The best part about modifying your car is finding out how it performs at the track, big or small. You can install new coilovers on the car and take it out for a spin on the road. You feel the cornering is sharper, more stable, and there’s less body roll on the car, but you will really appreciate it a lot more if you are on the track.
There’s a reason why BMW engineers test on the Nurburgring. Plus, it’s a lot more fun on the track. That’s why we do this, right?
This was actually my first big track event. Big meaning high speed. The event was setup by SpeedVentures. They’re one of the bigger track organizers in the country and a lot of enthusiasts come out with their cars ranging from beginners taking out their underpowered commuters to full on race teams testing their competition race cars. It’s fun to just come out and watch these race-prepped machines fly around the course.
As it was my first time here, the course layout at Auto Club Speedway was quite intimidating. There are concrete walls placed throughout the course so it takes a bit of seat time to get comfortable with the track. Thanks to all the supporting mods, the M3 felt really planted. By the end of the day I was hitting around 145mph on the NASCAR straights and continued to hold around 130mph on the first turn. My best lap time was 2:04 and I got it on the GoPro! Check it out below. My track specs were the following:
- BC Racing coilovers with Swift springs
- Apex Arc-8 18×9.5 +22 square setup with 255/35/18 Toyo R1R up front and 265/35/18 Toyo RSR in the rears
- Stoptech ST-40 BBK with Hawk HP Plus pads
