My 370 got sanded
 

This might be better in the track section but I went out to chuckwalla valley raceway again and was pushing it a lot more than last time. I actually reduced my lap times by 8 seconds. On the first session on the final lap I unfortunately lost it in a turn and went off the track.

Reviewing the video footage it looks like the rear started going out and i reacted in time for the initial counter-steer but stupidly stopped giving it gas so the car started gripping sooner than I expected so I was too slow in getting it back strait which caused it to veer off in the counter-steer direction.

My front right tire came off the rim and might be damaged. Right now I am on wifi at 'car spa' while I give my 370z the full treatment. An amazing amount of sand got in the car due to the windows having to be down on the track.

Here is a picture of my 370z in its sad state:

http://box.houkouonchi.jp//chuckwall...math-small.jpg

What sucks is i just cleaned/vacuumed it out for the track event today... Doh. Anyway on the spare (which I have to admit is pretty damn nice for a spare) until I can get someone to check it out on Monday.

There was some fluid that was leaking which I later found out to be the windshield sprayer. Soon later I got a windshield liquid low warning and I see cracks in the reservoir.

Definitely feel like an idiot after especially because I couldn't drive back to the pit and tied up the track for 15 minutes.

I don't mean to be rude, but it sounds like you're more concerned with your car's aesthetics rather than your on track performance.:twocents:

Well I feel bad that I dirtied my precious Z like that due to my inexperience on the track and thus have some regret. Overall I think I had a good experience and it helped me learn more about my car but I just don't like seeing my Z in that state. It just bugs me.

Fair enough. I was picky about the appearance of mine too. But if you make the effort to track your car, expect some damage. Whether it be mechanical or aesthetic.

Man...you have reason to be bummed about getting the interior of your car trashed. Whether it's a dedicated track car or not...you should still take care of your things. It's nice to see that people take care of their things...especially on something as expensive as a car.

It's a tough interior, it can take some sand. We have sand here, others have walls, grass, and mud. Your lesson hits home because of the dirt, fortunately DIRT DON'T HURT!

Have your rims checked for trueness and repaired at WRS if there's ANY wobble after you get tires on (tire guys can even spin and feel for bends).

EDIT: post that video so we can point and laugh-- I mean help you learn!

I remember my first off :p (only in July, lulz) anyways, how did the tire come off the rim? that I cant say ive heard of happening at the track before.

I shouldclarify that the tire did not come completely off the wheel just the bead was broken so complete flat and dislodged and off center a bit. Sorry for the confusion.

From my iPhone.

At least you didn't pick up 50-100lbs of rock. :) I hit the kitty litter at Mid-Ohio this year and was buried in rock.

You'll probably be ok once you get the tire re-mounted.

I thought this was a paint job thread but this sounds more interesting. Yay for another abused Z ;)

Ok so here is the youtube video:



I am currently uploading it but its 50% uploaded so only another 1-2 minutes for that and probably 20 minutes to do the conversion so it might not work until 25 min after this post.

21:50 or so into the video is where you should watch for the wipeout.

Well damn. I couldn't tell from looking at it but my wheel is toast. Looking at it on the machine they use for balancing the wheel is wobbling like crazy like it got bent but wasnt easy to tell just by looking at it so now I need to find a new single front 370z 19" rays wheel =(.

And the video is done.

Me too...lol.

You are so lucky you didn't flip. You might want to check your rear trailing arm too, that piece bends very easily

next time drive with 2 hands, you may have been able to save it, oh and it if you know you are going off point straight, from the looks of it looked like you were going off straight then turned the wheel? bad move keep the wheel straight if you're going off and LOOK where you want your car to end up (if you are ever facing a wall, had that happen at my last day .. it kind of is a bad feeling ha ha

and whats up with putting it in 2nd for like 1/2 a second then back in 3rd, just leave it in 3rd you're probably loosing a lot of time going 2-3-2-3-2 etc etc.

the downshift in the mid turn is what upset the cars balance, and swung the rear around. a good attempt to save. next time i recommend going to an hpde event and going out with an instructor. those guys will teach ya what to do and what not to do, build you a good foundation to be quick and keep you safe.

Yeah, I think you are pretty lucky you didn't flip too. There are a few things that come to mind on the video.. I might wait for the more seasoned track junkies to chime in though... plus I don't think you came in here looking for a critique. :) Good luck getting her fixed up.

I strongly suggest u follow our track post in the socal section and a few of us will be gladly to take u around, do ride a longs and sit with you on the car. We go A LOT. I was just too drunk on sat to go to chuckwalla on sunday LOL!!!

^ that, you'll get fast real fast if you let martin82 sit with you and ride with him.

Totally agree with this. I realize I have made a bad habit from regular driving of often driving with one hand on the wheel due to shifting a lot. Also I made some bad choices on shifting and should not have shifted once I entered the turn. Definitely things I will look out for in the future.

:iagree: You should ALWAYS have both hands on the wheel, unless your Senna. And as said before, shifting while hitting the turn like that is a no-go.

just hit something today due to myself getting complacent and driving with one hand