mbuskuhl

I know I have a slow car... wanted to get that out now before someone reminded me. A friend of mine who races Radical CSR's and is a member at Motorport Ranch told me about this event.

Let's get some more Texas W211's and other MB's out there for some fun!

Here's the basics, click on the links to learn more.
When: Oct 21, 2006 - Saturday
What: BYOC (Bring your own car) Full day with on-track drills, lead follow and four-20 minute track sessions (1.7 mile road course)
Where: Motorsport Ranch (south of Ft. Worth, TX. - race car country club)

Sign up here
http://www.apexdrivingacademy.com/schedule.htm

Cost is $195 for the day and open to only 32 cars. I did not put this event together but am going! Let's make it a day of MB's.

More about Motorsport Ranch and the 1.7 mile track
http://www.motorsportranch.com/1.7-road-course.cfm

Who's in

1. mbuskuhl

saffrontiger

LOL! I too have a relatively slow car (05 CDI) but neverthless drive it like it's a AMG
I'll see you there. Let's see if we can't get more of the local DFW guys out there. Great idea BTW!
Anyone else?
Jay

mbuskuhl

Alright, we got 2 MB's going now! Who's going to be the 3rd? This should be a fun event, I just bought an in car camera mount the other day for this (still need to buy a camcorder) http://www.cruisecam.com/Mount_new.pdf

1. mbuskuhl 03 e320
2. saffrontiger 05 e320 CDI

bm75204

Sounds fantastic! I'll be the 3rd...just got my confirmation email from Apex. Looking forward to it. Any details on a schedule or when to be there?

Brady

mbuskuhl

Battle of the V6's so far, any 500's, 550's, 55's or even a 63 want to kick our a**?

I think we are supposed to be there around 8:00 or 8:30, they emailed me a schedule and checklist of to do items (need to inspect the car before you show up, remove floor mats, etc.). You also need a helmet, they rent them or you can bring your own snell sa95 or higher. PM me your email address and I'll send you what they emailed me.

We need more MB's out there, come on lurkers...


1. mbuskuhl 03 e320
2. saffrontiger 05 e320 CDI
3. bm75204 06 e350
4. ????

saffrontiger

I should be bringing another 5-6 guys with me. They will be signing up tomorrow.
Jay

bm75204

I might have another recruit as well, also in a black E320 CDI ('06).

saffrontiger

Those guys I have signing up all drive BMWs. Should be fun. As for the other CDI'r, It would be great to see him there and compare notes. Let me know if he's in or not. As for the schedule see below...
http://www.apexdrivingacademy.com/docs/BYOC.pdf

Hope that helps.
Jay

mbuskuhl

Great job on the recruiting! Are these 3 or 5 series that are coming? Your friends know how to drive well right?

I specifically have not told some of my buddies about this event, one has a 330 and the other a W211 e320. They don't know how to drive and would just cause a wreck! One of them you never know if his insurance is even paid up or not. I did have a co-worker sign up, he's got a Nissan 240 with who know's what on it but it's fast.

saffrontiger

Yes, most of them have BMW 5 series. One has an older M5. Should be fun.
All are great drivers and with road maturity.
Jay

mbuskuhl

getting closer to track day! ...sign up now www.apexdrivingacademy.com

I couldn't even get a response from MB Club North TX when I emailed them about this last Sunday, I just joined to get my parts discount and they don't even acknowledge my email. Great club!

mbuskuhl

Not too late to sign up!

SushDawg

So we can't use our turn signals while we try and pass each other or use automatic mode , or granny shift

All kidding aside - how would this impact our warranty or insurance. What if MB were to find out would the warranty find out (do we need to tie up MB[CRS]

Never been to the track - so hope you guys don't "diss-my ***". Would like to see how the car holds up against a 5 series

bm75204

This will be my first track experience as well. I was also curious about the insurance and warranty issues... And what about this checklist? I guess I'll just sign it off myself since my car has 10,000 miles on it and doesn't have any issues.

mbuskuhl

Same here. First time. Warranty...I'm not too worried, I don't think they can void warranty, afterall it's a "driving class/experience". I could be wrong but how will they know, plus if you know a mechanic at the dealer you hope he helps you out and in turn you hook him up. Insurance - shouldn't they give us a discount now on insurance since we are taking a driving class?

I don't know honestly, I was going to just hope for the best and if there was a problem call my agent and get his advice if I needed to file a claim. Checklist - I'm having mine done, at least planning to, by an MB mechanic, I want to make sure everything is in good working order and double checked. Sounds like we are all newbies to this. The E55 guys race all the time, they don't seem too worried.

mbuskuhl

Start Practicing! Anyone else want to sign up?

mbuskuhl

I found this video on the internet and thought you might enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zYzfDPASWs


EDIT: NEW LINK THAT WORKS THIS TIME!!!!!!

saffrontiger

See you all tomorrow.
Jay

bm75204

That was a great time yesterday! I enjoyed meeting you guys and abusing our cars out there. I have a couple of jealous friends (740i, S2000) who will join for a reunion in the Spring. Any videos from that fancy camera?!?

mbuskuhl

It was a great time! Abusing cars? Not here...the Mercedes is meant to be driven. Sport II Airmatic did well and the wider 265 tires in back helped. What it needs is a few slight modifications to perform even better. I got some video and will put it together and post this week...I wish I would have had the camera on longer but did get some good footage of me riding the a$$ of a Porsche Cayman for 2 full laps...I'm definately going to include that!

I will definately be back and encourage everyone to try out Apex. 2:1 student to instructor ratio and plenty of track time, I went through over a half of tank of gas. It was a bargain!

Time for the performance mods to begin, forget about cosmetics...starting with AMG sway bars to arrive tomorrow... Before year end would like to get F & R AMG brakes, AMG exhaust and Kleemann Kompressor installed. If we can get enough interest we could have an MBWorld track day....

saffrontiger

Hey all! Simply an amazing time yesterday. The track, the instructors and the cars out there were fantastic. I'm defintely hooked. As for the CDI, all I can say is wow. I'm impressed how well it held it's ground against the other cars. Torque was the key for CDI.
Can't wait to see some video posts. MBWorlder's are a great bunch.
Cheers
Jay

bm75204

Or there's always...

mbuskuhl

Or the E55....I know....popular vote says don't waste money on an E320...Just like the most recent E class TV commercial says..."Blending in is never an option" - I'll take it to the extreme, great line!

I actually thought the Airmatic in Sport II did okay, maybe next time I'll change out cars for a run with someone who has springs. I wonder how differently they handle? Fortunately this track was not full of long straightaways where top speed was as important, it was all about handling and skill in all those turns.

bm75204

Pictures are up!

http://www.hart-photography.com/phot...iewGallery=968