Driving School at Virginia International Racetrack

[xruling]

My son is trying to talk me into going to VIR for a two-day school event with my G8GT. VIR is a race track, not a drag strip. The car is stock. ~30k on original brakes and tires. Tires still are not worn to the wear bars yet, but are getting close. Any recommendations?

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[BigV8]

Yea better get some tires and get them scuffed up some before you hit the track. When is the event? Good luck, should be a blast. Oh I'd say some good ultra high performance summer tires if that works for you. Those type of tires will not works in the snow, just ask the people in atlanta!

[xruling]

Thanks, BigV8. Don't some guys shave tires down for track use? I was thinking that I would probably need new ones after time on the track, but that maybe these would be just right for a day on the track. I know first hand that "summer only" really, really means summer only, well, fall and spring are OK, just nothing close to frozen water. I took a running start up my longish, sloped driveway last winter and after I stopped, the car just slid back down the driveway! Would not even sit there on the icy snow with those sport tires. They are scary.

[TomPierce]

Don't worry about the tires - you need to get brakes more than anything. It's a big heavy car, and race track braking demands will toast the stock pads within 30 minutes.

I'd explore getting stock replacement pads and having them on hand those 2 days so you have them if you need them. If the budget will allow, also get some high performance pads to race with, and stock pads to drive home on.

Other than that, track days are even more fun (and better training) than straight line racing. Go for it!

[BigV8]

I guess it depends on how hard you plan on pushing the car as far as tires. Tom is right about the brake pads, I'm sure you have done at least one replacement?

[xruling]

Nope - Still have the stock pads, but I like the idea of getting some better ones. Hawk, EBC, Carbotech, Bendix, ???? decisions, decisions ...

[Doug Hilliard]

I've done one event at VIR and one at CMP as my first experiences with tracking. It is a blast! My thoughts are, if you've got tread left, you're probably OK with your tires but totally agree on the brake pads...new ones are a requirement. I used Hawk HPS and they worked very well for VIR and they are fine on the streets as well although they do generate quite a bit of dust. CMP is more brutal on brakes so I wish I had better bite there. I'm thinking on going to better pads than the HPS for this season. I'm hoping to go to VIR too. When are you looking at going?

[xruling]

Hi Doug, i think he said at the end of Feb. Thanks for weighing in on the Hawk HPS. I already had them in a shopping cart. Good to get some more confirmation.

[Doug Hilliard]

No problem. They worked well for me. I know there's a school there with someone Feb 12/13 but I may not be able to make that one.

Hi Doug, i think he said at the end of Feb. Thanks for weighing in on the Hawk HPS. I already had them in a shopping cart. Good to get some more confirmation.

[xruling]

So, among many other things, I learned that you can never have too much braking capability on a road race course. I learned if you do not have confidence in your ability to stop/slow as necessary, you will not have the confidence to fully leverage gobs of torque and horsepower. I learned that a stock G8 GT, with sticky summer street tires, is far more capable that I would have ever imagined. The TarHeel Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America is a damn fine group of good people that knows how to extend hospitality. BMWs, Porshes, Corvettes, a Pontiac G8 GT, a Subaru STI, an Acura NSX, a MB E63 AMG Wagon, a Focus SVT, and even a Hyundai Sonata all got along warmly and had a darn good time together. The Audi Club will be at VIR in April... :-), but I think a Friday at Summit Point will be next.