Laguna Seca Spring Race Report- M3 & 2002

lafngrvy

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2002&M3@Laguna_2018.jpg


We had our first race last weekend with the M3 at the HMSA Spring race at Laguna Seca.

This was my first time in the car and I always approach a new car with the idea of just getting comfortable with it, the controls, the feedback its giving me, and making sure everything is operating nominally.

Saturday morning was cool and damp. The track was dry, but off-line there were damp patches. I used the first few laps of the session to just get comfortable in the car and to build a little heat in the slicks. I also needed to scrub the mold release off their face.

M3@Laguna_2018.jpg


After a few laps I began to build up my speed. The gearbox in the car is pretty amazing. It is a Getrag 265 case with Samsonas innards. The cluster features straight cut gears and it has a dog ring so the clutch is not necessary once you are moving. I chose to use the clutch for now so as to not add another complication to my learning the car. Later I'll work at shifting w/o the clutch. The gear throw is VERY short; just a flick of the wrist and you're in the next gear. Really sweet.

The car felt very neutral and I kept having to push myself deeper into the corners before braking as they are much more effective than any of my other cars.

Saturday afternoon the rains came. It started just as I was sitting on pre-grid for the qualifying race with my 2002. By the time our race was over there were puddles starting to form on the track so I decided not to take the M3 out.

Sunday morning was sunny and warmer. I took the car out for the morning warm-up session. The second time in a new car is always better. I feel like I at least know more what to expect, plus I am more comfortable with the steering, pedals, and shifter. So I turned it up another notch.

As I began to push the car harder it began to show more of its personality. The first thing I noticed was a little bit of under steer on turn in. As I reached the apex and added power the car instantly neutralized and came off the corner like a freight train. There are in cockpit adjustments for the sway bars and brake bias. I will begin exploring those later. I have left them at the settings the previous owner recommended for now.

The engine in the car is great. It dogs below 4500, which you would expect. Once you reach 5500 it really comes alive and pulls hard up until the red line. I was choosing to shift at about 8000-8200. Red line is marked on the tach at 8500.

For our feature race I was gridded 4th behind 2 2018 Porsche GT3 Cup cars, and a 1990 Olds tube frame GTO car. How did we get 2 brand new GT3 Cup cars on the grid of a vintage race? Good question. I asked but never got a straight answer from HMSA. I'm guessing the reason was financial. There was also a 2012 GT3 Cup car in the field. He was gridded at the rear of our group because he didn't have a qualifying time.

As the 2 GT3 Cup cars sailed off into the distance I chased the GTO car. I decided I would just follow him and keep him honest while I was still learning the car. My best lap was a 1:40, about 2 tenths quicker than the GTO's best lap. A few laps into the race the other GT3 Cup car came forward and passed us both so I finished 5th overall, but 2nd in the 'vintage' class.

2002@Laguna_2018.jpg


The Koepchen car ran in Group 4 along with about 16 assorted Alfas, Porsches, MGs, a 510 Datsun, and Dennis Racine's wickedly fast Mini.

It started raining as we sat on pre-grid for our qualifying race on Saturday. I was gridded 4th behind the Mini, and I expected him to sail off into the distance on the wet track. Instead the Datsun got out to a lead. He was the only car on rain tires. The Mini slotted in 2nd, and I was 3rd. I chased the Mini hard and got a run on him a couple of times but he made the car pretty wide and kept me back. On the final lap I went inside him coming out of Turn 11 and found traction I did not expect and out dragged him to the finish line.

For our feature race on Sunday it was sunny and warm. I started outside the first row. The 510 and I had a drag race down to Turn 2 and I was able to out brake him and get along side him going through the turn. As we came off Turn 2 I got a bit of a jump and pulled into the lead. He chased me hard down to Turn 5 where he downshifted to 3rd but got 1st. OUCH! He slithered sideways a couple fo times and I opened a gap that I never gave up.

Best lap for Sunday was a 1:49.7. The best I have ever done at Laguna Seca.

It was a great weekend, and the K2002 really performed well. Thank you Jim & terry @ Racecraft!!

I love the new M3! It is very rewarding to drive though was more work to drive than either my 2002 or CSL. I am looking forward to exploring its capabilities throughout this season.

I will be posting a video on my YouTube channel in a few days. I will be sure to put the link here.
 

sfdon

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Nice of you to take the time for this.
Great stuff!
 

dang

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Very descriptive, I envisioned it from having some HPDE track days at Seca.
 
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