[Thecastle]

I'm looking for some advice from the knowledgeable folks here. I'm thinking of running the Big Bend Open Road Race in my 2016 BMW 550 XDRIVE with 70K miles.
https://www.bborr.com/

I'm not an expert racer by any means, I've done a few track events at COTA and did some BMW training. So I'm by no means completely unfamiliar with racing on a track. But I've never done it in my own car, and never done an open road race.

So for folks who have done this. I'm planning on driving my car from Houston to Fort Stockton for the event and back.... What kind of things should I check on my car before I make the race. I'm planning to run in the 100mph-110 class. I don't have a 5/6 point harness to run in the faster classes and the car is limited to 135mph anyway.

What kind of preventative maintenance should or I consider? Should I take my 2011 X5M instead or 2013 Mini cooper S instead? My car is completely stock with the M-sport package and a fairly new set of Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. I'm current on all maintenance and nothing is broken.

Any mods that would be helpful? any apps that can give you an idea of how fast you need to be driving to make your time? I may have a navigator?

Anyone else doing this? I think it will be a blast.

[whinojosa]

That event sounds great! I wish they'd do that in So Cal! Although our roads could use some work

If you're up to date on maintenance, I'd go down the route of checking things that can go wrong and be catastrophic - think lose control of vehicle.

Check all suspension components: tie rods/ends, control arms and bushings, sway bar linkage - look for evidence of cracking or fluid residue as these bushings are fluid filled generally.

Probably goes without saying but check for any fluids leaking from underneath the car, check leaks around transmission and differentials (I think I read AWD).

Also often overlooked, check your windshield washer fluid is working - nothing woohoo be more detrimental to your race than having to stop and clean!!

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by whinojosa

That event sounds great! I wish they'd do that in So Cal! Although our roads could use some work

If you're up to date on maintenance, I'd go down the route of checking things that can go wrong and be catastrophic - think lose control of vehicle.

Check all suspension components: tie rods/ends, control arms and bushings, sway bar linkage - look for evidence of cracking or fluid residue as these bushings are fluid filled generally.

Probably goes without saying but check for any fluids leaking from underneath the car, check leaks around transmission and differentials (I think I read AWD).

Also often overlooked, check your windshield washer fluid is working - nothing woohoo be more detrimental to your race than having to stop and clean!!

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it! The wife has given permission to go! Join us! Make it a multi-BMW race.

Check on getting the car over to a mechnic on a lift for a suspension and leak check. Yes, the two BMWs I'm considering running both are AWD. The 550i had its xfer case replaced in the last year. So its brand new.

Good suggestion on the windshield washer fluid. Never even thought about that one.

I'm also required to have a fire extinguisher within reach of the driver/co-driver. Any suggestions for a mount?

[Bvritr]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it! The wife has given permission to go! Join us! Make it a multi-BMW race.

Check on getting the car over to a mechnic on a lift for a suspension and leak check. Yes, the two BMWs I'm considering running both are AWD. The 550i had its xfer case replaced in the last year. So its brand new.

Good suggestion on the windshield washer fluid. Never even thought about that one.

I'm also required to have a fire extinguisher within reach of the driver/co-driver. Any suggestions for a mount?

That event looks like alot of fun, If your looking for any support crew to tag along I might be available. Local in Houston, no raod racing experience but worked for a few pro drag racing teams in the past.

[kennf10]

not trying to brag about it. did a professional race from karting to formula car.

for car racing. maybe you need to check your brake pads first. because a whole day of track day can eat your pads.

second of all. check your tire rating. and tire wear.

https://www.tiresplus.com/tires/tire...-speed-rating/

better take it the a mechanics to check the whole car to make the driving safe.

if you can take off your rear seat that'll safe some weight on the car.

ummm what else. do you have the equipments for yourself such as racing gloves and helmet?

will add some more later.

good luck on your event.

stay safe.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by Bvritr

That event looks like alot of fun, If your looking for any support crew to tag along I might be available. Local in Houston, no raod racing experience but worked for a few pro drag racing teams in the past.

I appreciate that. The race allows navigators, co-drivers and of course other participants. I was trying to recruit a couple of friends to participate with me. Are you interested in running the race?

I'm thinking that at the speeds I qualify to run (lack 6 point harness) the challenge will be in getting the speed right. I don't think the speeds I'll be running on the road race should be too mechanically challenging for the car.

Also my car is a 2016 550i Xdrive M-sport with the squared setup for all seasons originally. As such without a tune, its limited to 134mph according to the speed-o. So higher speeds would probably require my X5M. But of course the X5M doesn't have 6 point harnesses, and its over 1K heavier and taller than the 550i, so handling is compromised even with the adaptive drive.... But I may try it.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by kennf10

not trying to brag about it. did a professional race from karting to formula car.

for car racing. maybe you need to check your brake pads first. because a whole day of track day can eat your pads.

second of all. check your tire rating. and tire wear.

https://www.tiresplus.com/tires/tire...-speed-rating/

better take it the a mechanics to check the whole car to make the driving safe.

if you can take off your rear seat that'll safe some weight on the car.

ummm what else. do you have the equipments for yourself such as racing gloves and helmet?

will add some more later.

good luck on your event.

stay safe.

I plan to take the car into the mechanics (probably dealer) say a month before the race to have them thoroughly check the suspension, look for leaks, and etc. I'll tell them what I'm doing, and I have a good relationship with my service advisor who races so they'll take care of me.

I'm currently running a newish set of Michelin pilot super sports which should cover me for the technical maximum speed I can run which is 124mph. Since I don't have a 5/6 point harness or roll cage I can't race in the higher speed groups.

Since this car is my daily driver, I'm not planning any real mods. Other than a fire extinguisher which is required by race rules to be in reach of the driver or co-driver/navigator. If I still had my 335D I would totally mod that..

I do need a helmet, I have a motorcycle helmet but the rules require an open face helmet and shatter proof glases along with gloves, and possibly shoes for this. No synthetic fibers are allowed and you must wear pants/long sleeves. The higher speed categories according to the rules requires flame retardant clothes.

I have done some track days, but this being an open road course I'm not thinking breaking will be as big of a deal since this course's goal is to come as close to your class average speed as possible. The course record is 172mph average speed.

Video from a guy running this in a vette, to give a better idea of what its like. I've done track days and the corners are much more gradual.

[kennf10]

based on the video that you gave me, maybe you want to spend some on clear bra on the front bumper. or cheaper option is some masking tape for headlights and bumper.

other than that i think youre good to go. good luck!

[Bvritr]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

I appreciate that. The race allows navigators, co-drivers and of course other participants. I was trying to recruit a couple of friends to participate with me. Are you interested in running the race?

I'm thinking that at the speeds I qualify to run (lack 6 point harness) the challenge will be in getting the speed right. I don't think the speeds I'll be running on the road race should be too mechanically challenging for the car.

Also my car is a 2016 550i Xdrive M-sport with the squared setup for all seasons originally. As such without a tune, its limited to 134mph according to the speed-o. So higher speeds would probably require my X5M. But of course the X5M doesn't have 6 point harnesses, and its over 1K heavier and taller than the 550i, so handling is compromised even with the adaptive drive.... But I may try it.

I think you'll be best off running the 550 for handling and since your top speed limited anyways. Have you looked into a "rally computer"? it would help with keeping your average speed as close as possible to the target. inwouldmt doubt if their wasn't a tablet app now days that would do the same.
I would love to run it in my 535 Msport but that is not going to happen this year due to a lack of no work situation at the moment. But I would still be up to pre run the course (make course notes) and support on race day.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by Bvritr

I think you'll be best off running the 550 for handling and since your top speed limited anyways. Have you looked into a "rally computer"? it would help with keeping your average speed as close as possible to the target. inwouldmt doubt if their wasn't a tablet app now days that would do the same.
I would love to run it in my 535 Msport but that is not going to happen this year due to a lack of no work situation at the moment. But I would still be up to pre run the course (make course notes) and support on race day.

Saweet. a ralley computer or app is something I'm definitely interested in, to help with pacing. Do you have any recommendations?

Some of my plans may have changed slightly on this race. Long story short I may have a schedule conflict, as we maybe moving. So I have to wait and see if were moving or not at the time the race is supposed to happen.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by kennf10

based on the video that you gave me, maybe you want to spend some on clear bra on the front bumper. or cheaper option is some masking tape for headlights and bumper.

other than that i think youre good to go. good luck!

What would a clear bra cost on this car ball park?

Lol, yeah this car has seen lots of 100+ cruising over life. I drove from Houston, TX to Banff, Canada last year (2500 miles each way). Literally drove at 100+ with the cruise on across new mexico, wyoming and montana. So the front on my 71K 550i is a little sand blasted looking when your up close.

I'm thinking more like a re-spray at this point....

[kennf10]

Originally Posted by Thecastle

What would a clear bra cost on this car ball park?

Lol, yeah this car has seen lots of 100+ cruising over life. I drove from Houston, TX to Banff, Canada last year (2500 miles each way). Literally drove at 100+ with the cruise on across new mexico, wyoming and montana. So the front on my 71K 550i is a little sand blasted looking when your up close.

I'm thinking more like a re-spray at this point....

not really up to date with the price in the us right now. might wanna check you local detail shop. respray is cheaper than clear bra but then there's no layer of protection of it.

[Thecastle]

Last year for a lot of reasons I wasn't able to sign up to the Big Bend Open Road Race. I am now registered for April 2023!!! https://bborr.com/ I'm updating this for others who want to race the F10 550i xdrive. I'm doing the 105mph speed catagory which I don't think will be any problem for my 550i. I have driven it thousands (maybe 10's of thousands) of miles at that speed on interstates.

A little about myself, I do like to race and have done F1 tracks in various BMWs like all of the recent M sedans. But this will be the 1st time I've used my personal daily driver as a race car. Fortunately I have another car as backup should something happen.

So rules require I have a securely mounted quickly release fire extinguisher within reach of driver/co-drive. Man there are some expensive options out there. Like Rennline, $400 for a setup including extinguisher, which is a ton of money for something I hope to never use. I decided to buy this from reading some M5 owners. I went with the bracketeer. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 $59, and a kiddie fire extinguisher from Lowes for $23.

Next up I'm replacing my rear brakes and break rotors with OEM BMW parts as they are nagging me for replacement (brake light on). I decided on OEM as I had very bad luck with after market parts on my E70 X5M. The bosch pads had terrible initial bite, and gave you a code brown each time you hit the brakes. The OEM pads were way better than the OE pads that were supposed to be equivalent. I'm kind of a fan with stoptech pads, but OEM are fine for the rear. Not planning any brake upgrades for 105mph.

Then new spark plugs ZR5TPP330A, new coil packs BavAuto, and new air filters for a tune up. My 550i has 90K miles on it. I also have pilot 4s tires. So after all of this I'm thinking it will be ready minus race mods.

[SWFLf10]

Really cool to see you looking to get into it again! Keep the thread updated so some of us can follow along!

[Thecastle]

Getting my car ready for the BBORR in 3 weeks. Decided to replace my spark plugs and coil packs to keep everything in top condition. The car has 91K miles and I replaced the plugs at 58K miles. Went with BAV coil packs and ZR5TPP330A plugs, gapped them.. Then I busted my vent pipe :-(

The car is at the tender BMW age where the plastics turn to crap. I also noticed my filtered air ducts are falling apart.... So $576 in more parts. Though this seems to be a problem in all cars now adays, BMW was just early with engine bay plastics. Ford where quality is job none, has nothing but plastics for the Eco boost bronco.

I've also had to reseal the oil pan and front diff. Oil leaks are an immediate disqualifier. Next on is the fire extinguisher.

[Thecastle]

Another interesting thing. I've contacted several tuners about tuning my car and lifting my speed limiter. All of them do not recommend their stage 1 tunes for road races. They say that the tunes would allow for dangerously high EGT temps and they don't think their tunes are too close to the edge of knocking that they would be safe at high temps and high speeds.

So basically if you race your car at sustained high speed full throttle pulls like this don't tune it. None of the stage 1 tunes have enough safety margin to handle high temps (100F), 91 octane, and high speeds 120mph at 140-165mph. Even with colder plugs. I REALLY APPERCIATE THE TUNERS HONESTY about the use limits of stage 1 tunes. I will be running stock.

So the folks who say their tunes are safe, are safe as most people use them. A couple of freeway pulls. But if you're really racing some other upgrades are needed if you want to increase your output.

[Thecastle]

We did it! We ran the Big Bend Open Road race and had a total blast! I highly recommend this race to anyone who has the need for speed. While we didn't place in the top 3 in our category, we beat our goal of having less than 1 second of variance. We were car #147, and our goal was to average exactly 105 mph over 118 miles. We hit 105.021mph with a time variance of .819 seconds. Yes, only off .819 seconds from a perfect time and it was good enough for 6th place... https://bborr.com/wp-content/uploads...23-Handout.pdf

Yup, this guy ran a dually diesel in the race in the 115mph category. BTW for those of you who think they have fast trucks, this is an actual fast truck. He raced in the 145 category last year. Its a 7.3L power stroke with 312,000 miles on the ODO, however, he claims it has more like about 400,000 miles as when he exceeds 100mph, the odometer stops counting up ;-)

There were 3 BMWs including mine a 2013 X5, and a 128i. Lots of vettes, Porsches, GT-RS and other great cars.