It's been a while... so a quick update:
Had a terrible time at the BMW Sommerfest / Ultimate BMW Race last August. Showed up to Donington Park with a brand new front spliter, new brake pads and new tyres. Had a nice generous 30 minute qualifying session so spent 10 mins bedding everything in and then sat in the pits for 5 minutes to let the brakes cool a little.
First timed lap had a wobble at the Old Hairpin and skirted through the gravel. Second flying lap, while passing 2 slower cars, the second one moved over on me, pushing me off track at 100mph at Schwantz Curve. That sort of speed straight into a gravel trap does a lot of damage:
• Track rod bent by the impact - replaced both sides, inner and outer
• Front right wheel destroyed - replaced and painted
• Front right wing dented - replaced but the new one is far from perfect
• Headlamp mounting lugs broken - replaced both with new outer shells (no lighting), 6kg saved
• Splitter ripped off (never saw it again) - made another one
• Both wheelarch liners significantly damaged - replaced
• Windscreen smashed by the wave of gravel - replaced with a brand new one
• Radiator holed - replaced
• Brake duct hose ripped off - replaced
• Bumper lower trim ripped off - replaced with ABS plastic to try cooling with just the kidney grill
• Both LHS wheels badly chipped - refurbed
• Serious gravel rash on bumper, lots of stone chips on wings and along LHS - not yet addressed
So there we are. It's been a lot of time, effort, and a fair bit of cash.
And tomorrow the 2023 season starts at Silverstone, on the GP circuit with BRSCC ClubSport Trophy. The car hasn't moved more than a few metres and I've been struggling with MAF error codes and a lumpy idle. Needless to say it's going to be a step into the unknown. Hoping that the new wheel alignment and splitter, and cooling work effectively.