On June 28, 2014, I embarked on the longest and greatest adventure of my life — so far.
After 2 weeks of intense vehicle preparation — including buying the car itself — I embarked on a 3-week solo road trip in a new-to-me 2005 BMW M3. The goal: get to the opposite end of the country and back, and as drive in as many track days as possible.
With Bilstein PSS-10 suspension, Hawk HT-10 brake pads, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, the factory-equipped Competition Package brakes, and all engine and chassis maintenance up to date, I intended for this car to do everything well: make the entire trip without having to turn a wrench, eat up miles on the highway in safety and comfort, and be an absolute blast at the track. It did not disappoint.
On this trip, I would outrun a storm from rural New York into Massachusetts, visit the Grassroots Motorsports headquarters, cross the Rockies once, the Mississippi River twice, visit friends in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, New England, and Colorado, and with my “bonus trips” included, drive on a total of 7 tracks including Watkins Glen International, VIRginia International Raceway, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Carolina Motorsports Park, Road Atlanta, and more.
