Blogs

I just received my new MaxVelocity E36 M3 Evo I Track Splitter from Bimmerworld today.  It took me all of 30 minutes to bolt it on. I just had to, you understand, right?

With the recent snow and cold weather, it seems like a good time to remind ourselves of a few things to make our winter driving less unpleasant.
 

I'm driving down the front straight at Spokane Race Way; it is a qualifying session for  Group 1, Pro3 cars, and other classes as well. It is a very hot day in the high 90's, probably 120 degrees on the blacktop. I remember sitting in the Hot Pits (no pun intended) while waiting for our turn to go out on the track, and I was pulling hard on my shoulder straps to get them as tight as I possibly could. This is a rough track, many uneven surfaces, and the speeds are high down the front straight. We (the Pro3 cars) are doing about 130 mph at the end of the straight, and then braking hard down to about 60 mph into a tight turn that banks left. This is turn 2.

Driving a race car is as thrilling as you might imagine. Just sitting in one you begin to wonder what this would feel like at speed. It's not very comfortable. You look around at gauges, fire protection gear, roll cage, weird seats, window screen, center net that holds you in if you get a violent side impact, six point seat belts that have enough tightening strength to flatten you into your seat like a pancake. And then you start the engine. The sound is terrific.

Having been with the club for over twenty years as a member, participant, and often leader, I have to say this has been both one of the most interesting and challenging years, especially with economic conditions. BMW ACA Portland espouses much of the essence of fun and comraderie of a car club.

Preserving a classic car; and few drivable BMWs are more classic than a 2002, is a tight rope walk of sorts. Do we do what we, the present owner's want, or do we keep it for the next owner(s)? One of my personal peeves about residential home ownership is that our homes, or at least mine, seem to be in peak condition the day we move out. In other words, they were never this nice when we actually lived in them. Is this what we want to do with our cars?