Race School day two.

Mt Tam I am · 09-21-2011, 11:56 PM

I attended Jim Russell School of Racing* yesterday and took Performance Driving Two. One month to the day I took the first class PD1 (Race school day.). 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

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