On a whim, I signed up for an autocrossing school Saturday at California Speedway's Lot 12 in Fontana. And on a whim, I requested our 2002 BMW M3 to experience what's left of the sticky Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 tires we put on in February
.
Autocross school is better than a championship for a novice like me, as I probably got 15-16 laps in for the whole day -- about 3 times as many as you'd get in official timed competition. Somewhere during my third lap, I realized I was driving one of the trickier cars out there -- perhaps topped only by a Canadian-built, not-a-kit-car Cobra.
Which is to say that driving a E46 BMW M3 around an autocross course is very, very fun. Any combination of steering and throttle input (and not anything close to full throttle) had the back end coming around. The M3 offers good feedback through the seat and the steering wheel, though, so the slides were easy to predict and catch -- well, most of the time.
I was torn: Part of me wanted to turn some cleaner runs and quicker times, but another, equally impassioned part of me wanted to get the tail out through every corner. In the end, we sort of compromised. My times came down a bit, and I created my own enormously entertaining, hands-on course in car control.
Rarely have I ever had this much time and space to play with a powerful, rear-wheel-drive car. The Stoptech brakes also felt great when I got on them hard. The only casualty of the weekend was the right foglight. It was already missing its protective casing and when it knocked against a cone, the lens cracked. The light still works, but when I noticed it was bouncing out of position on the freeway, I yanked it out.
I am now intrigued by the idea of using an E46 M3 as a hooligan autocross car, a counter to all the WRXs and Miatas out there. Video and photos shot by Loren Wong (SubyTrojan) submitted for your enjoyment.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 64,897 miles
subytrojan says:
05:30 PM, 12/ 1/08
More photos can be seen here (some of 'em may even make you laugh...dial-up users, you have been warned):
http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j121/USCTrojan4JC/11-29-2008%20Ladies%20Autocross%20School/?start=all
slickersdrip says:
05:44 PM, 12/ 1/08
Nice pictures and videos. You guys have the greatest jobs in the world. I like the looks of that all black RX-7 that was out there with you guys.
I have to question the logic of going autocrossing in a Trailblazer or MKX.
jederino says:
06:19 PM, 12/ 1/08
That's a long course! Tell me, have you fund any safe places do try out lurid drifting techniques?
estreka says:
06:52 PM, 12/ 1/08
The chronic announcements were hillarious. "The Straits of Gibralter were once completely above sea level..."
I really enjoy autocrossing, but alas, I have given it up. Some cars were just made for a track.
tmanz says:
07:08 PM, 12/ 1/08
autocrossing is a blast and good job taking one of the cars out for a real drive :)
I was going to comment on the GTR post that from time to time they should join a club or two and take the cars to track events.
subytrojan says:
07:15 PM, 12/ 1/08
"I really enjoy autocrossing, but alas, I have given it up. Some cars were just made for a track."
You have seen the light, my friend. :o) j/k
"Learn how to race, autocrosser!" $5 to whoever can name what TV show that was said on. Hint: "NASCAR" Channel
slickersdrip says:
07:32 PM, 12/ 1/08
Setup?
clarkma5 says:
08:20 PM, 12/ 1/08
Hehe what is it about autocross announcers? They're always comedians.
subytrojan says:
01:40 AM, 12/ 2/08
slickersdrip, you are correct! Let me know when you want to come to Santa Monica to collect your $5. :o)
stingray454 says:
09:15 AM, 12/ 2/08
An E46 M3 would make a fine dedicated autocross car - just bring your wallet too.
But if low cost autocrossing is part of your criteria, there are much better options out there. For most autocross courses, you don't need a lot of power to be fast. Light weight, small, and nimble are the best attributes for a good autocross car. Power would be a distant 4th or 5th in importance.
slickersdrip says:
10:01 AM, 12/ 2/08
Haha, well, I am applying to graduate school at USC for Fall 2010, that sound good?
subytrojan says:
10:24 AM, 12/ 2/08
That'll do nicely. :o)
m_thrizzle says:
11:37 AM, 12/ 2/08
I have a funny autocross clinic story...about half way through the day, my friend and I swapped cars. He had a 1st gen Miata and I had never driven one before. I took out the car w/ him as a passenger, and I beat his then-best lap time by a few seconds (over ~1-min course)! He was pissed and I got to call him girl names and whatnot. By the end of the day, he did drive faster and beat my time though.