Grand Am GT Class — Automatic Racing and the BMW M6 — David Russell’s View
By Bram • Mar 28th, 2008 • Category: Grand American Rolex
ORLANDO, Fla. - Like any new race car our BMW M6 is undergoing numerous modifications in order to be competitive. We considered that qualifying 18th out of 42 cars at Daytona, 1.4 seconds off the pole, a solid first step. However, not unlike most teams, we are not in the series to make up the numbers and therefore must advance each area of our race car package. Subsequently, back in the shop our one-race old M6 is going thru a series of changes which we trust will move us closer to our 2008 goals.
First, we had to modify the side exhaust system in two ways. The exhaust sensors bungs cracked and the hot exhaust was leaking not only into the car but also melted the carbon rocker skirts. Also, the exhaust clamps had slipped and additional heat was heating up the exhaust side pod and rocker thus super heating the driver. After an hour and 25 minutes, I was completely cooked. I have never been that hot exiting the race car in my life. In fact my co-driver Tom Long told me later that my gloves were 115 degrees F. Kevin, our shop fabricator, is presently undergoing the necessary changes which include welding the muffler to the side exhaust and improving the mounting on the exhaust sensor bungs.
At the end of my first stint I spun the car exiting Turn 6 onto the banking. With minimal rotation applying power, the back end stepped with full correction. The full opposite lock with minimal steering input failed to reduce the over steer and around I went. After a discussion with our crew chief John Terry, he quickly pointed out “it’s on the list.” He will remove a portion of the rack stops. The M6 also uses an electronic steering pump, which compounded the problem when just past initial turn in the power steering went array. Joe Varde says that’s an easy one - “blow air on it!”
I have always complained about the car lacking in the high speed sections at Daytona, namely the chicane and brake zone for Turn 1. The car just lacked overall grip in those areas. Some of this was caused by the ineffective use of the front splitter. When we rectify the splitter angle, it will allow us to increase the amount of rear wing and therefore overall grip.
These are just some of the changes we have in store for the M6. I am sure we will have much more to follow.
Check out our website at automaticracing.com.
Stay Tuned,
David Russell
