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The 325is is just about complete, needs fire extinguisher, window net, kill switch and a final shakedown.
The 318is has had the interior removed, cage installed, rear suspension removed. This one will move more quickly than the 325 due to the experience.
Targeting a race at Thunderhill on September 10-11 for their debut. One will be driven by a 14 year old, who holds a NASA competiton license but cannot get a learners permit! He will be driving the SpecE30 and a Formula Renault.
mwmills wrote:
[quote]The 325is is just about complete, needs fire extinguisher, window net, kill switch and a final shakedown.
The 318is has had the interior removed, cage installed, rear suspension removed. This one will move more quickly than the 325 due to the experience.
Targeting a race at Thunderhill on September 10-11 for their debut. One will be driven by a 14 year old, who holds a NASA competiton license but cannot get a learners permit! He will be driving the SpecE30 and a Formula Renault.[/quote]
Mike - I’ll be at Willow this weekend, "ducking" the new competition!
Steve:
In the General Discussion section, give us a good report after your weekend.
Carter
This last weekend I had the opportunity to have a very good driver run the SpecE30 prepared 325 and the 318 to do a comparison/evaluation. The driver was Tim Barber who just won the GTA Series Championship portion of the Trans-Am series, has won a Formula Car championship and runs in both the Western States Sprint Car Championship and the USAC Silver Crown Championship.
Using Buttonwillow configuration #25 which rewards power:
SpecE30 325 - 2:11.8
SpecE30 318is - 2:13.0
Tim also said he thought there was another second in the 318is but he had to contend with traffic.
My conclusion, our formula works for both models.
mwmills wrote:
I was very glad that Mike had pre-warned me on who was driving his cars, which helped me retain some small inkling of pride as Tim ran circles around me all weekend.
What a lot of fun it was, though!
Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. I’v currently got a KP car that I’ll be de-modding. Hopefully I’ll get it done in time for 2006. I’m in NorCal and in addition to Igor, I know of another guy (Joe) who will also be de-modding his KP car to go SpecE30. This, in addition to Mike’s 3 rentals should help the series gain some momentum over here on the west coast.
–lance
good news. if the engine is stock you probably won’t have too much to do. now if we can get Mike to rent his cars to non-GTA Series Champions maybe we can all have some nice, friendly races next summer! 
Nothing like getting blown away by someone in the same car as you to put you back in place!
I’ve got quite a bit of work, but nothing too evil since the motor is untouched. The only thing that might be tough is finding a 3.73LSD. I’m sure someone will protest my Quaife 4.10. And then there’s the task of selling off all the goodies.
I think there needs to be some cleaning up of the SpecE30 regulations. In one section it says you can remove some interior bits, then a few pages later it says you can remove a bunch more interior bits.
Also, since rear adjustable trailing arm bushings are legal, why not make subframe modifications for toe/camber legal as well? The cost is comparable and I don’t see any performance advantage of it.
Are there any plans to make a SpecE30 class in BMWCCA CR? These cars aren’t exactly fast for KP.
traqrat wrote:
[quote]
I think there needs to be some cleaning up of the SpecE30 regulations. In one section it says you can remove some interior bits, then a few pages later it says you can remove a bunch more interior bits.
Are there any plans to make a SpecE30 class in BMWCCA CR? These cars aren’t exactly fast for KP.[/quote]
Regarding the regulations, if the book does not say an item can be removed leave it in. Most of the questions relate to defining exactly what items in the rulebook refer to (ie does the "console" include the plastic around the shifter & the piece that’s pressed up against the bottom of the dash, or just the part around the e-brake), but those questions are pretty easily addressed & resolved.
Adding a spec class in CR had been discussed. I guess I don’t have any info on that. And you are right that these cars are at a bit of a handicap in KP. However, there are several KP cars out here in CA that still have stock engines so we lowly spec guys aren’t terribly outgunned by all runners. Actually my best lap at Willow Springs set in August isn’t far behind the fastest laptimes from the KP guys set there at the last two events.
traqrat wrote:
[quote]I’ve got quite a bit of work, but nothing too evil since the motor is untouched. The only thing that might be tough is finding a 3.73LSD. I’m sure someone will protest my Quaife 4.10. And then there’s the task of selling off all the goodies.
I think there needs to be some cleaning up of the SpecE30 regulations. In one section it says you can remove some interior bits, then a few pages later it says you can remove a bunch more interior bits.
Also, since rear adjustable trailing arm bushings are legal, why not make subframe modifications for toe/camber legal as well? The cost is comparable and I don’t see any performance advantage of it.
Are there any plans to make a SpecE30 class in BMWCCA CR? These cars aren’t exactly fast for KP.[/quote]
First of all, it’s good to have you with us.
Regarding your concerns, you should be able to find a 3.73 LSD without too much trouble. I’m sure BMW sold many E30’s in California.
And selling the KP items shouldn’'t be tough.
Regarding the rules, one of the most popular aspects of Spec E30 is that the rules do not change. Everyone who’s been here is probably tired of hearing me say this but the drivers can feel comfortable in the competitiveness of their cars, and in their investment, simply because they know that they won’t ever have to buy the "new hot part" this year to stay competitive. In reading your post, I see that you are specifically referring to the fact that there is some redundancy in the Rules. Mike and I will look it over and might re-orgainize the wording…but the Rules will not change.
With the subframe modifications, that will not change based on the explanation above. The cars work very well as the Rules are written, so we’ll leave them alone. As we say in Spec E30, you might not like the answer but we will address any concern.
I know there was some discussion about making Spec E30 a 'CCA class but honestly, we don’t see the need. As Steve said, our cars can finish respectably in KP (I’ve lead a KP race or two when there were 6 cars in the class) but we have 10 to 15 cars in our races here, the NASA entry fees are lower, and 'CCA might want us to change something…which we will not.
So, I suggest you continue your path and help build Spec E30 on the West coast. I’m confidant that within two years, we’ll have 8 to 10 cars at each race and like here, several drivers from other classes/series will want to join the Spec E30 fun.
Carter Hunt
Spec E30 Administrator
What’s the latest on this? Are there many cars running in the West and Souther Cal? How about details on the rentals? What’s the cost, etc? Are they for races or driving events only?
Thanks,
Rob.
The program is building in the west with several cars in various states of preparation. Steve Dais, out of San Diego is running one. I have two prepared (one 325is and one 318is) and one (318is) sitting in the wings waiting for some demand, as rentals in Northern California.
Email me privately, mike.mills@earthlink.net, with your detailed questions.
It sounds like there are at least a couple of guys with spec cars in the works out here in the west coast. Could those in this category please give an update on how things are coming? How about including the following information:
1)name
2)location (NoCal / SoCal)
3)SO/SU
4)status of car
5)anticipated first race - date / track
I’m just curious to see how soon spec cars will start appearing out here. Also, a couple items on my car are not per-the-specs & I am running in GTS. When I hear that spec cars will be starting to show up I’ll get the car within spec (basically, changing tires & adding back some weight) & change classes. Anyone going to be at Willow Springs on 2/11-12?
Looking forward to joining the fun and getting some West Coast momentum for a series that has blossomed nicely on the East Coast. Steve, there will be more of us soon! A friend that traqrat and I know (Cole G.) is also planning to do several arrive and drive dates this year in a Mike Mills SpecE30.
-Joe
Joe, Cole, and I went through the BMWCCA DE program together so there should be some good racin’.
1)Igor Koruga
2)NorCal - SF Bay Area
3)SO
4)Interior stripped. Cage is in. Motor is apart. Still need to get suspen parts, bushings all around, etc.
5)Not sure, due to work and family obligations it’s going slower then anticipated. Still need to get comp license as well
Igor
1)Cole Goeppinger
2)NoCal (SF)
3)SO
4)Arrive & Drive 
5)April 8-9 @ Buttonwillow
Joe and I are planning on attending the SCCA Licensing School for some more pratice in March.
Cole
Lance, I think you know this red 325is from Campbell. 3.91 diff gearing needs to be replaced, otherwise seems like a good starting point.
Chris
m3donnelly wrote:
[quote]1) Chris Donnelly
2) NoCal/SoCal (MidCal)
3) SO
4) It runs and compression is good, just getting started
5)Driving Concepts Competition school (Willow Springs) in May, Buttonwillow in June?
Lance, I think you know this red 325is from Campbell. 3.91 diff gearing needs to be replaced, otherwise seems like a good starting point.
Chris[/quote]
Chris, your name is awfully familiar. Where have I met you? Was I your instructor at Buttonwillow?