All you Laguna Seca attendees...Post your best lap time and vehicle please.
03-05-2001, 12:04 PM
#11
New Member
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2:00 in 2001 BMW 330i w/automatic...
Who needs a stick, and who needs Quattro? 
Coming into the event I didn't think the 330i could hang with the S4s, which are at least a second faster 0-to-60. But I didn't get passed by an S4 until the rain on Friday.
Here are some reasons why I think the 330i performed so well comparatively...
1. Better stock brakes. The 330i's brakes are huge. The same sizes front and rear as the E36 M3. Also, they don't fade as fast as the stock Audi brakes. Good brakes at Laguna Seca are a huge advantage.
2. I came off the gas later in the home straightaway than most. I was full on throttle until I crested the hill...sometimes a little longer. This was because I trusted my brakes and because I didn't have to worry about manually downshifting in time for 2. Of course, the automatic placed me at a disadvantage coming out of 11...it wouldn't downshift as fast as I would have liked...but, because I was longer on the throttle, I caught up to everyone by the start of braking for turn 2.
3. I tried to follow the line that Todd taught me through 9. I didn't go out all of the way to the right edge for entry and I turned in a little earlier than most. This helped me gain huge ground through 9.
4. I used fairly early apexes. The apex cones were way too late (I assume for the sake of saftey). I was faster by apexing about 5 feet before the cones.
5. The 330i pushes, but it doesn't push as much as Quattro by all accounts. That was probably worth a few tenths per lap.
6. Steel gray is good for at least one second a lap.
7. A roundel is good for at least two.
Coming into the event I didn't think the 330i could hang with the S4s, which are at least a second faster 0-to-60. But I didn't get passed by an S4 until the rain on Friday.
Here are some reasons why I think the 330i performed so well comparatively...
1. Better stock brakes. The 330i's brakes are huge. The same sizes front and rear as the E36 M3. Also, they don't fade as fast as the stock Audi brakes. Good brakes at Laguna Seca are a huge advantage.
2. I came off the gas later in the home straightaway than most. I was full on throttle until I crested the hill...sometimes a little longer. This was because I trusted my brakes and because I didn't have to worry about manually downshifting in time for 2. Of course, the automatic placed me at a disadvantage coming out of 11...it wouldn't downshift as fast as I would have liked...but, because I was longer on the throttle, I caught up to everyone by the start of braking for turn 2.
3. I tried to follow the line that Todd taught me through 9. I didn't go out all of the way to the right edge for entry and I turned in a little earlier than most. This helped me gain huge ground through 9.
4. I used fairly early apexes. The apex cones were way too late (I assume for the sake of saftey). I was faster by apexing about 5 feet before the cones.
5. The 330i pushes, but it doesn't push as much as Quattro by all accounts. That was probably worth a few tenths per lap.
6. Steel gray is good for at least one second a lap.
7. A roundel is good for at least two.
03-05-2001, 12:16 PM
#12
Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1:53, Nov 99 in my stock S4 w/Hoosiers.
It was cold, too, which might have made more HP, but I lost more time due to lack of grip. They just wouldn't warm up enough that day.
I want to get to Laguna soon, and see what time I can run with my current setup. I think I can now run between 1:43 and 1:46, but I have to go to prove it!
I want to get to Laguna soon, and see what time I can run with my current setup. I think I can now run between 1:43 and 1:46, but I have to go to prove it!
03-05-2001, 12:46 PM
#13
New Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Indeed . . .
. . . if you want to claim a lap time between 1:43 and 1:46, you'll have to prove it! :-) Btw, would that be with the 370 hp "race" chip or the 320 hp "street" chip?
How's the shoulder doing? Any chance you can come to either or both of my TracQuest events at Willow Springs next Monday or in Pahrump in April? It would be great to see you again - it's been a while.
Todd Serota
tserota@tracquest.com
How's the shoulder doing? Any chance you can come to either or both of my TracQuest events at Willow Springs next Monday or in Pahrump in April? It would be great to see you again - it's been a while.
Todd Serota
tserota@tracquest.com
03-05-2001, 01:00 PM
#15
Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The "race" chip, of course. :-)
The shoulder is doing better and better everyday. I've got most of my range of motion back already, and my strength is coming back slowly. I think I'll stick to autocrossing for now, so I probably won't see you at Willow Springs or Pahrump. Perhaps later in the year...
