First Track Day-Motorsports Ranch Cresson TX
 

Took my 2011 Nismo on the track for the first time this weekend. It has the AEM cold air intake, a fluidyne oil cooler, Hawk xp+ pads and RTF brake fluid.

I did not notice any issues at all with braking but was not braking as late as I do in my 911 (and probably won't until I build up some confidence). The brakes have good bite and even after 5 sessions on track in 100 degree plus weather here in Texas, I never experienced any brake fade at all or anything that felt like "ice mode" as I have heard it described.

The first two sessions I had VDC on and did not like it much. The rest of the sessions were VDC off. It was a little bit faster and a lot more fun without it. If I ever run with VDC on again, its because I forgot to turn it off.

Oil temp was around 240-250 even with the oil cooler. I think we are going to rework the cooler a bit and try to get that down.

I can confirm that there is a problem with fuel starvation below 1/2 tank. We were running clockwise and it began cutting out after three consecutive right hand turns and died completely the next time around at the same point. I coasted off line, got it started and quit the session early. I'm guessing this is a design flaw with no easy fix but to add a pickup on the right side of the tank.

I was very pleased with the way the car handled (with VDC off) and the acceleration out of the turns. I think it will give the Carreras and Caymans a run for their money with just a little suspension work and a better setup.

I hope to take it to Eagle's Canyon this weekend and maybe run a sqaure setup to eliminate the understeer which was noticeable on abrupt turn-ins.

Be careful as you explore the limits of your brakes. If you hit ice mode it wont be pretty if you are aggressive.

The Nismo is more than capable of chasing down Cayman S and 911's. I was even passing GT3's in my car. Granted I have $8000 set of coilovers and fat Hoosiers.

Good advice. I take it you have had ice mode issues? Have you found a solution.

What about the fuel starvation issue?....with those sticky tires and higher G force, I would think it would be worse.

here is a cheap fix, keep the tank full....

How are you handling the GT3's? They have an almost 300lb weight advantage, better cooling and brakes, and 425bHp... especially if they are running wider Hoosiers than the Nismo? I had a hell of a time keeping up!!

It all depends who is driving. I have passed and been passed by GT3s before, but I wouldn't dare to think my car is faster.

Second Track Day
 

Took the Nismo out for a second track day. This time I went to MSR Houston for their Charity Race day and got 5 sessions on the track for $150.

For two of the sessions, it was raining and there was standing water on the track. Although I said I would never use VDC on the track again, I chickened out and used it on those two sessions.

There was a spec Miata race going on between our sessions and it was very entertaining watching those guys spin out (no one brought their rain tires). At one point, I think half the cars in the field were off track at the same time. That may have influenced my decision to use VDC.

I did one session at the end of the day with some water on the track with VDC off and it was not bad at all. For the other two sessions, the track was completely dry and very fast. My best lap time on the 2.38 mile track was 2:05.

The fluidyne oil cooler which I thought was marginal on my first track day
(240-250c oil temp at 100 degrees ambient temperature) was great this time (220c max oil temp at 90 degrees ambient).

Still no "ice mode" problem with the brakes although I am still not braking as late as I would if that was possibility was not a consideration.

I kept the fuel above 1/2 tank and had no starvation issues but did have two instances of unexplained hesitation in accelerating out of a turn. I am going to collect some data on my next track day to try to understand what that is.

All and all, I am very pleased with the performance of the car on the track and looking forward to the next track day (Texas World Speedway at College Station this Friday if all goes well).

The Spec Miata guys are nutty. While some are great drivers, but some are just dumbasses. They treat their race car like a used toilet paper, no respect at all.

I wouldn't say they have no respect for the car... They're just willing to push much harder! 1.8L engine, roadster chassis, and it's cheap to replace... How could you NOT push it to the limit any chance you had?

Let's just say they won't be able to do the same thing driving a more expensive or faster car. It's fine to push the limit, it's another if you are spinning 3 or 4 times per 20 minute race.