Met a local instructor/racer that is co-owner of https://projectmotoring.com that specializes in safety gear. Four different drivers were wearing his custom fire suits there and I can see the appeal after seeing so many creative designs.
While I'm not planning on buying a full suit in the near term I like having a local expert who can walk me through fit and design.
Sounds like a great day in spite of losing a session and getting two of them black-flagged.
glad the car held up and you got to ride with someone a bit faster. It always makes it more fun to see improvement.
I wouldn't hold back on a fire suit at least. Fire can happen at hpde's as well and you should be prepared for it.
also, did I read that correct that you guys went out without seatbelts because they were not adjusting properly?
post pics of your set up - I, and I'm sure others, like making sure that safety stuff is being used correctly.
First session we used the OEM three point belts because we needed to let out more harness on both sides to fit us and hadn't done so by the time cars were called to grid.
We had the harnesses adjusted and used them and HANS for all subsequent sessions.
Before the event I had a local shop with several racers and a long positive reputation with local BMW heads go over the car and pay particular attention to all safety equipment.
They found and fixed an issue with anti sub strap mounting on the passenger side and noted that both harnesses and seats are expired by a few years.
I appreciate taking caution with safety equipment and will continue to invest there when I can. I'm smart enough to know that I'm no expert in its proper installation and will be relying exclusively on local motorsports shops to fill that gap.
Locally you won't pass tech with expired harnesses and won't be let out on track with them. I find it ironic that we'll let a 50 year old 911 out with stock seat belts but 6 year old harnesses are somehow bad, but that's the way it is...
Local to me the PCA enforces harness expiry, but NASA, BMWCCA and others don't.
I forgot all about this but the car's PO ran it for the last time at Thunderbolt before selling it.
He has a ton of NASA TT experience under his belt so I consider this lap time highly aspirational for me personally.
My oldest son and I got some time tonight to pull the airbag and stock steering wheel and install the NRG short hub, quick release and steering wheel. The wheel is a 39mm dish and 330mm diameter.
Positioning of the wheel puts it perhaps a half inch closer to me when seated so no need to now also fiddle with the seats.
Ended up using the NRG Gen 2 quick release. I ordered a Gen 3 from ECS Tuning back on 3/12 and it hasn't even shipped yet.
Cancelled the ECS order after getting the third new estimated shipment date email with a new date in May that I don't trust at all.
Also baby got some new shoes today thanks to the mobile tirerack installers. Needed the full tread depth so I can pass state inspection that is coming up in May.
Got my GoPro rollbar mount installed yesterday. I've got a Hero8 black with the media mod and I'll be running a 10ft charging cable to it for constant power from the car and running an external mic mounted on the rear bumper or above the license plate to get decent audio.
Should have the external mic and 12v to 2 USB ports supplies here in the next few days and can get some sample video/audio from the setup.
Got the Catalyst, GoPro and phone mount installed.
GoPro isn't hardwired yet but installed to confirm the mounting position is adequate.
GoPro footage from a quick testing run around the neighborhood
Turn your volume down so you aren't assaulted by the sounds of my battery cover and belts banging around on the rollbar.
An important reminder from Hoonigan placed directly to the right of the drivers door so I see it every time I get in the car.
Man
Nice car, and from everything I've read, definitely the way to buy a BMW.
One suggestion: raise the camera up at least 3-5 inches and a couple of inches forward. The current placement gives a good view of dash, Garmin, surrounding trees, and almost nothing of the road.
The Garmin camera is mounted just right and maybe 3 inches down from the rear view mirror. It's focused on the road and will capture all of the course.
My hope with the GoPro is to capture more of the in-cabin along with external exhaust mic.
In reply to trumant :
That makes sense. I didn't realize that this camera wasn't intended to get track video. I frequently see autocross videos where you can hardly see the course, so I made an assumption.
Finally took the time and contortions inside the car to wire in two USB ports. I pulled power and ground from the cell phone kit wiring that is tucked under the arm rest.
Made up a simple harness with OEM 2 pin connector and routed it up through the void left by the coin organizer doohickey. I doubt I'll want to unplug it at any point but might as well keep my options open.
And the plugs all squared away with the harness tucked away
Quick test with my phone and lightning cable shows it's off with ignition off and on with ignition on/running.
Will route the USB power to the bar mounted GoPro tomorrow and get the external mic routed out the back. Hopefully zip ties are sufficient to keep everything squared away along the bar tubing.
Despite the contortions required to do this without taking the fixed seats out I was so happy that for the first time in a long time I actually had all the tools and materials I needed.
Seems like so many times in the past I'd be halfway through what should have been a simple project only to have to stop halfway through and run to the hammer store or place an Amazon order and wait a few days.
Scavenging the OEM two wire connector from my old E36 harness remnants saved the day.
Plugged in under the armrest and routed behind the passenger seat to the rollbar.
Got the GoPro external mic run out the back. Gaffer tape to keep it there (fingers crossed) and "deadcat" cover to hopefully quell wind noise.
And now the number plates are on. Don't look too close there are definitely a few bubbles.
I need to test drive with these on and see if they want to peel back the leading edge at all. They are "reusable" vinyl which I suspect may mean a serious lack of adhesion at speed.
Worst case I'll slap some clear tape on the leading edge to anchor them.
I glue rare earth disk magnets on mine. Occasionally someone will ask if they are rivets.
Brilliant technique! I may end up giving that a try.
I'll be at NJMP Lightning this coming Saturday and Sunday with NASA. Weather report the last few days was threatening rain on Saturday but latest forecast is looking far more promising
Fingers crossed that this forecast holds steady.
The HPDE 1 experience with NASA for this event is incredible! I got an email invite to a zoom meeting with the instructors ahead of the event. I also just got a text from my assigned instructor with questions about my experience and car details.
They sure know how to make a great first impression.
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