Got back last night from Laguna Seca. It was a pretty fun day in all but a bit dissappointing as well. We did see the RX8 at lunch though, it was there on a photo shoot for C&D. They were letting people sit in it and take pics (post them later) and then they took it on track. Car didn't even have a VIN number. Mazda does own the track you know!!

Laguna is a track the really favors the Z. Medium speed turns where the slight understeer give you confidence, and uphill climbs and a long straight off a hairpin where the Z's low end torque really helps. In my first session of the morning I turned a 1:57.3 on my 3rd of 4th lap. That was with a passenger and a full tank of fuel. The day looked pretty good indeed as anything sub 2:00 is pretty fast. Next session however the car lost 3 seconds????? WTF!!! I dropped a little air pressure to compensate for the rising temps, but still went about the same in the 3rd session?? I was really perplexed. 4th session I ran was sans passenger and it had began to cool, also only about a 1/4 tank of fuel, ran a 1:56 flat. Now let me say this turns out to not be the Z's fault at all, but entirely my own. I expected it to run a high 1:53 low 1:54, hell even a freekin 3.5 Altima was giving me some problems!!! LOL So what did I do wrong? Well, it was about 30 degrees hotter in the afternoon than it was in the morning and my tire pressure adjustment was not enough. What I did in my old car simply does not apply to the heavier Z. What I should have done was bleed enough air from the tires to keep them at 39 to 40 lbs hot. Instead I was running at about 47 lbs.

Scott was there in his Brickyard Z and by the end of the day he was only a second away from me. Today he probably went faster and beat me. Pretty damn impressive for his first track event, I bow down!! That's how I found out about the tire pressures, he had ridden with an instructor that bled about 8-9 lbs or air from all his tires where he started with 35lbs all around. Too bad I didn't find out until my day was over. Not trying to make excuses though, Scott is a damn good driver. I ran my last session at about 4pm and it had really cooled enough to let the tires run a bit cooler, but still not cool enough. I guess that is what next time is for!!

 

very nice Steve- thanks for the update.

-Ethan

 

Steve,

I gotta ask, is the corkscrew all it's cracked up to be? In GT3, which is the closest I'll ever get to Laguna Seca right now, it's completely blind-

-Chris

 

Let's just put it this way. I took a friend along and I could see the fear as we headed over the blind rise. Approaching at 100mph with nothing but blue sky to be seen. Hard on the brakes and stay outside to start the left turn entering the 'Screw. I hear a whiney little voice next to me mutter; "Oh $H1T!"

 

what time did the RX8 get?

 

The RX8 didn't post any times. Just there for an on track photo shoot. Here are some pics:

 

that's one stubby shifter. and the engine bay looks like crap.

 

Hi Steve,

I posted a similar thread in the race forum, and I was looking for a post from you and didn't see one.

Today was pretty crowded, and I spun out and ALMOST (but not quite) hit a wall coming out of turn 4 during my second session.

From that point on I was pretty conservative, so I don't think I got close to your time today. Ah well, them's the breaks. I'm just glad my car (and the other Z member that I had just passed) didn't get damaged.

I'm ready to go try Thunderhill or something else with a bit more run off room.

I also need to get more confidence in the brakes, because I was braking quite early today.

And since this was my first time on a track with elevation change, let me just say that HOLY CRAP is it scary! For me, though, the corkscrew was not as bad as the slight ridge right after the starter between turns 1 and 2. Trying to stay on the throttle at 100+ mph on that straightaway takes guts and faith in the brakes. My instructor kept telling my to keep my foot on the gas, but I never could quite bring myself to do it. I always let off as I crested that hill, and basically coasted into the corner, with medium braking all the way in.

What a blast! I'm still shaking.

The RX-8 was lapping today, but it wasn't being timed. They were pusing it hard though, because you could hear the tires squealing as it rounded turns 9, 10, 11. They were showing off it's "roomy" interior by putting the driver and a few lucky Skip Barber Racing employees (all with helmets of course) in the car as it went around the track.

-D'oh!

 

I've gotta admit, the car looks sick.. Everything except the back of the car is very hot.. not as hot as the Z, but still.. but the interior.. that definatly surpasses the Z's.

 

Steve-

Just read D'oh's review on LS and also enjoyed your perspective. Your tip on the tire pressures is quite valuable. I'm wondering how the S03s compared with the 040s and if you found them more sensitive to temperature cxhanges.

Also, how many 350Zs were there and did SV give you your own 'challenge series' group?

BTW- I'm sure the RX8 will prove to be an innovative car. But IMHO the 350Z will outrun it at most tracks.

 

if memory serves theres another cover for the back portion of the engine bay, you cant see anything but plastic covers, I guess if it all looks like that is a good idea to cover it all up.

 

Here I am in the Corkscrew!!

 

Those are great laptimes!! You are obviously a relatively experienced track junkie.

Referring to the post regarding lifting between at the hump on the main straight. I hate it when people do that. There is a lot of track before the braking zone. I almost rear ended a Corvette that did that.

I actually think the corkscrew is kind of boring but good for photos. I guess it would be more exciting at 170mph in a champ car.

 

I like this place for pictures better than the Corkscrew because of the big sign and the profile of the car. I believe it is turn 1 (or maybe 6). If you guys want to see some cool track pics, checkout www.headonphotos.net