It’s almost May which means time for the 2011 One Lap of America. For the last four years the BMW Performance Center has entered a vehicle in this grueling event, where entrants visit a variety of race tracks around the USA in an 8 day period covering approximately 3,500 miles in the process. Previously the team has competed in M3 Sedans, an X6M and this year will use a BMW 335d. At each race track driver & car compete against the clock to set the fastest time, thereby scoring maximum points in their respective classes.
The One Lap of America is a unique event in the fact that there is only one rule; there are no rules! Cars are classed on their engine size and vehicle cost, and must of course be street legal, plus run the entire event on one set of tires! This year there are 80 entrants and car range from Corvettes, Porsches, Mustangs, Minis, and of course BMW’s, of which there are 11 entrants in a variety of models!
The BMW Performance Center team of Mike Renner, Chris DeYoung, and Steve Maguire will share the driving from track to track and Mike, an instructor at BMW Performance Center, will be responsible for piloting the BMW 335d around the tracks.
This year we decided to highlight the performance characteristics of the BMW 335d Sedan. Essentially the car is exactly as anyone could buy off the showroom floor from any BMW Dealership. This particular BMW 335d was pulled from the BMW Performance Driving School fleet and with only a couple of modifications; 19” wheels with Continental Tires, and Performance Friction Brake Pads, the car is ready to compete in the Alternative Fuels category.
The event starts today with a wet skid pad test at the Tire Rack facility in South Bend, Indiana before heading off to Grissom Air Force Base for a gigantic autocross. Followed by visits to: Summit Point Raceway, VA., Carolina Motorsports Park and BMW Performance Center, SC., Daytona and Gainesville Dragway, FL., Circuit Grand Bayou, LA., Barber Motorsports Park, AL., Autobahn, IL and back to South Bend for the final event at Tire Rack. The complete schedule can be found at http://www.onelapofamerica.com/currentEvent/Schedule.do?eventId=30
During the week we’ll be providing regular updates of our progress, and if you have an opportunity please visit one of the venues and watch this exciting event first hand.
