[max_330i]

I'm looking to attend a track day at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL next month. It will be my first time on this circuit. I was curious to see if any forum members have been around this track or had any track-specific tips. (I will be on the South Track if you are familiar with the venue.)

Quick note: I've driven in four HPDE events with my car before, and I know what a late apex is. Spare me the "never been on a racetrack" tips, please.

[GATORB8]

There was a great video they showed us as one of the instructional sessions at the one last month that goes through each corner and the recommended line. I can't find it right now, but I'll look a little more when I get a chance.

Here's a video from my last session in May on the south track.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by GATORB8

There was a great video they showed us as one of the instructional sessions at the one last month that goes through each corner and the recommended line. I can't find it right now, but I'll look a little more when I get a chance.

Here's a video from my last session in May on the south track.

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate you sharing footage from your session, it's high quality and shows the nuances of the track very well. Since you also have a 6MT, would you mind telling me what gear you were using the most? I feel like 3rd is a safe bet for most corners, but I could be totally wrong.

[6ixSpd]

It's a very nice fun little track. I took my old 335i there and had a blast.

[GATORB8]

Originally Posted by max_330i

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate you sharing footage from your session, it's high quality and shows the nuances of the track very well. Since you also have a 6MT, would you mind telling me what gear you were using the most? I feel like 3rd is a safe bet for most corners, but I could be totally wrong.

I could stay in third for the whole course, except I would redline third in the back straight. Heal-toeing the 4-3 shift under hard braking from 110+ there is still on my list of things to work on.

[GATORB8]

Here's the video I spoke about in my earlier post, breaks down approach and line for each corner:

[max_330i]

Looks to be a great guide for the circuit. Thanks for finding the link! I'm excited to get out there

[Cloud9blue]

bumpy surface, so if you have adjustable shocks, don't set them too firm.

for the south course, a lot of corners benefits from trail braking and aiming for a late apex to maximize exist speed.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

bumpy surface, so if you have adjustable shocks, don't set them too firm.

for the south course, a lot of corners benefits from trail braking and aiming for a late apex to maximize exist speed.

Yeah, the videos I watched all seemed to show that the track is a little rough at times. I'm on stock sport suspension so I should be alright. Thanks for the heads up re: trail braking, I'll have to practice that when I'm out there.

[feuer]

I will be there on the 19th. If you are free to come for ride along. When season is open, April to October, I'm there at least once a month. South track is longer than the north but is slower. New pavement before turn 3 is tricky. With stiff suspension you need to either brake too early or too late. Turn 9 I usually sacrifice for turn 10 and turn 11 I sacrificed for turn 12. Last turn is where the two track join, where the exit to pit is, and starting straight away so it could be confusing until you learn the track. I try not to trail brak as I use to do it and try to use the acceleration to steer out of the turn. Is challenging since I have open diff but is easier on the brakes especially if they aren't track oriented. After rain there are some sections that collect puddles and track people put Amber cones that new drivers Mis take for apex lane pointers. Also now they have digital signals and use few corners workers so pay attention to the signs.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by feuer

I will be there on the 19th. If you are free to come for ride along. When season is open, April to October, I'm there at least once a month. South track is longer than the north but is slower. New pavement before turn 3 is tricky. With stiff suspension you need to either brake too early or too late. Turn 9 I usually sacrifice for turn 10 and turn 11 I sacrificed for turn 12. Last turn is where the two track join, where the exit to pit is, and starting straight away so it could be confusing until you learn the track. I try not to trail brak as I use to do it and try to use the acceleration to steer out of the turn. Is challenging since I have open diff but is easier on the brakes especially if they aren't track oriented. After rain there are some sections that collect puddles and track people put Amber cones that new drivers Mis take for apex lane pointers. Also now they have digital signals and use few corners workers so pay attention to the signs.

Thanks for sharing a wealth of info. As much as I would love to ride along on the 19th, I will have to work all day.

Interesting note on the trail braking-- so you recommend against it for those with open diff? I was at an autocross with my car recently and the open diff was giving me hell around tight corners; I would get on the gas upon exit and light up one tire Brakes should hold up okay because I have Hawk pads / Brembo rotors / ATE fluid that survived a few sessions at Blackhawk.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by max_330i

Thanks for sharing a wealth of info. As much as I would love to ride along on the 19th, I will have to work all day.

Interesting note on the trail braking-- so you recommend against it for those with open diff? I was at an autocross with my car recently and the open diff was giving me hell around tight corners; I would get on the gas upon exit and light up one tire Brakes should hold up okay because I have Hawk pads / Brembo rotors / ATE fluid that survived a few sessions at Blackhawk.

I have BMW OEM pads but run 275/35-18 Federal RSR-R treadwear 200 which is sticky tire so I don't really have issue of lighting up one tire but because these tires are sticky the brake pads work harder and I don't want them overheating thus I try to stay off the brakes if possible. You know is driving style, car's equipment and setup. track layout... all of these determine how you drive.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by feuer

I have BMW OEM pads but run 275/35-18 Federal RSR-R treadwear 200 which is sticky tire so I don't really have issue of lighting up one tire but because these tires are sticky the brake pads work harder and I don't want them overheating thus I try to stay off the brakes if possible. You know is driving style, car's equipment and setup. track layout... all of these determine how you drive.

Yes I agree, I have a tendency to brake too hard for corners so I will keep an eye out. Learning to carry a little more momentum will be intimidating, but probably a good learning experience as a driver.

[blackhawkk22]

Take your time in a turn called patience. You have to give up that turn in order to set yourself up for the straightaway afterwards

[feuer]

Originally Posted by blackhawkk22

Take your time in a turn called patience. You have to give up that turn in order to set yourself up for the straightaway afterwards

Covered in post #10

[blackhawkk22]

Originally Posted by feuer

Covered in post #10

We both probably found out the hard way!

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by blackhawkk22

We both probably found out the hard way!

Cheers to trying to ensure that I don't

[feuer]

Originally Posted by blackhawkk22

We both probably found out the hard way!

Originally Posted by max_330i

Cheers to trying to ensure that I don't

Yes, I spun there last time. I was trying to keep up with friend vasillalov but I don't have Drexler LSD so....

[blackhawkk22]

Originally Posted by feuer

Yes, I spun there last time. I was trying to keep up with friend vasillalov but I don't have Drexler LSD so....

My miata handles it pretty well to be honest. But since its a momentum car, it suck a lot more to give up that turn lol

[feuer]

Originally Posted by blackhawkk22

My miata handles it pretty well to be honest. But since its a momentum car, it suck a lot more to give up that turn lol

With justpete words you can't park-it-n-punch-it in a Miata unless with LS swap so you must keep the momentum. Are you running this Monday with GPS ?

[blackhawkk22]

Originally Posted by feuer

With justpete words you can't park-it-n-punch-it in a Miata unless with LS swap so you must keep the momentum. Are you running this Monday with GPS ?

Nope. Next event is GPS @ Gingerman

[feuer]

Originally Posted by blackhawkk22

Nope. Next event is GPS @ Gingerman

I will be here too.