[peelerec]

Has anyone tracked at Sonoma Raceway/Sears Point with their G2X? I’m looking to expedite my learning curve at this technical road course. My previous days at Sonoma were specifically for learning the course and lines. I look forward to hearing any feedback!

[Dan B]

I am biased but I would recommend a driving school at Sonoma . Skip Barber uses Sonoma so that is an option. Or sign up for a reputable track day that has instructors.

I personally recommend everyone go through a driving school. You will learn a lot, be safer on the road and track, and you will have more fun at track days.

With all of that said a few important things to remember. You may know some or all of these things but never hurts to reinforce it.

Slow is fast. Start slow and build speed.

Going downhill you have less traction. It may be slight but keep it in mind if the track has a steeper descent. This is magnified when you crest a hill at an apex. Sonoma has corners like this.

For the mot part you want to brake earlier and turn later until you learn the track. This gives a cushion in case you make a mistake.
When in doubt both (yeah for an auto it is only 1 foot) feet out. Meaning don't go to brake or gas until you know what you need to add.

If you spin both feet in. If you lose control go to brakes. You are a passenger at this point and need to get it stopped.

Have fun.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Dan B

I am biased but I would recommend a driving school at Sonoma . Skip Barber uses Sonoma so that is an option. Or sign up for a reputable track day that has instructors.

I personally recommend everyone go through a driving school. You will learn a lot, be safer on the road and track, and you will have more fun at track days.

With all of that said a few important things to remember. You may know some or all of these things but never hurts to reinforce it.

Slow is fast. Start slow and build speed.

Going downhill you have less traction. It may be slight but keep it in mind if the track has a steeper descent. This is magnified when you crest a hill at an apex. Sonoma has corners like this.

For the mot part you want to brake earlier and turn later until you learn the track. This gives a cushion in case you make a mistake.
When in doubt both (yeah for an auto it is only 1 foot) feet out. Meaning don't go to brake or gas until you know what you need to add.

If you spin both feet in. If you lose control go to brakes. You are a passenger at this point and need to get it stopped.

Have fun.

Thanks for feedback!

I noticed Speed SF has instructors available as well so I do plan to utilize that option next time. I’ve had instructors with me before with the CCA and it was a great experience.

Good to know about the descent and ascent at Sonoma. I’ve found a YouTube channel with a fellow G20 who has tracked at Sonoma frequently at it seems that course is probably the toughest for most G20’s.

The last two times I’ve gone I did exactly as you suggested. I was not timing myself, just going slow and learning the braking points + lines.

Any track days in the near future for yourself?

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by peelerec

Thanks for feedback!

I noticed Speed SF has instructors available as well so I do plan to utilize that option next time. I’ve had instructors with me before with the CCA and it was a great experience.

Good to know about the descent and ascent at Sonoma. I’ve found a YouTube channel with a fellow G20 who has tracked at Sonoma frequently at it seems that course is probably the toughest for most G20’s.

The last two times I’ve gone I did exactly as you suggested. I was not timing myself, just going slow and learning the braking points + lines.

Any track days in the near future for yourself?

I ordered my car April 1st so not for a few months. Once I get it I will look at our local track and AX schedules.

Have fun at Sonoma. Great track.

[peelerec]

Tracked at Sonoma this past weekend. Still running 235/40/19 on PS4S with 791M wheels. Apex wheels still on backorder.
Car did well considering 85 F deg ambient temperature. No cooling issues. Did not time myself again. I plan to place my order for a Garmin Catalyst soon to begin timing and improving track times without an instructor.
An additional note. This is my first time tracking at Sonoma in this heat and needed to constantly monitor tire temps. Was aiming for 35-36 PSI HOT but pretty much always ended up at 38 PSI mid session.

[Dan B]

Nice car and nice pics! Glad you had fun.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Dan B

Nice car and nice pics! Glad you had fun.

Thanks!

Any update on your order?

[randomserious]

Originally Posted by peelerec

Looking good, where did you get the painted sideskirts and frontlip?

[Dan B]

Originally Posted by peelerec

Thanks!

Any update on your order?

Production date 5/22. If I understand the process correctly, I get my VIN once it enters production and I can track it.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by bray

Looking good, where did you get the painted sideskirts and frontlip?

Side skirts and front lip are from RW Carbon.

[Top Gon]

I tracked my m340(when I had it) at Sonoma back in 2021. Only mods were Dinan intake and 245/265 RT660 tires. It was my first time tracking the G20 and first time ever at Sonoma. Only did 3 sessions and it was a somewhat warm day. Managed a best of 2:00 that day. The car felt great but can feel the weight in some corners. I just remember being amazed at how much grip it had that the seats just could not hold me in. I'm pretty sure the car had at least a 1:56 in it with more practice. As for Sonoma, it can be a little intimidating at first because of how many walls there are and a couple of blind corners.

Anyways, I hope my rambling kinda helped

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Top Gon

I tracked my m340(when I had it) at Sonoma back in 2021. Only mods were Dinan intake and 245/265 RT660 tires. It was my first time tracking the G20 and first time ever at Sonoma. Only did 3 sessions and it was a somewhat warm day. Managed a best of 2:00 that day. The car felt great but can feel the weight in some corners. I just remember being amazed at how much grip it had that the seats just could not hold me in. I'm pretty sure the car had at least a 1:56 in it with more practice. As for Sonoma, it can be a little intimidating at first because of how many walls there are and a couple of blind corners.

Anyways, I hope my rambling kinda helped

Appreciate the feedback. You can really feel the weight of this car during the descent on the “carousel”. Totally agree with you on improved bolsters needed to hold you in during fast turns. It definitely hinders if pushing for the absolute fastest time.
Do you still have your G20? Tracking anytime soon?

[Top Gon]

Originally Posted by peelerec

Appreciate the feedback. You can really feel the weight of this car during the descent on the “carousel”. Totally agree with you on improved bolsters needed to hold you in during fast turns. It definitely hinders if pushing for the absolute fastest time.
Do you still have your G20? Tracking anytime soon?

I don’t have the g30 anymore no. Sold it end of last year and got into a z4 m40i. Basically same car but without a roof 😅
I just came back from a track day at Laguna a week ago. Sort of similar characteristics to the m340 but also different in some ways

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Top Gon

I don’t have the g30 anymore no. Sold it end of last year and got into a z4 m40i. Basically same car but without a roof 😅
I just came back from a track day at Laguna a week ago. Sort of similar characteristics to the m340 but also different in some ways

Yep, I definitely had to slow down more than I’d like at the corkscrew due to to the weight of the car swaying. Need sway bars, coilovers and more rigidity.
Which organization did you go with? Speed SF?

[Top Gon]

Originally Posted by peelerec

Yep, I definitely had to slow down more than I’d like at the corkscrew due to to the weight of the car swaying. Need sway bars, coilovers and more rigidity.
Which organization did you go with? Speed SF?

Oops typo G20*

Sway bars and control arms/camber plates would help. I wouldn’t want to stiffen up the car with coilovers. Having something comfortable to eat up miles and still be able to hang with M cars is my goal.

I actually did it thru sunwise bmw. They sponsored everything it was amazing!

[Z K]

I was at a track day a few weeks ago and got to run with another M340i owner at Sonoma raceway. His car was stock with 225/255 staggered PS4S tires. After the track session we spoke and I was curious about his car as I have a M340i as well. I wasn't driving it that day though.

I've only ran Sonoma 1/2 a dozen times over the span of 20 years so I'm not very fast there. Compared to my 15 year old M3, we were keeping pace for a few laps. The M340i definitely has the power and torque advantage but on corners I'd catch up because the M3 is lighter with more grip. Unlike the M340i, my M3 is not stock. Also, shifting manual loses time compared to automatic. I'll see if I can upload the video.

[Z K]

Here's the video. The video ends after we catch up to traffic and the checkered flag comes out.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Z K

I was at a track day a few weeks ago and got to run with another M340i owner at Sonoma raceway. His car was stock with 225/255 staggered PS4S tires. After the track session we spoke and I was curious about his car as I have a M340i as well. I wasn't driving it that day though.

I've only ran Sonoma 1/2 a dozen times over the span of 20 years so I'm not very fast there. Compared to my 15 year old M3, we were keeping pace for a few laps. The M340i definitely has the power and torque advantage but on corners I'd catch up because the M3 is lighter with more grip. Unlike the M340i, my M3 is not stock. Also, shifting manual loses time compared to automatic. I'll see if I can upload the video.

I’ve heard through a friend of mine from the GGC CCA that even the stock adaptive suspension is pretty good for tight turns and helps with the sway/heavy weight of the g20. In my experience with the standard suspension and now on dinan springs, the car is just always too heavy and tough to enter a corner and maintain grip without having camber and coilovers.
Glad you had fun! Sonoma remains my favorite track up here in Northern California.
Any more Sonoma days this year?

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Z K

Here's the video. The video ends after we catch up to traffic and the checkered flag comes out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3aSJSQMCfM

Your speed and the M340’s on Turn 7 seems much faster than mine. My PS4S always lose grip on T7 above 50mph.
Thanks for sharing!

[Z K]

Originally Posted by peelerec

I’ve heard through a friend of mine from the GGC CCA that even the stock adaptive suspension is pretty good for tight turns and helps with the sway/heavy weight of the g20. In my experience with the standard suspension and now on dinan springs, the car is just always too heavy and tough to enter a corner and maintain grip without having camber and coilovers.
Glad you had fun! Sonoma remains my favorite track up here in Northern California.
Any more Sonoma days this year?

It's the closest track to me but I don't normally run Sonoma. It's my least favorite track due to the close walls and off camber corners. Be heavy on the throttle at the wrong spot and you'll go spinning into a wall. That's why I don't have a lot of seat time there. This event was with Lightspeed - a few other friends went so I joined them.

I've run 7 track days this year. My Kumho V730s are still holding up... these tires wear like iron on track. Probably will see if there's any deals for Laguna Seca or Thunderhill East. High chances of rain and I don't want to pay full price and drive a rain day.

The M340i would make a pretty fast track car if someone wanted to build one. The new Supras are dominating in time attack battles and the M340i is basically a big fat Supra. Just stripping the interior out would save a lot of weight. I have the adaptive suspension. I'd go coilovers if I wanted to track it. Also, buying a set of Supra wheels and tires would go a long way. 255 front/275 rear would help put the power down.

[chrispy28_xd]

If that was the 4th session, then I was in there as a passenger (driver is my friend). The car feels really good in stock form tbh. The level of grip you get from PS4S works very well with the stock non-adaptive suspension. I think that getting faster tires introduces more problems though; you'll need track alignment and stiffer suspension setup to reduce roll.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by Z K

It's the closest track to me but I don't normally run Sonoma. It's my least favorite track due to the close walls and off camber corners. Be heavy on the throttle at the wrong spot and you'll go spinning into a wall. That's why I don't have a lot of seat time there. This event was with Lightspeed - a few other friends went so I joined them.

I've run 7 track days this year. My Kumho V730s are still holding up... these tires wear like iron on track. Probably will see if there's any deals for Laguna Seca or Thunderhill East. High chances of rain and I don't want to pay full price and drive a rain day.

The M340i would make a pretty fast track car if someone wanted to build one. The new Supras are dominating in time attack battles and the M340i is basically a big fat Supra. Just stripping the interior out would save a lot of weight. I have the adaptive suspension. I'd go coilovers if I wanted to track it. Also, buying a set of Supra wheels and tires would go a long way. 255 front/275 rear would help put the power down.

I think Chrispy has the best G20 track build thus far. Rode in his car and was amazed at the levels of grip and speed his car can handle as compared to my current setup.

Huh, I’ve never ran Kumho tires for track before, only street. I’ll have to check those out as well as the Nankang that Jackie Ding swears by.