[prostcfc]

Location - Blackhawk Farms Raceway - South Beloit, IL
Org - BMWCCA (Badger Bimmers)
Dates - 8/19/24
Weather - Full sun, Mid-70s F ambient

Car - 2020 M340i xDrive
Mods - Intake, catted DP, exhaust. MHD Stage 0 (just removed 130 mph limit, sport cooling mode enabled. No "tune").
Wheels - 19x9 Apex SM-10
Tires - Kumho V730 200 TW
Brakes - Stock M Sport rotors and calipers. Project Mu HC-CS pads with 45-50% life
Brake fluid - Endless RF-650

Lots of fun and first time at this course for me. It's quite tight and technical, without much runoff. Plenty of big crashes here, all viewable on YouTube (and good to learn what NOT to do).

Since this was a Monday, it wasn't too busy at all. I ran in Novice since it was my first time at the track, and I was signed off to run solo for the last session. I will start running with Intermediates next time, so happy with how things are going.

Last track weekend at Autobahn I had pretty big brake overheating issues. I investigated some ducting options, but nothing would work without modification, and I didn't have time to do it. To attempt to address the heat, I installed Girodisc titanium shims up front (1 mm thick) and cut the top 2/3 of the brake shields off to stop heat getting trapped, which is actually recommended by Essex (full removal). I wrapped the wheel speed sensor wires in high temp wrap to protect them, and the only reason I didn't take the shields off completely was to protect the lower ball joints from radiant heat. I was a bit worried about my brakes still, since it's a circuit that's "hard on brakes", but I only used 1 mm after four 20 minute sessions. My last track weekend, I used 50% of them in 25 minute sessions, but I think it was a variety of factors causing it, and I think I'm getting better at applying brakes in general. Either way, happy with the performance of them this time out. My dust boots are all cracked from the prior weekend, but there's nothing leaking, so I'll likely just replace the boots (not the seals) prior to compressing the pistons to swap the pads.

I rotated my V730s in an X-pattern. The fronts are really getting beat on the outside, and this car can use more camber.

I've consumed maybe 1/3 quart of oil after 3 track days, which I'm not concerned about.

Anyway, car was a lot of fun, still the only G20, but oh well!