[The HACK]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

Ah yes, I found it in the boot. Thanks! I also found that one of my tools is missing, seems someone at the dealership was interested in my tool box.

It's not missing. Certain tools that are present in other markets are not present here.

[chili cheese]

Man, nothing gets past some of you guys. This board is serious. Thanks!

[chili cheese]

Another question regarding the Tech Inspection and Tire Wear:

I have nearly 30k miles on my tires and most likely will need to replace them by the end of the year, barring anything out of the ordinary (like a track day).

It's my understanding that BMWCCA requires that someone certified must complete the Tech and that they offer it for free weeks before the event. If my right front tire is essentially bald on the outer inch of the tire only, but the remainder has some tread (not sure exactly how much) just like the other tires, will I (or should I) pass? Without a remaining tread depth, perhaps this is a silly question.

This will be my first event. I certainly don't want to endanger myself or others, but I would prefer not to buy new tires (replacement stock runflats) before I head to the track. I guess the idea would be to wear the old ones out at the track, then replace them. Am I off base here? I suppose I could just try to pass Tech and see what happens?

[satakal]

keep asking questions. It's good for you and for the community.

First off, I discourage running a patched runflat at the Roval. I forget the specifics of this blowout, but it was a day that ran a configuration 20mph faster than what we'll see end of May.

The Roval will work your right side tires harder than the lefts. Rotate them before imo. Or, have the shop that will perform the tech inspection rotate them. You want more tread on the right side tires.

BMWCCA requires that a certified shop checks your car's safety before you take it to the track. They recommend you get the inspection done a week or two before the event so that you have time to fix anything that needs attention. I typically tech the day before because my car is equally new as yours. But, I don't always make good decisions.

I'm guessing the "problem" tire will be fine if it's on the left. And it will pass tech. You'll find that the Roval will be good to your tires. And, you should not need to buy tires before the event.

You're gonna have so much fun. And, learn so much.

[Dascamel]

I agree on not taking a patched tire on the track. With the extreme heat on the tires, don't want to test the quality of the patch that was applied at 100+ speeds.

[chili cheese]

Thanks so much for your help!

That blowout seem like it might have been a little scary. Wow.

I might try to see if the dealership will rotate the tires for me to put the most tread on the right side of the vehicle. Obvioulsy the stock front and rear tires are different sizes, but how can I tell if the tread pattern is unidirectional? May I end up with an issue if I swap right to left wheels for rotation?

I'll be heading to Sube Sports in Huntington on Saturday to get a helmet. I haven't been able to locate another similar store in OC. Any suggestions?

[satakal]

the bridgestone rfts and the michelin PS2s don't care what direction they spin. (they're not unidirectional) So, no worries there.

Regarding where to buy accessories from... Buy local. And, buy from the guys that support your community. Especially guys like Harold of HP Autowerks. Its so valuable having a friend that knows everything at track days with you.

It was a sad day for me when my local shop that did my tech inspections closed its doors. Now, I don't have a place to go sit in racing seats and try on racing shoes and helmets. Maybe they would have stayed in business if less people looked to the internet for that last 3% savings.

[chili cheese]

Got it and agree with the local shop sentiment. I've never been to Sube, so we'll see what they have.

[325racer]

Sube has EVERYTHING. They are actually the West Coast Distributor for many products.

[chili cheese]

Sounds like I may need to leave the credit card at home!

[FourPtDrift]

Originally Posted by Dascamel

Took the plunge and signed up for all 3 days. Who else is in?

I'll be there Saturday and Sunday.

-Daniel

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

Another question regarding the Tech Inspection and Tire Wear:

I have nearly 30k miles on my tires and most likely will need to replace them by the end of the year, barring anything out of the ordinary (like a track day).

It's my understanding that BMWCCA requires that someone certified must complete the Tech and that they offer it for free weeks before the event. If my right front tire is essentially bald on the outer inch of the tire only, but the remainder has some tread (not sure exactly how much) just like the other tires, will I (or should I) pass? Without a remaining tread depth, perhaps this is a silly question.

This will be my first event. I certainly don't want to endanger myself or others, but I would prefer not to buy new tires (replacement stock runflats) before I head to the track. I guess the idea would be to wear the old ones out at the track, then replace them. Am I off base here? I suppose I could just try to pass Tech and see what happens?

Are the RFTs Bridgestone RE050A? If so, you can pay to have the right and left tires swapped on their rims and you would end up having the worn part of the tire on the inside and the fresh part of the tire OUTSIDE. You will only fail tech if the outside (which does most work) tread is below the wear bar, and if the inside is already past the wear bar.

If you can snap a picture and post it I can tell you whether or not you'll pass tech.

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Are the RFTs Bridgestone RE050A? If so, you can pay to have the right and left tires swapped on their rims and you would end up having the worn part of the tire on the inside and the fresh part of the tire OUTSIDE. You will only fail tech if the outside (which does most work) tread is below the wear bar, and if the inside is already past the wear bar.

If you can snap a picture and post it I can tell you whether or not you'll pass tech.

Yes they are Bridgestone RE050A. See pics of right-front below:

[325racer]

THose tires should be OK, but you may need an Alignment, cause they shouldn't wear like that in normal usage.

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by 325racer

THose tires should be OK, but you may need an Alignment, cause they shouldn't wear like that in normal usage.

Agreed, definitely out of alignment. At this stage though, there is no guarantee that an alignment will "solve" the problem and not just come out of alignment eventually. I guess I'm trying to hold out on spending money for an alignment on tires that will be done in the next couple months, especially considering this track event.

I'm reading up on track tires/wheels using the search herein to educate myself. This stuff is really interesting.

[The HACK]

If you can get a tire shop to re-mount those fronts INSIDE OUT, you'll be fine.

[chili cheese]

Originally Posted by The HACK

If you can get a tire shop to re-mount those fronts INSIDE OUT, you'll be fine.

OK, I'll look into it.

[chili cheese]

I'm signed up for Sunday Driving School

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

I'm signed up for Sunday Driving School

Have you done an autocross or car control clinic? If not I highly recommend signing up for the Saturday car control clinic and the Sunday driving school. It makes a HUGE difference.

[chili cheese]

No, this will be my first driving event of any kind. Please explain.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by chili cheese

No, this will be my first driving event of any kind. Please explain.

There's a car control clinic that teaches you recovery skills in case something goes wrong. Gives you some basic pointers in how much your brakes are capable of and how it behaves in ABS mode, also teaches you the basics in looking ahead and how far ahead you need to look, plus some wet skid-pad fun. Cost a little more when you do both together, but if you have your Saturday free it really gives you a chance to "prepare" for the Sunday event since you get one session on Saturday to whet your appetite on the big track. If you're doing it for the first time, I highly recommend signing up for both the Car Control Clinic on Saturday and then the driving school on Sunday.

[satakal]

I agree with TheHACK. Do the car control class if you have the time.

I know of another club (Audi Club of North America) that requires 1/2 day of car control before they let you on the big track. They wouldn't relax that rule for me even after I had about 15 big track days under my belt. I think its a good policy but there should always be an exception for me and only me.