The BMW 320TC is a very very special and beautiful WTCC Race Car. Because new regulations have restricted the displacement of DTM/WTCC cars to 1.6 Liters this car is using the same motor that comes in a Mini. The team supporting it from ///M are all very friendly folks and answered the millions of questions I had with great enthusiasm. My boss is quite the driver as well, and is definitely one of the easiest people to get along with. I thought I knew about racing, but I always take something away when talking to him. He is also giving me a peek behind the scenes for things like testing and setups, which I will never have been able to do on my own.

<3 BMW

Today while at Ascheim I got to meet and talk to two ex-Formula 1 chief mechanics, a rep from Dunlop, and a gentleman that was taking calibration for exhaust sound, ride height and wheel distance (Basically log booking) for a very very special classic race car. What a day, I hope I can somehow get involved with motorsports when I graduate. I don't want to submit to a 100% desk job. These people were so awesome, and just having fun doing what they like to do best. BMW does a lot of amazing work, and i still consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to get some experience  in what I consider, my Dream Job. 

This past saturday, I visited a friend in Kaufering (40 minutes train from München). We took bikes and explored many trails in the next town over (Landsberg am Lech). The river Lech flows from the Füssen (Neuschwanstein Castle) area and is right now a lot of ice melt. The water is crystal clear and a very strange tint of blue. like Port-o-potty BLUE. Only with a polarizer do the colors show true. I get internet 28th (been tethering android) so i will have a lot to upload for those who only check the thread for pics lol.

After riding around for 4 hours, we went to a local market to buy beer. 4 euros got me a Löwenbräu, Weihenstephaner, Chiemsee, and some other local brew. We then headed off to the Night Groove. Night Groove is a musik festival that is observed every year where there are some 10 venues and 15 performing artists/groups that just play live music. It's a great time, lots of beer, lots of people, huge variety of music from Chili Pepper cover bands to Salsa/Latin music and even original German Blues/Jazz which actually sounds good. It was a great time, ending at 3am.

Sunday.....I did nothing. Washed laundry and went for a walk essentially. I did find a really awesome place for Phở. That made my tummy really happy as soup is my comfort food...and man i miss good soup.

Today was semi-interesting. Drove a Cooper S 4wd. Great peppy car, but a little soggy on the suspension.

I keep swinging back and fourth in thought about Turbo s50 when i get home, or just build another e30 with a special motor. I dunno, i should probably just sell the motorcycle and finish school before playing. If anyone reading this is in Munich and needs help working on their car, or need a passenger to the Nürburgring, let me know.

Tomorrow, i'll be at the test track with my boss (the race car driver). Should be a fun day  :)

BMW Mobile Tradition/Classic Warehouse

Today I got a personal tour of the BMW Classic Warehouse. It's quite a special place, preserving and observing the history and heritage of the BMW brand. There are stories behind every car, and it's more than just a museum full of old vehicles.

Some special highlights include a V16 prototype 7 series that never went into production. Dozens and dozens of motorsports cars from Dakar, WRC, DTM, and F1. An X5 with a 700hp LeMans V12 race motor. and many original cars that are of historical significance to the growth and evolution of the company.

I didnt take my camera, but there are several links available on the internet with pictures.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-classic-warehouse

http://www.streetfire.net/video/very-very-fast-bmw-x5-le-mans-v12-700-hp_12678.htm

Rode in the Porsche 911 Carerra S, what a fun car. We were at 243kmh on the autobahn in slightly damp conditions. it's pretty comfortable for a sports car but still handles curves well. A part of the job of my supervisors is to test the handling of other (competitor) vehicles. It is always good to know what another firm is doing, so you can compare and analyse new technologies. Every day, a new adventure

Oh man

Saw the Vision Efficiency Dynamics car, it is absolutely beautiful. The M3 GTR is loud, and also amazing.



Vision Efficiency Dynamics

M3 GTR

So tired, want to contribute more at work

Day 2 and 3 working at BMW AG are in the bag. I feel so fatigued after work, The abundance of new vocabulary is difficult to keep up with and I really want to try to be more productive. I haven't been doing too much but attending meetings and reviewing materials in kinematik and elastokinematik suspension theory. There are some cars that need to be prepared before off site testing. Unfortunately, i do not get to go on these testing excursions as I'm but a Praktikant. But it is exciting to work for a very exciting department, all my co-workers are awesome. Everytime I walk through the the place, I am in awe.

Here is a video I found on youtube of some things that are done for testing:

Here is the test track. BMW Messegelände Aschheim: