By Geoff
I had a bad start to the day. New neighbours a couple of houses down had a big party, very drunk very noisy. I ended up calling the cops who shut them down. So I got about 2 hours real sleep before crawling out of bed and driving two hours to the track. There, bright and bushy tailed was Quentin. We were the first to get our cars checked over and boy they were thorough! Even had our back seats out to look at the battery. Helmets got a good check as did fire extinguishers. Quentin's pink jockstrap wasn't considered flame retardant so off it came. They then made us tape up our headlights and fog lights. Luckily Quentin had a big roll of Gaffer Tape and with great ceremony we taped up our cars. Needed triangles as well (to show where the battery was) and finally numbers. I asked for 69 but they wouldn't give it to me. Bugger!
Check out all the cars. Usual bunch of nice 3 series. M3's Porsche, WRX's etc. A couple of new guys in E30's in our group (that's the Gentlemen Driver Group) were in awe of Quentin's car and we got quizzed a bit about our cars. I told them to watch of for Quentin saying he was sh1t hot etc. As soon as moved off Quentin said the same for me and the boys went away with wide eyes and kept away from us the whole time.
Then Trevor (535i) rolls up from Sydney, closely followed by TJ, who disgraced himself by not bringing the pit bunnies, but we were glad to see him anyway. Finally Michael appeared in his 530i accompanied by his lovely wife. We all did the "I will show you mine if you show me yours" and "look how big his is" bit. Great turnout for the E34's. Style over substance again!
Weather was clear and cool, which when the wind got up was sunny and freezing. Great driving conditions. Our turn comes and off we go. Well its been a while and I felt like a drunk duck lurching around trying to remember everything I had obviously forgotten. I don't think either Quentin or I were particularly pleased. I managed to equal my last best time but that was good luck and nothing else. Quentin wandered off and came back with an instructor, a very good instructor. So being brighter than the average bunny I follow them. Immediately I saw why I was having problems on two corners and one lap later I had really sped up and the next lap, well, I have to say it, I passed Quentin down the main straight. I waved as I went past and he leaned out of his window and waved back, quite vigorously, I thought. What a nice man. The main straight lets you get up to 100 mph, and within seconds it was on the brakes, wait until the last minute, drop into second and turn sharply, letting gravity and oversteer take you through the corner.
Poor Quentin had a drama because unknown to him, me or anyone else, one of his numbers fell off and I was able to look at the lap time and say "hey, I'm faster than a WRX". Next to me is a bloke muttering to his mate "I thought I was faster than that". I asked him what sort of car he was driving. "A WRX he replied". I could have been gentle, and caring but I wasn't. I proceeded to tease him greatly how an old fart like me in an automatic was faster than him in his turbocharged roller skate. He slunk away with his mates howling with laughter. Only later did we learn he had been given Quentin's numbers.
Anyway, we settled down to some more inspired driving and gradually whittled our times down. Quentin had the best gain of the day slicing a full 5 seconds off his lap time from 1:30 to 1:25. I must admit wasn't as productive only getting about three seconds off mine to bring me in at 1:23.21.
We were really enjoying ourselves and I loved the feel of my car around the track. By good luck I think it was well set up to start with. I had set the Koni's at 90% hard in front and soft at the back. Remember the car also has M5 sway bars as well. Tyre pressures were 40 all round and I ended up leaving them like that all day. Gave me very neutral handling and progressive oversteer which was controlled by the throttle and prayer!
Our combined objective was to have fun and not bend the cars. Mission achieved. I couldn't believe I had got past Quentin, let alone post a better time. A friend of Quentin's observed that I seemed to attack the corners whereas Quentin was bloody fast down the straight. So Quinten's comments about the 535i being faster and the 525i being quicker are right on the money. Those laps following Quentin with the instructor were like turning on a light bulb for me.
Everyone who came brought cameras and one (was that you Trevor?) brought a video. I can't wait to see the video. That will be a great lesson. Next time I track the car I will have one in the car.
The little M50TU spent most of its time between 5,000 and 6,500 RPM. I learned to keep the car in second gear and use the throttle accordingly, something I had never done very well before. The car behaved like a thoroughbred and the exercise when I left and I was cheeky enough to badger a Porsche on the way back.
In between sessions we checked out each others cars, critiqued our driving, got bad advice from our friends and generally had a good time.
For me it was a great day. The adrenaline stopped me from remembering the lack of sleep and the company kept me entertained and focused. An outstanding day all round. Quentin, as usual is a great companion, and it was equally great to meet old friends and new ones as well.
When's the next one????? :)
Geoff