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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Tracking, Autocrossing, Dragstrip, Driving Techniques > NASA Thunderhill March 8th and 9th



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      03-10-2008, 06:57 PM   #1
uberschnell
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NASA Thunderhill March 8th and 9th

First time at Thunderhill, what a great track. This was a Nasa run event and while I've heard rumblings about nasa before let me say that this event was run very smoothly and on-time. This was race and hpde mixed and they never once compromised hdpe time for the races, and this was even after black flagging the track during a group A race where one the cars came off of the top of turn 5, went into the dirt, rolled twice, flipped twice, then rolled twice more.
The weather was 75+ each day. I ran half 100 half 91 and the car never over temped through 8 runs. I was hitting 120 on the front straight, too much fun.

Last photo goes to show one way you never leave the track.
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      03-10-2008, 08:31 PM   #2
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Nice track car & cool photos!

wow, that's a crazy accident. The driver got air-lifted??
I watched a NASA event last year at Thunderhill & a Mustang flipped over at T15.
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      03-11-2008, 10:52 AM   #3
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why was the chopper there..that is not normal. BTW, just for comparison..I was hitting about 126 in the main straight.
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      03-11-2008, 01:25 PM   #4
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Looks like fun. I went to Barber the same weekend. There was snow on the ground during the first run on Saturday. Track was wet, it was in the 20's and windy. Warmed up to the mid 40's by the end of the day.

I started questioning my sanity about 7am on Saturday morning, but Sunday turned out nice.
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      03-11-2008, 02:26 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S4to335 View Post
why was the chopper there..that is not normal. BTW, just for comparison..I was hitting about 126 in the main straight.
It took me a while to build up the hutzpa to stay on the throttle up until the start line, then wait till 3 to brake. I know 1 is a high speed turn but damn it still psychs me out. Watched one knuckle-head spin out on 1 and just said “nope, not for me”

The chopper was for the racer that rolled it, apparently couple of broken bones and glass in the eyes.
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      03-11-2008, 02:57 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Magna3 View Post
It took me a while to build up the hutzpa to stay on the throttle up until the start line, then wait till 3 to brake. I know 1 is a high speed turn but damn it still psychs me out. Watched one knuckle-head spin out on 1 and just said “nope, not for me”

The chopper was for the racer that rolled it, apparently couple of broken bones and glass in the eyes.

I think I counted that I have about 50 track days there...great place to learn how to drive decently. Yeah...you gotta exit T15 pretty fast...and I could have braked a little bit later that that line and the tower..they dont like you to do that...make sure you go WAY to the right before turning in for T1. I have spun in that corner once....in one of my Audis..and stayed on track..I think i did a 270 degree spin that day. I have spun on lots of those turns...T1, T2, T3, T4, T8 (yikes), T9 (in the rain in my Spec Miata), and T10 (and stayed on track).
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      03-11-2008, 04:08 PM   #7
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I think it was you who told me that Thunderhill is a great place to learn. A lot of room for error and plenty of run off. Still, pretty fast track.

I also didn't realize that it was as close as it was. 2 hours and 20 minutes from San Mateo with no traffic. I'm already looking to book my next session there.

BTW, T9?? Damn, that's one hell of a blind turn. Did you keep it on the track?
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      03-11-2008, 04:19 PM   #8
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T9 is ok..you just need more seat time..the thing that bugs most people is where to point after you come to the crest..look for that water tower thingy across the way. As you go down the hill..the right side of the track sneaks in on you..then goes back out..if you dont watch out it is easy to go two wheels off there.

We should try to go together sometime..and we can do lead/follow.

As for the closeness...just dont try to go on a Friday night...what a frickin traffic jam that is...sheesh..It doesnt clear up until you are leaving Vacaville.
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      03-11-2008, 04:22 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Magna3 View Post
I think it was you who told me that Thunderhill is a great place to learn. A lot of room for error and plenty of run off. Still, pretty fast track.
Yes, there are four places where you go over 100...

1) Between T15 and T1 (hit about 126)
2) Between T8 and T9 (about 106
3) Between T9 and T10 (about 110)
4) Between T13 and T14 (about 110)
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