ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Technical Talk > Track / Autocross / Dragstrip / Driving Techniques
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-12-2016, 06:58 PM   #1
No_Dominion
Lieutenant
No_Dominion's Avatar
115
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Chasing Down/Passing an M2

I realize that in the hands of a more skilled driver that the M2 should have beaten me, but regardless, being able to chase down and pass a vehicle with 5 more HP and 60 more lb/ft of torque than my M Coupe definitely brought a smile to my face. And this was probably the 3rd time that happened over the track weekend.

__________________
Remote Start /// LEDs /// 20% Tint /// SGT Headers /// Gloss Black Roof /// Aero Sides
DKF Resonated S1 /// Mstache V2 /// Rear Diffuser /// CF Mirror Covers /// Eventuri Intake
MRR GF7 Wheels /// Evolve Tune /// CF Spoiler /// Michelin PSS
Appreciate 0
      06-12-2016, 09:20 PM   #2
dc_wright
Captain
dc_wright's Avatar
249
Rep
758
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z43.0si Roadster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Orlando, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by No_Dominion View Post
I realize that in the hands of a more skilled driver that the M2 should have beaten me, but regardless, being able to chase down and pass a vehicle with 5 more HP and 60 more lb/ft of torque than my M Coupe definitely brought a smile to my face. And this was probably the 3rd time that happened over the track weekend.
Nice! One of the tough things to learn initially is to run your own line, even when you've closed in on a slower car. You catch what should be a faster car because you're running cleaner lines and then you get behind them and start following them and then you wind up running the same speed. Once you got past the M2, your lines got much better again and I'd bet you were pulling away from him.
__________________
Top Down 365
Appreciate 2
gds52886.00
      06-13-2016, 03:55 AM   #3
Vanne
Down Under!!
Vanne's Avatar
United Arab Emirates
1593
Rep
4,293
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Dubai

iTrader: (4)

Very nice

Care to disclose how your getting the track data superimposed on your cam vid?

cheers
__________________
2007 EuroSpec Z4///MC - Building/Developing Z4 GT3
Powered by
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2016, 04:48 AM   #4
No_Dominion
Lieutenant
No_Dominion's Avatar
115
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_wright View Post
Nice! One of the tough things to learn initially is to run your own line, even when you've closed in on a slower car. You catch what should be a faster car because you're running cleaner lines and then you get behind them and start following them and then you wind up running the same speed. Once you got past the M2, your lines got much better again and I'd bet you were pulling away from him.
Definitely a lot to take in and learn, but when you get it right, it does feel nice. I was happy the M2 was in my run group, such a gorgeous car. But yeah, once I got the point-by, he never started to catch back up again. Definitely an awesome experience overall.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanne View Post
Very nice

Care to disclose how your getting the track data superimposed on your cam vid?

cheers
Hey Vanne, I was using Harry's Lap Timer (Petrolhead edition) on my iPhone. It records video and telemetry automatically, and then you just press a button to merge the two after the run is complete. It's a great app, and even allows you to integrate multiple camera feeds as well as pull car data from an OBD dongle, if you like. I had the phone mounted on a magnetic dash mount that I use every day, but most of the shakiness was due to forgetting to lock the focus, as well as the wind rushing in and playing havoc with the mount. Not a bad result for a $20 app, though.
__________________
Remote Start /// LEDs /// 20% Tint /// SGT Headers /// Gloss Black Roof /// Aero Sides
DKF Resonated S1 /// Mstache V2 /// Rear Diffuser /// CF Mirror Covers /// Eventuri Intake
MRR GF7 Wheels /// Evolve Tune /// CF Spoiler /// Michelin PSS
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2016, 06:25 AM   #5
Vanne
Down Under!!
Vanne's Avatar
United Arab Emirates
1593
Rep
4,293
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Dubai

iTrader: (4)

Lol, i have that app, and use it to record my runs.. how on earth do you combine both?
__________________
2007 EuroSpec Z4///MC - Building/Developing Z4 GT3
Powered by
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2016, 07:17 AM   #6
No_Dominion
Lieutenant
No_Dominion's Avatar
115
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanne
Lol, i have that app, and use it to record my runs.. how on earth do you combine both?
When you select an individual run to view, if you scroll down to the section that has the video for the lap, below it should be a button labeled "export." If you click the export button, it will bring up a section where you can choose to overlay and export just that selected lap, or you can select additional laps to make a longer video.
__________________
Remote Start /// LEDs /// 20% Tint /// SGT Headers /// Gloss Black Roof /// Aero Sides
DKF Resonated S1 /// Mstache V2 /// Rear Diffuser /// CF Mirror Covers /// Eventuri Intake
MRR GF7 Wheels /// Evolve Tune /// CF Spoiler /// Michelin PSS
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2016, 07:19 AM   #7
inTgr8r
Lieutenant General
inTgr8r's Avatar
Canada
2422
Rep
11,665
Posts

Drives: M2 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_wright View Post
Nice! One of the tough things to learn initially is to run your own line, even when you've closed in on a slower car. You catch what should be a faster car because you're running cleaner lines and then you get behind them and start following them and then you wind up running the same speed. Once you got past the M2, your lines got much better again and I'd bet you were pulling away from him.
This is an excellent point, I see it all the time.
I think what happens is you stop looking ahead (past the car ahead) and start looking at the ass of the car you are chasing.
__________________
'21 M2C Hockenheim Silver
'18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold)
'13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold)
'07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
Appreciate 1
      06-13-2016, 07:24 AM   #8
No_Dominion
Lieutenant
No_Dominion's Avatar
115
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by inTgr8r
Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_wright View Post
Nice! One of the tough things to learn initially is to run your own line, even when you've closed in on a slower car. You catch what should be a faster car because you're running cleaner lines and then you get behind them and start following them and then you wind up running the same speed. Once you got past the M2, your lines got much better again and I'd bet you were pulling away from him.
This is an excellent point, I see it all the time.
I think what happens is you stop looking ahead (past the car ahead) and start looking at the ass of the car you are chasing.
I think you hit the nail on the head. It's difficult to monitor your distance from the vehicle ahead of you without focusing your attention on it. You don't want to read end them if they brake earlier than expected, but you also don't want to be so focused on them that you lose vision down the track. Definitely a difficult balance, and something I want to focus on next time.
__________________
Remote Start /// LEDs /// 20% Tint /// SGT Headers /// Gloss Black Roof /// Aero Sides
DKF Resonated S1 /// Mstache V2 /// Rear Diffuser /// CF Mirror Covers /// Eventuri Intake
MRR GF7 Wheels /// Evolve Tune /// CF Spoiler /// Michelin PSS
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2016, 10:07 AM   #9
TexasZed4MC
Captain
TexasZed4MC's Avatar
United_States
148
Rep
688
Posts

Drives: 2006 Interlagos Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Texas

iTrader: (1)

I find that happens with a great number of students. I had told more than one to "drive your line" don't follow the car in front of you. When run sessions were over I've had more than one student be mad at the student I had because they thought my student was going to hit their car.
__________________

Lone Star Chapter BMWCCA HPDE Event Chair, Texas Trifecta Event Chair, & BMWCCA driving Instructor
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2016, 08:54 PM   #10
dc_wright
Captain
dc_wright's Avatar
249
Rep
758
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z43.0si Roadster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Orlando, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by No_Dominion View Post
I think you hit the nail on the head. It's difficult to monitor your distance from the vehicle ahead of you without focusing your attention on it. You don't want to read end them if they brake earlier than expected, but you also don't want to be so focused on them that you lose vision down the track. Definitely a difficult balance, and something I want to focus on next time.
No question it is a LOT of input (drive your line, don't hit the car ahead of you, don't hold up the car behind you, watch for signals from the flag stations, etc.) all at one time and it takes a few times out before some of it starts to just become second nature and you can put more focus on just driving the car. There were a lot of positives in the video clip and you should be looking like a pro with a few more sessions.
__________________
Top Down 365
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2016, 09:50 PM   #11
No_Dominion
Lieutenant
No_Dominion's Avatar
115
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_wright
Quote:
Originally Posted by No_Dominion View Post
I think you hit the nail on the head. It's difficult to monitor your distance from the vehicle ahead of you without focusing your attention on it. You don't want to read end them if they brake earlier than expected, but you also don't want to be so focused on them that you lose vision down the track. Definitely a difficult balance, and something I want to focus on next time.
No question it is a LOT of input (drive your line, don't hit the car ahead of you, don't hold up the car behind you, watch for signals from the flag stations, etc.) all at one time and it takes a few times out before some of it starts to just become second nature and you can put more focus on just driving the car. There were a lot of positives in the video clip and you should be looking like a pro with a few more sessions.
Thanks, and I completely agree, it was like drinking from a fire hose at first, haha. I definitely felt way more comfortable towards the end of the day Sunday compared to my first few laps Saturday morning.

I spent some time today reviewing my video from various sessions and comparing them to videos from more experienced drivers with similar vehicles (mostly E46 M3s,) and I was able to identify several turns where I can shave a good amount of time off by either carrying more speed into the turn, or downshifting prior to the turn to accelerate faster post apex.

I also need to work on braking later, but with more force. Being my first track event, I'm still getting comfortable with just how quickly the vehicle can stop from track speeds, as well as the traction limit of the tires.

Based on telemetry, I ended up taking most of my turns at .9 Gs, but I noticed that on the final two turns I rarely pushed it past .7 Gs, which is in part due to feeling less confident because of the slightly downhill nature of those turns, but I'm sure I could add 5-7 MPH without pushing it past .9 Gs and still remain safe.

So much to learn, and I'm thankful for it.
__________________
Remote Start /// LEDs /// 20% Tint /// SGT Headers /// Gloss Black Roof /// Aero Sides
DKF Resonated S1 /// Mstache V2 /// Rear Diffuser /// CF Mirror Covers /// Eventuri Intake
MRR GF7 Wheels /// Evolve Tune /// CF Spoiler /// Michelin PSS
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2016, 09:46 AM   #12
inTgr8r
Lieutenant General
inTgr8r's Avatar
Canada
2422
Rep
11,665
Posts

Drives: M2 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (10)

Proper braking is HUGE, and not just braking harder & later.
It's still the thing I work on the most.
__________________
'21 M2C Hockenheim Silver
'18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold)
'13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold)
'07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2016, 01:51 PM   #13
No_Dominion
Lieutenant
No_Dominion's Avatar
115
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by inTgr8r
Proper braking is HUGE, and not just braking harder & later.
It's still the thing I work on the most.
Yeah, learning how to use the brakes to set the car before turn-in seems like it will be one of the more difficult and advanced things I'll need to learn.
__________________
Remote Start /// LEDs /// 20% Tint /// SGT Headers /// Gloss Black Roof /// Aero Sides
DKF Resonated S1 /// Mstache V2 /// Rear Diffuser /// CF Mirror Covers /// Eventuri Intake
MRR GF7 Wheels /// Evolve Tune /// CF Spoiler /// Michelin PSS
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2016, 03:59 AM   #14
Vanne
Down Under!!
Vanne's Avatar
United Arab Emirates
1593
Rep
4,293
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Dubai

iTrader: (4)

Our cars can outbrake most cars, even with oem claws. Its where i make up most ground after getting blasted on the straight.

Last edited by Vanne; 06-15-2016 at 04:29 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2016, 04:04 AM   #15
No_Dominion
Lieutenant
No_Dominion's Avatar
115
Rep
439
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indianapolis

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanne View Post
Our cars can outbrake most cars, even with oem claws. Its where make up most ground after getting blasted on the straight.
My instructor said something similar. I suppose I just need to keep pushing the envelope. Putnam Park will be good for that, as even if I end up braking too late, I'll just slide into the grass (not that I'm eager for that to happen.)
__________________
Remote Start /// LEDs /// 20% Tint /// SGT Headers /// Gloss Black Roof /// Aero Sides
DKF Resonated S1 /// Mstache V2 /// Rear Diffuser /// CF Mirror Covers /// Eventuri Intake
MRR GF7 Wheels /// Evolve Tune /// CF Spoiler /// Michelin PSS
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:31 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST