e46 racer

(Written in June 2020)

Hi. My name’s Ed. I’ve never raced a car before, let alone built one! I’ve restored a few in the past so I can wield a spanner. But essentially this is a brand new world for me. Join me on my journey into Club racing in the UK. It seems daunting at first to jump from track days to racing, but every racer out there has taken that first step and you’d be surprised at how willing they are to help. I’m finding out that it’s a great community to be part of, making great friends along the way.

I took the leap in July 2020, in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Plenty of time on my hands and with a life-long burning desire to go racing I took the plunge. Life however, always seemed to get in the way. I’m turning 50 next year. It would be now or never. An opportunity to buy a part finished race car for £4,500 was too good to resist. I got on the sleeper train to Fort William, Scotland, and the rest is history.

This site is to document the build and racing of my 2002 BMW e46 330Ci Sport at club level in the UK. It’s a ‘warts and all’ record to look back upon in future years. Highs and lows, costs and what I’ve learnt. If it helps you take the plunge into your own project then even better. 🙂

I’m humbled at the support that I’ve been given by other racers (especially Sam McKee @mckeemotorsport) and help through social media. I’ll attempt to pass on any information or answer any questions for those who ask. I’ve even gone so far as to establish a 750mc Roadsports Facebook group which has been endorsed and ‘officialised’ by the 750 Motor Club.

In the words of Mr Garrisson @SouthPark “Remember there are no stupid questions, just stupid people.” #MrGarrison #LifeLessons 

Thanks for stopping by

Ed Turner

Social Media:

YouTube Channel e46 racer

[Race 5] First Podium Finish, Silverstone 2022 Review

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_2jbCfR66uJE

[Race 4] 750mc, Roadsports. Silverstone International Full Race Review.

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_Nis-Dmnj76o

[Race 4] Silverstone International Qualifying Lap (1.22.430)

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_orvU3QxpuOs

[Race 4] Full Uncut 750mc Roadsports, Silverstone International August 2021 (Boring Version)

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_ovXLZ-CAilU

It's Race Weekend! Watch Live. 2.30pm Sat. 7th August. 750mc Roadsports Silverstone International

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_Pi_iL3tdHhE

[Race 3] 750mc Roadsports, Snetterton 300 Race Review

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_tvNAbY7lhho

[Race 3] 750mc Roadsports (Full Uncut Race, boring edition)

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_TklT_r6hqI8

[Race 3] Snetterton 300 'Hot lap' Qualifying

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_JWVjAZcWqh4

[Part 26] Car to pit radio install

YouTube Video UCIqeJKWlF_vmzLn6LmWUkJg_QQ5OZZwKMiE

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The car is a 2002 BMW 330Ci sport with just over 103,000 miles.

• 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds (measured on AIM Solo 2)
• The car weighs 1290Kg (without fuel and passenger seat)
• RPM limiter raised to 7000rpm (from 6500rpm)
• MSVT Track Day Trophy CLASS C. Tuned ECU giving 247bhp at crank (189bhp at hubs) & 306Nm torque. (Class limit is 150bhp/ton hubs measured/weight is with driver) Minimum weight is 1260Kg so we’re over 100Kg too heavy already so no weight worries here.
• 750mc Roadsports CLASS C. De-tuned ECU giving 236.7bhp at crank  (Class limit is 180 bhp/ton, crank bhp/ weight without driver) Minimum weight is 1315Kg. Achieved by keeping the 12Kg passenger seat in place and 10Kg ballast. Remaining fuel makes up the remaining required 3Kg and adds a buffer. (1/4 tank weighs about 10Kg and would be considered a minimum to prevent fuel starvation.)
• 5 Speed Gearbox standard ratios.
• 3.73 final drive (raised from the standard 2.93)
• TTV Lightened flywheel and 5 paddle racing clutch.
• Quaife Automatic Torque Bias differential (ATB) Similar to a  limited slip differential but allows 70% transfer of power instead of 50% in a conventional LSD.

Continue reading “The Car Specification”

Exploding the myth: There’s no such thing as cheap motorsport, just entry level motorsport! There IS a huge difference!

That being said, this car has had a full ‘nut and bolt’ restoration at the same time. ALL suspension and subframes were removed and replaced with either new or reconditioned parts. I’m restoring the car to use long term in endurance racing and with ‘lockdown’ time available it was decided to do a full restoration instead of a continual upgrade process. There are NO labour costs included since I did the work myself and have had 30 years restoring vehicles, all for the cost of the additional tools required listed below. Paying others to do the work would just be prohibitive since there’s well over 300 hours of labour so far involved!

Original Purchase, July 2020

The car was originally purchased as a part built race car for £4,500 in July 2020. It was intended to race in Scotland in the 330 Challenge formula. Build receipts that came with the car (excluding the original car cost) came to £9883, saving me £5383 of build costs and I got a free car into the bargain (you’d expect to pay £2500 for a decent 330Ci Sport), making it a true bargain and worth the effort of travelling 382 miles (by crow) or 470 actual miles by road. This is the advantage of buying a car that has been modified correctly for racing, as opposed to a ‘street’ mod where you would actually bin most of the mods and render them worthless. I got about £12,383 worth of car for £4,500. a good place to start.

As of April 2021 the total cost is £22,699 (excluding the cost of the original car as I don’t know what the previous owner paid for it)

(Cost to me £17,500 including the car) Continue reading “The Real Cost”