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///M3Mick View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: BMW DriverTraining- Nurburgring 14-16 Aug
    Posted: 04-April-2006 at 09:22
Folks

I also posted this on BMW-Driver.net and have mentioned it here before, but I just thought I would post up a final reminder to people.  I sense there isn't much interest in the event so it will be my last post on the subject, but no harm in trying to rustle up some enthusiasm!!  My previous post was a few months ago when it seemed far in the horizon and too early to be booking holidays, but time is flying now and the summer will be upon us before you know it. 

Anyway, I have just been confirmed as a participant and have paid my fee so I just thought I would post a reminder in case anyone else from Ireland was interested in going.

The fully skinny is here;

http://www.fahrerlehrgang.info/version_en.html

but essentially, BMW have booked up the Ring for private use for the duration of the event, so theres no public lapping. Basically, the participants are broken up into small groups who are taken out on the track in sections by experienced instructors (BMW test & race drivers) who teach you the ideal lines and so forth for each particular section. You then build up via formation laps behind the instructors to full lapping sessions. Theres also a skid pan area for drifting and car control practice and emergency stop training (where you get to slow a car using crash barriers and no brakes).

Formalities start on Sunday 13th August, followed by two full days of 8am to 8pm driving, and on Wednesday 8am to 5pm

I have been corresponding with one of the guys at the BMWCC UK who organises it from their end and a bunch of those guys are going over. From what he has told me it sounds fantastic and a great way to learn the ring and improve your general driving skills.

The fee is €990 which includes 3 full days driving, a couple of dinners and I think lunch on each of the days. There is a prizegiving on the last night for the best drivers in each class.

I know it might sound a bit too structured for some, but I have been put off the Ring a little by the horror stories of traffic jams, overflowing car parks, endless stoppages due to accidents and so forth. It seems a bit hit-and-miss although on public days you are more likely to see some exotic machinery.
 
On this event you are guaranteed a lot of lapping on a relatively empty track so you can concentrate on your lines and getting the most out of the professional instruction thats available.  All during the best month of the year weather wise, when public lapping sessions would normally be packed out.

Would be great if we could get a few from ireland going over, but I am booked already and am definitely going regardless.
Just to say also that the Hotel Zurburg which is where I am booked in (along with the BMWCC UK members), is nearly full already I think.

Anyone else interested?
Cheers

Mick
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-April-2006 at 11:23
thats the sweetest thing i've ever heard of!!!! would def be up for it in 2007 - but not this year i'm afraid.

Dead jealous ;)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-April-2006 at 12:40

I'd be going Mick except for wedding commitments in June. Enjoy it - it does read magnificent and reviews of the event that I've read have been glowing.

I'm planning to do a decent 'Ring trip next year, and will be giving you all plenty of notice - I want a good posse of IRL cars (BMW or otherwise) clogging up the autobahns!!!

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-April-2006 at 07:49
Yes, I know some people who have done this. I would love to do it in a few years time...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-April-2006 at 09:43
i'd definitely be up for this, if i can get a bloody car that is!!!

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Now '01 525 M-Sport, cosmos black, sports half leather seats, upgraded lights and a kick like a mule!!!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-April-2006 at 09:51
Is there any point in going to the 'Ring in a 2.2 Z3?  It's all I have at the moment although I'm hoping to buy a E36 M3 soon but have to sell my jeep first. Can't be sure I'd have one before the trip. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-April-2006 at 09:57

OPPS just noticed yours is a Z3 so not directly comparable, but it should still be well up to the task

Read this (one of the definitive sites for 'Ring knowledge):

http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/trip_reports/trip44/index.html

and some quotes from it (in summary tis a great car to have out there):

The Z4 is a very capable car. Mine was only the 2.2-litre, with 170bhp, but it is surprisingly quick. It handles well, though the run-flat tyres fitted were the limiting factor. They gripped well for a certain amount of cornering force then, rather than slide, they skipped. This was a little disconcerting the first time it happened, but I got used to it.

I don't know whether I was noticing Z4s a lot more because I was in one, or whether they have suddenly become very popular Ring toys, but there seemed a lot of them there

The tyres were the weak point of the Z4, being run-flat tyres with extremely stiff tyrewalls. This was good in that it kept the tread in contact with the track under quite hard cornering, but bad in as much as they skip rather than slide when things eventually get too much for them. But the 3-litre version with sticky tyres really would be an amazing Ring tool, methinks.



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-April-2006 at 10:02
It's something i'd be interested in too. Can you use their cars to practice in. Did I read an article about a group of journalists who were trained by professionals over sections of the track. I think they started off in 330ci's and graduated to m3csl's when they had received more training. That would be worth doing.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-April-2006 at 11:10

Guys

If you look at the photo gallerys on the official site you will see that all sorts of cars take part.

Basically, if you enjoy driving your car, you can enjoy it at the ring.  Simple as that.  And most people say that even if you go for public laps in your Porsche 911 Gt3, the first time you do it you will still be overtaken by locals in their polos!!!

 

Mick

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-April-2006 at 11:29
@flyingalexf68: Alex, the 2.2 170bhp engine is sweet as-is... with a few mods ;) we'll have it pushing the 200bhp mark in no time!

What was topazmans putting out at the last RR day?????? anyone? What mods has he got? Topazman you out there?

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05-April-2006 at 17:20
Yes I know the engine is sweet and very powerful but I'm worried about
skidding off the track and hitting the famous armco. Z3's don't handle as
well as Z4's. Or Polos.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-April-2006 at 03:33

The risk of skidding off is there in any car Alex!! The Z3 might not handle with the subtlety of the Z4, but it doesn't mean it won't roadhold to a similarly high level. The Z3 was honed on the 'Ring like all of BMWs products, and I'd have no hesitation bringing it out if it were mine. 

Better yet, attend our Mondello Better Driving Day on April 29th and get up on that learning curve if you've never been out on a trackday before.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-April-2006 at 04:43
Originally posted by flyingalexf68 flyingalexf68 wrote:

Yes I know the engine is sweet and very powerful but I'm worried about
skidding off the track and hitting the famous armco. Z3's don't handle as
well as Z4's. Or Polos.


the z3 is a more than capable machine.
I dont understand why people think they need high powered cars to do track days or driving courses like this.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-April-2006 at 05:32
Particularly in coupe form more so than the cabriolet, but there are no bad handling bimmers. It's all about learning the limitations of you and your car.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-April-2006 at 11:47
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