**Was Sambonator there? Who is the guy who gives us such great pics?

Were you the light-colored sedan parked near Don?**

This was my first ever run minus the RFTs. My impression of the new tires is it's a little easier to near-spin them, a little easier to near-lock them, and a little easier to control front/rear grip during a gentle slide. I have ContiSportContact3's: about 5lbs off per corner - ran them at 38f/41r.

Roy

Don Nguyen · 02-18-2008, 10:02 AM

It was fun down there.

On my fastest timed lap, I ran a 66.75x. The fastest novice for that day also ran a 66.75x. Too bad I had hit a cone on my fast lap, so it raised my time up. It would have been very interesting to see what could have happened at the end if I didn't hit it.

Hopefully I will see you guys all out there again next month, and you will see my car and I, with full gear (spare tire, subs, etc) all still in the car haha.

2e9x's · 02-18-2008, 10:42 AM

Sounds like you all had a great time! Congrats! SD hosts a really good event.

sambonator · 02-18-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roy@gambitmotorsport

**Was Sambonator there? Who is the guy who gives us such great pics?

Were you the light-colored sedan parked near Don?**

Yes I was there and that was my 335i, #55, with my custom Forge DV to Blowoff Valve conversion "whooshing" my way through the track. I even opened up my exhaust cutouts for effect HAHAHA!

I was told my car was probably the loudest on the track

Quote:

Originally Posted by roy@gambitmotorsport

The track also seemed to me to come closer to the "hard object" walls and light-posts: I'm not saying it was a big deal, but it was always in the back of my mind in a way it was not at the LA event 2 weeks ago. Along with the S2K, I saw an M3 come within 10 feet of damage.

Are you kidding me? I came within 2 feet of slamming into the concrete barriers sideways! I got a lot of applause again

The couple sitting on the concrete barriers said "That was impressive!" I could have easily carried on a normal conversation with them through my open window.

I'll post pics tonight

sambonator · 02-19-2008, 01:22 AM

Pics from the autocross are up now, here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115165

sambonator · 02-19-2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Nguyen

It was fun down there.

On my fastest timed lap, I ran a 66.75x. The fastest novice for that day also ran a 66.75x. Too bad I had hit a cone on my fast lap, so it raised my time up. It would have been very interesting to see what could have happened at the end if I didn't hit it.

Hopefully I will see you guys all out there again next month, and you will see my car and I, with full gear (spare tire, subs, etc) all still in the car haha.

Hey Don! It was great meeting with you and your buddies!
I hope to have some suspension upgrades by next time

My best was 68.17x. I hope to be more competitive next time

roy@gambitmotorsport · 02-19-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sambonator

Pics from the autocross are up now, here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115165

How you get such great pics is beyond me.

You can see some of the dirt flying up in these pics. The course seemed real littered the first half of the day, to me.

Seeing the maroon 2002 reminded me - you've got to take a ride with this instructor, if you haven't already. He can really pitch the weight where it's needed to get that thing around corners.

sambonator · 02-19-2008, 01:43 AM

Thanks Roy!

The trick is to keep from getting caught working the track and taking pics at the same time

. I got yelled at hahahaha so I had to be a little more discreet at one point

Its a pocket digital camera I use, Fuji F30. Its renowned for good quality low-light pics or fast-shutter speed pics (high ISO) for a pocket camera.

I'll have to ask for a ride in that 2002 next time!! The passengers always have a huge grin on their faces

sambonator · 02-23-2008, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sambonator

...
Its a pocket digital camera I use, Fuji F30. Its renowned for good quality low-light pics or fast-shutter speed pics (high ISO) for a pocket camera...

There's a cult-following for the Fujifilm FinePix F30 and F31fd. EBay prices for used ones are very high (higher than retail) since they aren't available any more.

The F40fd and F50fd that replaced the F30/F31fd aren't as good (more noise at high ISO). The upcoming F100fd is purported to be better than the F30/F31fd.

Just an FYI...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sambonator

...
...I'll have to ask for a ride in that 2002 next time!! The passengers always have a huge grin on their faces

Note this pic:

2e9x's · 02-23-2008, 10:22 AM

That 2002 is Brian Moon's car. He has been auto-x'ing that car longer than most of us have been driving. Brian is the course designer for LA Chapter and his wife, Kelley, is the chief instructor. Until last year Kelley was also the chairperson of the auto-x committee.

Not only is riding with him fun, he is a GREAT instructor (especially when he designed the course)!

Don Nguyen · 02-23-2008, 01:24 PM

Sam,

Were you having some problems after one of your runs?

I remember you pulled off to the side, and it seemed like your car was making some weird sounds/noises?

sambonator · 02-23-2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Nguyen

Sam,

Were you having some problems after one of your runs?

I remember you pulled off to the side, and it seemed like your car was making some weird sounds/noises?

Ya I was getting a strange noise from what it seemed like the left rear wheel area. Never found anything though, and it went away.

One guy noticed a line/mark on the disk brake, so they thought maybe a pebble got in there. It started up again later then went away again. It could also be something in the undercarriage, as I spun and took out some cones... I was thinking maybe some of the heat shielding got bumped and was scraping something... driveshaft maybe? Anyway its gone now and it hasn't returned

.

02-15-2008, 12:51 AM	#1
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	BMW CCA SD auto-x 2/18/08 So who is going to be down there this weekend? I will
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02-15-2008, 02:23 AM	#2
sambonator Samtaro! 124 Rep 2,601 Posts Drives: 2014 F32 N55 Alpinweiß Join Date: May 2007 Location: Newport Beach, CA, USA iTrader: (7)	Me! What are you gonna be driving? __________________
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02-15-2008, 11:19 AM	#3
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	A slammed black 911. I may raise it up for the auto-x though. -Don
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02-15-2008, 12:32 PM	#4
sambonator Samtaro! 124 Rep 2,601 Posts Drives: 2014 F32 N55 Alpinweiß Join Date: May 2007 Location: Newport Beach, CA, USA iTrader: (7)	Was that you in the black 911 in Fontana? __________________
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02-15-2008, 06:58 PM	#6
sambonator Samtaro! 124 Rep 2,601 Posts Drives: 2014 F32 N55 Alpinweiß Join Date: May 2007 Location: Newport Beach, CA, USA iTrader: (7)	Nice! I'll see you on Sunday! __________________
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02-15-2008, 03:36 PM	#5
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	Yep.
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02-15-2008, 11:58 PM	#7
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	Nice. Hopefully I can get more lean out of the car through the corners this time I will probably raise it up in the rear, so that the handling will be better haha.
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02-16-2008, 09:31 AM	#8
2e9x's Major 50 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: 335i ED 7/07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: A Sunny Place iTrader: (2)	Have fun and good luck guys! I look forward to your report back. __________________ 2010 Evo X - silver with a big, stupid wing on the back 2009 VW CC - Black/Black - with a 2011 328i on order to replace it - ED 8/1/11
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02-17-2008, 05:53 AM	#9
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	I sprained my shoulder while snowboarding yesterday, I think. I landed on a box with my shoulder, and I could hear a nice loud crunch/crack. Currently trying to ice it so I can be able to drive around the course easier. -Don
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02-17-2008, 11:53 PM	#10
roy@gambitmotorsport Something Else 24 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '07 335i coupe 6MT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I had a great time at the SD BMW CCA Autocross today! The crowd was pretty diverse, with a 320i aftermarket turbo, a sweet S2K with a Spoon coupe-top kit (he spun at the exit and luckily missed a bridge support by a handful of feet), and a thoroughly-modded 240SX "Sileighty" (hah - beat you!), many 3.2 liter transplants, and the good ole 2002's putting it down, along with us more recent-year BMWs. The course was an average 70-second lap, compared to the LA meet 2 weeks ago at around 90-second laps. I loved the fact that it had a few transitions with dips and bumps; felt I was learning something more here than on a very smooth track. The track also seemed to me to come closer to the "hard object" walls and light-posts: I'm not saying it was a big deal, but it was always in the back of my mind in a way it was not at the LA event 2 weeks ago. Along with the S2K, I saw an M3 come within 10 feet of damage. The instructors were totally excellent, again. I learned a lot from them and it was fun to hear again this time "Wow! Damn!", when they first take off in the 335i. It's really coming down to laying the power down skillfully in this car and by my jump to mid-pack with the M3's, it's both going well and there's still a lot to learn... Much better than my lower-quarter placement a couple of weeks back. Don, with his sprained shoulder, still beat my time in his 911 Was Sambonator there? Who is the guy who gives us such great pics? Were you the light-colored sedan parked near Don? This was my first ever run minus the RFTs. My impression of the new tires is it's a little easier to near-spin them, a little easier to near-lock them, and a little easier to control front/rear grip during a gentle slide. I have ContiSportContact3's: about 5lbs off per corner - ran them at 38f/41r. Roy
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02-18-2008, 10:02 AM	#11
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	It was fun down there. On my fastest timed lap, I ran a 66.75x. The fastest novice for that day also ran a 66.75x. Too bad I had hit a cone on my fast lap, so it raised my time up. It would have been very interesting to see what could have happened at the end if I didn't hit it. Hopefully I will see you guys all out there again next month, and you will see my car and I, with full gear (spare tire, subs, etc) all still in the car haha.
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02-18-2008, 10:42 AM	#12
2e9x's Major 50 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: 335i ED 7/07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: A Sunny Place iTrader: (2)	Sounds like you all had a great time! Congrats! SD hosts a really good event. __________________ 2010 Evo X - silver with a big, stupid wing on the back 2009 VW CC - Black/Black - with a 2011 328i on order to replace it - ED 8/1/11
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02-19-2008, 01:22 AM	#14
sambonator Samtaro! 124 Rep 2,601 Posts Drives: 2014 F32 N55 Alpinweiß Join Date: May 2007 Location: Newport Beach, CA, USA iTrader: (7)	Pics from the autocross are up now, here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115165 __________________
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02-19-2008, 01:43 AM	#17
sambonator Samtaro! 124 Rep 2,601 Posts Drives: 2014 F32 N55 Alpinweiß Join Date: May 2007 Location: Newport Beach, CA, USA iTrader: (7)	Thanks Roy! The trick is to keep from getting caught working the track and taking pics at the same time . I got yelled at hahahaha so I had to be a little more discreet at one point Its a pocket digital camera I use, Fuji F30. Its renowned for good quality low-light pics or fast-shutter speed pics (high ISO) for a pocket camera. I'll have to ask for a ride in that 2002 next time!! The passengers always have a huge grin on their faces __________________
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02-23-2008, 10:22 AM	#19
2e9x's Major 50 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: 335i ED 7/07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: A Sunny Place iTrader: (2)	That 2002 is Brian Moon's car. He has been auto-x'ing that car longer than most of us have been driving. Brian is the course designer for LA Chapter and his wife, Kelley, is the chief instructor. Until last year Kelley was also the chairperson of the auto-x committee. Not only is riding with him fun, he is a GREAT instructor (especially when he designed the course)! __________________ 2010 Evo X - silver with a big, stupid wing on the back 2009 VW CC - Black/Black - with a 2011 328i on order to replace it - ED 8/1/11
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02-23-2008, 01:24 PM	#20
Don Nguyen Banned 67 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	Sam, Were you having some problems after one of your runs? I remember you pulled off to the side, and it seemed like your car was making some weird sounds/noises?
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