E36 Lightweight Photos

E36 M3 Race Car For Sale

-Chassis year: 1995
Engine: 1998 M3 3.2L
Full Welded Cage
Brake upgrade: Brembro's
Fire Suppression System
Two Sets of Tires and Rims

This car has spent the last 5 years running a few BMW CCA events a year along with some track days at VIR. The car has been professionally maintained and can be seen by appointment.



Call or email with questions. Please no calls after 10:00 EST
919-889-3242
Forester1979@hotmail.com

Hey Boy

I have always corrected people when they refer to me a "boy" in the south.  It has been a cause for some heated discussions over the past 5 years but its a point that I feel very strongly about.

There is one person on this planet who I'll allow to address me as "boy" and that's my father.  Its a respect point, a traditional pecking order of such, which I even feel compelled to honor with my step son, as his father is the only one who will address him in that fashion.  

33 weeks down

Baby boy Pressley will be here very soon.  Now comes my time to step to the plate and prepare my child for whatever the universe has in store for him.  Which battles to fight? which to let go? If this kid is anything like his parents an independent and strong personality will be likely.  I wonder how old this child will be the first time he exclaims to someone.

"Excuse me sir, there's only one person on the planet who addresses me as that, and your not him."  Thank you kindly.

That's my boy!

A car in moth balls

Time Place Right???

I'm afraid it becomes a reality when listing life's firsts.  I'm very happy with my progression this past summer in the car.  I was able to get on track in early June and late August and saw great gains in car control, placement and overall speed.  I did swap to R compounds, which has spoiled me, but worked with a couple of really good instructors who helped me pick up serious speed.  I'm starting to learn the subtle rhythms of the car when it is up to full song.  I always had a hard time feeling the car out when running auto cross, and felt as though I was starting over, every time I stepped into the car.  This coupled with the herky jerky inputs cone racing has led me away from tarmac events.  For me it increases bad habits which transfer onto the track.  Unproductive track time is a cancer, as many many hours are spent in preparation and anticipation to head to Milton.  

Back to time and place.....

I had the chance to run with First Settlers, on south course, Track Daze on full and Asphalt Ventures on full but have decided to put the car up until February.  My days are now spent paining rooms, going to birthing classes, and counting days instead of weeks or months.  Doing the internal work before he arrives to better prepare for preparing a human for this universe.  Trying like hell to not buck the change, manage, work and prepare.  

Never before have I been so well supported through change.  Escaping within our own moods and time probably isn't the most constructive route, I am lucky that my partner and true love understands or is willing to try and let me explain myself.

With all these cobwebs of change rattling around upstairs, I decided back in August that the late summer event would be my last of 2008.  I spent almost 4 years building this car for VIR, countless hours of preparation, work, fabrication, frustration to get to the point where I could go play with the big boys.  I can wait a few months when my focus won't be clouded with "should I be here??" types of thoughts.  I would hate to loose the car because I wasn't fully mentally prepared.  I think its the smart move.  

 

One Lap, Many Lessons (notes from VIR)

 mental preparation and discipline

  I'm hoping to not have to start from scratch every time I unload the car 

May VIR Goals

-Smoothness, get rid of those AX habits (stabbing throttle) (hard steering inputs)

-Car Position

-Entry (avoiding crabbing in) Use entire track.... (wait to turn in)

-Apex  

-Exit (track out, throttle 75%-100%)

-Looking Ahead,  (Don't look down the hood) look where you want the car to go, your brain will get you there

One Lap, Many Lessons

Coming into 1

Slowing the car from around 110, starting to brake between the 4 and 3 corner numbers, perhaps a short blip before to ensure the brakes are there (I was successful in not dragging the brakes like in previous sessions) Stay track left and wait wait wait before starting a large sweeping radius.  LOOK  turn in hit apex and start on with the throttle, wind up throttle while UNWINDING THE WHEEL, unwind more than you think you will need too.  1a stay track center to set up a straight line to turn in for nascar.

  

Nascar

Downshift, brake to set car (weight on front tires) LOOK turn in and immediately start with the throttle... unwind until right front hits gator on exit... straight line height RPM 3rd gear run to Left Hook

Left Hook

Brake Late (brakes can handle) wait wait wait LOOK then turn.  Drive the car straight for a half second until (allowing the car to settle) before starting the right hander into flat essses.

Flat esses (snake)

track out to left gator, then immediately look up, look past the esses to where you want to be before going under the bridge. LOOK TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.  Hit each apex, steadily ramping up the pressure on throttle, exiting the last two corners RPM's will require 4th gear.  4th gear will max out after crossing under bridge, 5 gear is a lame duck but required through the uphill esses.

Uphill Esses (a ballet)

stay track right lift on throttle for a second (to get weight over front) wait wait wait, turn in and look to the top of the hill.  keep pressure on throttle constant (otherwise it will upset the car) Apex.... car to settle...apex....car to settle.....apex up over the hill downshift...one quick input of brake and accelerate through downhill to 4th before turning in...Look turn in.... pick up on gas quickly, accelerate to 100% on the down hill before oak tree.  

Oak Tree (Did incorrectly ALL DAY)

Don't look at the cones here.  Try to make it one single radius.  really need to look at the corner specs (walk it) because I have no good references...  Track out to carry speed down the straight.

Roller Coaster

Trying to slow the car from the backstretch can be nerve racking..  I did better this time compressing my braking zones... In becoming comfortable I tended to enter the lefthander slow, being more confident in my stock brakes (which everyone says are shit), but haven't failed me yet (knock on wood) Wait to enter where North Course comes in. Downshift to 4th, Stay track left before the turn.  Brake and downshift to 3rd LOOK and turn, going downhill. (this all happens very very quickly), get back into the gas, accelerating downhill unwinding the car to track left gator, grab 4th gear before heading into Hog pen.

Hog Pen

Enter down hill coming from roller coaster TRACK RIGHT, wait to turn in DRAG BRAKES A BIT... settle the car then turn in to left...settle LOOK to bottom of hog pen, Hit the right hand apex and immediately pick up on the throttle, keep one radius, while unwinding to keep the car settled.  Should be 100% coming onto front stretch... track the car all the way out...  

Weeks

How many hours in a week?

In two?

How about 39?

I vividly remember listening to my brother Seth describe his new found existence in Hawaii. 

"My life is just weeks stacked on weeks." 

I've lived life through, periods, quarters, semesters, fiscal year, seasons, and the most important in terms of growth..... day to day.

A week can be a friend or foe, can reward inspire or stress and depress.

The very worst thing that a week can do to someone who's counting.... is fucking DRAGGGG.  

week 11.13 and counting

I wonder if this child is a girl if we should name her Patience?

I don't have a full understanding of how every single part on this automobile works.  I can't tell you the exact science behind a heater core, or could draw a legible and accurate depiction of how a clutch, flywheel and transmission dance during a downshift.  

I am guilty of becoming an expert only for a day until the part is fixed.

This probably isn't a good personality trait.

King for a Day Fool for a Lifetime

I had to be only 1 of 16 possibly 18 people in 2002 within the borders of Maine who could claim that they drove and International Scout on the road...... legally The Scout for me was both the worst and best automotive decision I ever made. Many would shake their heads in disbelief after long descriptions of the beast. For me it was a self inflicted forced change of sorts....

I was married in the fall of 2001 which I recieved a 1996 ford ranger, 2wd, electric blue, 5 speed, 4 cylinder, as a wedding present from my father who had purchased the truck had driven it since it was new. Me, knowing the history of the truck was a two edged sword. I knew that dad religiously changed the oil every three thousand miles. I also remebered dogging the shit out of the old girl coming back from Saco in a snowstorm (times fifty).

I drove the truck for another few months and then I stumbled across it. Within an hour I immediatly went to a bank, opened the door and filled out a loan application not knowing what the hell I was doing. After waiting a few minutes I was seen by a very patient and kind older woman, who took the time to look over my application, then at me, then back to the application...when she finally spoke. "I'm sorry but I don't reccomend that I submit this." She had seen my meager part time scraps compared to my carefree college existance (thanks mom and dad) I wasn't offended in the least as it was a setback which manifested into a start.

Cutting The Social Line; Everyday Excitement and Anticipation

Excitement and anticipation are two emotions which don't get triggered everyday within the human body, and that's really too bad.

What is the drive?  How do the patterns, social and otherwise, impact us along the way.  

1. High School 
2. College 
3. Work 
4. Marriage 
5. Kids           ---Repeat Cycle for your children---^ 
6. Retirement 

For some reason retirement seems to be the pot of gold ironically located at the end of the rainbow (life).  I can equate the "Do what I want, when I want." mindset of retirement......but why wait?  I suppose its more about adjusting both attitude and pride.  

Should I anticipate the end of my life and be excited to finish out my career and "Do exactly what I want?"  Many coworkers keep a running tally of when then can retire.  How many years, months, days, hours, seconds ect.  I suppose it all falls back into a social pattern of what's next.  Some workers don't take their yearly allotted vacation in order to stockpile time to retire early.  You can see their eyes light up with excitement thinking of the possibilities of doing only what they want. 

Change will come, and come without prejudice for your plans people!  Who knows anything???  How long we will have:  Government?  Time? Money? Oil? Freedom? Energy? 

I'm excited and happily anticipating the birth of my first child.  As a male my role is very limited within a pregnancy.  Jenny, my love, is absolutely beautiful, quick witted, strong, open, wonderfully creative woman.  Excitement and anticipation IS the combination of our souls.... two into one. 

Reality Check

Everything around me right now is oil/energy dependent.  This blog has been created by a computer powered by oil somewhere along the line.  The themes of this blog deal with motorsports.  I am most definitely part of the problem.  Eventually I'll have to find a new medium... and I will.  For now, like most spoiled americans, I'll continue to binge drink oil.

  

VIR South Course 4/7/08

Hey!!!!! Watch This Ma!!!

CLICK HERE---->Video Coverage <----CLICK HERE

I'm excited about finding some video coverage of my latest track session with Asphalt Ventures. This was taken early in the day, when the instructor was still in the car. We were still working on "finding the line" as this was my first go round with the south course cut through.


By the end of the session I was able to compress my braking zones a bit, more trust in the pedal after almost 6 hours of track time. I was also feeling better about the balance of the car while running solo. The extra unsprung weight of my instructors gave me a false sense of grip, epically on right handers (sweeper after downhill and before fish hook). The car also became upset easier with just me in the car. I guess its time to borrow some scales and move some weight around...


The car absolutely performed throughout the entire day. I took some advice and covered up my tack, but did push the motor HARD at least twice per lap (5700-6200? RPM) as I fell in love with 3 gears power band. The brakes never got soft... I never overheated....


It was truly a great day

Somehow, Someway...Organization for Only One Day

 Brakes-bleed, check, torque, inspect and reinspect

 Fluids- oil, coolant, power steering, brake, water

 Tools- All tools hand tools and a few power tools make it to the track.  With entry fees exceeding $200-$300 dollars a day having the ability to have a stabbing chance at good ol fashioned Maine injunitity.  Front seat of toyota is removed for largest chest. 

Click here-->ALL I NEED <--Click Here

 Spare Parts- rear brake rebuild kit, power steering rebuild kit, T-5 tail seal, scuffed front pads,

 Logistics- car prep checklists, course maps, youtube study, mental preparation checklists

Pride- set aside for time being.  Learn, listen and pay attention.

Focus- Warm tires, up in pressure, GET POINTS RIGHT, Smooth, natural inputs, look up, apex,look up, look up, track out, Don't drag brakes, one "are you there" blip way early..only two discs, hard input braking straight, don't drag or trail....let them cool, smooth, steady, looking up, breathing.

Weekly reports, monthly deadlines, administrative nightmares, PR headache... Hurry up, need it three days ago, a fire is burning in the woods.  Prioritise and go to work...

A great amount of joy is gained when you are able to run the work machine within yourself to achieve a personal goal.  This is more than (a to b) goal achievement.  Tech deadlines, weekly maintenance responsibilities, fixing and diagnosing problems, headaches...money!!  

 

 

short tracks

"You've got to start somewhere....."

or was it

"The world is run by those who show up"

For me it was always the first six and a half minutes of the 1991 movie "Days of Thunder." Where the sun rises over Daytona International Raceway followed by the drop of the green flag then the beatin and bangin that only Jerry Brockhiemer could pull off in the early ninety's.

Before that it was weekly trips to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway to watch our local mechanic run in the Late Model Division. Frequently attending a local short track is a lot like being a member of a church flock.

From our house we could hear our friend Jay tack up his race car after work in a side bay added to the family garage.  We would sometimes all pile into our brown family station wagon to see just what those Johnson boys were up to.  At the end of Mary Jane Road my father would put his right blinker on, the opposite direction of the garage, heading to Plumber's Store.  He'd come out with a case of Bud Light, never come empty handed.  

As a kid it was a treat to see, hear and smell a race car up close.  Jay was under the hood with his father, the business owner and defacto race car owner, Jerry.  They both wore the same blue Johnson's Garage Dicky shirts.  They both looked up at the same time, both smoking both had the same reaction, a simple "Buddieeeee" which is what everyone called my father.  They knew that he didn't understand the adjustments on the valve train, or how to time an electronically advanced 355 cubic inch Chevy engine, and that's why they liked him.  

It was people that dad understood, ice that he broke.  

Sometimes I would venture to the back of the garage where the carcases of last years entry and the years before laid to rest.  Last year it was halfway through the season when the local rich boy punted Jay into the wall ending his season early.  I would wonder and dream about putting the different pieces together and being the only 12 year old racer.  

On the track Jay was an absolute wild man.  He had innate car control, often liking a loose and fast setup.  He would wreck or win, and either way was big.  When Jay got tired of the politics and financial obligation of a competitive race car he turned the ride over to his younger brother.  Unlike his older brother Rusty finished a high percentage of races but lacked the spark which truly got my family interested in motor sports.

   

I'm takin it back

It began with three newly single men heading out for an evening at their local watering hole.  The establishment wasn't at all full when they arrived, as it had taken extensive planning to get the tree men together, why waist anytime waiting on others.  

They played a few games of 8-ball sampled beer with the consistency of used motor oil and made the mistake of ordering food from the bar.  As the night progressed and the drinks continued all three of the men's pool games went to shit, or their concern with pool went to shit.  Soon they began to play the jukebox.  Harmless enough.......one would think.

Two of the three had gone through or was preparing to go through the divorce process.  It would seem the tension and frustration of the process could more than shake even moderately strong person.  Their efforts to forget about all the mess were sidetracked by that digital jukebox.  

Warren Zevon: Lawyers, Guns and Money  

A three minute and twenty second beauty written in 1978 by Mr. Zevon.  A ten dollar bill went into the machine, and every pick was devoted to this glorious ballad.  

Stuck in a college aged bar with Warren Zevon blasting I'm guessing is what made that spot our watering hole after that evening.  The place started to clear out.  We had become the townies in of our college memories, which is a terrible though.

Getting bored they started looking around.  It was was a cold evening and we just so happened to be sitting by the coat pile, a couch in which people deposited their coats while they played pool.  The most conservative and gentile of the three began trying on a variety of coats.  

SOMEHOW.... by then end of the evening this conservative gentile individual ends up wearing the jacket home.  The entire next day is the two listen to the one gripe about the bad Carma he had stirred up.  I'm takin' back, was reverberated for many weeks and years...

I still have the jacket and decided to name my racing outfit after it.  Myself and my jacket stealing friend started working on a fox body mustang and taking it to autocross events.  I wanted to name my racing outfit after the green jacket.  Half to remind myself where it is that I have come from, and the other half deals with never letting down a wild move from conservative and gentile individual.