I drove down to Laguna Seca on Friday afternoon. The weather was beautiful. The weather forecast was 20% chance of showers by 3 PM race day. My tires work in the rain vs the slick race tires of others. At 7:30 Saturday morning it was now a 10% chance by 5 PM. Rain all day Easter Sunday.

At 8 AM I was at the track and wondering where it had gone. The fog was so thick I could only see perhaps 20-30 feet. Then it started to rain. Some forecast. :rolleyes:

Rain we can deal with fog not so much. When one flagger can not see the next they close the track with a black flag.

The fog would roll in thick then pull back, where the track was reopened. Then when the fog came back, close it up again.

Here is my first bit of the day. it does get better. More to come.

Leguna Seca: Black flagged for Fog - YouTube

:tup: weird day eh?! so...how many cars participated?
Tam: 27
BC:33
Jar: 69

22 is all.

There were 14 starting cars, that got a 5 minute head start, then they turned the Advanced drivers loose followed by the race team. They called it "Run hare, run". Basicly, they had 40 minutes to make up 2-3 laps. considering one of the 911's could lay down a 1:37.3, it was not out of the question. What happened was that it started raining again, some times on one side of the track while it was sunny elsewhere. Race team guys hate the wet with their racing slicks, so they left early. Most folks dropped out, and it was weird running on what seemed a private track. I went probably 10 or more minutes without ever seeing another car nearby. In the end only three cars finished. The three lead cars I might add.

45 minutes of Laguna Seca - YouTube

:tup:dayum. Mt. Tam wins. Again. :shakes head: ;)

I didn't get a forecast, so I'm calling the results void due to weather :icon17:

Thanks for the vids :tiphat:

:tup: watched some of the video! So excited to hear you accelerate and watch you shift:tup: does it get boring when there isn't anybody else around you on the track? Omg! Less than a month and I'll be on a track! Holy sh1t batman :tup: :driving: :happydance:

Does it get boring when there isn't anybody else around you on the track?

I'd of stayed till I ran out of gas. What was exciting was to be able to focus more on the track and less on the mirrors.

RE: Nelsons Lodge. Be well rested, stay hydrated, eat even if you don't feel like eating. Do you have an instructor lined up? It's been hard for me, to get much info on the track. It looks like turn 7* (the hair pin before the start/finish line) is a good one for picking up your apex with your eyes, then your hands will correctly steer right to it like magic, giving you a fast exit down the straight.

Edit: You need to keep your gas tank full because before half a tank you will get to experience fuel starvation first hand. Most of the the track is right turns including a 270 degree right which will certainly set it off. A full tank between sessions will cure it. You might get away with two, then top off. Bring a credit card for gas or your own in cans. I do the less macho of the two.

If you want to ask me anything please do. You can even call me.

I am so excited for you.

* I'm guessing at it's number actually

:hello: :tiphat: thanks Tam. I have read about the fuel starvation issues but wasn't sure if I would need to bother with it since this is just a "fun" track day...no idea on instructors. I am planning on looking into pre-registration etc this week. I joined the Miami Valley SPorts Car CLub out of Xenia (Ohio) and there are several of them going. Most of them are veteran auto crossers and fun days so they have offered to help me too. I am printing your post so I can look at it with the track layout and study up. :excited:
Being able to watch other cars AND do well on the track with my driving wil be my challenge. Especially since I know I am going to be nervous.nervous just motoring the Z back and forth to work:tup:

Keep the tank full. It is the best we can do. Yes it is added weight but the price we pay for a cheaper car.

What I was calling turn 7 is called turn 13.
I found this finally. Nelson Ledges Road Course video and animated track map. I've watched without sound. Watch it over and over. Learn the line and that is half the battle.

To combat nervousness, just let every body behind you by, then you will be less self conscious. Soon thereafter you will be passing cars, and off to the races.

I tried, without luck, looking up the Porsche club to see if they have a turn by turn analysis. Maybe try the BMW, Audi etc. clubs.

:tup: :driving: :happydance:
registered just now.
Printed out all the pertinent details driving and track rules etc... started a folder to keep it all together. I wish they had a static map posted so that I could look at it. Oh well...
:woot: thanks for all the support Tam!

The best of Laguna Seca was 1:30 in the afternoon. It was only 59 degrees but sunny and dry. I failed to record the session. Here is another around 3PM

370Z Leguna Seca: It is dry finally! 3/30/13 - YouTube

I warped my rotors and had hot spots that came off when turned. I used approximately 20 gallons of gas while driving 164 miles.

I missed a days work, a slot car night with the guys, a slot car race the same day, Two nights in a hotel another tank of gas there and back, not to mention the track fee for a 105 db day, and it was totally worth it.

:icon18: LOL! You are a fanatic! LOL Talk about focus on fun! :woot: I need to watch some more of your vids but should not while I am working... :(


I am already totaling up my costs in my head. :tup: I will not be happy with warped rotors :ugh2: If that happens will I be able to drive it 4 hours back home? :eek:

I am a fanatic without argument. Can you imagine how it was, when I was young and discovered girls.

RE: warped rotors: Nelsons Ledge track looks to me to have two heavy braking zones, after the straights. then it looks like plenty of time to air cool the brakes. Leguna Seca is a brake killer, no holds barred. New OEM rotors are cheap. I forget how much, even though I've bought two sets. My damage this time was $90 for turning the rotors. If you warp them you will feel the steering wheel vibrate under braking. It is no fun (annoying) but no big deal either regarding safety.

If ever your brake pedal feels soft, watch out. I had one warning and the next time the pedal went to the floor. I pumped the brake and it worked but this ended my 30 minute track session after only 20 minutes. I am not trying to scare you at all. Just be aware, and nothing can surprise you. The stock 370Z brakes took me through at least 5 track events, before I dealt with them. Four Sears Point days no problems. It was laguna Seca that nearly melted the stock pads. Also after your checkered flag, do not drive hard but actually use this last lap as a cool down and try not to use the brakes at all.

Do you plan on filming at all? Maybe borrow a camera. It is thrilling to relive your day. You can even learn what you did right or wrong.

All the best.

:tup: lol on girls!! Kinda like when i discovered boys. Or they discovered me ;)

I'm ok w all your info, forewarned is forearmed:tup: looks like i may be going alone...sigh. Hubby not too interested so i hope i dont have any mech issues.

:tup: yes-i am hoping to film but i need to figure out the case i need for my iphone...danegrey is local and he uses his phone for autocross. Not sure it is suitable for this but we'll see:tup:

Links to danegrey autocross runs while i rode along!! Soooo much fun!

"Thanks blackcherry,

take a look at these links

370Z Autocross Run #3 9-9-12 - YouTube


370Z Autocross run #1, 9-9-12 - YouTube

From the runs that you were in the car"

I'm sorry your husband is backing out. It makes the drive to and fro longer. You will not have any mech issues. It's a Datsun for gods sake.

David A Negrey uses a
Optrix XD Camera case

I am sure it is suitable. Ask to make sure.

That did look like fun. I may start auto crossing myself. I did it once. I loved it. It is all the standing around I can't tolerate.

Riding with Dave was a blast.
My very first ride was with the president of the club in his 300zx, wth Hankooks (?), hevily modded. He showed me where the emergency brake was and told me if I touched it he would break my hand! LOL! I was like :eek: and he took off. I was car sick afterwards, but what a blast!! over in 46 seconds or something crazy! exhilarating!
The standing around is for BSing and trash talking. surely you can do that ;) You talk to the camera, LOL!!

:tup: Danegrey sent me a link to what he has. It is Optrix. I ordered it last night along with some Adams products for my exhaust tips...have't heard back from the track registration peeps yet. thinking I may call them today.

and yeah-I KNOW it's a datsun...but mechanical things break. even the best ones! LOL! as long is it is not a boat I should be good to go! (boats always break when I am on them).

Car sickness: You can take dramamine, which makes you tired, or try ginger.

Yes I talk to my camera, but a few hours of it may get me committed. :rofl2:

One more bit I found: Nelson Ledges Road Course - Everything2.com This is not how I'd drive my first time at a track but this fellow has a ten year old perspective and things could be different. Finding info about this place is slow.

such nice stories :]

:iagree:

:tup: have dramamine already.
:bowrofl: you're funny. And ii never even heard of Nelson Ledges until lat year...not like Mid-Ohio or Kilkare, both of which i ave been to for drag race spectating :tup:

Yesterday driving home in the rain and fog I got stuck behind an Accura SUV. I had a chance to pass but I thought I'd be a good boy. Did I regret that decision. Eventually I got ready for another pass with the VDC off. Just at that point, he pulled over, I had a hard time laying down the power. I was trying to wave thanks while spinning my rear wheels in the wet (VDC off). I get it under control, start to accelerate when out of the fog were two cars moving at 10 MPH or less. It startled me as I broke hard. Half a mile later these two cars pulled over and now the fog was so thick I drove by rote.

Not the best drive home but with the VDC off it made for very aware driving.

Life is wonderful, still raining but wonderful.

Comment later. ^^^^^ tired.

Driving home yesterday was another be careful the CHP motorcycles are out in pairs. So I made sure to accelerate where they can not hide and wait for me, and slow a bit where they could be waiting. I took the whole drive in third gear, where i would normally be in second. I had a 90% good cruise (all alone) home. I only panicked myself when once again in the same place I thought I'd be arrested before, I was creeping up on my speed. I just can not adjust to this new slower limit.

This morning was better. No thought of CHP and nobody in my way. I managed a new personal best around a turn that I am slowly but surely going faster around. Failure means off a cliff. It is sunny and 60 degrees. I had the road to myself until the very last turn and heck, I'll take this drive any day.

Ten minutes later, I noticed ten or five pairs of CHP motorcycles riding together. I'm glad it was later.

Most unusual car sighting of the day was a three wheeled Morgan.

I just wrote a novel and it self deleted. Rats.

:tup: sorry so late in commenting. Your comment about being startled is how i feel most of the time driving mine. Always , in the back of my mind i'm expecting something to startle me. Hyper awareness hard to maintain:shakes head:

:shakes head: i seem to have misplaced all of my courage and skill gained last summer. Cannot burn tires. Cannot chirp from 1st to 2nd. Cannot butt wiggle. No courage to even try. No VDC off and Z has been on the road at least 10 times in past couple of weeks. :wtf: tired. Sorry for rant.

Glad you had a good drive :tup:be careful though. Off a cliff is a high price.


:iagree: rats. ;)

Sorry about your courage. Burning tires etc is not where it is at for me anyway. Butt wiggling is great to be able to deal with mid turn, but not what I seek.

:tup:It's more about control and having it. If I can butt wiggle and burn tires at will I know my limits...if I can't. I don't. Bottom line.

I just got a message stating that my club will add another Laguna Seca event in May. somebody cancelled their event and we got it. If I do both, and I will, the two events are a package deal now. :D

I am off to the slot car Can Am's today. I hope on taking second.

What?! :ugh2:

Have a video i want to upload to youtube but it seems to get stuck at 6% ...what am i doing wrong? .mov file, 8+ minutes, no added music etc.

:eek: where are you?
I have Qs:tup:

1-track tire pressure?
2-do i really need to change brake fluid and bleed!?
3-how do i check my brake pad thickness?
4-how much is "enough"? And am i going to have to replace them immediately after?!
Feeling a bit panicky and overwhelmed! :icon14:
What else?!

How bad is this going to beat my Z up?!

Just drag it to upload. I can not imagine what is wrong. I want to see it too.

1) bring a gauge. Keep them at 35 psi or whatever is recommended

2) No but it can only extend the track time before it boils. I went to Sears Point at least 4 times with a stock set up before i changed my brakes at all.

3) I hire this done. Ask another for certainty, but I think you remove the wheel to inspect the pads visually. You might be able to use a mirror though.

4) Your track looks like you will have one big brake zone followed by a cooling down of the brakes via slight use. I think you will be fine all the way around. Go a little slower,down shift, and coast a bit into your big braking zones and they ought to hold up without worry.

Your Z will not be beat up so badly really. With 11 track events on mine, people still ask if it is new. I did put on an acrylic wax that seems to have helped with the tire rubber come off the hood.

Ask me anything

Good luck

:tup: i'll try again this weekend.
:tup: Thank you!! I am sure there will be more as time gets closer:tup: :driving: :happydance: :eek:

:hello: hey Tam! Driving the Z to work tomorrow. :woot:

Track q: insurance? My ins. company said all is well as long as i am on track alone. As soon as other cars join me my insurance is questionable to none (racing).
:eek: need info!

I did it my first time for $225 ish. It gave me peace of mind out in the rain, but never since have I purchased insurance.

In general I would say, Insure that which you can not lose.

:tup: my car is still in hock because we got it at 0 %...I know. Hubby pays the bills...

anyways....thanks for the information! ;)

I know how it is. I've got his job on this end as well.

Let me restate. I make the money. He writes the checks! ;) collaboration and role reversal ...he brought the cash before. My turn!

Glad I reread older posts. Dramamine!!
Studying up on track layout. Practicing apex and turns on commute :tup:
Need to prep phone / camera make sure I have storage. And adjust the optic mount..."static" in video us actually chatter from mount on windshield!
Thx so much for the support Tam!