derBayerische July/August 2024 - 32

T H E
C O M P E T I T O R W I T H I N
a concept served the aspirations of
the three individuals featured in this
story as well as many others. Each
participant will have expended
effort to ensure that his or her car
was in tip top shape with all
systems functioning, no fluid leaks
of any kind that could curtail a
weekend's fun with an unexpected
breakdown, checking and
retorquing fasteners as needed,
inspecting wheels and insuring
tires are inflated to the correct
pressure, and checking the wheel
alignment so that the car remains
safe and performs at its best.
In the end, every HPDE partic■
Mike Cole at the wheel of his E46 ZHP on a rain-soaked track. Photo by Sean Marks.
For Sunday's schedule of
composure.
activities, the skies had cleared to
make way for a sunny day and a dry
track surface. The first event of the
day was the time trials where one of
the participants went off the track at
turn 9 which led the car to become
airborne and the tire wall broke the
wayward trajectory of the car, bringing
it to rest. The driver was taken
to hospital by the attending
ambulance for a routine checkup.
The incident led to the cancellation
of two sessions from the
schedule, since there was only one
ambulance. The HPDE organizers
had no option but to wait for the
ambulance to return in order to run
the event.
Sean was assigned to turn 3
on the main circuit, which he
reported was no less exciting than
the previous day's duty at turn 4.
Amr and Mike spent their time
socializing with other HPDE participants
until the organizers readied
themselves to restart the event.
With track conditions dramatically
different to the previous day, higher
tire temperatures were possible
which meant improved grip, allowing
for higher cornering speeds and
shorter lap times. Amr said the tires
had become slippery, but he learned
a valuable lesson by not lifting off
the throttle to maintain the car's
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derBayerische
Meanwhile, Mike enjoyed the
final two sessions of the weekend,
returning to the paddock sporting a
big smile. No doubt part of his
contentment was due to the satisfaction
in knowing that his E46 ZHP
with 211,000 miles on the clock
performed flawlessly. All that was
needed for the trip home in the
evening was to change the wheels
and tires back to the street specification
set.
As the trio convened to collect
their belongings, repack tools,
disassemble the awning that protected
them from Saturday's rain and
damp, refold the chairs and put away
the shared ice chest, each one had
fulfilled his individual ambition from
a singular HPDE event. Sean's
volunteering as a corner worker will
be rewarded with a future track
session at no charge, with the hope
that the weather will be more
conducive; while Mike was satisfied
with the car's performance and his
own skill, having acceded to new,
higher limits of car control. Amr was
one step closer to realizing his goal
of attaining a racing license.
The versatility of the HPDE as
ipant went home safe and sound
having been damaged during the
time trials event on Sunday morning.
The sanctioning body of the
HPDE and track management provided
the ideal environment for
track day enthusiasts to test themselves,
reflecting on the lessons
learned to be applied in future
events for whatever outcome each
individual desires. No doubt a
handful will harbor dreams of
competition, but the majority of
participants will return to the track
for the social connections of friends
made along the way and for sunny
days to push the limits of their
machines.
■ Amr Alkhateeb in his 1997 E36 track car braving the elements. Photo by Sean Marks.
derBayerische July/August 2024

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