Hey guys,
Does anyone know of any spec e30 racing out here on the west coast?
Thanks
Vance B)
California Racing?
vca325is
#1
Igor
#2
I know that this is a bit late but…there is currently one SpecE30 running in CA (from San Diego I think). As we transition to this forum I am sure he will chime in.
I am in bay area and getting ready to start preparing the car.
Regards,
Igor
sdais
#3
So far I’m the only one, though there seems to be interest. Unfortunately, quite a few people out here seem to be shrugging off spec e30 because it "hasn’t gotten going yet". I honestly think all it will take is 3 or 4 more cars to start entering races to get this to take-off out here.
There are also quite a bit of discussion about spec e30 over on bimmerforums. Follow this link for an example (my username over there is Murph, by the way): http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=384014 Whenever people ask for recommendations for affordable racecars spec e30 keeps getting mentioned.
system
#4
Over the last six weeks an associate and I have purchased three E30’s to prepare for rentals for this series in California. We think that his ‘seeding’ will demonstrate the concept and draw others into the program.
As CCA Club Racing runs frequently with NASA here in California there is the potential of running in both SpecE30 and CCA KP on one weekend (up to six races) this should add to the attractiveness of the SpecE30 program.
There are two 1991 318is’ and one 1989 325is. The 325is is first on our list to prepare. We anticipate it will be done in the next 2-3 weeks. The August event at Sears Point (now called Infinion) is our target for this car to be ready. The others will follow rapidly in succession.
Mills
sdais
#5
mwmills wrote:
[quote]Over the last six weeks an associate and I have purchased three E30’s to prepare for rentals for this series in California. We think that his ‘seeding’ will demonstrate the concept and draw others into the program.
As CCA Club Racing runs frequently with NASA here in California there is the potential of running in both SpecE30 and CCA KP on one weekend (up to six races) this should add to the attractiveness of the SpecE30 program.
There are two 1991 318is’ and one 1989 325is. The 325is is first on our list to prepare. We anticipate it will be done in the next 2-3 weeks. The August event at Sears Point (now called Infinion) is our target for this car to be ready. The others will follow rapidly in succession.
Mills[/quote]
Mike - awesome news! I plan on making the drive up to Sears Point for the August race, though for someone still driving the car to the events that’s a pretty long drive! Also, they do not have spec e30 on the registration page for the event & told me to sign up in super-unlimited! 
Do you plan on bringing the cars into SoCal (ie Willow on 9/10 or Buttonwillow on 10/8)? It would be great if we could get 3 or 4 cars on a grid yet this summer!!
I received my CCA CR license a couple of weeks ago, and was planning on running KP at non-NASA events. It never dawned on me that you could run BOTH spec e30 & KP in the same weekend… (You just increased my cost of racing, Da&nit!!)
I also heard a rumor that the folks with the LA Chapter were considering building some rental spec e30’s as well.
pig4bill
#6
mwmills wrote:
[quote]Over the last six weeks an associate and I have purchased three E30’s to prepare for rentals for this series in California. We think that his ‘seeding’ will demonstrate the concept and draw others into the program.
As CCA Club Racing runs frequently with NASA here in California there is the potential of running in both SpecE30 and CCA KP on one weekend (up to six races) this should add to the attractiveness of the SpecE30 program.
There are two 1991 318is’ and one 1989 325is. The 325is is first on our list to prepare. We anticipate it will be done in the next 2-3 weeks. The August event at Sears Point (now called Infinion) is our target for this car to be ready. The others will follow rapidly in succession.
Mills[/quote]
How about some details on how you’re going to run your program?
Is it going to be arrive and drive? Cost? Will there be insurance offered or do we have to find our own or (gulp) self-insure? Are you located in the bay area so I can come and take a look at the cars?
system
#7
Mike:
Great news!
Let us know how it goes. With your ride and drive program…and a cheap flight, I might have to come visit you guys next year.
Carter
mwmills wrote:
[quote]Over the last six weeks an associate and I have purchased three E30’s to prepare for rentals for this series in California. We think that his ‘seeding’ will demonstrate the concept and draw others into the program.
As CCA Club Racing runs frequently with NASA here in California there is the potential of running in both SpecE30 and CCA KP on one weekend (up to six races) this should add to the attractiveness of the SpecE30 program.
There are two 1991 318is’ and one 1989 325is. The 325is is first on our list to prepare. We anticipate it will be done in the next 2-3 weeks. The August event at Sears Point (now called Infinion) is our target for this car to be ready. The others will follow rapidly in succession.
Mills[/quote] 
system
#8
I remember something about a shop in California building three cars for rent. I saw pictures of the cars being built.
Anyone remember this or know where the shop is located?
Carter
mwmills
#9
The fellow who was building three cars a couple of years ago dropped off the radar. Really don’t know what happened to him. The cars were early 80’s 318’s.
There are no real details yet, still planning. I’ll post the details when we settle on them.
Yes, we are in the SF Bay Area. Right now the cars are in storage waiting for all the parts so we can begin the build and get it done in one fell swoop.
Mills
mwmills
#10
Spec E30 and Spec MINI are now both on the schedule for the Infineon August 6 & 7 event. They are in Group A with the Spec Miata’s.
Carter
#11
mwmills wrote:
[quote]Over the last six weeks an associate and I have purchased three E30’s to prepare for rentals for this series in California. We think that his ‘seeding’ will demonstrate the concept and draw others into the program.
As CCA Club Racing runs frequently with NASA here in California there is the potential of running in both SpecE30 and CCA KP on one weekend (up to six races) this should add to the attractiveness of the SpecE30 program.
There are two 1991 318is’ and one 1989 325is. The 325is is first on our list to prepare. We anticipate it will be done in the next 2-3 weeks. The August event at Sears Point (now called Infinion) is our target for this car to be ready. The others will follow rapidly in succession.
Mills[/quote]
Mike:
With a cheap flight and your rental program, I’ll have to come spend a weekend racing with you guys next year.
Carter
sdais
#12
mwmills wrote:
More great news! I was trying to figure out how to make my car competetive in the super unlimited class!!! Anyone got a reeeeaally big turbo sitting around?!? 
Mike - are you going to be there the Friday before with Trackmasters? I’m thinking of heading up early for some practice as this will be my first time on Infineon.
nukblazi
#13
Carter wrote:
[quote]mwmills wrote:
[quote]Over the last six weeks an associate and I have purchased three E30’s to prepare for rentals for this series in California. We think that his ‘seeding’ will demonstrate the concept and draw others into the program.
As CCA Club Racing runs frequently with NASA here in California there is the potential of running in both SpecE30 and CCA KP on one weekend (up to six races) this should add to the attractiveness of the SpecE30 program.
There are two 1991 318is’ and one 1989 325is. The 325is is first on our list to prepare. We anticipate it will be done in the next 2-3 weeks. The August event at Sears Point (now called Infinion) is our target for this car to be ready. The others will follow rapidly in succession.
Mills[/quote]
Mike:
With a cheap flight and your rental program, I’ll have to come spend a weekend racing with you guys next year.
Carter[/quote]I love cali. Carter, when you plan this, let me know, I will join you. I should be licensed by then… I hope :S
mwmills
#14
Right now things are very tentative…have not started on the car yet…but it is a possibility
mwmills
#15
The 325 is 90% done. Seven days of deconstruction and reconstruction. Not ready to race yet but I am shooting to do a few test laps this weekend.
mwmills
#18
Left house at 6:25am, made it to the track at 9:00am. Unloaded, said hello to several people. Went out in 10:25 A group session. Lap 1 immediately remember that we did not check the wheel balance. Next tell myself that I’m cold and the car is cold, build up to speed slowly. End of first lap I note that there are several changes, asphalt in run offs and backside of berms that were not there before, nice track improvements. Begin second lap carrying a little more speed in to each turn. I notice that the car has a lot more potential, the turn ins are crisp, the suspension is taking a nice set. Lap three, a little more speed this time through turn 2, a left hand 180 sweeper I start sawing in on the wheel to see how much grip is left, and there is a ton. Carry a little more speed, around turn 9 I smell coolant, check guages all is ok. Continue around turn 15 onto the front straight, up shift, hear a clunk and then severe vibration through the drive train. Slowed down dramatically, idled around until the short cut from exit of 5 to front straight, parked until end of session, drove it in and onto the trailer.
Coolant leak is the line going to the heater control valve, no big deal. The vibration is probably the clutch/pressure plate with a broken spring. Then there was the large pool of oil, which is probably from the oil filter housing.
This is why I took it, to do a shake down, just wish it had lasted a little longer. It is really fun to drive.
mwmills
#19
Update. One of the three straps on the pressure plate snapped. New clutch assembly and should be good to go.