Drivers Education/track Days

[jehu3]

I've tried to get a thread started before but it seems no one's biting. What's up?
I love taking my 330i to the Driver Ed. events. I've been doing it in different cars for years.

I highly recommend it. Any thoughts?

[PMB]

Where I live racing is part of the heritage. Most evenings and weekends in the summer there are track days or events that you can take your car or bike to. I have never taken a car there, only a bike. However, the guys (and gals) I know who do track days / eventstake it very seriously. It is a seriously expensive way to have fun even if you don't crash. In one day of serious driving you will do in your front pads, half a set of tyres, $100 of gas and about 6 months worth of clutch wear. That is without other wear and tear and the repairs if you crash (it does happen). Keep in mind that normal insurance does not cover you for racing and pace making

For me it is too expensive, but it must be fun, but more fun and cheaper on a bike.

[jehu3]

Just got back from another Drivers Education weekend at BeaverRun on Ohio, PA border. The e46 is a great car for this.

You've overstated the case quite a bit. I do 2-4 events a year and my experience is more like this: tires every 2 years- thats sticky tires that don't last too long anyway; front pads every 3 years; now days gas is higher- cost about $30 to fill and I did that twice. Never had any other problem with the car related to so called track "abuse."
I'm in the A or experienced group after maybe 20 events total. Novices will start in D or C and will be much less hard on the tires, brakes etc.
I can honestly say I've only seen a handfull of students spin of the track, never a
"crash". The crashes are usually instructors or racers, practicing, that are no longer doing the what is taught in the classroom.

As for insurance, I've not heard of any claim being denied. They may drop you after, but they pay. So don't need it, stay on the track...

Again, I encourage all to try it, what ever the car.