Race School day two.
 

I attended Jim Russell School of Racing* yesterday and took Performance Driving Two. One month to the day I took the first class PD1 (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...chool-day.html). I could not stop thinking about it for a week so I signed up for class two and waited like it was Christmas. In the mean time I bought an HD camera to film the event.

The day finally arrived. I showed up early and gassed up with 96 octane, because I could, and signed in. Instead of twelve students their were three myself included driving: a Mustang 2011 California Special with a claimed 500HP, and a bone stock 2007 911/997 cabriolet, and my Z. With a rehash of last months class room on vehicle dynamics we were off to do turn practice.

We drove down to turn 11 and went round it for half an hour with a review and critique after each pass. The Mustang guy had a lot of problems. Then back to the class room for a track familiarity of turn numbers etc.

Our first track session followed with all three of us taking turns driving directly behind the instructor then falling to the back in a leap frog fashion.

Our next session was different, just me and another instructor, Paul, because I was ready to go a little faster while the other two stayed with the first instructor. After one lap Paul needed to adjust or find something as he spent a minute or two looking/doing something then off we went again.

Then off to our provided lunch. Not bad either. I took this time to refill the tank. Last time the gas sloshed around and the power dipped, but not today if I can help it.

The day had reached 97 degrees by now and with the A/C on I had my oil cooler working harder than ever. It maxed out at 260*F. but never over. If you do not have an oil cooler do not bother going to Sears Point. It offers a technically challenging course. I never saw fifth gear, mostly third and fourth.

The Porsche driver now came over for our last two sessions, and the Mustang driver never did join us again.

On the last session the instructor surprisingly called out for me to lead. Following the leader is easy, setting the pace is tougher. I re-watched the video to see what I did. I came right off the racing line and tried to get back on it. On turn three you launch off and come down where you can not see. I missed the apex by the exact amount I missed the track by. It happened so fast. I would love to know what my facial expression looked like. It is good to know how well the Z does off road. All day we heard the stories of cars going off track and if their tires hit the pavement again they hook up and the car goes in whatever direction the tires are now pointed. With that in mind I steered into the grass a little then back towards the track again. Because my hands were at 9 and 3 I knew where straight was. When the tires hooked up I was back in control with no damage. Ego deflated, but no adrenalin rush to screw with the rest of my track time.

I must admit PD1 was a better match for me. I discovered I like autocross more than the track, although the track is great fun. It has to be at 8.1 MPG.

I filmed the entire ride:

Part 1 Jim Russell Race School class Performance Driving Two Part 1 of 5 - YouTube

Part 2 370Z at Jim Russell Race School class Performance Driving Two Part 2 of 5 - YouTube

Part 3 370Z at Jim Russell Race School class Performance Driving Two Part 3 of 5 - YouTube

Part 4 370Z at Jim Russell Race School class Performance Driving Two Part 4 of 5 - YouTube

Part 5 370Z at Jim Russell Race School class Performance Driving Two Part 5 of 5 - YouTube

* Changing its name to Simracing

^awesome!!

Great write-up Tam! Thanks for taking the time to share the experience with us. :tup:

I'm glad you had an awesome time, and look forward to your next exploits.

Just checked-out video five with your "off road excursion". It wasn't anywhere near as bad as what you led on. I was expecting a 100 mph, gravel slinging power slide coming within inches of a concrete barrier! Great job driving.

It takes some real character to post a video of a mistake for everyone to see. From the videos, it looks like you had an awesome time! Thanks for carrying the Z banner proudly against the Mustang and Porsche crowd.

I'd call that a good 3 wheels off, luckily you still had 1 wheel on the curbing to help pull you back in. The wall gets close fast doesn't it? :)

I'm not a big fan of the lead/follow and that is one of the reasons why. It is pretty easy to shadow another person's car, following their line and speed, but while doing that you aren't really consciously picking up any references as far as brake markers, turn-in points etc. Having an instructor sit besides you is generally more productive, and each student is free to learn at their own pace.

I'm glad you had a good time though, looks like it was a good experience overall.

MT Tam,

That is an excellent write up. I will spend the time to watch the videos tonight. You have inspired me to do this, too. It has been 20+ years since I attended the Bondurant School at Sears Point. I think it's past time for refresher training.

500hp mustang lol

Thanks for posting those vids, it's interesting to listen to the commentary in them. I'm planning to post up whatever video I can from my upcoming class as well, figure it will be helpful for all of us the more of us post up this stuff.

Sorry for leading you on. It was eye opening!

Regarding posting a mistake:
How would we learn from another's mistake if we hid the bad. Heck, I had to go back and watch the clip to see what I did wrong. I thought all four wheels came off, when clearly they did not. Even the error has helped me realize how much I still need to learn. So I will. If anyone here makes the same mistake, you can't say you weren't warned.

The worst part was I saw on the video where I knew I should be, and yet I was late and wide right off the bat then too early. I simply needed to go slower and drive the line properly and forget about going fast.

I will ask about a private lesson with an instructor in the car.

I concur. 20 years ago you didn't have such a capable car as the 370. I think you owe it yourself. That is what I told myself.

Watch the video and learn the racing line. I will do the same. Clearly I need a little more. I will go back for sure if they come up with PD3 class as they said they would.


To everyone who read or watched the videos, Thank you very much.

Looks like fun! :tup:


Poor idiot in the mustang probably almost died trying to keep up running Nero's :bowrofl:

I think you're probably ready for a HPDE session. With HPDE you wont get quite as much track time, probably 4 20-30 minute sessions, but you will have an instructor available to you for all the sessions. If the instructor thinks you are driving well enough he can cut you loose at his option.

The downside is that there will be more cars on track, but they will all be students and probably not driving that fast. There will be passing (probably not for the first couple of laps) but it will be controlled point-by style.

Look for BMWCCA or Audi HPDE events in your area on motorsportreg.com. As a plus it will be considerably cheaper.

That looks like an awesome time! I'm really thinking of doing something like this myself but would need to get the car track ready first.

My wife would be in heaven with all the R8's.

Looks like so much fun! Nice vids, just finished the second one.