Track event #2 for my Z...

It was very cold, so the tires took a bit of time to warm up, but I drove much better than I did at VIR. On Day 2, I left to get gas, but got stuck in a line at the gate to get back in. As a result, I didn't grid up with my group. Once I did grid, my instructor got in, and we were off. I was waved on by the official, and as I pulled on to the straight, I look in my rear view to see the whole group finishing the initial lap (caution lap)! 25 minutes of open track!

I drove my best during this lap as I was trying to stay ahead of a Z06... Highlights of this session: Taking T1 and T2 with the car rotated perfectly, taking T4 and exiting at 105+mph, only to slam on the Brembos going into T5 at 45mph (a very short distance for a very slow corner), nearly flat footing T8 - T9, and finishing the straight at 125-130 before entering T1 at 50mph... Yes, I did this for about 4-5 laps straight, with NO brake fade.

Other highlights of the weekend include a Jaguar XJ220 starting a 16 lap race 1.5 laps after the race had started, being in 3rd at T10 before the straight on the final lap, and passing the AIX Mustang and AIX C5R before the finish line. The supercar was shooting 20" flames through a lot of the turns, and it was even run off the course by the sloppy AIX drivers that were overdriving the course.

And if you stuck around for Sunday's race, it was a repeat performance by the XJ220 with a Porsche GT2. Also, Corey Jacobs challenged the American Iron guys to a challenge, his ECHC H2 Prelude vs. the entire American Iron group. He finished third... keep in mind he has half the hp of these other cars. It was very entertaining to watch.

I was the only 350Z on the track, but I did see another blue one make an appearance on Saturday, and I met another my350z.com member from MD on Sunday with a CS Touring (sorry, I'm awful with names and couldn't find his screename).

All in all, my weekend was a blast, and I hope to see more of you 350Z owners at the track!

 

Sounds like a great time...thanks for the write-up. I'm glad it didn't snow for you afterall!

 

The DB Track was mine. Somehow I managed to miss you in the pits. I saw your car but everytime I walked by no one was close. Unfortunatly I also missed you on the track. I got there in the afternoon and spent about a couple of hours checking out the pits and watching the cars on the track. Loved the look and sound of that yellow 360 Modena! I'm thinking about joining NASA and getting my Z on the track next year!

 

Sorry I missed meeting you...

Some photos from Sunday's race of the XJ220, which was actually the racing version, the third made, and the backup car for the 94 Le Mans...

 

and it exiting T10 coming on to the straight (and hitting 185 on the straight supposedly)...

 

185? Hmmm?

I was up there this Spring talking with Bob Akins (RIP) who was driving a Nissan GTP car with more than 1000 HP, He said they were only hitting 170 or so. Could be the gearing though.

Sounds like a great time, I plan on getting there a few times next year....Oh I need a car first..

George

 

Hedonist:

Are you (or anybody else here) going to SP for Seat Time on Nov. 22 or Friday at the Track on Dec. 6 or 13?

I may not be through the break-in period by Nov. 22, although I might drive out if other Zs will be there. I'm seriously planning on one or both of the December dates.

I was at the last FATT (Oct. 25) in my Miata (the Z hadn't arrived yet) and was hoping that some Zs would be there. But no.

BTW, how did you prep the car for the track? Hi-temp brake fluid?

--James

 

How much does the Seat Time cost? I may do the 11/22 SP date, but I'll be at VIR Full Dec 7-8. I'll be at Summit the following weekend to spectate the 944 Cup Enduro that my friend is driving in, but not driving that day (obviously )...

I used the brake fluid that came with the car, but I'll be bleeding the brakes this week and replacing it with some ATE Super Blue. Other than that, I've pretty much just driven to the track and driven home. Once Ferodo releases the DS3000 pad in D639 trim (the pad for the Brembo front calipers), I'll be dropping those in at the track.

 

So you were able to run okay with the stock brake fluid? that was my main concern.

Seat Time is the same price as Friday at the Track: $175 if you register at least 2 weeks in advance, otherwise $185.

If you're going to be at SP on Dec 14-15, why not get there a day early for FATT on Friday the 13th?

If anyone else will be at any of these events, post it here. Maybe we can have a little 350Z convention.

--James

 

This may belong in technical, but why do race cars like the xj220 shoot flames out the sides? Seems like wasted combustion to me.

Can some one educate me?

 

I honestly don't know all the reasons, but I know it has something to do with having a straight exhaust, turbo, and a shiftload of power...

I believe it happens when the turbo is spooling down between shifts...

 

Who's running this show? I'd like some more info if possible.

Would much rather run VIR than Scummit. Scummit is the only track I ever raced @ that wore a set of used slicks back to smooth.

Also the only track that I've ever done doughnuts w/ a golf cart in the rain. For those who don't know, Summit Point use to have one of the worse racing surfaces in the country. The track was used for training evasive driving techniques. Radiator fluid, amount other things, use to be poured on the track to simulate a slick enviroment. They did clean up the fluid but after so many years it just kind of permiated the racing surface. Whenever it rained all the residual fluid would seep out of the track. Watched a track official in a rental car, slid off T5 @ 20mph.

Supposedly they have repaved a couple of times since I raced there last. It's a great layout, and a fun course. Just needed a surface worth a damn.

 

They repaved Summit about 2 years ago, and put in concrete strips around the apexes too... I have to agree though, I like VIR more...

As for the Dec 7-8, you have PM...