E46 M3 road legal track car

[Track_M3]

e30m3Mark said:

Carbon roof would be spot on. I know it's a lot of work but done properly (as I know it would be here) it's an attractive proposition.

I did think about poly windows in mine, but don't want to lose the little civility I've retained.

Hopefully paths will cross at some point this year as I'd really like to take a look in the metal.

Roofs actually not all that hard, obviously helps a lot the car being spripped already. Know what you mean... would only poly the rear screen only as want to keep rear side pop outs and front electric.

No doubt we will cross at some point.

giblet said:

A carbon roof is something I’d quite like to do once I’ve bought mine. What sort of price does it cost to have one fitted? I’ve seen that GSR sell the skin for £550

GSR be fine for a track car but I'd say you need to go a little more up market for road.. some of the GSR ones I've seen you can see daylight through the weave from inside out.

dannyDC2 said:

This car has ruined me financially. Thanks Sam.

When you gonna man bring it to the 'ring?

Happy to help

Thinking around July/Aug time but will be taking the 330i for a more relaxed trip.

Bernie Sanders said:

Your Silvergrey 330 looks fantastic... and your M3 is also nice.

f1ten said:

Ive a strong want for an e36 or 46 track car. don't have the space sadly. But its on the list for the next 2 yrs

well done sir

Thankyou

Sf_Manta said:

Loved seeing this car at Silverstone.
Was in the 330i Touring that was trying to stay with the Z4M which was going hell for leather there and failing to do so

Shame wasn't in the same session as you... did you only go out once first thing ?

[Berkshire bred]

I had a quick look around this at silverstone on BH Monday and then followed it home for a while. Looks like a great build and really good fun.

[Sf_Manta]

Track_M3 said:

Sf_Manta said:

Loved seeing this car at Silverstone.
Was in the 330i Touring that was trying to stay with the Z4M which was going hell for leather there and failing to do so

Shame wasn't in the same session as you... did you only go out once first thing ?

Yeah, first session only as I've just wheel bearings and some bushes on the driver's side haven't been replaced as yet - planning to do those along with a diff swap / upgrade once Gripper finish the rebuild with LSD.

[Track_M3]

Tiny Rockingham recap from 24th March

Started the day on AD08R in very wet and easily the slippest conditions I've ever driven in, believe every M3 driver got the black flag for drifting by 11am, think after then marshals just gave up. Lap times were over 2 minutes around the BTCC layout then.

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Dried up a little by lunchtime so switched to AR1's and managed a dancing 1:42 ; also went out on track with Royal UK media for some pictures and videos https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhe_hhpHTDf/

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Then finally it dried just enough to bolt slicks on... I'm still on the old BTCC 245 size; grew a pair and took turn one 5th gear flat and managed a 1:32 with a 110kg passenger.

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

___________________________________

Completed my CSF cooling package with a water rad.

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Then carried on chopping bits out. Never really noticed how much the top of the AC fan support got in the way

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr


Untitled by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Have Goodwood next week, hoping this hot weather holds out.

Edited by Track_M3 on Wednesday 18th April 13:37

[BaronVonVaderham]

With all the time and money you’ve sunk into this car, why not go racing?

It’s way more fun than driving around on your own on trackdays where timing laps is not allowed.

[e30m3Mark]

Building the car is the tip of the iceberg when comes to racing though.

[BaronVonVaderham]

Very true, but reading the thread the OP seems to be doing 90% of the faff and prep required to go racing, and by posting lap times is clearly keen to measure himself against others.

Car is stunning btw.

[Sf_Manta]

BaronVonVaderham said:

With all the time and money you’ve sunk into this car, why not go racing?

It’s way more fun than driving around on your own on trackdays where timing laps is not allowed.

Starts getting increasingly expensive, when you factor in entry fees, licences, tyres, brake pads every round, transport costs..

[Track_M3]

Going racing has actually been a hot topic lately.

I'd obviously love to do it but time is very against me, I work 6 day weeks, not got the room or budget for a tow vehicle or trailer, wouldn't want to risk/wreck this car taking it wheel-to-wheel.

If the option ever did come up I'd build something else to start in that was more budget friendly, or in an ideal world I'd get sponsored, but I know I'm not good enough for that.

As for now still very much so enjoy just arriving and driving track days that I can pick the dates at my leisure.

[james_gt3rs]

Also you get vastly more track time on track days.

[Roamy]

This is mint, great work.

[Track_M3]

Silverstone Sunday (Easter Monday) Service 10:10am session

https://youtu.be/bnLmsto8s20

______________________________________________________________________________

Some pictures from Goodwood this Wednesday just gone.
Mix conditions all day so left the slicks at home (but should of brought wets)

Whilst using knackered AR1's and 100kg plus passenger managed to come within 1 second of my PB around here that was set on 245 slicks.

Back here again in June for the Players Classic show

1DX28245 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28076 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX27977 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX27937 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28048 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28328 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28600 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28501 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28476 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28400 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28376 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

1DX28368 by Sam Ratcliffe, on Flickr

Uploading some footage soon but here's a little clip of loosing the rear at the fastest corner of the track... it had but raining only a few laps before but then the sun came out so I went balls out and tried to take Fordwater 5th gear flat to the floor, shift lights came on at the apex.

https://www.facebook.com/sam.ratcliffe.58/videos/1...

Next lap on from this moment the rain came down again and AR1's switched off like a blown bulb, which resulted in a black flag.

[e30m3Mark]

Nice pics.

Video may be set to private, as couldn't view?

[Track_M3]

e30m3Mark said:

Nice pics.

Video may be set to private, as couldn't view?

Uploaded full video now

https://youtu.be/mNgDym3y-0Y

[BaronVonVaderham]

james_gt3rs said:

Also you get vastly more track time on track days.

Quantity vs quality...

40 mins racing a race prepared shopping trolley is infinitely more fun than all day open pit lane in a supercar.

The element of real competition is addictive!

[Track_M3]

Time to move on, for sale ad up

https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/92646/bm...

[e30m3Mark]

GLWS.

Do I take it you'll be keeping the Image splits?

[LanceRS]

Track_M3 said:

Time to move on, for sale ad up

https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/92646/bm...

Are you able to share why you're letting it go after all the time and effort? Feel free to tell me to mind my own business but I have loved this car since you replaced the e36 and I’m naturally nosey.

[Track_M3]

e30m3Mark said:

GLWS.

Do I take it you'll be keeping the Image splits?

Yep they'll be getting slicks mounted on and going on the next car.

LanceRS said:

Are you able to share why you're letting it go after all the time and effort? Feel free to tell me to mind my own business but I have loved this car since you replaced the e36 and I’m naturally nosey.

Have a bit itch for the V8 so feel its time to go onto the E92.

[LanceRS]

Fair enough, keep us posted.