Chandler’s Estoril Blue E36 M3 With ARC-8 Wheels

APEX: Tell us some details about yourself & your car.

Chandler: My name is Chandler Gass. I’m 20 years old, and a Junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a major in Mechanical Engineering. I drive an Estoril Blue 99’ E36 M3.

The first car I could really call mine was a 97’ Arctic Silver (eventually wrapped Estoril) 328is. It had 73k miles when I got it, and was bone stock. I had no DIY mechanic experience prior to owning it, but I slowly taught myself by performing my own maintenance and eventually upgrades like coilovers, exhaust, and cooling system components (electric fan conversion). I got t-boned while driving it during the Summer of 2016, which deemed it beyond totaled with frame damage. I bought it back for parts, and then bought my current M3 shortly afterward. Using some parts from the totaled E36, and selling the rest, I was then able to build the M3 into the car that I only dreamed of owning for many years prior.

I recently bought a 99’ F-250 7.3L for a daily/tow rig, so the M3 is strictly my track/fun toy now.

APEX: What is your track day wheel setup?

Chandler: I run an APEX 17×9″ et30 ARC-8 wheels in hyper black – square setup. No spacers, just rolled fenders front and rear. I ran 245/40/17 Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires while I was just getting into track days, but I will now be upgrading to a more track oriented tire setup (Nitto NT-01 255/40/17).

APEX: Why did you choose APEX Wheels over the rest?

Chandler: APEX wheels are light, strong, and look amazing. The OEM-ish style fits the E36 chassis perfectly!

APEX: How did you get into track racing & for how long?

Chandler: About a month after I bought my M3, I took it to an autocross event at the Daytona Speedway. Even on all-season tires, with shot bushings and stock suspension, the event was a blast and got me hooked. My first track day was a few months later at The FIRM in Starke FL after I added coilovers, full bushing overhaul, brake upgrade, short shifter, APEX’s, etc. This event made me even more addicted and I have been attending track days regularly since.

APEX: What is your favorite memory or entertaining story from the track?

Chandler: My first session out at AMP, I pointed by a silver Nissan that was behind me while I’m still figuring out the track. This old SE-R (super average pedestrian looking sedan) flies by me into the corner, with so much body roll it looks like it’s about to flop over into the grass. All I could think of was the Tokyo Drift theme song playing on repeat as he apexed every corner perfectly. Props to that dude.

APEX: How many events do you participate in each year, care to share any track results?

Chandler: I have been to The Firm, Daytona School Course, Roebling, and Atlanta Motorsports Park so far in the past year. Since the M3 is no longer my daily, I will be doing a more complete track-prep overhaul soon and hitting the track again at the start of 2018. I got a 1:26 lap time at Roebling and qualified #1 at the Daytona School Course, but most of my track days were spent taking my time learning the course, perfecting my driving line, and working on my driving form.

APEX: If you could give one tip to a new racer, what would your tip be?

Chandler: There is no shame in a point-by. Don’t try to show off to everyone else and drive above your skill level. This is how you end up hurting yourself or hurting somebody else. Saw it happen first hand at AMP; the guy almost totaled his car and almost took out another driver in the process.

APEX: Where can we follow you?

Chandler: I mostly post to Instagram – @gassysoclassy (https://www.instagram.com/gassysoclassy)

APEX: Do you have any clubs, shops or racing buddies you want to give a shout out to?

Chandler: Shout out to my parents for not buying me everything and actually making me work for what I have. They have been super supportive of me and everything I do, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them.

Mateo from Mateo Motorsports (@mateomotorsports) has been extremely supportive of my build and has done great work on the car so far. He even offered to let me store my car at his shop during Hurricane Irma.

Kameron – @kamerondickerson / @sore.thumb for taking awesome photos of my car and being a really cool dude.

Finally, shout out to Jon, Tyler, and Ben for being the OG homies.

Tom M.

Tom is a BMW Fitment Expert at APEX Wheels. Prior to joining the company in 2019, he worked for BMW of North America as Fleet Manager: Portland (OR) for the ReachNow car-sharing program, and as Warranty Administrator/Loaner Fleet Manager at BMW Portland. In addition, Tom has extensive training in BMW TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) as well as in-depth knowledge of all BMW chassis and their wheel fitment options, with and without aftermarket brake and suspension upgrades. His high-performance driving experience includes autocross events in southern Oregon and track days at PIR in his 2004 E46 330i with 17x9 ET42 APEX ARC-8 wheels. Vehicles he owned prior to indulging his passion for BMWs include a 1989 Jaguar XJ6 and a 2006 S197 Ford Mustang. Fun Fact: Tom is a huge Formula 1 fan. Have questions about wheels for your BMW? Use our contact form and ask for Tom.