Here are some results for the Open Track Challenge from the E36 M3
list. It looks like our local BMW drivers did really well.
Rex
>Subject: Open Track Challenge Results
>
>Just got back in last night from running the Open Track Challenge, and
>wanted to send out some of the results:
>
>* Navid Kahangi in his E46 M3 took Touring 2, and took second place in
>Touring overall -- the only car faster than him was a T1 600+ hp Viper. He
>succeeded in pissing off every Corvette driver out there. Not bad for a
>stock motor. ;-)
>
>* Touring 2 also saw a split for 3rd place between a supercharged M Coupe
>and a turbo E36 M3. In true BMW spirit, they both declined to finish the
>last day of sessions so that they could share the podium and not edge the
>other out.
>
>* Does a match-up between a 3.6L Porsche 911 and a J Stock E30 M3 sound
>fair? Not to me either, but that's what Touring 3 looked like. The
>organizers made a big mistake in classifying the Porsche in our group, much
>to the protest of everyone in T3. Even with that unfair advantage, Bill
>Arnold and Tamara Hull managed to trounce the 911 and take 1st place -- this
>without power steering and an AC for between the tracks, both of which broke
>en route.
>
>* Also in Touring 3, our automatic 330i was holding steady in 4th (or 3rd if
>you didn't agree with the 911 ringer in our class), including a 1st place
>finish at one of the tracks, but we were plagued by serious mechanical
>difficulties. They finally did us in at Thunderhill when we blew a wheel
>bearing and our driveshaft CV joint. We were able to get it repaired, but
>missed Buttonwillow and lost our position. We ended 6th out of 9 entries.
>
>* Touring 4 saw the 2nd place finish of another BMW AG product -- a
>bone-stock Mini Cooper S! That car was like the little engine that could. A
>BMW CCA J Stock racer drove the wheels off of that car to take out some
>pretty serious import racers.
>
>Overall it was a great showing for the BMW crowd. We stuck together to keep
>each other running throughout the stressful 3000+ mile highway drives on top
>of the 7 days of hard track driving.
>
>Look for my full report on the race in the Roundel August issue. I hope to
>see more folks from the list out there with us next year!
>
>-peterg
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