Event date: 16-17 July 2022

I’d only driven the Broadford track once before, so I was keen to deploy those skills & improve my lap times.

We also gifted a birthday track day to Jenny’s eldest kidult (Jay) & partner (Cozzie). That demanded more cabin space so Jenny drove my E93 and I in the Toyota 86 (all marques welcome). The 86’s race suspension made it a harsh ride, but it was an uneventful drive up.

We met the DCM crew for Friday dinner at the Broadford Hotel, a 10min walk from the Sugarloaf Motel; so DUI was eliminated.

Day one was a “come & try day” and was overcast and cool, with rain forecast so it was going to get interesting, especially for the newbies.

I was feeling apprehensive about teaching the kidults in my 86, so I expected to have someone else do the coaching. At the briefing we got the details of the rules and running order and as it turned out the newbie numbers were up & coaches were stretched, so I just went with it & did the coaching (good decision).

I conducted the orienteering laps, explaining “cut here, stay wide there, adverse camber over the top , watch the outside (it falls away)”. Then I got a bit more focussed on a real session (just to warm up the car ;) ).

The coaching laps kicked off and my appreciation rapidly turned to solid enjoyment of the coaching role (not rolls, Phew). 

My day then got busier, as I also coached a newbie from the AROC, who had me coaching in a CX3 Auto, not my 1st or 100th choice of track car, but it was great to hear from Yit Yuan (Eatyen) that she was there to learn about how her car performed at higher speeds on straight & corner (she certainly got that).

The students listened & tried. Mistakes were made improvements were rapid.

We reviewed & planned on the whiteboard back in the office, discussing lane position, braking strategy and turn-in locations.

My nerve held across the 3 students and I only had to slap the dash “BRAKE!!” A couple of times. I got back in the zone via my own fun behind the wheel too, which added up to a very busy day.

More DCM fun at the hotel for dinner, with even a birthday cake (thank you so much for that surprise!).

Day 2 (Sunday) was a bit more serious, both in driver experience and weather (lots of rain). Whilst lined up for my 2nd session I thought I spotted an E30 in the group, which wasn’t in the first session. I then found it chasing me down the home straight, it could only be our President (Graeme Bell). I pushed hard around turn 1/2 in the rain and backed off when I felt the rear end go light. I had nervous fun for the rest of the session, then Graeme came for a chat in the paddock. “Play with the oversteer in the wet, push to the light-feeling then feather the gas to maintain that slide, enjoy it [rather than avoid it]”. I took that advice to my next sessions & I had so much fun! Yes, I lost the rear end on that adverse camber section, but I kept it on the black stuff. 

What a weekend! Great fun with the DCM crew, some teaching skills developed, some awesome lessons & track time for me.

Thanks Jo and committee for giving us the chance to safely “give it the berries”.

Martin Taylor | Member #598
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne