[DRA]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hi Everyone, so I went for a SpeedSF event at Laguna Seca today to properly enjoy my new M8 Comp.

And it was - to no surprise - a blast! Power is endless, carbon ceramic brakes are godsend (like two times better than with the old M4), front end feedback is precise. It is still a heavier car than many "pure" sport cars, but at the same skill level you can keep up with Corvettes and 911 Turbos for sure. And with ESP fully off it has a proper, neutral/slight oversteer setup.

Also tried taping the hood/bumper of the car for the first time, to save it from rubber and rocks, and got somewhat mixed feelings. True, it stays like new but also looks not that good at the track.


Some more details in the vid.

[HeyKC]

Awesome!!!!

Did the tape cause any sensor issues?

[DRA]

No, it didn't cause any problems with the sensors, or at least I haven't noticed them because I wasn't exactly going in a parking mode on the track haha.

I have taped the car before the 1st session and "unwrapped" it after the last one.

[Ozzie8]

D_R_A that is epic mate!!

[DRA]

Scheduled a next track session for 2/1 at Thunderhill East. Never been to Thunderhill East yet, so opted in for an in-car instructor to show me the lines. I'll post some more photos soon :-)

[cfm56d7b]

Epic is an understatement of the century. Fantastic experience!

[BarryB]

Awesome. What times were you doing?

[xcusem3]

Isn't the M8 a bit of a fat pig for the track?? Doesn't it weigh like 4500lbs...

[noushy]

Originally Posted by xcusem3

Isn't the M8 a bit of a fat pig for the track?? Doesn't it weigh like 4500lbs...

Its heavy but not that heavy around 4200lbs with the CCBs.

Noushy

[DRA]

Originally Posted by BarryB

Awesome. What times were you doing?

So for the first time I managed to get 1:46, which is really slow for the car. With a pro driver it should go around 1:38 (my estimate), as for me, I hope to get it down to at least 1:42.

All the brake points that I had in my head for the M4 are useless now. The car carries so much more speed, but the carbon ceramic brakes are also much powerful. When there are some other cars braking ahead of me, I can see that they are trying really hard while I am just slightly touching the pedal. So need to continue re-adjusting and fighting my fears to start braking later :-)

For the next time, I decided to try a new track for me, T-Hill East. I believe it has one of the longest main straights in CA, and also most of the turns are high speed, so should be fun.

[NYBulldog]

I was hoping for an LSB M8 even thought I already knew it wasn't lol. Looks like you had some fun.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Drunken_Russian_American

So for the first time I managed to get 1:46, which is really slow for the car. With a pro driver it should go around 1:38 (my estimate), as for me, I hope to get it down to at least 1:42.

All the brake points that I had in my head for the M4 are useless now. The car carries so much more speed, but the carbon ceramic brakes are also much powerful. When there are some other cars braking ahead of me, I can see that they are trying really hard while I am just slightly touching the pedal. So need to continue re-adjusting and fighting my fears to start braking later :-)

For the next time, I decided to try a new track for me, T-Hill East. I believe it has one of the longest main straights in CA, and also most of the turns are high speed, so should be fun.

Thunderhill east is a BLAST, you will love it! I was hoping to make it for 2/1 but had other stuff come up that I have to take care of. Enjoy

[goku7]

Hey I saw u at the track. My friend took a video some videos and pic on the track and I think ur car is in some of them. Pm me and I will send u a imgur link or something

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by Drunken_Russian_American

So for the first time I managed to get 1:46, which is really slow for the car. With a pro driver it should go around 1:38 (my estimate), as for me, I hope to get it down to at least 1:42.

All the brake points that I had in my head for the M4 are useless now. The car carries so much more speed, but the carbon ceramic brakes are also much powerful. When there are some other cars braking ahead of me, I can see that they are trying really hard while I am just slightly touching the pedal. So need to continue re-adjusting and fighting my fears to start braking later :-)

For the next time, I decided to try a new track for me, T-Hill East. I believe it has one of the longest main straights in CA, and also most of the turns are high speed, so should be fun.

That is very good. Especially for the first time and a heavy car. Keep enjoying your beast.

[lancerr]

I saw you at Laguna Seca. I was in the Orange M3 parked closest to the classrooms. My first track day so I was in the Green group.

I saw your m8 taped and from far away it looked like you had crashed your beautiful m8. glad to see it was ok.

[DRA]

lancerr,

Yeah, I've seen your M3. Nice! Being on the track for the first time is the feeling you never forget.

PS. I know that the tape looks like crap, but it really saves the paint... I need to think if I want it on for the next time.

goku7,

Thanks! I'll PM you.

[Bumpinjeep]

what tape did you use?

[goku7]

[IMG][/IMG]

Wet conditions was had that day

[2011zx10R]

Originally Posted by Drunken_Russian_American

Hi Everyone, so I went for a SpeedSF event at Laguna Seca today to properly enjoy my new M8 Comp.

And it was - to no surprise - a blast! Power is endless, carbon ceramic brakes are godsend (like two times better than with the old M4), front end feedback is precise. It is still a heavier car than many "pure" sport cars, but at the same skill level you can keep up with Corvettes and 911 Turbos for sure. And with ESP fully off it has a proper, neutral/slight oversteer setup.

Also tried taping the hood/bumper of the car for the first time, to save it from rubber and rocks, and got somewhat mixed feelings. True, it stays like new but also looks not that good at the track.


Some more details in the vid.

Next time use blue painters tap. It's much easier to work with, and a lot less adhesion to your paint.

Looks like you had a blast!!!

[flanast]

Originally Posted by Drunken_Russian_American

lancerr,

Yeah, I've seen your M3. Nice! Being on the track for the first time is the feeling you never forget.

PS. I know that the tape looks like crap, but it really saves the paint... I need to think if I want it on for the next time.

goku7,

Thanks! I'll PM you.

You should get some EXPEL film installed.

[RoboM5]

What move were you driving in? You should get another 3-5 seconds with everything turned completely off and in standards 4-wheel drive. The M-mode is rear biased and traction control holds you back a little, but you can't notice it because the computer traction control is so damn good now. I've tried all modes at various tasks with other M5s doing lead-follow to see the difference in real time.

[DRA]

Track mode + 4WD Sport + Custom M setup. Traction was completely off.

The problem isn't in the car, in most cases I need to [overcome my fears and] brake later.