Beginner's Blues

#1

I need help. I have an '89 e30 325i, 2 door, manual that I bought for $200. The timing belt had broken and messed up the head. My good friend, a BMW master rechnician, helped me rebuild it. It runs great and is, I think, a good candidate for this series of racing. As a "veteran" of 2 BMW CCA driving schools at VIR, in my e28, I’m looking for some advice on where to go from here :S Thanks, Bob C.

#2

Hi Bob, welcome. I’m not a veteran of the series yet, but over the last few months I’ve learned a few things. I would suggest downloading and reading the rules (Click on the orange buttons over on the left for Regs and CCRs), and do a search on here for "build sheet". A couple of the guys have posted what parts they bought and how much they cost. For me, that helped frame the size of the project and the cost.

Like you, my first investments were in getting the car reliable and then I bought the suspension parts. On my plan it was - reliability, suspension, brakes, interior. Also a good idea to find more upcoming track days or autocross - seat time is important. If you are interested, I have an extra set of IE camber plates in the box, will let them go below cost.

#3

Don’t worry about modifications to the car just yet. Spend ALL of your money purchasing seat time at CCA , NASA ond other driving schools. At these schools you will meet other spec e30 racers and all of the technical mumbo-jumbo that is discussed on this site will start to make sense: as will all of the rules, as will the best vendors to purchase from, as will the parts you need versus those that are nice to have. For what it is worth, I’m still trying to understand the difference between a RTAB, a CAB, delrin, powerflex, spring hats and brake bushings, not to mention muffler bearings. See you at a NASA SE event, Robert Patton

Post edited by: patton, at: 2006/08/31 09:56

#4

All have given excellent advice. Make it safe, make it last, make it fast (well as fast as you can within the rules anyway). Don’t worry about a cage or tearing out the interior, that can happen over time. It also allows you to spread your capital improvements over the development period of the car. Now that it runs, focus on brakes and suspension then go drive, drive, drive.

When you attend DE’s, make sure you get as much instruction as possible and let the instructor know that you’re working towards your competition license. Let them take you for a ride in your car if you think it’s not fast enough. I attended a few DE’s where I did not get enough instruction. I drove around the track really fast (okay I thought it was fast), but didn’t learn enough about how to race. Don’t be down about progress, getting there will be half the fun once you get this car on the track.

#5

Thanks y’all. Sounds like my 5 year plan to make assistant greenskeeper is a decent one :slight_smile: . I’m planning to attend the Oct 21/22 HPDE at The Rock and I’ll be at the BMWCCA school at VIR Sep 16/17. I’ll have my blue e28 535is at VIR. The gold e30 needs new springs and shocks before it’s ready for the track. Are there any restrictions on sponsors in Spec e30?

#6

RChrystler wrote:

Sponsors no! As long as your sponsors supply parts that are allowed by the spec E30 ccr’s.

#7

you mean you have someone other than your wife willing to fund your habit? :ohmy:

RChrystler wrote:

#8

Patton wrote:

[quote]Don’t worry about modifications to the car just yet. Spend ALL of your money purchasing seat time at CCA , NASA ond other driving schools. At these schools you will meet other spec e30 racers and all of the technical mumbo-jumbo that is discussed on this site will start to make sense: as will all of the rules, as will the best vendors to purchase from, as will the parts you need versus those that are nice to have. For what it is worth, I’m still trying to understand the difference between a RTAB, a CAB, delrin, powerflex, spring hats and brake bushings, not to mention muffler bearings. See you at a NASA SE event, Robert Patton<br><br>Post edited by: patton, at: 2006/08/31 09:56[/quote]Robert, don’t forget Blinker fluid

#9

One of my co-workers races superbikes in WERA. He got a decent tire sponsor this year. I guess the difference between him and me is, he’s good. :laugh:
I’ll keep an eye out for the muffler bearings and blinker fluid. So far, the only blinker fluid I’ve found is the wierd gunk in the bottom of my cracked tailight assy.

#10

If you leave the interior in the car until you get to the solo level in your drivers schools it will make life more bearable for your instructors

It seems like you have a good sense of humor, which is pretty much a requirement to race with these jokers

Joel - not a spece30 racer, but has instructed a few

#11

We just put a set of sport seats from a 320i in it. They’re much better than the naugahyde ones. So far, the plan is to get the springs and shocks and sway bars in it, then drive and drive and drive until I get a provisional license. I’ll add pieces and parts as I go. The cage and rest of the interior will be last.
These guys sound like a good bunch. My liver is quivering already. :blink:

#12

Bob:

You have a good plan. get the Spec E30 suspension on the car and do several schools.

We’re not too far away in Raleigh and can visit Carthage for a Saturday suspension swap.

Let us know.

Carter

#13

RChrystler wrote:

:laugh:

&quot;Do you know what the Lama said? Gunga Galunga. Gunga Lagunga&quot;.

I am in a similar situation as you are. I have a car but just no funds to get it ready. So, I am just doing driver’s education events until I get some $$$ to finish the car. While DE evenys are not &quot;racing&quot; schools there is a lot to be gained from plenty of seat time.

Good Luck Carl,

Don