First time on track with THSCC... Advice?

Bart Craig · **Posted:** Sat Apr 15, 2017 10:36 pm

I've done 15 or so HPDEs but they've all been with BMWCCA and all at VIR; this June will be my first time doing track with THSCC and my first time at CMP. Any advice on what I'll find to be different about procedures, etc.? In particular I'm not sure how tech and check-in are handled, and how important it is to stay at the officially recommended hotel. But any and all advice would be very welcome!

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

It's not that different. The classroom session should be a bit more exhaustive then what I remember of BMWCCA's.

Tech: get it done before the event, hand in the form at the track to get your tech sticker.
Check-in: day before 4pm onwards usually; day of starts at 6:30am or so.

Bart Craig · **Posted:** Sun Apr 16, 2017 2:54 pm

Thanks Andrew! So from that I infer:

...I don't have to have tech done at one of the sponsors' tech days; I can get the form completed by my usual shop, any time before the event.

...I don't have to check in Friday night; I can check in Saturday morning at the track.

I assume my helmet will be teched at check-in... Anyone please shout if I'm off base anywhere.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Sun Apr 16, 2017 7:11 pm

For accommodations I recommend either the Comfort Inn or Holiday Inn Express in Camden. Don't even think about staying in Kershaw.

Bart Craig · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:00 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

For accommodations I recommend either the Comfort Inn or Holiday Inn Express in Camden. Don't even think about staying in Kershaw.

Thanks! We decided to book at the Holiday Inn Express, though Comfort Inn was a little cheaper if you didn't mind a non-refundable rate ($95). The reviews for the few places actually in Kershaw were truly scary.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 10:03 am

Bart Craig wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

For accommodations I recommend either the Comfort Inn or Holiday Inn Express in Camden. Don't even think about staying in Kershaw.

Thanks! We decided to book at the Holiday Inn Express, though Comfort Inn was a little cheaper if you didn't mind a non-refundable rate ($95). The reviews for the few places actually in Kershaw were truly scary.

I do the non-refundable rate at Comfort Inn myself, but I have stayed at both, and they are pretty much equal IMO.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:10 am

Tarheel doesn't do tech at the event, so make sure it's done at a shop before hand, and you're correct that your usual shop can do the inspection. The benefit of the tech days is that it's likely to be much cheaper and that's why most people like to do it.

Also, checking in on Saturday is fine, I always just left early on Saturday AM to make it to VIR and checked in that morning so I only had to pay for one night of hotel.

Bart Craig · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:32 am

Chad Culbertson wrote:

Tarheel doesn't do tech at the event, so make sure it's done at a shop before hand, and you're correct that your usual shop can do the inspection. The benefit of the tech days is that it's likely to be much cheaper and that's why most people like to do it.

Also, checking in on Saturday is fine, I always just left early on Saturday AM to make it to VIR and checked in that morning so I only had to pay for one night of hotel.

Thanks Chad! I did not even realize the official tech days had any cost at all... Torque Automotive in North Raleigh does all track inspections for free, and Leith BMW will do them free for BMWCCA members.

Yeah, I've always fantasized about getting up early enough to drive to VIR on Saturday morning and save the hotel night, but so far I've ended up caving every time and just springing for the Friday night stay.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:39 am

Bart Craig wrote:

Chad Culbertson wrote:

Tarheel doesn't do tech at the event, so make sure it's done at a shop before hand, and you're correct that your usual shop can do the inspection. The benefit of the tech days is that it's likely to be much cheaper and that's why most people like to do it.

Also, checking in on Saturday is fine, I always just left early on Saturday AM to make it to VIR and checked in that morning so I only had to pay for one night of hotel.

Thanks Chad! I did not even realize the official tech days had any cost at all... Torque Automotive in North Raleigh does all track inspections for free, and Leith BMW will do them free for BMWCCA members.

Yeah, I've always fantasized about getting up early enough to drive to VIR on Saturday morning and save the hotel night, but so far I've ended up caving every time and just springing for the Friday night stay.

It is a bit tough, and quite the punishment if you wake up late and have a 1.5 hour drive lol.

I think it's only $5 for the annual tech days and it's good for the season. It's mostly just to cover the clubs cost of the stickers and what not, the benefit also is that it's a annual tech so you just need the one sticker and you don't need tech for the rest of the year for THSCC HPDEs.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:50 am

Since you mentioned you have never been to CMP, here are a few items of interest in no particular order.

1. CMP is a very fun track. No real elevation change to speak of like VIR, but still lots of fun.

2. Unlike VIR, the track surface is not smooth. In relation, VIR = glass, CMP = cheese grater. The surface is very abrasive and harder on tires, most notably in a FWD car.

3. Their bathroom facilities are just a little better than a port-a-john. Very basic.

4. Your brake wear will be increased about 2X compared to VIR in my experience. Plan accordingly.

5. SC is hot in June (duh)! Bring shade and lots of water.

6. The paddock is not paved, mostly sand. Garages are available for rent is you so desire.

Any other specific questions you may have, please just ask. We're here to help and want you to come back and run with us again in the future.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

To add to what VK said:

CMP eats brakes and tires. If either one is marginal, you might want to look at replacing them. Also if you're running a milder pad, you might want to step it up (think Carbotech XP8s to XP10s or 12s, or Hawk HP+ to an HT-10/DTC-60).

The kink isn't that scary; be mindful of your inputs.

Ask which gators are OK to use, I know off hand that you don't typically want to touch them in T11 or on the exit of T14.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 1:20 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

The kink isn't that scary; be mindful of your inputs.

If someone tells you they were flat-out through the kink, be sure to ask what they were driving. Miata, yeah, probably true. Mustang GT, most likely, not true, and you don't want to find out for yourself. Whatever you do, just like T10 at VIR, don't lift in the middle!

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Ask which gators are OK to use, I know off hand that you don't typically want to touch them in T11 or on the exit of T14.

To be clear, Andrew is talking about the outside gators, all the inside ones are OK to use. The ones on the outside of T14 and T5-6 (Carousel) are particularly bad.

Bart Craig · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 2:54 pm

This is great stuff--thanks guys! I'm in an E46 323i with Hawk DTC-70s front / DTC-60s rear (SS lines, titanium front shims, Ate Type 200 fluid). The fronts have one weekend at VIR on them and the rears are new. Tires are fairly fresh RE71Rs. Since I'll be learning a new track, I probably won't be pushing ten tenths anyway, but hopefully I'll come home with at least some of that stuff left for VIR in the Fall.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Be careful on the inside of T11 (corner after T10 - the kink), it's fairly aggressive in it's grade. Your brake setup will manage the heat just fine; the main reason why CMP eats brakes is because you're constantly going from 90+ mph down to 45-50ish with no real long straights to give them a rest (and elevation works in your favor most of the time, so you have good reason to brake later and later). Your RE71Rs though... might experience greater than usual wear.

I'm trying to think of what else... CMP is fun in the rain. The food stand isn't terrible. There's a Subway up the road if that strikes your fancy vs a chicken sandwich with fries.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Apr 17, 2017 3:54 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Your RE71Rs though... might experience greater than usual wear.

You can count on that.

Andrew Jonell wrote:

The food stand isn't terrible. There's a Subway up the road if that strikes your fancy vs a chicken sandwich with fries.

The food stand is better than used to be (new owners), but be aware they are slooooow. Get there early, otherwise you be waiting for a while.

One more thing, I'd advise against getting fuel from the station right outside the track. Their 93 grade has been suspect in the past. The track has fuel, but it's quite pricey of course. Just take a right when you leave and head into Kershaw to the Shell station instead.

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