Well, I just got invited to a fun day at a local race track. A friend has booked the track for a few hours and he has invited me to join in. There would be about 15 of us and some pretty sweet cars - including a BMW Z8 and a Ferrari F50!! Others include an E500, a BMW 330i and a new Camaro. We'd each get about 5-10 laps, with pit time between.

I'm curious as to my 300E...it is bone-stock and runs really well. Steering is tight and suspension is good. I've got decent tires - Toyo Proxes H4 - that are only a season old. Should I take my baby for a few laps?

Any caveats? Can the stock suspension handle it?

I've never raced on a track before (although I've had my car up around 200 Km/h several times on the highway and it is perfectly steady and smooth at that speed). I've got brand new rotors and pads on the front (about 500 km on them so they're broken in).

What do you think...give 'er or spectate????

Thx!

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Go for it! Just remember the limitations of your brakes. I use to track my dads 240D Turbo with stock rims and tires for fun.
In fact when I train new people for Auto-X and Road Racing I encourage them to use a stock car. Try not to excercise your car more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. This is to help prevent overload on the brakes, suspension and tires. Cool it down for about 30-45 minutes, Do an inspection and then go again!!!

...I was hoping someone would say that.

I will indeed do so. Yeah, I'll go easy at first and get the feel of it. Thx for the advice. If anyone else has any, please post, thx!

*wishing I had a 500E*....

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

If you are going to run on stock tires you should increase the air pressure about 10 psi over what MB recommends.

__________________
1994 E500 (MY SUNDAY DRIVER)
1993 190E SPORTLINE LE W/ M104 SWAP
1997 C230
2002 ML320
2000 BMW 528I (WIFEY'S CAR)

"Excuses are crutches for the unfounded."

All good advice! Also, remember that whenever you're on the brakes, they're heating up so use them hard when you get on them! Then get off them & let them cool...

Also, remember that when driving a less-aggressively setup car, slow hands is critical - turn in & track out smoothly, work with the momentum and enjoy!

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Excellent advice, thx guys...keep it comin'!

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Oh, and I'd run 8-10 lbs higher pressure, hot, in front to get rid of the push

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

...if I do that, can I take the Ferrari?

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Absolutely

Just keep working on those exit speeds! Remember, "in slow, out fast" and if you get in too deep "In a spin, both feet in"

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

I'm as jealous as hell!

Go for it and I guarentee you'll have a blast!

Did a track day a few years ago and and a great time. I was really surprised at how many so-called faster cars I could overtake, just by keeping up the momentum and above all, keeping it smooth........

Quick tip, at the end of your runs, drive around slowly for a few minutes to let the engine cool down. If you just stop and park, chances are there'll be clouds of steam !

__________________
Paul Gibbons
'93 320CE
'73 Jensen Interceptor (Resting)
Giant Full Sus Mountain Bike

the last comment is the most important, after giving you car a good hard thrashing you should always drive it slowly for a while till the coolant is at its regular level, never turn off the engine straight away, thats when expensive things crack, if worst comes to worst let it idle high with the bonnet open for a while just to lower the temp a little.

treat your baby well and it will you.

__________________
'Some Fear' because 'No Fear' means your not going fast enough.

300CE yr1988,
SL55Kompressor yr2002,
CLK320 yr2002.

Michael - the last bit of that rhyme...in a spin both feet in...what does that mean specifically? thx...

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

If you actually do lose it & spin, IMMEDIATELY depress the brake pedal & clutch pedal (if you have one) - it'll keep you from hopefully spinning right back across the track and "trading paint" with the poor sucker coming up behind you.

Another thing to remember - it's always better to drive off track then spin/slide off track. You maintain some control, as opposed to just going along for the ride

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Thanks guys, I will make sure to cool her down after.

I'm pretty excited - I just found out we upped the ante by renting the long track (as opposed to the short track available) - which means higher speeds and more FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

I can't wait! I'm planning an oil change a week before the event and I'll get the suspension checked over as well, just to be sure. I can't wait....!!!! (Did I say that already??? )

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

pay attention to your brakes, specially if they are not OEM. you have to be conscious of any fade. OEM pads will generally hold up ok for 3-5 lap sessions. softer aftermarket pads may be gone in a few laps depending on how aggressively you brake...

__________________
joE
1993 300e-2.8 - gone now <sigh>
"Do not adjust your mind, it's reality that's malfunctioning"
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