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Leguna Seca
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I joined CFRA, a regional club that rents tracks and divides up the cost with other members. Recently I went to an event at Leguna Seca. Five 30 minute sessions. As this was my second event I am running with the beginner group. Turns out that only six beginners were in the group and the rest were advanced who could not get in to the sold out A group. I had two sessions with a mentor, someone who could give me tips, then three on my own. I get black flagged on my first lone run.
The 370z may not be the perfect LS car but I'm going back on Memorial Day for another go with new brake pads. I was using the stock brake pads and will not recommend them. I warped my rotors with heat and was worried the entire time I'd end up with brake fade. So I back off the gas early and coast into the turns. The fellow in the 240Z was in the R- racing group, who paid and drove in all three groups all day long. The cars were impressive. An Audi R8 V10 and a Mc Laren MP4 12C both still had paper plates. The Ariel Atom was driven miles on the public road to get to Leguns Seca, by the female that owns it. Nissan 370Z at Leguna Seca : CFRA. Black Flagged!!! - YouTube . |
Sweet looking pics. Sounds like you had a great time. I believe it would be a fun experience.
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man, i wish i lived close to some of these tracks. awesome pics, OP! thanks for sharing :tup:
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Where I live we have MSR Houston which is suppose to be pretty effen cool. You see a lot of high end cars there.
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looked like fun nice pics. :tup:
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LS
Here are a few shots of my car while driving.
Nissan 370Z Forum - Mt Tam I am's Album: Leguna Seca In pictures 8 & 9, look at how the chin spoiler differs in height from right to left. |
Looks like fun
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It's funny, I was watching your video and knew every turn that was coming even though I've never been on that track. I played way too much Gran Turismo when I was younger... I feel like once I got the feel or my car on the track I could drive it very well since I've been around that track no less than 1000 times :)
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Love the photos. Especially the ones going downhill. That section kills me on Forza. I must drive this track in real life before I die!
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Jealous man. Looks like a great time
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Ended up watching the whole video! Must have been an amazing experience. And not too bad for only second event! Are you running stock brake fluid?
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I am running stock dot 3 brake fluid at the moment. I will upgrade to Dot 4 and CT XP8 pads before my next track event. I consider myself lucky (for many reasons) to have rotors still. |
Great pics and vid, thanks for sharing. I'm amped for our first track day of the season now, but it's a few months out :(
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What other comments do you have on the Z's performance at that track? Did your suspension setup serve well? |
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The 370Z had a lot of grunt to go up hill and catch up to some others. Without an oil cooler you'd be out quickly. With one, I went without a problem. My suspension served me very well. I always felt in control. I never pushed as hard as the car could go around a turn. The tires never sang. I worked on looking at the flaggers, before I looked down the track. By re-watching my own video, I know I want to be in third gear in the cork screw, jump into fourth gear between turns four and seven when possible and grab second on the last turn before the main straight. I also know the Z can do what many cars can not do at Laguna Seca. It can double apex the "Andretti Hairpin", turn two. I tried it towards the end of the day. Only the maneuverable cars like the Miata and Lotus seemed to do it. The Z has some trouble at Laguna Seca vs the very powerful cars like the Corvette, Mustang GT500, M3's and GT3's, which are prevalent. With that said When one of these cars passed me, I could keep up briefly with power, unlike the Miatas. I think the Z may be better suited for Sears Point but until I step up to a dedicated track car, the Z will attend me at each track. |
Man, I am so jealous. That is my favorite race track. I was out in San Jose for a wedding last year. I drove south to check it out in person. I wish I could put my Z out on it. Congratulations, bud :D
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You need to be in 4th before turn 5. Turn 1 can be taken flatout
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Sounds great - Awesome track review man!
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Thank you. I tried several things while I was there and filmed 3 other sessions as well. So I have observations not present to every one. You are both correct with your observations. If I leave it in third too long I often saw the rev warning light flash, set at 7000 rpm. I've decided it is worth shifting into fourth between turns 4 and 7, four times, even if only for a moment. Stop hitting second going into the corkscrew as it screws me up moments later. I do not need the torque as seems natural, but facing straight down hill, gravity works fine to accelerate the Z here. |
I havent been to laguna seca in 6 years, but there are definitely spots where you can go much harder at. I know you had stock pads and I am not sure what tires you have, but the turn before rahal should only require a lift and turn in. also I didnt hear much tire squeal, you definitely left some on the table
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Overall I think you did great for your first time man, keep it up and post more vids!
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The whole time watching you, I kept thinking, "He can be much more aggressive". Both with steering, and throttle. I didnt get a chance to watch the whole thing yesterday, I'll try to tonight again. How did you feel about the car's performance? Being your first time out, did you feel there was more than enough power/handling to keep you challenged for more sessions in the future? I only ask this so that future over-modders read this and understand, they can take the car out as-is for their first times and be perfectly fine ;) |
Stock cars are fine, I would just do the brake pads and fluids as a precaution, everything is just a bonus. unless you are on slicks, the tires should be screaming, thats one of the signs of how hard the car is being pushed
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