Yeah, I've seen lots of youtube clips where guys stay way out on that corner and late apex... that's the safe line for sure... the formula car in the vid was hitting a mid-corner apex and rolling out full track, which is frankly not the safest line... but that's the great thing about racing - it's up to us to determine how much risk we want to take...

Hey import, do you have any vids of your run? Would be helpful to take a look. Thanks.

No vids of Firebird main. Sorry.

Brake Issues on Track Day
 

The ABS program has been an issue for other 350Z's as well for those that track there Z. I am not sure how to remedy the situation. Some have pulled the ABS and installed a true race brake system.

im going to autocross for the first time in about 2 weeks, kinda nervous lol

Location/Event: 20-March @ Firebird International Raceway - West Track... NASA AZ event... ~75F... "Big Bore" Time Trial / Race group
Recent mods: Full cage and a/c delete
Wheels & Tires: Forgestars + Hoosier R6
Sponsors: Lou Fusz Nissan, Redline Motorsports, Forged Performance

I am gaining time at this track. Previously, my best time was just under 1:08. Last week I ran in high 1:04s. Yesterday I ran in the low 1:04s. The fastest times were in the morning sessions and unfortunately I didn't get very many 'clean' laps. I think I could have been in the 1:03s with an ideal lap.

I was third among 6-7 for my group, behind Tage Evanson (Honda) at 0:59.5 and also the NASA chief driving instructor (Corvette) at 1:03.5. I have some plans to help close some of the gap but I think Tage's new course record will stand for a long time to come! It is a full 2 secs faster than his old course record, and faster than any of the classes above "TTS".

Mechanical issues: you will see fuel starvation kick in at 1:40 ish of video... also brake temps continue to be an issue, according to the new temp paint I'm using temps were over 560C... no ABS 'ice mode' fortunately... Hoosiers definitely prefer to be run at 38-40 hot - I tried lower pressures and that didn't work out... SRM was inop for this event, I think it would have saved time so need to get that fixed


VIDEO NOTE: wasn't able to get traqmate working properly yesterday, so vid only no traqmate overlay

Nice!

Are you having any brake fading issues? 560C is just over 1000F. Most good track duty brake pads are within range from 1600-2000F. I am no expert but 560C doesn't seem that bad...especially considering you are on R-comps.

Compared to the previous videos it looks to me that the Z seems a lot more nimble. I wish mine was as light as yours. Looks like a blast.

I'm no brake expert either but if the rotors are getting up near 600C, the pads must be hotter... Maybe Chris B from AP Racing can stop by and comment

Re weight... very "flickable" and controllable in oversteer... in addition to lower weight, the added chassis stiffness from cage has something to do with it... almost there on weight, but still need another 100+ lbs

sick video, I love all the videos you post, please keep doing this so I have something to watch late at night

Nice vids, Travis. I'm with you on the fuel starvation issue. I've been experiencing the same thing at the track and I'd still have a 1/3 of a tank left over before the engine cut out. I know it's not a huge problem unless you're racing, but constantly filling up is bugging me. I'm thinking about replacing parts of the fuel system like a walbro pump, 440cc injectors, and other parts. Problem is that I'm not very experienced with fuel starvation, but I'm familiar with fuel systems in general. I put a better fuel system in my old 2007 Impreza WRX STI, but that car never suffered from fuel starvation like this, so I'm not sure how much of a difference different parts will make...I dare not put a swirl pot or surge tank in my car (KABOOM), so I'm just not sure what to do.

BTW: Would you recommend the Hoosier R6s or are there other tires that would be good track/race tires

The Hoosier R6's are great for the track. Even better when you run NASA and participate in Hoosier's NASA contingency prog. When folks want to win a time trial, they often switch to A6's - those are usually good for a few laps until they soak up a lot of heat.

For just DE tires, I'm still a fan of the R888s. They will last through more heat cycles than the Hoosiers, I believe.

Looks and sounds mean!

Kuhmo V710's are a nice tire that is somewhere in-between the Hoosier A6 and the R6. Also is very durable heat cycle wise.

Thanks Travis

I love the toyo R888s, but I've never really tried Hoosiers. I'll try and slip some on my tire soon to see how I like em....

Sounds nice!