(2009) Interested In A Test & Tune?!?!?

[mcoupemindy]

I've been tossing the idea around to have a dedicated test and tune event. Basically it would be limited entry to 20 drivers and everyone would be responsible to show up in the AM, help set up the course, drive / work all day, and then assist with packing the equipment up. I've crunched the numbers, and to cover our costs, it would need to be $70.00 per person. That said, I'm 100% confident that we could run no less than 400 runs during the day giving everyone attending no less than 20 runs. Bowie looks like the best lot to use due to the large size and moderate pricetag. The best date the facility is available is 09/19/09. If the 09/19/09 event was a success, we could possibly do another one similar to this in November.

Comments? Thoughts? Interested?

[ronh21]

I'm in

[turbosporttsi]

Fantastic idea!

[Reach]

In. Would give me an opportunity to try different camber settings with my new camber plates!

[Car54]

Sounds good to me but not sure if I could make that date, but likely the November date.

First 20 BMW club members?

[noelleslie]

Jonathan,

I too think it is a great idea. The only reason I would not do it is the surface at Bowie seems to shred tires more than the other locations, except Rosecroft of course.

Brian and I did the Mazda event this early spring at Bowie and put about 20 runs on my car. It lost a good 3/32" as where it has taken me the entire rest of the season (3 events per month average and nearly twice the runs) to go through 3/32"!!

I guess, if you do go ahead with it, maybe just plan a course that would lend itself to equal tire wear.

I would personally pay $70+ to get that amount of time on the skid pad like last winter. That was a lot of fun and the learning has proven invaluable.

All in all, I think your idea is damn super!!!

[mcoupemindy]

Sounds good to me but not sure if I could make that date, but likely the November date.

First 20 BMW club members?

I'd like to restrict it to BMWCCA members but if it comes down to it, I'll take just about anyone to ensure that we meet our bottom line requirement.

[mcoupemindy]

Jonathan,

I too think it is a great idea. The only reason I would not do it is the surface at Bowie seems to shred tires more than the other locations, except Rosecroft of course.

Brian and I did the Mazda event this early spring at Bowie and put about 20 runs on my car. It lost a good 3/32" as where it has taken me the entire rest of the season (3 events per month average and nearly twice the runs) to go through 3/32"!!

I guess, if you do go ahead with it, maybe just plan a course that would lend itself to equal tire wear.

I would personally pay $70+ to get that amount of time on the skid pad like last winter. That was a lot of fun and the learning has proven invaluable.

All in all, I think your idea is damn super!!!

Bowie is really our only valid option at this point (cost, location, and availability).

I've never really considered that Bowie wears tires quicker. Hmm ... maybe I just never cared enough

Scott Blair most likely will be designing the course and typically his courses are faster and smoother. It's impossible to design a course to wear both sides perfectly evenly - but I'll have my electric impact with me and anyone would be more than welcome to use it to swap sides. I know that I'll probably come with a crappy set of tires that I'll expect to cord. I personally find that I learn more by driving on the most terrible tires possible.

[noelleslie]

It would definitely be a great way to lock in all the progress made over the summer.

Mazda does an event in the early spring and then in late fall similarly where people really get to get the repetition that normal autocrosses don't provide.

I still think it is a great idea.

[Jim Dunlap]

I'm in. But please, avoid the 2X around skid pad circle that totally did in one of my front tires the last time at that venue. In advance: thanks.

[mcoupemindy]

I'm in. But please, avoid the 2X around skid pad circle that totally did in one of my front tires the last time at that venue. In advance: thanks.

I don't control this, the course designer does! But yes, I corded two tires that day, and needless to say, they weren't on the same axle.

[mcoupemindy]

Please spread the word around.

If there's enough interest, I'll make a decision this weekend.

[BradMW]

I'm split. I love autocross, but I also hate my car and want to sell it before I kill it. I feel like 20 spins would finally drive a stake through the engine. I mean, I wish I could kill it and then sell it, but that just isn't good business. November would be a better date, since my tires will be on their last limb by then I figure and it would be time to switch to all seasons.

[m3chaser]

I would love to make it and would be there but I am the best man in my best friends wedding that day so clearly I can't make it.

UGHHHHHHHHH!

[smmx5]

I would love to make it and would be there but I am the best man in my best friends wedding that day so clearly I can't make it.

Clearly you need to get your priorities straight, sheesh.

75% chance I can make it.

If you really have to have a skidpad can please make it a left hander to compensate for all the highway ramps being right handers ?