Timed laps at Lakeside or Queensland Raceway - April

[syhm1984]

I am in for anything as long as I got my car

[Machine]

^ Having a car is definitely a prerequisite.

[Machine]

They won't let you run down the track.

[Machine]

It's not that kind of sprint.

[seangti]

The track events I have in my calendar for the next 2 months and my decisions are as follows:

24 March noon - LP (Lakeside Park) street sprints $145 - maybe

7 April noon - QR street sprints $145 - maybe
17 April 6pm - QR night sprints $135 - YES
19 April all day - BMW Club QR track day (don't need to me a member and includes free training) $245 - YES
20 April morning and/or afternoon - LP time attack $170 half-day $300 full-day - NO
20 April morning - LP vwwatercooled happy laps - YES

9 May morning and/or afternoon - QR time attack $170 half-day $300 full-day - maybe (half-day)
11 May noon - LP street sprints $145 - NO
12 May morning - QR RCCQ happy laps - YES
22 May noon - LP midweek sprints $135 - YES
25 or 29 May late arvo - Willowbank test n tune drag (1/4-mile) $45 - YES


Now, who's in for what?

That's some serious track time you got lined up. Wouldn't mind finding out more about the BMW club day. Keen to do RCCQ laps again.

Night sprints would be pretty cool, though my eyes aren't good enough to make that as enjoyable, or safe as it could be.

QR Street Sprints on 7th April would work for me. It's likely I'll have some semi-slicks sourced by than and should find out about better suited track pads today and will order in the next day or two.

Once July comes around I won't have as much time for track days, so want to get a few in before than. One QR and one Lakeside. Back on the uni bandwagon again come July so can't afford to lose so much time sitting around a paddock, which is why the happy laps have been great.

^ Having a car is definitely a prerequisite.

They won't let you run down the track.

It's not that kind of sprint.

[Machine]

Lol. I couldn't help myself.

The QLD BMW club website has their events listed. I'll send you a PM with the organiser's email.

When RCCQ opens their HL to outsiders, I'll let you know.

Regarding QR street sprints, I believe semi slicks puts you in a different category, so keep that in mind. You might not even be eligible, as they say "street legal tyres". I know semi slicks are street legal, but they might mean "street tyres". I'd clarify, if I were you.

[Machine]

I've changed my answers, so you can all put Machine's updates into your calendars, because I know you want to know where I am at all times:

24 March noon - LP (Lakeside Park) street sprints $145 - NO

7 April noon - QR street sprints $145 - NO
17 April 6pm - QR night sprints $135 - YES
19 April all day - BMW Club QR track day (don't need to me a member and includes free training) $245 - YES
20 April morning and/or afternoon - LP time attack $170 half-day $300 full-day - NO
20 April morning - LP vwwatercooled happy laps - YES

9 May 7am - QR time attack $170 half-day - YES
11 May noon - LP street sprints $145 - NO
12 May morning - QR RCCQ happy laps - YES
22 May noon - LP midweek sprints $135 - YES
25 May 4pm - Willowbank test n tune drag (1/4-mile) $45 - YES

[nat225]

I am keen to do the test n tune in the next few months. I think grandturismo is too.

Last time I did it, it was in the hot humid sticky december... no good for turbo!

[Machine]

What do you think of late May, Nat, as I proposed? One's a Saturday, one's a Wednesday.

[nat225]

What do you think of late May, Nat, as I proposed? One's a Saturday, one's a Wednesday.

Sat works the best for me

Wed nights I do a chauffeur job picking up the Minister of Finance

[grandturismo]

Timed laps at Lakeside or Queensland Raceway - April

I'm good for Saturday test n tune.
That BMW track day seems expensive Machine, do you think it's worth it?

[Machine]

Saturday it is then.

BMW day--100% definitely worth it. Well-organised. Heaps of track time. Free instruction from Simon Harrex plus one other. (You can take advantage of both driver trainers). Opportunities on at least 2 track configs, if not 3. I did the Lakeside one and I'm doing the QR one, which is slightly more expensive. That says something.

The only reasons you might not find value is if you're not interested in progressively improving your lap times throughout the day or if you won't push it in the rain (if it rains). It's run like sprints, where you're assigned to a group and you go out with your group in cycles. You rest while the other 3 groups run, then you're back on! The groups are re-organised during the day to keep people evenly spaced if certain drivers are mismatched due to getting faster or slower.

I'll bring the camping chairs and Gatorade and we'll all have a gay old time! It's the perfect intro to serious track driving. You'll love it, Princess.

[JedR32]

Hey Machine, definitely interested in this BMW Track Day with tuition.
So helmets are a must I assume? And how many spots are there for the day?

Jed

[Machine]

Hey Jed, you must have a helmet, non-synthetic clothing from neck to wrist to ankle, closed-in shoes and a tow hook fitted to front or back (or both) of your car. I think they take about 40 cars.

[seangti]

For a full day at the track, the BMW events seems to offer very good value, plus the tuition. If it was half a day with tuition, I wouldn't be so keen msyelf as I've done a few advanced track driving events. But would still be be reasonable value IMO.

There's also quite a bit of information on the BMW qld website about their track events. There is a 12 (yes twelve) page form on car prep, before, during and after for such an event. Not a bad little bible actually.

I'm quite interested in the BMW day, though I'd say those considering it would NEED to ensure there brakes are up to a day at the track. I'm finding out now in reasonably expensive fashion that mine weren't up to task and having to replace everything. It also happens to coincide with needing new tyres. Don't want to ruin a good day at the track by not having the car up to spec.

Interesting read on bedding in brakes and also swapping between street and track pads - http://www.essexparts.com/learning-center/Bed-in.

Jed, you can buy helmets from many motorbike shops. An open face, scooter style helmet is best and can be had for ~$70. They are light and give the best visibility. Mine is a full face motor bike helmet which is somewhat limiting for peripheral vision.