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TMS Weekly Article 3
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Project Norschleife
During a track walk at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium in 2010, a conversation took place about how special it would be to build a car and return back to Spa and visit the Nurburgring for a few laps as well. These are two very special places that might not be open to the public in the future. As the walk continued, more plans were made, ideas formed, budget scoped, and a decision made to start searching the classifieds for a suitable car. The idea was dubbed ‘Project Nordschleife’ and the moniker stuck.
Now the search began. The car had to be RWD, Naturally Aspirated, and have the legs to tackle Eau Rouge, Raidillion, and then the Kemmel straight beyond. While it needed to have reasonable power, but gaining track experience and developing as a driver was more of a priority. |
| "The car had to be RWD, Naturally Aspirated, and have the legs to tackle Eau Rouge, Raidillion, and then the Kemmel straight beyond." |
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I bought the first Project Nordschleife in Oct 2011; an E36 328i Sport Coupe. This was a solid base to start working from. A small amount of work had already been completed, though some of the changes weren’t for the better. The removal of the factory fitted LSD being one such example. However, the car importantly was mechanically sound and rot free.
The plan from the moment I picked the car up was to take it and complete the transformation from a road going E36 to a still fully road-legal track car capable of arriving and driving at any circuit, including the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife. The car had to be capable of being driven to the circuit, spend the day lapping and then get me home.
The 328i budget was strict, so plenty of used parts found their way into the car. The whole concept was 'built not bought' for this track car. After many hours working with friends, I had the car where it needed to be.
Even after 14 months with the car, and all that work, it was time to move on to something else. Something with a little more umph. This time the search was on for an M3. Project Nordschleife - II was on! |
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Well, then.
In April 2013 I found the right car, with some work again, already done, but plenty of scopes to get serious with the car. I want to shed weight and add more power. Plenty of parts from Turner Motorsport were used taking the car from a dusty, abandoned car to a race ready, Pirelli slick shod bag of fun!
The changes made to the car are again captured on the website, along with videos and pictures from track days and of the work undertaken on the car.
Huge thanks to the friends and family who have made these builds possible, without each one of those guys this would still be just a conversation.
-Cheers, Darren |
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First Steps
My racing career began in college on a bicycle and lasted nearly 20 years, including a state championship. Several years ago, a good friend purchased a BMW E46 330ci and began the process of updating and upgrading the car.
He started in the NASA HPHE program and eventually earned his competition license in the Spec E46 class. Over the years, I heard about and watched the car’s transformation. Two years ago, I went to see him race at NCM. It was thrilling to see the various colors, sights, and sounds in the paddock area. After very little encouragement, I did a ride along in a stock BMW M3. I distinctly recall slight nausea that took hold that first lap. Equally exciting was the 130 mph top speed on the front stretch.
The following year I went to see him race again at Gingerman and Mid Ohio, each time doing a ride along. After that, the hook was set. With my wife’s blessing, the search for my own E46 began. Several frustrating months of search yielded nothing. In the interim, my first on-track driving experience was at Gingerman in my wife’s Acura TL with my good friend as an instructor. Then, in late July, a 2002 330i became available in Knoxville TN.
On my birthday, I drove it home - smiling ear to ear the entire way. Immediately the race began to prep the car for the next NASA HPDE1 event at Mid Ohio. Two replacement wheels, a new set of tires, front control arm bushings, new brake lines, bushings and pads, fuel filter, O2 sensor and crank position sensor were all completed in time - with most items purchased from Turner Motorsport. My 14-year-old son took great interest in the car and learned to bleed brakes and change spark plugs.
The winter projects include new shocks, struts and springs, and wheel spacers. In addition, we will likely begin removing interior components. Only time and budget will tell how far I take the car, but in the meantime, I’m having one hell of a time.
- Tim K.
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Making Your Life Easier
Modern BMWs are considered difficult to service at-home by people who have never tried. Even though these cars have become increasingly complex as the technology they sport advances, they are still just cars. With the right tools and some experience, you will find that working on your BMW is more than just a necessity to keep it operating. Working on your own cars is a tradition since the first days of the automobile, and modern BMWs are no different. The simple act of at-home repairs adds to the enjoyment of owning a car that is better than just any old transportation. The Schwaben Professional BMW Scan Tool is one of the tools that the modern BMW owner needs in their garage to confidently service a modern BMW.
Scan tools are important as they allow us to ‘communicate’ with the car’s diagnostic system. More advanced tools, like this Schwaben unit, are tailored to individual makes so they can perform more functions than just reading codes. The Schwaben Scan Tool allows you to complete brake services that require caliper resets, sets inspection intervals, performs most adaptations, and is compatible with all BMW models from 1987 and up. You will, however, get the most benefit from the tool with an OBDII car, as the older cars have few systems that require the scan tool.
There are several functions that are not accessible without the scan tool where you would ordinarily have to take your BMW to the dealership. The scan tool communicates with your BMW and helps you access control over those systems. Some of the functions the scan tool allows are:
Code reading, code clearing, live data graphing, merges graphs for intuitive diagnosis, performs most adaptations, performs active tests on some systems and components, special functions like coding and security access, sets inspection intervals, deactivates and re-activates the brake control system, diagnoses the electric parking brake caliper functionality, and even helps you with code troubleshooters to diagnose your car faster and easier.
The list of the Schwaben Professional BMW Scan Tool abilities includes more than what we outlined above, so you can easily see where this tool becomes a necessity in your garage. If you have a BMW that requires electronic access to perform a brake service, then this tool is seriously a must. Since you otherwise cannot perform the service, you would have to take it to a shop with a similar tool, which costs you more money. When you perform the job yourself, you not only save cash but ensure the job was done exactly right and with the best parts installed by your own hands.
If there is a code thrown on your BMW, or if you are just performing routine service, the Schwaben Professional BMW Scan Tool makes your life easier. Having the freedom to work on your own car is something that fewer and fewer people experience, but the past time isn’t entirely dead. With the right tools, you can ensure professional quality service from the comfort of your home garage.
-Turner Motorsport |
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Locking Up
Drivers like Darren and Tim exemplify BMW enthusiasm in two stages as a veteran and an amateur, respectively. Their stories provide great insight to any who are interested in beginning their own career in motorsports. Both show that a vision and some dedication are all it takes to take your hobby to the next level.
If you have your own story or a know of one you think we should cover, we want you to share it with us. We look forward to your continued support and the experiences you will share with the Turner Motorsport family.
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