Track prepping my m5

[whiteM5]

Headed to first HPDE this weekend and after several searches I can't seem to find anything on track prep? Apologies if in the wrong forum, but looking for tire pressure info, maybe tape advice for rock chips, etc?

Anybody else tracking their car?

Experiences?

EDC settings?

BTW- NASA event at INDE Raceway in Arizona if anybody is attending.

[johntomferg]

Torque Wrench w/ socket (and extension if it makes it easier) and be diligent about checking. Saw V10 M5 hauled off at a HPDE because he stripped a rear out (he didn't check tightness).

Extra Oil (at least 2 quarts)

Good chair, cooler, and drinks.

Always open your hood to help the car cool off after you come in from your session and never set your park brake after a session. If the ground is significantly un-level then bring chalks.

If this is your first, use the nannys (traction control) until you are more comfortable with the course. Pay attention to your traction control light so you know where to be careful when you get brave enough for MDM mode.

[whiteM5]

Thanks John, maybe a dumb question but I have an air wrench with the socket for changing my wheels, what kind of torque wrench? And what level of tightness would be satisfactory?

[thebishman]

If it's your first track event I'd set tyre psi at OEM recommendation initially. When you start getting up to speed look at the sidewalls to see how much tyre you're using and adjust in 2 psi increments up/down as necessary.
Stay hydrated.
Run in comfort mode with the steering; everything else in maximum Sport mode. Keep electronic 'nannies' on at first.
Hopefully your car has a 'clear bra' installed on the front, if not use loads of the widest 3M painter's tape to protect as much of the front and side mirrors as possible.
Have fun.
Bish

[johntomferg]

Originally Posted by whiteM5

Thanks John, maybe a dumb question but I have an air wrench with the socket for changing my wheels, what kind of torque wrench? And what level of tightness would be satisfactory?

Summitracing sells some good manual torque wrenches for fairly cheap (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-900042/overview/ is the one I have had for many years. Plus it is in a blue case for my MCB ). I'm sure you can get one for your airgun (if you are taking it with you) that is predetermined for the torque value but that seems like a lot of hassle.

Also, I'm not trying to scare you - just don't want you to have a bad day in the event that a wheel comes a little loose and does some hub damage. You will have at blast a the HPDE event!


There is a sticky here for the torque amount: http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765517

[johntomferg]

Originally Posted by thebishman

If it's your first track event I'd set tyre psi at OEM recommendation initially. When you start getting up to speed look at the sidewalls to see how much tyre you're using and adjust in 2 psi increments up/down as necessary.
Stay hydrated.
Run in comfort mode with the steering; everything else in maximum Sport mode. Keep electronic 'nannies' on at first.
Hopefully your car has a 'clear bra' installed on the front, if not use loads of the widest 3M painter's tape to protect as much of the front and side mirrors as possible.
Have fun.
Bish

Bish is right!

Follow the tire pressure guidance or just start a couple PSI above. After the first event you should look for the wear arrows (http://www.thebikersgarage.com/motor...tachment/5165/ here is an example of one on a bike tire, but you'll find similar on the PSS) and you should be able to tell from the rough contact patch areas where the tire has been in contact with the rough race surface. If you are down past the arrow, then too little air. Check this between events and adjust throughout the day. Your fronts will usually see the most deflection as they are working hard around those corners.

[AGS]

Originally Posted by whiteM5

Headed to first HPDE this weekend and after several searches I can't seem to find anything on track prep? Apologies if in the wrong forum, but looking for tire pressure info, maybe tape advice for rock chips, etc?

Anybody else tracking their car?

Experiences?

EDC settings?

BTW- NASA event at INDE Raceway in Arizona if anybody is attending.

I just did a HPDE at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut this weekend. It was a blast. It's amazing how capable the M5 is on the track for such a big car. I've been to the BMW Performance Center a few times, but this was my first HPDE on a track. I passed others more than I got passed - the only car that consistently passed me was a track prepped Corvette. As a side bar, there's was a guy in the advanced group running a 745Li!

Originally Posted by johntomferg

Torque Wrench w/ socket (and extension if it makes it easier) and be diligent about checking. Saw V10 M5 hauled off at a HPDE because he stripped a rear out (he didn't check tightness).

Extra Oil (at least 2 quarts)

Good chair, cooler, and drinks.

Always open your hood to help the car cool off after you come in from your session and never set your park brake after a session. If the ground is significantly un-level then bring chalks.

If this is your first, use the nannys (traction control) until you are more comfortable with the course. Pay attention to your traction control light so you know where to be careful when you get brave enough for MDM mode.

This is a good list. Only thing to add is a tire pressure gauge. Make sure you bring oil as johntomferg recommends - as soon as I started my drive home the low oil warning went off. I drove the whole day with full traction/stabilty control on which I would highly recommend on your first outing. It was blinking a lot on my first two sessions as I was learning the track, but by my last session I was driving the line much better and found it wasn't going off all that much so it didn't slow me down at all. BTW, the correct torque is 103.

Originally Posted by johntomferg

Bish is right!

Follow the tire pressure guidance or just start a couple PSI above. After the first event you should look for the wear arrows (http://www.thebikersgarage.com/motor...tachment/5165/ here is an example of one on a bike tire, but you'll find similar on the PSS) and you should be able to tell from the rough contact patch areas where the tire has been in contact with the rough race surface. If you are down past the arrow, then too little air. Check this between events and adjust throughout the day. Your fronts will usually see the most deflection as they are working hard around those corners.

This is what the instructors recommended - anywhere from stock psi to stock +2 psi. I had the temp and psi programmed on for my car, and after my last run the front left tire was at 140 degrees - 20 degrees more than any other tire.

[whiteM5]

thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated. would be nice if we had a track section on the forum for this type of stuff.

i did the 2 day M school 60 days ago and had a blast and then realized i had no idea how the car was prepped..

[M54ccibo]

+1 on bringing a manual torque wrench. Be sure to get a little extension too, if you don't have one so it will clear the fender when you use it

Also, another little tidbit. The inflation wear indicators on the PSS are actually the michelin man with his arm held high. I've been running my OEM PSS rubber at 37PSI (cold) and the wear is just above the top of his hand on the rears, and at the hands on the front. Here is a quick snap off the rear tires.

Have a blast out there! It is super fun!

[thebishman]

One thing that's very important: do NOT re-torque the lug nuts when the wheels are hot, i.e. when you just pull off the track and back to the pits. Only do this when the car has cooled off. If not you can 'pop' a lug nut, and the weekend is over.

Also, before you go, condition the brake pads and rotors.

Bish

[M54ccibo]

Originally Posted by thebishman

One thing that's very important: do NOT re-torque the lug nuts when the wheels are hot, i.e. when you just pull off the track and back to the pits. Only do this when the car has cooled off. If not you can 'pop' a lug nut, and the weekend is over.

Also, before you go, condition the brake pads and rotors.

Bish

Super important! Great point!

[Rob///M5]

Car's very heavy. MPSS get hot and greasy fast. Watch PSI carefully. Mine quickly skyrocketed to mid 40s, way too high. Keep 'em in upper 30s (37-38) hot.

[whiteM5]

to clarify you're saying when cold temp 37-38 for a mid 40's "hot" temp?

[M54ccibo]

Originally Posted by whiteM5

to clarify you're saying when cold temp 37-38 for a mid 40's "hot" temp?

I think Rob is suggesting checking the pressure again while hot and getting back down to 37-38. Realize though they will be under inflated when they are cold, probably down in the 35ish range. I ran them at 37 cold, no issues with the tires going too hot - however - we were on different tracks, different ambient conditions, different surfaces, different run groups, etc.

So he is right, watch the temps!

[johntomferg]

Originally Posted by M54ccibo

...we were on different tracks, different ambient conditions, different surfaces, different run groups, etc.

So he is right, watch the temps!

If you don't hear the tires squealing in the turn, then

A) you are going too slow, or
B) the tires are heat soaked and slick

[Just kidding of course] My experience was I was at 90% of the max temperature the tires were going to see during the session after 1 lap (>2 miles). After that the grip was consistent and I could settle in.

It always bothered me to see people push hard right after they left the staging without even considering that it would benefit to hit a lap to warm up the tires before pressing hard.

[M54ccibo]

Originally Posted by johntomferg

If you don't hear the tires squealing in the turn, then

A) you are going too slow, or
B) the tires are heat soaked and slick

[Just kidding of course] My experience was I was at 90% of the max temperature the tires were going to see during the session after 1 lap (>2 miles). After that the grip was consistent and I could settle in.

It always bothered me to see people push hard right after they left the staging without even considering that it would benefit to hit a lap to warm up the tires before pressing hard.

+1, warm em up!

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by whiteM5

to clarify you're saying when cold temp 37-38 for a mid 40's "hot" temp?

No. I start with them 2 psi lower than recommended (33-ish) at the track cold. Get some heat in them the first couple of laps taking it easy on the throttle but braking hard (braking puts heat into the tires).

Immediately after each session check pressures, targeting a HOT pressure of 37-38. If they are higher than this, just bleed them down to target. At the end of the day, you'll need to re-inflate to 35 for the drive home. Make sense?

[DrKevM5]

^this^

These are the pressures I used at the track, and it worked flawlessly. BTW, I always, ALWAYS, bring a jack to the track. Saved my azz many a day.

[utahm5]

Originally Posted by johntomferg

Always open your hood to help the car cool off after you come in from your session and never set your park brake after a session. If the ground is significantly un-level then bring chalks.

I understand the chalks comment (great idea); however it seems to me (who knows nothing) that the car was designed to cool with the hood closed? I know heat rises so that portion makes sense.

What say you to the uninformed?

[DrKevM5]

Rapid cooling. Also gives you a chance to check for any leaks, etc.

[johntomferg]

Originally Posted by DrKevM5

Rapid cooling. Also gives you a chance to check for any leaks, etc.

+1

When you are parked on asphalt in the sun soaked 'pits' and it is 96 degrees air temp, you do what you can to help the car cool down.

I didn't suggest ice bags like the drag racers, but I did listen to the fellow drivers and car owners that were doing the same and opening their hoods.

;-)

[mcvaughan]

Originally Posted by DrKevM5

^this^

These are the pressures I used at the track, and it worked flawlessly. BTW, I always, ALWAYS, bring a jack to the track. Saved my azz many a day.

Yikes. I hope you had a jack stand under your car in this pic.