Driver: Sheldon Enns
Navigator: Brendan Friesen
Car: 1992 BMW 325is
Email Address: sheldon@bimmeboy.net
Website: http://bimmerboy.net/

Comments:

Success At The Silver State Classic Challenge

This was my first race ever. It took place just north of Las Vegas, Nevada. We ended up running along a 90-mile stretch of the 318 highway from Ely to Hiko, which ran though 3 separate counties. It was quite an experience. There were a total of 230 vehicles in the race, split-up into different speed classes. Cars ranged from Vipers to 'Vettes to DeTomaso Panteras to Benzes to Bimmers to Ferraris to full-blown NASCAR stock cars, etc. We drove from Steinbach to Las Vegas, raced both at the Las Vegas Speedway and on the road course, and then drove back up to Steinbach, making this a 10-day, 8000 km excursion.

In preparation for the race, I purchased and installed a Bavarian Autosport Performance Chip and Power Flow kit as well as a heat shield for the air filter. These were the only three performance upgrades that I made. The other two were clear turn signal lights and an M3 style rear spoiler. These two upgrades really improved the look of the car.

While in Las Vegas, we attended a driving school at the Las Vegas Speedway, put on by the fine people of the Derek Daly Performance Driving Academy. The Bavarian Autosport Performance Chip and Power Flow kit really shone here as well as on the open road. The Power Flow kit was nicely omplemented by an air filter heat shield from East Coast Induction Systems. This combination allowed for quicker than stock lap times, as well as better fuel economy during the trip.

During the race, we were trying to average 105 mph over 90 miles in a 1992 BMW 325is. With a pair of stopwatches, a pen and a timing chart, my navigator, Brendan Friesen, and I, were able to average 104.9019 mph, which was 2.885 seconds off the perfect time. This was good enough to earn us third place in our class.

BMW did well in other classes as too, with a 1994 BMW 540 finishing 2nd in the 150 mph class, a 1993 BMW 850 CI finishing 1st in the 125 mph class, a 1996 BMW 328i finishing 5th in the 120 mph class, a 1999 BMW 540 I finishing 1st in the 110 mph class and a 1990 BMW 325i finishing 4th in the 105 mph class, right behind my navigator and I.

I enjoyed the race so much, that I have already entered next year's September race. Along with all the magazines, radio broadcasts and newscasts, there is a good possibility that ESPN2 will be covering the race. Plans are also being finalized to produce a full-length feature film entitled "Flat Out" around the race in May. I know the promoter, and he indicated that there is an excellent chance that most of the racers will be in the movie.

I would like to thank my sponsors and parts suppliers who made this race the success that it was. Defining Presence Marketing Group of Winnipeg, Internet Development Partners of Las Vegas, Bavarian Autosport of New Hampshire, East Coast Induction Systems of New York and Park Avenue Lines and Designs of Steinbach. As well, if anyone would like to sponsor my car in this race, please email me at sheldon@bimmerboy.net. I am currently looking to get a new set of Michelin Pilot SX-GT, 205/60 R15 91V SX-GT tires. As well, I need to get a pair of 5-point harnesses.