My first experience thrashing the Z4 around---Auto Cross

[Fripp64]

I posted this in Bimmerforums but thought I'd post it here for my brethren from across the miles...

My oldest son has been going to our local SCCA Auto X off and on the last 2 years.
He wanted me to come out and run my car...I thought, 'what the heck'
I haven't really had a chance to ring her out and see what she'll do. I've had my '06 3.0si for 2 months and I was curious.

What a BLAST that was.
They laid out a small road course type track which allowed me to not only get her up to speed but do some quick turns and one long sweeper....not your typical brake hard, turn in type Auto X track.
I really enjoyed myself and I now know the limits of this car better.
Great balance...it takes a lot to "break" it loose...steering feedback and response was great with the "Sport" button engaged.

Funny part was my best run of the day was all due to having my youngest in the car...my 3rd run of the afternoon they gave me the "Go" sign...I rev'ed her up and took off...my youngest quickly turned off the traction control and hit the sport button...if it hadn't been for my co-pilot I would have never had such a good run....thanks Christian

P.S. hate the run flats...I could have been so much quickker with some decent rubber.

Kudos to Birmingham SCCA folks...what better way to spend a beautiful Sunday but with my son running his '07 Mustang and me in the Z4 with my youngest riding shotgun.

Thanks for reading...

J.

 

[Smokin]

They are fun aren't they? Ran the Dragon back in May (318 curves, 11 miles) and I swore I could hear the car saying "Finally". Almost like when you give a good stretch and you hear little pops and cracks as things move back into place--it felt like the car came alive in those twisties. Didn't have a bit of trouble with the runflats, though. Even though everyone dumps on them, they ARE performance tires and I have no trouble at all with grip.

I need to start showing up for autocross runs and give her another chance to stretch.

 

[Fripp64]

Yea, our local BMW chapter makes an annual fun run to the "Dragon" each year in October...really looking forward to this year's trip with the Z4. We've stayed away from the Dragon because of the local police but there are plenty of twisty roads in that area to play on.


I hadn't thought about it but your right...it was like she was waking up and saying, "Ah, yes, this is what I was meant to do"
HA HA
Drving to work felt very sedate this morning.

J.