Racing
- Thread starter mrblonde
- Start date
![[driving]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_driving.gif "Driving [driving]"){kind=icon}
My son has both a 2003 330ci and a 2002 WRX. The WRX is quicker and can defeat M3s on the bottom end. He's done some mods and is now putting out within 5 hp of the Sti's 300 hp and no longer has a top speed limiter. The original stock hp (227 vs 225) are almost identical but the WRX is lighter and that is like adding hp. A stock 330 is quick but not up to the Subaru when both are in proper tune. Street racing these cars at the speeds they are capable of is not advised. I learned a long time ago that no matter how quick you think you are there are others a lot quicker out there. Take your car to the drag strip or become a high speed driving school junkie and then move on to sanctioned club racing. It can be a lot more fun and you will be with skilled drivers all around, that can mean your life and you will still have a license. I agree entirely with the previous 2 postings and I am sure others do also.
Last edited:
I wouldn't recommend bringing up street racing on this site, usually doesn't go over well. And yes, I agree with the other two. If you want to race, go track your car, don't endanger all the others around you just to race.
What's the point in racing a 325 btw? That's not much of a win, any 330 driver could take a 325. Atleast race something that is close to a 330.
What's the point in racing a 325 btw? That's not much of a win, any 330 driver could take a 325. Atleast race something that is close to a 330.
Last edited:
I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here but I would also strongly suggest taking your racing to a track.
I am someone who got sideswiped by a driver (who was street racing) and couldn't slow down to avoid me. I got hit at over 70mph and almost died. They had to use the jaws of life to extract me from my car while trying to stop me from bleeding to death.
I just wanted to give some real life information to you so you'll think twice about racing. No matter how good of a driver you think you are, there is always a degree of chance that something wrong will happen.
I am someone who got sideswiped by a driver (who was street racing) and couldn't slow down to avoid me. I got hit at over 70mph and almost died. They had to use the jaws of life to extract me from my car while trying to stop me from bleeding to death.
I just wanted to give some real life information to you so you'll think twice about racing. No matter how good of a driver you think you are, there is always a degree of chance that something wrong will happen.
just to clarify, i'm not talking about "fast and the furious" racing ... more like "it's late at night and i happen to be driving and there's no one on the road and someone driving xxxx car pulls up next to me and we open it up and see whos got what". i'm not a maniac on the road by any means but you all bring up valid points. i think i will skip worrying about "the other guy" next time. thanks for showing me this probably isn't a genius idea. i went from a wrangler to a bimmer so the thrill of driving it is extra sweet but i should probably keep it in check.
anyway, how much are these schools? where a good place to learn about them? how does particpating in such activities affect my insurance?
btw, the 325 guy wanted to have a go with me. i didn't know why ... i thought he must have done a mod or something.
anyway, how much are these schools? where a good place to learn about them? how does particpating in such activities affect my insurance?
btw, the 325 guy wanted to have a go with me. i didn't know why ... i thought he must have done a mod or something.
mrblonde-
Glad to hear you're interested in the driving schools. I notice you live in Philadephia. The BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA.org) has a NJ chapter (and perhaps another chapter even closer to you) that has driver's schools that takes place about 3x a year up at Limerock, CT. The cost is about $200 for a full day. You supply your own car. It's very worth the time and a ton of fun. Also, if you have a weekend to spare, at $495-$795 and more if you choose an M-School, BMW offers Car Control Clinics in South Carolina. Call 888-345-4269 for a brochure and dates.
Driving a BMW is like nothing else- I just wouldn't be able to image life without that priviledge, especially if it was taken away from me from some ridiculous car accident caused by some dumbass who wanted to "race" on city streets.
Good luck.
Glad to hear you're interested in the driving schools. I notice you live in Philadephia. The BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA.org) has a NJ chapter (and perhaps another chapter even closer to you) that has driver's schools that takes place about 3x a year up at Limerock, CT. The cost is about $200 for a full day. You supply your own car. It's very worth the time and a ton of fun. Also, if you have a weekend to spare, at $495-$795 and more if you choose an M-School, BMW offers Car Control Clinics in South Carolina. Call 888-345-4269 for a brochure and dates.
Driving a BMW is like nothing else- I just wouldn't be able to image life without that priviledge, especially if it was taken away from me from some ridiculous car accident caused by some dumbass who wanted to "race" on city streets.
Good luck.
I just got back from a track event yesterday. It was probably the best event I've had in 4 years. ![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
I was stupid enough not to bring my camera though.![[?|]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_banghead.gif "Bang Head [?|]")
I brought 6 of my friends to run, two complete novices. By the end of the day, the were the happiest bunch and learned a ton. Our intermediate guys were still in their second or third events. In the morning they had reservations ann lacked confidence about their abilities and cars (Miata and Protege 5 vs Spec Miata's, Turbo Miata's, Bimmers, STi's, Evo's and Porsche's). But after the first outing, you couldn't keep them away from the track.![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
Both were passing people left and right, hitting every apex and holding the "line" lap after lap - consistency is the key to becoming a great driver. I was very happy to see the guys improve so much.
I ran in the Advanced group with the really powerful crowd this time: Modena, RS America, tuned Evo's and STi's, Elise 190Sport, Westfield and Spec Miata's among the fastest. All passed me, except a couple of "slower" Spec Miata's from this list. It was great to hear the Ferrari roar by on the straights. Westfield sounded even meaner with the 11000RPM redline and loud exhaust. I had a go with the "regular" Porsche's, Alfa's and E36 M3's. Fun day for sure.
Tried different lines through some of the corners to see if I could pick up more time. At some places it worked really well (though my brakes were going really fast) and one place almost landed me in the grass. The car still mostly understeered, so I had to let the rear slide off throttle out just a bit to make the turn - big fun, but needs getting used to the sensation.
The Ferrari and a fast Spec Miata had a fun run right in front of me. The Prancing Horse tried to keep up with the Miata in the corners, but after a couple ended up pushing too hard and leaving the track. It's not often that you see a Modena do that.![[rofl]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_rofl.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
If you get a chance to sign up for a track school/event, do it for sure.
Read up on what to expect. I made this list for our OR state, but it applies to any event as well.
http://www.monsoonauto.com/en-us/tracktip.html
Be safe and keep the streets safe too. After you do one of these events and see what you and your car can actually do at the limit, you will never even consider straight line stop-light street racing and just laugh at the guy trying to race you.![[wave]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_wave.gif "Wave [wave]")
I was stupid enough not to bring my camera though. I brought 6 of my friends to run, two complete novices. By the end of the day, the were the happiest bunch and learned a ton. Our intermediate guys were still in their second or third events. In the morning they had reservations ann lacked confidence about their abilities and cars (Miata and Protege 5 vs Spec Miata's, Turbo Miata's, Bimmers, STi's, Evo's and Porsche's). But after the first outing, you couldn't keep them away from the track.
Both were passing people left and right, hitting every apex and holding the "line" lap after lap - consistency is the key to becoming a great driver. I was very happy to see the guys improve so much.I ran in the Advanced group with the really powerful crowd this time: Modena, RS America, tuned Evo's and STi's, Elise 190Sport, Westfield and Spec Miata's among the fastest. All passed me, except a couple of "slower" Spec Miata's from this list. It was great to hear the Ferrari roar by on the straights.
Westfield sounded even meaner with the 11000RPM redline and loud exhaust. I had a go with the "regular" Porsche's, Alfa's and E36 M3's. Fun day for sure. Tried different lines through some of the corners to see if I could pick up more time. At some places it worked really well (though my brakes were going really fast) and one place almost landed me in the grass.
The car still mostly understeered, so I had to let the rear slide off throttle out just a bit to make the turn - big fun, but needs getting used to the sensation. The Ferrari and a fast Spec Miata had a fun run right in front of me. The Prancing Horse tried to keep up with the Miata in the corners, but after a couple ended up pushing too hard and leaving the track. It's not often that you see a Modena do that.
If you get a chance to sign up for a track school/event, do it for sure.
Read up on what to expect. I made this list for our OR state, but it applies to any event as well.
http://www.monsoonauto.com/en-us/tracktip.html
Be safe and keep the streets safe too. After you do one of these events and see what you and your car can actually do at the limit, you will never even consider straight line stop-light street racing and just laugh at the guy trying to race you.
Check the Philadelphia SCCA. http://phillyscca.com
They are running a novice classroom session THIS WEEK. Great way to get your feet wet and talk to a few people.
The Philadelphia Region Solo II program will be hosting an evening of classroom instruction at Julie's Steakhouse on Friday March 19th at 7:00PM.
There will be two classes: novice and intermediate. The novice class will consist of all things that a novice will need to know to be fast at their first few events and through their first season. The intermediate session will be geared towards the intermediate driver who has been autocrossing for one or two years and can't figure out where to improve. This class will be more free form and based on theory rather than on specific application. The cost of these classes is FREE but you will need to pay for your food and beverage. Please let Steven Rosenberg (610-313-9397) know if you will be attending and at which class
So far I've raced a Mustang GT, Camaro, my friend's Civic LX, another friend's 1990 Oldsmobile, 1995 Celica GT, Mazda Protege, Accord V6, 1991 Integra, and a 1990 Ford Taurus stationwagon with the 3.0 V6 engine (not that that makes it worth anything). So far everyone I've raced I've raped, well the Camaro was a bit more of a challenge but he was still eating my shit.
As for that Subaru WRX thing beating an M3... hahahahahaha! I could somewhat understand a STi luckily getting ahead for one or two seconds, but after that it would get killed. And even if you do make it faster by putting in mods, the M3 would outlast it in a real race anyday.
As for that Subaru WRX thing beating an M3... hahahahahaha! I could somewhat understand a STi luckily getting ahead for one or two seconds, but after that it would get killed. And even if you do make it faster by putting in mods, the M3 would outlast it in a real race anyday.