Anyone interested in tracking their cars?

bluejazzy · 08-22-2019, 07:01 AM

Gents,

Anyone here interested in tracking their cars?

Cayuga has open lap days (evenings are particularly good, less busy, cheaper, unlimited lapping and no car restrictions) that's about an hour's drive west of the GTA. It looks like like have a few lapping days setup for the upcoming weekends.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

ZCanadian · 08-22-2019, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluejazzy

Gents,

Anyone here interested in tracking their cars?

Cayuga has open lap days (evenings are particularly good, less busy, cheaper, unlimited lapping and no car restrictions) that's about an hour's drive west of the GTA. It looks like like have a few lapping days setup for the upcoming weekends.

I do track frequently.
I don't much care for Cayuga open lapping, though. It's just my preference, but I've seen a few things and heard of lots of concerns from others (who still go there, so what do I know if they are legit or not).

Grand Bend has 5 open lapping Wednesday evenings left this year - August 28 and Sept 4, 11, 18 and 25. Then Sunday Oct 13. Wednesdays are 5PM 'till dusk for $70.80 in advance and Saturday 9am - 5pm for $141.60.

Grand Bend Raceway | Grand Bend Motorplex

I promote Grand Bend (although I understand that it's a long drive from the GTA) because it is a fun track with very little to hit if you go off, it has typically small run groups (mostly around 20-25 cars split over 2 or 3 run groups (seldom more, often fewer cars), GREAT marshals who actually watch the track and care (and don't put up with crap on their track), and even EMS. Oh, and it is a really supportive, fun, close knit community of guys (and the occasional gal) who are regulars. Generous with their help and knowledge if you ask, or they'll leave you alone if you'd rather.

They do require a helmet, but have some available for rent if you aren't sure you want to make the investment for your own just yet (and if you don't mind using a helmet that somebody else has worn).

If you show up, say hi to the guy in the 4C coupe. That's probably me! ;-)

ZCanadian · 08-22-2019, 04:41 PM

For anyone who is thinking about trying the track for the first time, Grand Bend has laid it out in simple terms in a small 2-page blurb about what happens, HERE

It's an amazing experience, to drive your car to the max without worrying about pedestrians or traffic, on a track with plenty of challenges designed into its layout. More mentally taxing than you might believe, and very satisfying. Also, quite safe thanks to the simple rules related to passing and flagging. Probably safer than you are on the street, for the most part.

Zyonara91 · 08-22-2019, 08:47 PM

Sounds fun. Wish I had a beater car, would then designate the Z as my track car. Have to upgrade brakes rotors, pads and get some tougher fluids in. Maybe next year though!

LMBmikeZ · 10-19-2019, 09:13 AM

Just hit Grand Bend yesterday for some private lapping on the long track setup.

Awesome day little on the cold side for the tires but they warmed up once you got moving.

With about an hour left in the day though I broke the Z...….lol third track. I figured I was bound to break something eventually. Wish me luck. At first I thought a coolant line go or something small. But further investigation while on the flat bed had me finding some oil...… Not sure what I did yet as the oil opens up so many more possibilities. but I will update with my findings here.

I have pics and dash cam just need to figure out how to load the dashcam. I finally remembered to bring it this time. Forgot it last track day.

ZCanadian · 10-19-2019, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMBmikeZ

Just hit Grand Bend yesterday for some private lapping on the long track setup.

Awesome day little on the cold side for the tires but they warmed up once you got moving.

With about an hour left in the day though I broke the Z...….lol third track. I figured I was bound to break something eventually. Wish me luck. At first I thought a coolant line go or something small. But further investigation while on the flat bed had me finding some oil...… Not sure what I did yet as the oil opens up so many more possibilities. but I will update with my findings here.

I have pics and dash cam just need to figure out how to load the dashcam. I finally remembered to bring it this time. Forgot it last track day.

Glad you went out. Love the long track.
Sorry about the car trouble. Hoping it is easily fixed, so your Z can live to track another day!

Looking forward to pix or video.

What were your times?

LMBmikeZ · 10-20-2019, 08:39 AM

Unfortunately we didn't get clocked it was just open lapping at our own leisure. I know that by hour 3 my lines were so much sharper...… for a newb that is lol. At first I was only hitting maybe 160-165km/h along the first long straight away. By the end I was up to 180-190 before I would need to slower down into that tight corner. I was looking less though and going off more of the feeling and driving markers I had made mentally not looking at speedo. It was so much fun! Wife thinks I am slightly mental as I was and still am all smiles from the day even with it breaking. She thought I'd be pissed lol. Other track days nothing broke but I knew it was a matter of time before something went. I think they say it's part of tracking no? Sh!t will break eventually.

The Z will get fixed. We will rebuild it stronger! I may have fukt a lot of things up in hind sight but I am ok with that the Z has been a pure fun car. It has rarely been on the road much past few years (little kids come along - 6&4) so who knows over time Z may become full time track car. Would save me the insurance at least each summer for not getting out much......

A couple people attending had either race licenses or in the process doing it (the one son of the dad with it!) Some very nice cars in attendance.

2 Camaros both ZL1 but one was a 1LE - the track pack
458 spyder
modenna
911
M3
BMW 355 track car
2 370z
VW GTI

Two track built cars
Atom
Radical

ZCanadian · 10-20-2019, 09:59 AM

Sounds like a great event.
Yeah, I’ve had that same stupid grin on my face for 4 years now.

You did well to get the car to that speed on the straight - in long track there are two decent stratighaways - the front one parallel to the drag strip and the back one (active runway). Was it on the front?

When I go, it is usually the (short) technical track, so we use all of the runway and my 4C gets to high 180’s if I get a good entry. I use a laptimer app on my phone and 10hz external gps. No times on the long layout, but on short I’ve made it into the low 1:14’s.

It’s a great facility, with some decent asphalt, challenging corners, and not much to hit if you mess up. No doubt that tracking a car is hard on all of the mechanicals, but most cars drive home under their own steam. Definitely accelerates wear on all of the drive train components, brakes, tires wheel bearings and suspension. But man, very little compares to having a perfect session. I’m a private pilot (who hasn’t flown for decades for various reasons). Tracking is the next best thing, and flying is the only thing that comes close to he feeling.

Glad the breakdown did not spoil it for you. Hope to see you out there sometime!

LMBmikeZ · 10-20-2019, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZCanadian

Sounds like a great event.
Yeah, I’ve had that same stupid grin on my face for 4 years now.

You did well to get the car to that speed on the straight - in long track there are two decent stratighaways - the front one parallel to the drag strip and the back one (active runway). Was it on the front?

When I go, it is usually the (short) technical track, so we use all of the runway and my 4C gets to high 180’s if I get a good entry. I use a laptimer app on my phone and 10hz external gps. No times on the long layout, but on short I’ve made it into the low 1:14’s.

It’s a great facility, with some decent asphalt, challenging corners, and not much to hit if you mess up. No doubt that tracking a car is hard on all of the mechanicals, but most cars drive home under their own steam. Definitely accelerates wear on all of the drive train components, brakes, tires wheel bearings and suspension. But man, very little compares to having a perfect session. I’m a private pilot (who hasn’t flown for decades for various reasons). Tracking is the next best thing, and flying is the only thing that comes close to he feeling.

Glad the breakdown did not spoil it for you. Hope to see you out there sometime!

The top speed was definitely along the first one parallel to the drag, iirc it was the longer of the two.

You will definitely see me back there can't wait to go again!

As for the flying that is my dream to get that license next. I am lucky my dad has long time friend that takes us up. Then my now brother inlaw is flying commercial airlines for air Canada but when I first met him he was a private instructor out of small Ottawa airport for both basic and aerobatic flying. He took me on a sweet aero ride once. When we landed I was astatic similar to track,ing loving every minute of it! Said if I get rich I am learning to do that! lol. He was also surprised I didn't black out on some of the moves he pulled. He was trying hard to make it happen I forget if we pulled 3 or 4Gs in the plane on a couple moves! Best part was when he gave me the stick and let me try couple different rolls! OMFG!!!!

amazing!

ZCanadian · 10-22-2019, 11:33 AM

Harry's lap timer from a year ago, and a then only using 1Hz GPS (speeds are all understated due to lag) on the short technical track last year. I should really do one from this year and the new GPS...

runwhatyabrng · 10-24-2019, 06:48 AM

Nice, I should try to go down once with my track tires next year. My brother lives close enough (Strathroy) that I could make it a few days there

ZCanadian · 10-24-2019, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runwhatyabrng

Nice, I should try to go down once with my track tires next year. My brother lives close enough (Strathroy) that I could make it a few days there

Do!

I'm in Strathroy area as well. It's only 30 minutes to the track from there!

ZCanadian · 05-21-2020, 11:37 AM

Grand Bend ran their first open lapping night of the season last night. Remarkably, unlike another local track which will be remain nameless but goes by the nickname of "Thunderdome", there were no on-track incidents or fist fights in the pits!!!

Next one Wednesday June 10. If anyone is coming, be sure to make the drivers' meeting at 4:30. It's for everyone's safety, and just holds everyone up if you're late.

I know of at least one 370Z that will be there!

geeteezee · 05-21-2020, 09:38 PM

Haha, was just reading about the fun at Toronto Motorsport Park.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/33607/...s-punches-fire

alcheng · 05-22-2020, 04:06 PM

as a Chinese myself...

08-22-2019, 07:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
bluejazzy Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: toronto Posts: 1 Drives: none Rep Power: 12	Anyone interested in tracking their cars? Gents, Anyone here interested in tracking their cars? Cayuga has open lap days (evenings are particularly good, less busy, cheaper, unlimited lapping and no car restrictions) that's about an hour's drive west of the GTA. It looks like like have a few lapping days setup for the upcoming weekends. Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk ZCanadian likes this.

08-22-2019, 08:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Zyonara91 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: GTA Posts: 368 Drives: 2010-Red-6spd-S/T Rep Power: 15755	Sounds fun. Wish I had a beater car, would then designate the Z as my track car. Have to upgrade brakes rotors, pads and get some tougher fluids in. Maybe next year though! wideglideleon and ZCanadian like this. __________________ 2FT3PDLZ

10-19-2019, 09:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
LMBmikeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 12,237 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 10349	Just hit Grand Bend yesterday for some private lapping on the long track setup. Awesome day little on the cold side for the tires but they warmed up once you got moving. With about an hour left in the day though I broke the Z...….lol third track. I figured I was bound to break something eventually. Wish me luck. At first I thought a coolant line go or something small. But further investigation while on the flat bed had me finding some oil...… Not sure what I did yet as the oil opens up so many more possibilities. but I will update with my findings here. I have pics and dash cam just need to figure out how to load the dashcam. I finally remembered to bring it this time. Forgot it last track day. JARblue, alcheng and ZCanadian like this. __________________ CUSTOM NISMO \| BERK \| H&R \| STANCE \| SPL everything \| EVO-R \| 34 Setrab \| WHITELINE \| Redline \| Carkitcompany \| Zspeed \| UpRev \| SEIBON

10-20-2019, 08:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
LMBmikeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 12,237 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 10349	Unfortunately we didn't get clocked it was just open lapping at our own leisure. I know that by hour 3 my lines were so much sharper...… for a newb that is lol. At first I was only hitting maybe 160-165km/h along the first long straight away. By the end I was up to 180-190 before I would need to slower down into that tight corner. I was looking less though and going off more of the feeling and driving markers I had made mentally not looking at speedo. It was so much fun! Wife thinks I am slightly mental as I was and still am all smiles from the day even with it breaking. She thought I'd be pissed lol. Other track days nothing broke but I knew it was a matter of time before something went. I think they say it's part of tracking no? Sh!t will break eventually. The Z will get fixed. We will rebuild it stronger! I may have fukt a lot of things up in hind sight but I am ok with that the Z has been a pure fun car. It has rarely been on the road much past few years (little kids come along - 6&4) so who knows over time Z may become full time track car. Would save me the insurance at least each summer for not getting out much...... A couple people attending had either race licenses or in the process doing it (the one son of the dad with it!) Some very nice cars in attendance. 2 Camaros both ZL1 but one was a 1LE - the track pack 458 spyder modenna 911 M3 BMW 355 track car 2 370z VW GTI Two track built cars Atom Radical JARblue, alcheng and ZCanadian like this. __________________ CUSTOM NISMO \| BERK \| H&R \| STANCE \| SPL everything \| EVO-R \| 34 Setrab \| WHITELINE \| Redline \| Carkitcompany \| Zspeed \| UpRev \| SEIBON

10-20-2019, 09:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
ZCanadian A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Canada Posts: 1,032 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 58796	Sounds like a great event. Yeah, I’ve had that same stupid grin on my face for 4 years now. You did well to get the car to that speed on the straight - in long track there are two decent stratighaways - the front one parallel to the drag strip and the back one (active runway). Was it on the front? When I go, it is usually the (short) technical track, so we use all of the runway and my 4C gets to high 180’s if I get a good entry. I use a laptimer app on my phone and 10hz external gps. No times on the long layout, but on short I’ve made it into the low 1:14’s. It’s a great facility, with some decent asphalt, challenging corners, and not much to hit if you mess up. No doubt that tracking a car is hard on all of the mechanicals, but most cars drive home under their own steam. Definitely accelerates wear on all of the drive train components, brakes, tires wheel bearings and suspension. But man, very little compares to having a perfect session. I’m a private pilot (who hasn’t flown for decades for various reasons). Tracking is the next best thing, and flying is the only thing that comes close to he feeling. Glad the breakdown did not spoil it for you. Hope to see you out there sometime! LMBmikeZ likes this.

08-22-2019, 04:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZCanadian A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Canada Posts: 1,032 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 58796	For anyone who is thinking about trying the track for the first time, Grand Bend has laid it out in simple terms in a small 2-page blurb about what happens, HERE It's an amazing experience, to drive your car to the max without worrying about pedestrians or traffic, on a track with plenty of challenges designed into its layout. More mentally taxing than you might believe, and very satisfying. Also, quite safe thanks to the simple rules related to passing and flagging. Probably safer than you are on the street, for the most part.

10-22-2019, 11:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
ZCanadian A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Canada Posts: 1,032 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 58796	Harry's lap timer from a year ago, and a then only using 1Hz GPS (speeds are all understated due to lag) on the short technical track last year. I should really do one from this year and the new GPS... FL 4Motion, LMBmikeZ, alcheng and 1 others like this.

10-24-2019, 06:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
runwhatyabrng Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ottawa Posts: 67 Drives: 2011 370Z 6Mt Rep Power: 10	Nice, I should try to go down once with my track tires next year. My brother lives close enough (Strathroy) that I could make it a few days there LMBmikeZ and ZCanadian like this.

05-21-2020, 11:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
ZCanadian A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Canada Posts: 1,032 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 58796	Grand Bend ran their first open lapping night of the season last night. Remarkably, unlike another local track which will be remain nameless but goes by the nickname of "Thunderdome", there were no on-track incidents or fist fights in the pits!!! Next one Wednesday June 10. If anyone is coming, be sure to make the drivers' meeting at 4:30. It's for everyone's safety, and just holds everyone up if you're late. I know of at least one 370Z that will be there!

05-21-2020, 09:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
geeteezee Base Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Ontario Posts: 191 Drives: 19 370z Heritage EAC Rep Power: 3360	Haha, was just reading about the fun at Toronto Motorsport Park. https://www.thedrive.com/news/33607/...s-punches-fire __________________

05-22-2020, 04:06 PM	#15 (permalink)
alcheng A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 28,893 Drives: 2011 ZR PW w/Clutch Rep Power: 418352	as a Chinese myself...

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