tachyon

Last weekend I went up to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin to watch my brother race his 1967 Alfa Romeo GTV at the Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman, a huge vintage car race. It is a spectacular car-fest with every kind of automobile imaginable either racing, in the concours show, or on the grounds. Total heaven for a car freak.

In the races there were Porsches from every era, MGs, Austin-Healeys, Lotus's, CanAm Lolas & McLarens, 60s era Vettes, Boss 302 Mustangs, 50's era Jaguars, 60s Shelby GTs and Cameros, Alfas, BMW 2002s, Vipers, NASCARs, and 1953 Studabaker Starliner racing a 1949 Cadillac sedan - racing!

And as great as all of these cars looked, the sounds were even better. There is no more thrilling sound than hearing the big-bore machines - '69 Corvettes, '62 Jaguar XKEs, '73 Porsche 911s, '69 Chevy Cameros, '65 Ford Mustangs, and '70 Boss 302s - roar out of the last turn and scream up a final climb to the straight-away finish. Nothing else on earth makes those sounds. (OK, maybe a shuttle launch). It's the kind of sounds you not only hear, but feel, smell, and taste. I was mesmerized.

Now to the part about getting on the track and why it wasn't such a good idea. The race schedule offers a chance for spectators to "tour" the track at mid-day. For $75 you could get a pass to join 175 of your closest friends and turn a few laps on the 4.2 mile track. So I signed up.

But first you needed to get an inspection. Ahead of me was a red Ford GT and in line behind me was a black Aston Martin DB9 convertible. Sweeeet. The inspector marked my car down as an M5 ? I wish.

At Noon we all line up to wait to get on the track. I?m the first car in line 3 with a Viper and the Ford GT behind me. Not good.

Each line of cars is led onto the track behind a pace car. The rules are that you cannot exceed 70 mph and no passing in turns or other aggressive driving. And you cannot pass a pace car unless they wave you on.

Off we go. There are too many cars and it?s all bunched up, and on the turns during the first lap we just about come to a standstill. Otherwise it?s an easy cruise around. But then on lap 2 it opens up. I?m able to carve turn 3 at a reasonable pace and then nail it wide open up a long straight-away. I pass a car a the turn?s exit and rocket up to 105 mph before braking hard for the next turn. But as I?m hitting about 90 on the straight, the GT blows by me like I?m parked. Wow.

For six more laps I am able to work the 550i hard at times, but traffic is slow at other times. Overall it was a total blast and the 550i was a wonder. My brother was riding along in the passenger seat and after a few laps he said ?I can?t believe how effortless this car is.?

It?s true. The 550i was so effortless to drive hard and fast on the track. The power was instant and endless. The brakes were strong, and the cornering was razor sharp. With such a well-balanced machine it was easy to learn how to set the car up for the next move. There was nothing complicated or demanding about it. What a great machine.

And this was during a sweltering Sunday afternoon at 92F (that?s 33C for you metric chaps). Lap after hot lap for about 25 minutes of fairly hard diving. And like a world-class athlete, it wasn?t even breathing hard afterwards. When we were finally escorted off the track, I drove straight home for 2.5 hours. The 550i handled it all like it?s supposed to do that every day.

And that?s why this wasn?t such a good idea. Because now I want to do that every day. I?m hooked! I already have a mental list of the mods required: bigger brakes first, then lower it with some race springs, add some Dinan stuff when that comes out ? oh, man, help me.

skaffa

Speak to the devil!!

Have got that same fever and talk about SG535d! He has already 250-300 laps at the Ring, i prosume!! I have two trips and 14 laps, one set of tires, one 360 and too much fun!!

Skaffa

mullman

Tachyon-

Congrats on what sounds like a wonderful day.

I was hoping not to get to the end and find out someone bumped you on the track
I would be SO sick.

drjochen

Cool!!
I used to fight the 1300 GTAs with my NSU TTS in vintage racing.

andy545

Sounds like a thrill, glad you enjoyed it !

Rudy

tachyon, do you belong to the BMW CCA? As a member, you're likely to have many opportunities to drive your car on a track during driver's schools and other events.

Now that you've been bitten by the track bug, there's no turning back!

darkside

I've avoided the track due primarily to insurance issues. Also I's afraid I might get hooked.

Remember: THERE IS NO CURE!

doug_999

Now didn't you say the speed limit was 70???

My buddy was up there as well - he said he was just chilling out on the lawn when someone in a 350z completely wiped out - right off the track into the gravel. Lots of screeching and what not - said the racetrack people were REALLY yelling at the dude.

I so envy you - and yes, with those rims your car does look like an M5 - and think of how the GT driver felt thinking he crushed an M5

tachyon

I hadn't thought about that ... hehe. He'll find out someday when he picks a fight with the real deal.

Maybe next year we could organize an E60 trip to Road America.

Oaktree

Ditto - Join BMW CCA and hit some tracks. We have Brainerd up here, which was an absolute blast this spring (top speed around 140mph with the first banked turn around 115 - I won't even tell you the rest). Join and you will not regret the experience or the tactics the instructors teach you. It is a much safer environment than Kohler Challenge.

darkside - the BMW CCA events are very safe. Know one pushes you beyond your comfort level and the 5 series is very neutral - it is so easy to drive fast.