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XMN
08-17-2007, 12:38 PM
I was not going to post this but Oh Well!!

Well guys I have been taking my M5 and M3 out to the dragstip at Irwindale Speedway for a couple of Thursday nights on the dragstrip(I mentioned this in a thread that got deleted).

I have never done this before but I have to say that is great fun for the Fam and really challenging to get these cars to do what some will say they are not supposed to. DRAG!!!

The secret is the launch without no electronic nannies(we have many) kicking and slowing you down but without spinning with DSC Off and wasting precious time. It is hard but I got the M5 to launch pretty good and hold traction with DSC Off. It is an 1/8 mile track so your launch will make or break you. Time wise my fastest was 1/8 = 8.533 @ 85.91mph. If you go faster than 8.50 you need to wear a helmet. I am a beginner so I am slow off the starting tree lights, that is where I loose time, in the starting light reaction timing. If I did not hook in the beginning I caught and beat the slower cars but the faster ones would get me if I spun off the line. For instance there were a couple Vette VO6's I ran against, the first I beat pretty good the second I spun he didn't so he had me and I also caught up but he got me. People are really cool and open and are quick to give you advise to correct your mistakes which improves your time. Our V10's need a 1/4 mile track to really see what they can do I was told, makes sense they are only getting started when the race is over at the 1/8 of a mile. It is also very hot there stays at 105-10 then drops to 95 when the suns goes down.

If you decide to do this it is very addicting, so be warned. I do highly suggest it though.

I know, I know, some are going to scream BLOODY MURDER because they are BMW's but mine weren't he only ones there. There was two M6's, two 5'ers(545 and 550) an M3 coupe, two 335's and the were other expensive exotic a brand spanking new black on black Porsche 997 GT2, orange Lambo Gallardo and others. Lots of Corvettes, Mustangs and Hondas that are modded to some degree. I have video of the Lambo running the M6, kind of funning they both forgot to take off the electronic nannies and took off nice then almost came to a dead stop at the same time when the nannies freaked out and kicked in then they started back again and the M6 won. Chalk one up for you 6'ers. You can line up against anything that they have out there from a daily driver stock Honda Civc to an actual Dragracer with flames coming out the pipes.

Oh Yeah, at the end of the night when I loaded the Fam back in the M5. (Other racers and people watched me putting in my sons booster seat and three more passengers then loading in a cooler and chairs in the trunk). They all came over and shook my hand in even further disbelief. They gained mad respect for BMW's Mighty M5.

There you have it. Take it for what you will it is all in fun.

Bear, I highly suggest you bring out the M6 and see what you can do, true fun with your car.

Some pics(I know, not real without pics)

commencer
08-17-2007, 02:39 PM
Looks like you had a blast!

Side note: I had the chance to drive the M5 at the 6er driving experience and it is just amazing!!! I liked it better than the M6 :youbet: ...(just don't tell Mal and Bear) probably because it had SMG and I did not know how to drive it very well.
I specially like the adaptive seats...awesome! :woot:

Unfortunately we don't have a speedway here in Houston. I'll probably take your suggestion of going to one and drive to Dallas.

BHR4CE1
08-17-2007, 09:30 PM
Might be fun. Will look into it in the winter when it isn't so damn hot!

08-17-2007, 11:59 PM
Sounds like fun in a mixed sort of way. The second photo shows an M5 and an M3 with some Japanese coupe. Out of its depths.

BHR4CE1
08-18-2007, 08:25 AM
Sounds like fun in a mixed sort of way. The second photo shows an M5 and an M3 with some Japanese coupe. Out of its depths.


Japanese coupe? All I see is a Mustang Cobra and some white car that looks like it might be a VW.

08-18-2007, 06:20 PM
Japanese coupe? All I see is a Mustang Cobra and some white car that looks like it might be a VW.

Might have been a Mustang or whatever. I don't really know Mustangs (not available in Australia).

08-18-2007, 06:35 PM
Japanese coupe? All I see is a Mustang Cobra and some white car that looks like it might be a VW.

Might have been a Mustang or whatever. I don't really know Mustangs (not available in Australia).
Mustang = Brumby in 'Strine.

AusBmw
08-19-2007, 02:18 AM
Japanese coupe? All I see is a Mustang Cobra and some white car that looks like it might be a VW.

Might have been a Mustang or whatever. I don't really know Mustangs (not available in Australia).
Mustang = Brumby in 'Strine.


OZ boy they have been.but they were dropped. Think you could have got one for 85 grand AUD IIRC


I love the first shot,shows you why you SHOULDN'T own a ford,bonnet up :grin: (Im all most sure that an OEM mustang colour to)


Mels right,while horse,but did you also know Brumby is a ute that subaru sold in the eraly 90's here in oz..


Looks like you had a blast at the speed way mate. 8-)

XMN
08-19-2007, 05:45 PM
Yes it was a BLAST!!!

All I can say is, if you have the chance to go, GO!!

08-19-2007, 08:06 PM
Mels right,while horse,but did you also know Brumby is a ute that subaru sold in the eraly 90's here in oz..


Early 1990's? I think you and Lord Pomposity are right. (I wasn't old enough to drive back then and neither were you)! One of the few cars that really caught my attention then was the E31 8 series. It was love at first sight.

Gman
08-20-2007, 06:50 PM
XMN,

It sounds like you had and excellent time. I thought about doing this in my local area but I wasn't too sure it was worth it.
I will try it before the summer is out should I get a chance, thanks for posting.

Tell me, have you tried AutoX with your local BMWCCA group? You should try it if you haven't already.

XMN
08-20-2007, 07:02 PM
XMN,

It sounds like you had and excellent time. I thought about doing this in my local area but I wasn't too sure it was worth it.
I will try it before the summer is out should I get a chance, thanks for posting.

Tell me, have you tried AutoX with your local BMWCCA group? You should try it if you haven't already.

It is well worth it, you learn a lot about your car and yourself. I won't BS anybody, I was a little taken back at first but after a few runs it was all good.

Have not tried any AutoX or BMW schools. I will though, from all these BMW's, I have accumulated a lifetimes worth of free BMW Schools and such. I need to find the time and go. Now that it is coming to Cali in October, I signed up for the two day M School. Like Malibu, I really drive my cars but I want to learn more.

Gman
08-20-2007, 07:09 PM
Definitely buddy, get to know more about those Bimmers. :race:

BHR4CE1
08-20-2007, 10:16 PM
Now that it is coming to Cali in October, I signed up for the two day M School. Like Malibu, I really drive my cars but I want to learn more.


Hey XMN,

Do you think it is worth doing the 2 day M school in SC on "their turf” rather than here? In my mind, I was equating it to seeing a Broadway play ON Broadway versus the traveling company, so I went ahead and booked my 2 day M school in SC. Maybe I will take both.

Your thoughts?

bobclevenger
08-21-2007, 12:59 AM
Irwindale was a 1/4-mile strip when I ran there many moons ago. Any idea why it's limited to 1/8-mile now?