Some Spec3 info released at BF.com

#1

On the one hand a field of E36 race cars sounds like great fun. On the other hand Spec3 will inevitably impact the size of our fields.

#2

Spec 3 will have to compete with Spec E36 though. Interesting class, though. How much faster is it supposed to be than our Spec? They’ve got 18 hp on us, but the minimum weight is 200 pounds heavier. I wonder if the “money-is-no-object” guys will be more inclined to head to the Spec E36 class, sort of how Spec Miata ended up being after some time.

#3
#4

Spec brake pads? Really? Might as well spec the seat and steering wheel, too.

No thanks. I’ll stick with E30.

Steve D.

#5

Doesn’t NASA have far more races here in the SE then BMWCCA? That would make Spec3 a far better choice. Not to mention that if a guy choosed Spec3 he gets to hang out with us.

#6

what’s wrong with specing that all the cars have equal stopping hardware? Not much different from specing the tires.
bruce

Steve D wrote:

[quote]Spec brake pads? Really? Might as well spec the seat and steering wheel, too.

No thanks. I’ll stick with E30.

Steve D.[/quote]

#7

I like the “spec-ing” of everything. I think it makes for a great platform of driver ability being the most important (so I would be mid-pack or worse in that class too).
As for the comment above about the speed of the Spec3 cars, they should be faster than us. It is not just about the hp/weight, the E36 rear suspension is superior and the increased wheelbase should help as well. I do think that the weight is a little to high and will cause components to wear out faster, but nothing can be perfect out of the box. I commend Chris Cobetto and Barry Battle on creating a great package. Chris should be doubly commended for all of his work on sponsorship to keep the prices on parts down.
It remains to be seen how well the class will take off, but it would be really cool to have 20 Spec E30 cars and 20 Spec3 cars on the track at once in our own run group.

#8

JeepinMatt wrote:

They are probably going to be about 2 seconds faster. The E30’s rear suspension is the main limiting factor to the E30’s handling. The E36’s rear suspension geometry is far superior to the E30’s. With the 225’s and the better suspension geometry the E36 should be faster but not by much.

#9

leggwork wrote:

[quote]what’s wrong with specing that all the cars have equal stopping hardware? Not much different from specing the tires.
bruce

Steve D wrote:

[quote]Spec brake pads? Really? Might as well spec the seat and steering wheel, too.

No thanks. I’ll stick with E30.

Steve D.[/quote][/quote]

My experience is that there is a lot more lap time difference to be had with tire brands than between brake pads. Toyos to Hoosiers might be worth 2-3 seconds. Brake pads are more of a personal preference item. They’re not going to differ that much in lap time.

IMHO, YMMV, etc.

Steve D.