Track Day at SoW CCW in my FL5 Type R – Different Sensation vs. G80 M3

Hey everyone,
While waiting for my new brakes to be installed on the G80 M3, I decided to take my completely stock FL5 Type R out to Streets of Willow (CCW) to get some seat time. Since I couldn’t rely on the M3’s power, I had to focus a lot more on momentum and hitting the right lines.
It was definitely a very different driving sensation compared to the M3 — the FL5 rewards precision and flow more than brute power. Felt like I had to “earn” every bit of speed with cornering technique instead of just squeezing the throttle.



It seems like the car needs cooling mods since I kept hitting 260 Oil temps. Down the road I am thinking about getting a hondata tune (maybe custom tune), bolt on mods, and better tires

Juliusoh said:

Hey everyone,
While waiting for my new brakes to be installed on the G80 M3, I decided to take my completely stock FL5 Type R out to Streets of Willow (CCW) to get some seat time. Since I couldn’t rely on the M3’s power, I had to focus a lot more on momentum and hitting the right lines.
It was definitely a very different driving sensation compared to the M3 — the FL5 rewards precision and flow more than brute power. Felt like I had to “earn” every bit of speed with cornering technique instead of just squeezing the throttle.

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I have a different impression. I feel the m3 is a handful at the limits and at sow you cannot use all the power. The m3 harder to drive due to torque comes on so early in the power band but more rewarding to manage at limits. The fl5 is easier to manage as in at the limits and definitely setting up your line is more important due to lack of speed. The running cost on the fl5 so much cheaper.

SOW really favors lighter cars. I’ve definitely been right on the tail of the new M4 through the twisty sections, but they start pulling away hard after T13 and T5B. The FL5’s lighter weight, but with better tires, and driver experience make a big difference. It’s definitely not a car to underestimate. There are FK8s and FL5s running 1:18s at SOW, but those are in the hands of very experienced drivers with years of track time under their belts.

Don’t forget, the FL5’s operating costs are way cheaper than an M3’s. Big Willow and Buttonwillow, on the other hand, are more appropriate tracks for the M cars to take advantage of their power.

I was keeping ahead of an M2 on my last track day. I think the weight really shows on track with those cars. They make up a lot of ground on the straight but I had no problem making of for it on the other 80% of the track.

How did the brakes hold up? Want to take my car out on track too but am still on stock pads and fluid. My biggest fear is losing brakes on track

T41WN.1 said:

How did the brakes hold up? Want to take my car out on track too but am still on stock pads and fluid. My biggest fear is losing brakes on track

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It all depend on you. If you do 4-6 laps or 10 minutes it should be okay. But if you run for a full 20-25 minutes session everything going to go. I never understood why people like to stay out so long because the car potential degrade.

Pekingduck said:

It all depend on you. If you do 4-6 laps or 10 minutes it should be okay. But if you run for a full 20-25 minutes session everything going to go. I never understood why people like to stay out so long because the car potential degrade.

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I guess they are trying to get the most out of the session.

T41WN.1 said:

How did the brakes hold up? Want to take my car out on track too but am still on stock pads and fluid. My biggest fear is losing brakes on track

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I’ve tracked my FL5 in 65°F weather and it performed pretty well overall. The brakes and tires held up fine, but after 4–5 laps, things start to heat up. You’ll definitely hear the stock tires squealing like crazy through every corner. By the fifth lap, grip noticeably drops off and lap times start to slow down.

I recommend switching to a proper racing brake fluid, it makes a big difference. However, my stock brake fluid didn’t boil even after doing 8 laps per session.