87 325IS doesn't like track...?

Hey guys! I own a 1987 325IS and I finally lost my SOLO 2 "virginity". The car ran great and I love the sport, but the car was running hotter then expected. I have a good friend who knows these cars inside out, and I remember he had once said that the temp sensor usually never reaches the center unless your really pushing it, and mine had been at the three-quarters mark or farther... The car has plenty of coolent, and the only other thing I can think of about that race was that I was deffinitely pushing the car (5500-6000 rpm in second gear) but I didn't think the car would have such a reaction. oh, and the car has close to 250000 miles on it. Thanks for any help you guys can offer!