Roundel (BMW CCA Magazine)

August, 1997

By Dale Schaub

90 Miles of Highway in Less than 38 Minutes, Legally

On May 18, 99 cars lined up at 8AM for a 90 mile sprint on Nevada highway 318 from Lund to Hiko. The Nevada Open Road Challenge is a combination TSD Rally, with only one checkpoint at the end, and a flat out open road event. The goal is to average the speed of the class in which you are entered. The classes run in 5mph increments from 95 to 165, with an additional unlimited class for full, race equipped cars. As the speed increases, so do the requirements for driving experience and safety equipment. The cars are started one minute apart, fastest cars first, to minimize passing.

Our car is a 1994 540ia, my daily driver, with numerous suspension, brake and engine upgrades by Race Marque Systems and Dinan Engineering I drove and Shawn Sullivan, San Diego Chapter driving events coordinator, bravely sat in the right seat and navigated. As in BMW CCA driving schools, there was a serious focus on safety. The speed class assignments are based on the driver's experience and the safety equipment in the vehicle, and each class has a maximum allowable speed, verified at random points with radar. Our safety equipment included an Autopower six-point bolt-in, roll cage (my wife's personal favorite auto accessory), Simpson five-point harnesses, and full Nomex suits. Our goal was to average 145mph, without exceeding 165mph.

After seeing videos of the Silver State Classic and La Carrera Classica events, driven by Jeff Gerkin in an M6, I was hooked. Four months of car preparation, combined with nine prior BMW CCA schools and I felt I was ready to go. Two weeks before the event, I was to attend a BMW CCA school in Las Vegas, so Shawn and I arranged to drive the course, before the school. Once on highway 318, staying within the speed limit is mandatory, as a ticket on that road within 90 days of the event is automatic disqualification! As we traveled leisurely along, a knot began to form in my stomach as we noted several blind turns that we would be running at 130-150mph.

The event started on Thursday, with a training and evaluation session at Las Vegas Speedway for all first time participants. Classroom training covered the fundamentals of performance driving, much as our BMW CCA schools. We had autocross and track time in the school's Ford Mustangs and Taurus, then optional lapping in our own vehicles. Later there was a reception at the Showboat Hotel, the event's sponsor, and a thorough tech inspection of vehicles and all helmets and clothing.

On Friday we caravaned to Ely, at the speed limit, up highway 318, with stops at significant points to discuss the line for a corner with an experienced racer. The Nevada Troopers hit our procession with radar four times in 90 miles to make sure we were behaving. The people of Ely hosted a nice reception for all participants.

Saturday included tech inspection for tires and a mandatory display of all cars. There were only two other BMWs, a 325is and a 750il. We attended the mandatory driver's/navigator's meeting, rechecked everything on the car, then early to bed.

Sunday morning we're up before 5:00 after a restless night. We caravan, with police escort, from Ely to the start line at 6:00. We assemble at a nearby truck stop, then are sent to the pre-grid in starting order. We're off before 9:00, pulse rates nearly matching engine revs. After a few miles we calm somewhat and settle in a pace of 162mph on straights, with speed only dropping slightly on a few gentle corners. On a thirteen mile straight we discover that cruise control will engage at 162! Just as we begin to feel a little comfort at this speed, 29 miles out, we see a red flag and pull into the checkpoint. A Mustang in the 165mph class has run off about 40 miles ahead of us. The event is halted while the driver and navigator are taken to the hospital, suffering only a few broken bones, thanks to their roll cage and harnesses. We restart after an hour and a half, a little more conscious of safety after the Mustang's crash. Back up to 162, slowing to 145 in the bends, then into a section of rough road. We touch 165 at one point, but slow back to 162 to avoid disqualification for exceeding our maximum allowable speed. Running at 145, an undulation puts us completely airborne, but the suspension absorbs it without bottoming, which is more than could be said for my stomach. Next came a series of turns, with Shawn calling directions with machine gun frequency, causing rivulets of sweat to run down my face. Shawn has not screamed out in terror yet, and I take this as silent approval. We run a straighter section, allowing a little relaxation, then approach the entrance to the section called "The Narrows". This is a series of close turns in a beautiful, high walled rocky canyon, which we traverse at 110-115mph. Next comes another rough section, challenging the suspension, a few more turns, and a final sprint to the checkered flag. A mile to slow, hand in our timing card, find a place to park and get out of the hot suit and helmet. We've averaged 142 mph, not quite close enough for a trophy, but fast enough to provide an experience we'll not soon forget. We learned an enormous amount about handling a car at continuous high speed and navigating with mile markers going by every 22 seconds! We'll be back in September to run the Fall version, the Silver State Challenge, and hope to see some more cars with blue and white emblems and at least one M3. We don't want the Corvette drivers to have all of the fun!

Thanks to Carl McGinn and his team of instructors for their patience in helping us at the BMW CCA schools and for not yelling at me, even when I experienced serious brain fade. The event organizers, Silver State Classic Challenge, Inc. ran an extremely organized event and the friendly people in Ely made us feel welcome at all of the functions. And lastly, thanks to the people at Race Marque Systems, Dinan Engineering, the Tire Rack, and all of the other Roundel advertisers who provided the parts, knowledge and installation to build a car that can safely and comfortably travel at these speeds.