SpeedtrialUSA

Buttonwillow  Race Park January 2000



This is my first time on a real racetrack. Buttonwillow Raceway is a multi configuration track located 3 hours north of downtown LA. I was absolutely terrified going on the track my first time because I just didn't know what will happen. It had rained a little bit the day before so the track is very cold and there were no rubber deposits in the corners and the braking zones. Well as a amateur I really didn't know how to drive so I spun out on my 3rd lap out. The mud on my car is proof that those racing games don't teach you too much about driving on the track. Some interesting cars that showed up were:

1. Fully race prepped Integra type R
2. Sport Compact Car RX7
3. 1995 M3 Turbo
4. BNR32 Nissan Skyline GTR from Motorex
5. Japanese spec Civic type R
 



Once I wiped all the mud off my face from the spinout, I decided to go out again. I'm really embarassed to say this but I got my ass whooooped by a Civic with springs/intake/exhaust only!!. Wait!!! how can that be? I passed all the license tests on Gran Turismo...this can't be happening to me.....the little Civic was on my ASS the whole time except the straights. I thought this was bad....once the civic passed me, a little Ford 1.3L Festiva with suspension and rims started to tailgate me.....man...this really can't be happening.....he had 90hp!!! what am I doing wrong? well by this time I really had no confidence anymore. Well I took the initiative to ask an BMW racing pro to ride with me and show me the ropes. To sum it all up, I nearly peeed in my pants when he drove my car. He was soooooooooooooooooooooo freckin fast....end of story...he showed me what a M3 is all about.
 



Fabryce (instructor's name) was perhaps the most aggressive/fast driver I've ever gone with. He said he was only going 8/10ths pace so I guess there's a lot left in the M3 to be discovered by me. He was toying with a full blown 500hp BNR32 Skyline GTR from Motorex......Fabryce eventually lost the rear end on turn 1 and we never saw that GTR again...but he made his point...power is nothing without control. Since that day I have directed all my funds into making me a better driver. I don't drag race anyone anymore...I don't race anybody on the freeway anymore....I have truly found what my M3 was made for. Horsepower wins little traffic light/freeway drag races...experience, skill and talent wins you real races.
 



This picture is of me going after some other M3's in the beginner class. I couldn't really hear my engine revs thru my thick helmet so I decided to get an exhaust system after this event. Everything happened for me after this event. Car tuning took on a new perspective.

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