First off I have to thank our hosts at RRev Motorsports for a great morning of horsepower. There is something special about standing around in a garage talking cars with the sound of screaming engines right beside you.
I was fairly pleased with the power figures that I got, 172hp/147torque. But finding out that I was running extremely lean will probably save me a very frustrating/expensive engine rebuild.
It wasn't that bad because with the scheduled rain on Monday I had already decided not to run on our DE day at PIR. So now it is off to find the funds to fix everything before the May DE day.
Last month was a month to remember. Most of you know me as the fellow with the 2001 Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3. After much thought and soul searching, I decided it was time for me and my M3 to part. I had driven it only three times in the two years and unfortunately received two speeding tickets. Each of these was on my way home from the festival of cars in Sunriver. Both involved nothing worse than passing slow RVs and were not at high speeds but the local authorities seemed to disagree with me. I posted the car on Craigslist and after a minor bidding war; I sold it for $3000 more that I originally asked.
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?
I have yet to see if it makes any difference, but that is sort of hard to do on the street. I did notice that it does rub on the speed bumps in my neighborhood, so it might not be best to run it all year. Although it would probable do a good job plowing the road if it snows again.
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.
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.
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.
A couple of videos have been made at the recently paved race track in Grass Valley.
