Up coming track days 2010?

FastJew · 02-01-2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oo7mech

Track Days!

I want to take my Z on the track some time soon. But I am a complete rookie when it comes to driving on a track. I can play the video games with the best of them, but going 140mph on a game is no where near as exciting/scary as real life.

What tracks near Dallas do yall go to? Texas Motorplex south Ft.Worth? TMS track days?

Other than high oil temperature and possible brake fading, what should I expect? Tips, warnings?

Would anyone want to get a Z group to have a track day?

Motor Sport Ranch is definately the best place to start. Not too technical and plenty of runoff room in most areas (I know sucks to think about, but hey it happens). If you start with a program such as thedriversedge then they will help you start out nice and slow and work your way up as your abilities increase. It can take you around 3-5 weekend sessions before they will let you drive solo.

Oil cooler is a must in our cars.
A higher temp brake fluid is recommended (aftermarket pads are a plus).
Must have a helmet (they provide some in limited qty's).

Other than that the Z is pretty track ready. Check out the racing section in this forum and you will find tons more info.

My best piece of advice is go slower than you think you should and LEAVE ON THE STABILITY CONTROL. Our cars are pretty forgiving and you won't find it intruding on your fun at all.

Vipor and 007mech - I will be at Eagles Canyon in September. Hope you both can make it. I was the only Z of any kind there last time swimming in a sea of miatas and evos.

vipor · 02-01-2010, 10:30 PM

Good advice on MSR thanks

I was questioning leaving the VDC on or not but I think it will be smart to leave it on at first. The openness of the track is one thing that has put me at ease this being my first HPDE and all.

I'll be trying my best to pay real good attention to the brakes so I can upgrade the pads and/or fluid my next time.

I've been assured by Rick (at The Driver's Edge) that they will have plenty of helmets. Plus I wear a Large FlexFit hat so I won't be in the majority, lol.

As far as ECR in Sept I can pretty much guarantee I'll be there. Ideally I'll have some more track time under my belt too, but at ~$300 for the weekend plus a hotel (not as necessary for ECR) and all of the other crap involved I may not be able to get much. Might want to get CAI's, LTH's, or a Cobb heh instead

vipor · 02-01-2010, 10:31 PM

The temp gauge is pretty much impossible to not get in view of the camera. I won't even have to worry about it until afterward.

oo7mech · 02-02-2010, 11:10 PM

Well i think we will believe you if you tell us it stayed under 300 or not.

oo7mech · 02-08-2010, 11:13 PM

Hey Vipor, how did the track thing go?! Did i miss your update, photos or video?

vipor · 02-09-2010, 09:13 AM

It was awesome. No official thread or anything, just talked some in the OG thread. 4 sessions per day and on Sunday it started raining after our first. I was actually able to get my fastest lap time (that was on video) when the track was partially wet. I felt like I adjusted my line a LOT faster than everyone else. I was surprised how well the Yoko's gripped (once they were warm), even in the rain.

1:39 was my fastest lap that I was able to get on video. Put down a couple of those and a fair amount of 1:40s and some 1:42s.

Oil temps seemed to peak at 220 and I did see 225 for a short period once, but no higher.

My brakes were definitely getting hot at one point. Session 3 on Saturday I was getting a little pedal flutter but once I put down more than 30-40% pressure it was fine. No fade, probably just thinned fluid and hot pads. I'll be doing a fluid flush and upgrade before I go back to an event and probably get some slightly better pads.

oo7mech · 02-09-2010, 09:47 PM

man. Sounds fun and insightful. When are you going to post those videos and pics?

02-01-2010, 10:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	Good advice on MSR thanks I was questioning leaving the VDC on or not but I think it will be smart to leave it on at first. The openness of the track is one thing that has put me at ease this being my first HPDE and all. I'll be trying my best to pay real good attention to the brakes so I can upgrade the pads and/or fluid my next time. I've been assured by Rick (at The Driver's Edge) that they will have plenty of helmets. Plus I wear a Large FlexFit hat so I won't be in the majority, lol. As far as ECR in Sept I can pretty much guarantee I'll be there. Ideally I'll have some more track time under my belt too, but at ~$300 for the weekend plus a hotel (not as necessary for ECR) and all of the other crap involved I may not be able to get much. Might want to get CAI's, LTH's, or a Cobb heh instead __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

02-01-2010, 10:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	The temp gauge is pretty much impossible to not get in view of the camera. I won't even have to worry about it until afterward. __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

02-02-2010, 11:10 PM	#19 (permalink)
oo7mech Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Allen TX Posts: 328 Drives: White 370z Sport 7AT Rep Power: 15	Well i think we will believe you if you tell us it stayed under 300 or not. __________________ PW Sport 370Z 7spd AT\|\|Stock Intake (shopping)\|\|Stock exhaust (shopping)\|\|Berk HFC\|\|Stock Headlights\|\|19"inch Ray Wheels Click and Jiggle Action Crossfit = No Quitters

02-08-2010, 11:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
oo7mech Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Allen TX Posts: 328 Drives: White 370z Sport 7AT Rep Power: 15	Hey Vipor, how did the track thing go?! Did i miss your update, photos or video? __________________ PW Sport 370Z 7spd AT\|\|Stock Intake (shopping)\|\|Stock exhaust (shopping)\|\|Berk HFC\|\|Stock Headlights\|\|19"inch Ray Wheels Click and Jiggle Action Crossfit = No Quitters

02-09-2010, 09:13 AM	#21 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	It was awesome. No official thread or anything, just talked some in the OG thread. 4 sessions per day and on Sunday it started raining after our first. I was actually able to get my fastest lap time (that was on video) when the track was partially wet. I felt like I adjusted my line a LOT faster than everyone else. I was surprised how well the Yoko's gripped (once they were warm), even in the rain. 1:39 was my fastest lap that I was able to get on video. Put down a couple of those and a fair amount of 1:40s and some 1:42s. Oil temps seemed to peak at 220 and I did see 225 for a short period once, but no higher. My brakes were definitely getting hot at one point. Session 3 on Saturday I was getting a little pedal flutter but once I put down more than 30-40% pressure it was fine. No fade, probably just thinned fluid and hot pads. I'll be doing a fluid flush and upgrade before I go back to an event and probably get some slightly better pads. __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

02-09-2010, 09:47 PM	#22 (permalink)
oo7mech Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Allen TX Posts: 328 Drives: White 370z Sport 7AT Rep Power: 15	man. Sounds fun and insightful. When are you going to post those videos and pics? __________________ PW Sport 370Z 7spd AT\|\|Stock Intake (shopping)\|\|Stock exhaust (shopping)\|\|Berk HFC\|\|Stock Headlights\|\|19"inch Ray Wheels Click and Jiggle Action Crossfit = No Quitters