Mt Tam I am's Driving Journal

Mt Tam I am · 10-22-2014, 11:36 AM

On Monday I was at Thunderhill, TH, and the new five mile track. This is the three mile track, 15 turns, plus two new miles and 13 new turns. I've done the 3 mile 3 times before twice in the wet. Today it was to rain again. I hear rain is very rare and when I mention rain at TH, everyone looks at me and says:

"The last time I was at TH, it was 108 degrees, and I've never heard of rain there." Just lucky I guess.

We did 3 recon laps at low speed then had at it. The Z06 ahead of me gave me fits at Sonoma last month so I hope he will let me bye eventually. He does so in an unorthodox manner.

I had to make up my own driving line as nobody knew the track. The learning curve was a little slow due to the 5 mile distance. instead of being back to the same turn in 2 minutes, is now 4 minutes, so up to 6 laps, before they haul us off the track. A bunch of cars went off track and brought dirt and debris back onto the road with them, with a bit of rain you had mud.

I too had a moment of excitement. I hunted down an Audi R8 then realized two things, 1) I'm not passing him and 2) it is raining too much so back off with these R888's. 10 seconds later at a left kink I must have give a touch of gas as the cars rear stepped out right a tiny bit, I corrected and the car now slid as if on ice back left towards an embankment. As I left the track I was thinking I guess I won't be driving home after all. The car put two wheels off grabbed enough to go straight and a tiny bit of right input put me right back on track. I only lost a few feet over the Audi! My thinking changed quickly from destruction to concern over being black flagged for an off. I did this right in front of a flagger. At the next flag station they were waving the checker to tell you the main checker has been thrown and get off the track before you make another 5 mile cool down lap and have another group come up on you. No penalty.

My best time was 4:00.075.

I have run out of time to write.

First session:
First time Thunderhill 5 mile in a Nissan 370Z with bonus rain - YouTube

Mt Tam I am · 10-23-2014, 10:33 AM

I forgot to mention fuel starvation. I would fill up and within 15 minutes fuel starvation kicked in. I had 15 and I thought I saw 16 dots, not positive, and the throttle cut out. I checked to make sure it was not VDC on and realized the back half of the new track is very tight and lot's of right handers. After two gallons used it starts. I used 4.3 gal per 30 minutes so that is how I determined the math.

It is now time to look for a solution for fuel starvation.

1/2 lap at Thunderhill in a 370Z - YouTube Before camera died.

JARblue · 10-23-2014, 10:35 AM

Time to call phunk

MightyBobo · 11-12-2014, 12:24 AM

Got to do VIR Grand Course, today. 4.1 miles. Same one that C&D uses for their Lightning Lap.

Sadly, my GoPro got screwed up until my very last session, but that was probably my fastest anyway. Bonus: I got to do some landscaping, briefly! Video tomorrow.

MightyBobo · 11-12-2014, 03:02 PM

Unedited footage from my last session yesterday. VIR Grand Course is freaking awesome.

Off-track adventure at ~10:50.

Mt Tam I am · 11-25-2014, 09:21 AM

^^ You must be doing 140 MPH+. You handled the off very well.

I'm sure it was an awesome day.

onzedge · 11-25-2014, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

^^ You must be doing 140 MPH+. You handled the off very well.

I'm sure it was an awesome day.

Mt Tam I am · 11-25-2014, 10:03 AM

Sunday was my last HPDE for the year. I met Cossie1600 too. He had his MB 370Z with a tiny trailer for his slicks and assorted goodies. Very nice fellow too. I wanted to talk more but between the little lady and a friend involved in an accident, I had to much too do.

My day was one of disappointment. It was the first November event without rain and in a club of 20 years, no contact between cars ever. This record was not to be maintained.

The first session was curtailed by 20 minutes due to a GTR losing a wheel. It sheered off. No explanation.

The second session was cut in half by a two car accident.

The third session had a 996 GT3 spin and hit the wall out of T6. Then a Miata caught fire. So we lost another half session.

The fourth session was the only uneventful run all day. Fuel starvation hit me at the halfway mark so I really must correct this situation. In the moment my fun time was getting used up.

I still had one session left but the wife was upset by all the carnage and destruction. When I told her I plan to stay till the end she didn't say anything but she was disappointed in my decision. So I rethought the last session, packed up and left.

I need to get a new camera. My Contour has lost too many track sessions. Today I lost two to the green screen of death.

A club member brought his new car to the track. A McLaren P1.
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350Z crashes into Miata at Sonoma Raceway - YouTube Z crashes into Miata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQIyUmRGoRI Unedited
Sears Point #2 - YouTube Unedited

MightyBobo · 11-25-2014, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

^^ You must be doing 140 MPH+. You handled the off very well.

I'm sure it was an awesome day.

Yeah that straight is very very fast - I was right around 140. Miss your braking zone by even a few feet and off you're going. Very common to miss that one at VIR, so my "talk" with the crew was obviously not particularly bad.

MightyBobo · 11-25-2014, 12:10 PM

Looks like you had a lively HPDE there, Tam. Ive had some rough weekends where there were 1-2 wrecks, but a multi-car wreck is particularly bad...

Mt Tam I am · 11-25-2014, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Looks like you had a lively HPDE there, Tam. Ive had some rough weekends where there were 1-2 wrecks, but a multi-car wreck is particularly bad...

Indeed. The fellow that caused the crash is a polite driver who was pointing the other cars bye.

MightyBobo · 11-25-2014, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Indeed. The fellow that caused the crash is a polite driver who was pointing the other cars bye.

Woof.

So what caused the wreck? Just zigged when they should have zagged?

Mt Tam I am · 11-26-2014, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Woof.

So what caused the wreck? Just zigged when they should have zagged?

Not 100% on this but I suspect the 350Z was pointing and not looking at the surface he was on. All the marbles and junk gets thrown that way so he may have lost grip and put two wheels off or he was looking at the cars he was pointing bye.

With two wheels off he yanked (over corrected) at the steering wheel and spun, right into the Miata.

blackcherry20 · 11-26-2014, 12:58 PM

for allowing for your lady's comfort. I am sure it was much appreciated.

cossie1600 · 11-26-2014, 01:33 PM

Nice meeting you. You should have asked me about cameras. I had three with me. I did just sell my gopro 3 now I am left with my gopro 4 and contour roam

You guys had a really bad session, I couldn't believe the luck you guys were having. Our session got mellowed out after the crowd thinned out after lunch. Too many cars on track with different experience level is a disaster.

10-22-2014, 11:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3844	On Monday I was at Thunderhill, TH, and the new five mile track. This is the three mile track, 15 turns, plus two new miles and 13 new turns. I've done the 3 mile 3 times before twice in the wet. Today it was to rain again. I hear rain is very rare and when I mention rain at TH, everyone looks at me and says: "The last time I was at TH, it was 108 degrees, and I've never heard of rain there." Just lucky I guess. We did 3 recon laps at low speed then had at it. The Z06 ahead of me gave me fits at Sonoma last month so I hope he will let me bye eventually. He does so in an unorthodox manner. I had to make up my own driving line as nobody knew the track. The learning curve was a little slow due to the 5 mile distance. instead of being back to the same turn in 2 minutes, is now 4 minutes, so up to 6 laps, before they haul us off the track. A bunch of cars went off track and brought dirt and debris back onto the road with them, with a bit of rain you had mud. I too had a moment of excitement. I hunted down an Audi R8 then realized two things, 1) I'm not passing him and 2) it is raining too much so back off with these R888's. 10 seconds later at a left kink I must have give a touch of gas as the cars rear stepped out right a tiny bit, I corrected and the car now slid as if on ice back left towards an embankment. As I left the track I was thinking I guess I won't be driving home after all. The car put two wheels off grabbed enough to go straight and a tiny bit of right input put me right back on track. I only lost a few feet over the Audi! My thinking changed quickly from destruction to concern over being black flagged for an off. I did this right in front of a flagger. At the next flag station they were waving the checker to tell you the main checker has been thrown and get off the track before you make another 5 mile cool down lap and have another group come up on you. No penalty. My best time was 4:00.075. I have run out of time to write. First session: First time Thunderhill 5 mile in a Nissan 370Z with bonus rain - YouTube __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

10-23-2014, 10:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3844	I forgot to mention fuel starvation. I would fill up and within 15 minutes fuel starvation kicked in. I had 15 and I thought I saw 16 dots, not positive, and the throttle cut out. I checked to make sure it was not VDC on and realized the back half of the new track is very tight and lot's of right handers. After two gallons used it starts. I used 4.3 gal per 30 minutes so that is how I determined the math. It is now time to look for a solution for fuel starvation. 1/2 lap at Thunderhill in a 370Z - YouTube Before camera died. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber Last edited by Mt Tam I am; 10-23-2014 at 10:37 AM.

10-23-2014, 10:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	Time to call phunk __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

11-12-2014, 12:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 53	Got to do VIR Grand Course, today. 4.1 miles. Same one that C&D uses for their Lightning Lap. Sadly, my GoPro got screwed up until my very last session, but that was probably my fastest anyway. Bonus: I got to do some landscaping, briefly! Video tomorrow. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

11-12-2014, 03:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 53	Unedited footage from my last session yesterday. VIR Grand Course is freaking awesome. Off-track adventure at ~10:50. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

11-25-2014, 09:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3844	^^ You must be doing 140 MPH+. You handled the off very well. I'm sure it was an awesome day. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

11-25-2014, 10:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3844	Sunday was my last HPDE for the year. I met Cossie1600 too. He had his MB 370Z with a tiny trailer for his slicks and assorted goodies. Very nice fellow too. I wanted to talk more but between the little lady and a friend involved in an accident, I had to much too do. My day was one of disappointment. It was the first November event without rain and in a club of 20 years, no contact between cars ever. This record was not to be maintained. The first session was curtailed by 20 minutes due to a GTR losing a wheel. It sheered off. No explanation. The second session was cut in half by a two car accident. The third session had a 996 GT3 spin and hit the wall out of T6. Then a Miata caught fire. So we lost another half session. The fourth session was the only uneventful run all day. Fuel starvation hit me at the halfway mark so I really must correct this situation. In the moment my fun time was getting used up. I still had one session left but the wife was upset by all the carnage and destruction. When I told her I plan to stay till the end she didn't say anything but she was disappointed in my decision. So I rethought the last session, packed up and left. I need to get a new camera. My Contour has lost too many track sessions. Today I lost two to the green screen of death. A club member brought his new car to the track. A McLaren P1. 101_4922.jpg 101_4917.jpg 101_4921.jpg 101_4922.jpg 101_4941.JPG 101_4939.JPG 101_4917.jpg 101_4931.jpg 101_4927.jpg 101_4916.JPG 101_4915.jpg 101_4926.JPG 101_4938.jpg 101_4932.jpg 101_4933.JPG 101_4937.jpg 101_4929.jpg 350Z crashes into Miata at Sonoma Raceway - YouTube Z crashes into Miata https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQIyUmRGoRI Unedited Sears Point #2 - YouTube Unedited __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

11-25-2014, 12:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 53	Looks like you had a lively HPDE there, Tam. Ive had some rough weekends where there were 1-2 wrecks, but a multi-car wreck is particularly bad... __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

11-26-2014, 12:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
blackcherry20 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 22,749 Drives: ‘17 badazz Z51 Rep Power: 240460	for allowing for your lady's comfort. I am sure it was much appreciated. __________________ Grand Sport Corvette Arctic White

11-26-2014, 01:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 31	Nice meeting you. You should have asked me about cameras. I had three with me. I did just sell my gopro 3 now I am left with my gopro 4 and contour roam You guys had a really bad session, I couldn't believe the luck you guys were having. Our session got mellowed out after the crowd thinned out after lunch. Too many cars on track with different experience level is a disaster.

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