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Club Race

Supported by the Genesee Valley Chapter

Club Racing is open to all qualified Club members and to any and all BMWs so long as they meet safety requirements. To make participation more fun and to recognize that not all BMWs were created equal, there are a myriad of classes divided into five groups: stock, prepared, modified, super-modified, and historic.

The stock classes feature cars with the fewest mechanical modifications. Within the stock classes, cars are grouped from slowest to fastest generally by considering the ratio of power to weight. For example, the E30 M3, E28 535i, and E36 325 are all grouped together in J-Stock.

The prepared classes are designed for the next level of modifications, with more liberal allowances for mechanical changes. Most Club Racing entries come from either the prepared or stock classes.

Changes in the modified classes are more radical; super-modified classes are reserved for those few cars which are fully done race cars originally designed to compete in professional series such as IMSA GT, Super Touring, SCCA World Challenge, etc. Finally, historic classes are for true vintage machinery.

Racers are as carefully scrutinized as their cars. The rules require no less than eight full days of track experience within the last 24 months, a signed affidavit from a chapter’s chief instructor, and a medical certificate in order to apply for a license. License applications are thoroughly examined.

Many Club Race events are held in conjunction with BMW driving schools. Club racers are assigned their own, segregated run group(s) in which to practice, qualify, and race. Most races are short sprints lasting 30 minutes or so. Longer endurance races (e.g., one hour duration) are less frequent. When there are a sufficient number of entrants and space on the schedule, the racers are subdivided. Stock and slower prepared cars make up one race group. Faster prepared and modified cars make up a second race group.

HISTORY

BMW CCA Club Racing is the brainchild of Scott Hughes. Together with his wife, Fran, Scott has built a vibrant program from very humble beginnings in 1995. It is a single-marque race series meaning a BMW always takes the checkered flag. It is also designed around vintage racing rules. That means that contact between cars is heavily discouraged. If you drove it to the event, you are supposed to drive it home in the same condition!

How is this done? In two ways! First, there’s the overall philosophy—which every racer is repeatedly reminded of. Those looking for more “bang” for the buck are—politely but firmly—asked to seek another series in which to participate. Here’s the essence of that philosophy as stated in the latest rules:

“A competitive driving experience for all BMW CCA enthusiasts, in any/all types of BMW’s in a fun, safe, and friendly environment where the primary emphasis is on clean driving and machinery preservation.”

The second way that contact between cars is discouraged is via the enforcement of the 13/13 rule:

“Conduct which jeopardizes safety or results in dangerous or damaging situations will not be tolerated... the ‘13/13 rule’ of vintage racing will be in effect at all BMW CCA Club Racing events... Any driver who is found to be at fault in an incident will be:

Excluded from competition for the remainder of the event at which the incident occurs.
Subject to suspension from the next BMW CCA Club Race in which they could have competed.
Placed on probation for a thirteen (13) month period. If during this probation period the driver is involved in another incident, his competition privileges will be suspended for thirteen (13) months.”

THE DECISION

The first time I put a car on the track I knew this was going to be my life-long hobby. The exhilaration of going fast, the mental concentration of driving hard, and the satisfaction of being technically proficient, all appealed to me then and continue to provide a challenge today. Most people who take their BMWs to driving schools do so to understand their car’s performance capabilities and to learn to be a better driver. Some of these folks also hold a Walter Mitty fantasy about racing. I’ll admit it. I fantasized about racing almost from the beginning.

Unfortunately, reality and fantasy are different. The time and expense of preparing a car for racing seemed beyond my means every time I got serious about it. Even today, I'm not a beer budget racer—I can't afford the beer. And even if I had deep pockets, the time required to prepare and fix a banged up car between events was never in the cards for a university professor. So every time I went in search of a GT, IT, or Formula car I always came crashing back to reality. Not enough time and not enough money. And then came the announcement of BMW CCA Club Racing...

For me, the Club Racing program is a god-send; it's something I've been waiting to participate in for a long time. But while it can be an economical form of racing, it is neither cheap nor easy on your time. In all respects it is one step up from driving schools.

The reasons I Club Race have nothing to do with anything tangible. This is an amateur series all the way. As one of our confreres loves to remind us "we're racing for ashtrays." Nevertheless, there is the immense thrill of driving in a race surrounded by others, passing in turns, and dicing for position. And there is the immense satisfaction in doing this while maintaining control of yourself, your car, and even your surroundings, in particular, watching out for the other guy. Goal number one is to remember you love your car and you want to drive it away the same way you brought it to the track. Finally, I enjoy the challenge of participating on a shoe-string budget.

Okay, time for the reality check. What's this pure joy going to cost? Here's the straight dope.

First, you'll need a BMW in excellent mechanical repair. Age isn't important and the condition of the body doesn't matter too much so long as safety is not compromised. People still race 02s that have already seen years of service in other series. But generally they finish towards the back of the pack. The top finishers are frequently cars in which a considerable sum of money and a great deal of time have been invested. If you want to participate, it isn't going to be a big hit on your wallet. If you want to compete, especially if you want to compete for top spot overall, its gonna cost ya.

Second, you have to pay entry fees to race. They are usually about the same as driving school fees. But if you've been instructing for awhile and gotten used to reduced or eliminated fees, race fees are going to be an added expense. Club Racing does not allow racers to instruct during an event since it is impossible to do both well.

Third, you can expect the rate of mechanical repair to your track car to increase when you race. Part of the increased cost is attributable to the competition. After all, you're out there with cars and drivers matched to you. You can't avoid thinking about what you can do to make your car a bit quicker and more reliable. Part of the increased cost is attributable to "red mist". "Red mist" is the tendency to push the car a little bit harder because you're racing. Take it from me, you will go harder and faster when you race no matter how many laps you've put in on a familiar track at driving schools. Case in point: I corded a reasonably fresh set of heat-cycled BFG R1s in two days at a recent race event.

Fourth, you have to have specific safety equipment. In the rule book, the minimum safety equipment includes a roll bar, a safety harness, a fire extinguisher, window netting, a 2000 Snell-approved SA helmet, and a proper fire retardant suit, gloves, and socks. You will also need to buy or rent a transponder—which is used for timing and scoring.

Finally, you might want to consider buying a trailer and a tow vehicle for the extra tires, spare parts, tools, and the post race beverages. Even some stock competitors trailer their cars. I don't but there are times when I wish I did. - Phil Abrami

To: club-racing-list10

Subject: Ofest race at WGI - update

O’FEST CLUB RACE - UPDATE

I have received a lot of inquiries for the O’Fest race and here is what I know. The pricing is not set yet, however I expect it to be similar to the Friday plus Saturday-Sunday pricing from last year. There will be no optional Friday track day, as there will be racing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So if you paid for all three days, the pricing will be familiar.

There will be a dedicated paddock for the Club Racers with access for early trailer drop off. If you want to participate in any other O’Fest activities, you will need to buy the appropriate tickets though National.

Now for the numbers... please keep in mind that National can and will sell out as many DE run groups as possible and Club Racers have the opportunity to have two separate run groups all weekend long. But that will depend on numbers. The thought is to open registration early, and once your check is received, you will have a spot in the grid. Simply said, no check, no race slot—no hard luck stories.

Why is this important? If Club Racers can’t fill two run groups, then there will be only one group with a 75-car maximum. And since National can sell out the DE, then National will give the second race run group to the students. Whether there is one or two groups is up to you. Plus I don't want everyone to sign up, then we close out the race, and not have anyone show up—so checks are needed to hold your slot. As for refunds, as long as there is a waiting list, you can have a refund.

If everyone takes a wait and see attitude, Club Racing will definitely have only one race group—limited to 75 cars. If enough checks come in early, I am confident there will be two race groups of at least 50 cars each.

The schedule is not set yet, but there will probably be practice, qualifying, and one sprint race on Friday, then one sprint race and one enduro (times two if we have two race groups) over Saturday and Sunday.

Hopefully registration will open in mid-to-late March. Note that race registration will be completed through the normal CR website. If you would also like to sign up for any O’Fest activities (and I urge you to do so), you will need to sign up for those activities on the National website.—Vince

http://www.bmwccaclubracing.com