Are you interested in tracking your 350Z? Do you know the real limits of your cars handling and performance or are you relying on reading magazines for that data or by driving unsafely on the streets?

You own a great sports car. Everyone should at least drive their car on a track once to know what your 350Z is capable of doing. No, you do not need additional hp, aftermarket tires and wheels, or racing suspension. Believe me; your stock 350Z will amaze you with its stock performance. If you are already lucky enough to have improved/modify your 350Z, then that gives you even more of a reason to track it.

The great part about a track day like this is you have the opportunity to have an experienced driver ride with you and instruct you on how to drive optimally. You need no experience to participate in this track day. All you need is your 350Z, a helmet, and the desire to learn to drive your car better on a track.

Read the thread to get an idea of what it is really like to track your Z for the first time:
MY350Z.COM Forums > Open Forum > Coupe > First time to track on 350Z, a Z owners experience

Several people have expressed the desire to track their Z like I did mine after I posted the thread above. I have done some research into possibly having a track day for Z’s at Willow Springs track. What I am trying to do is get an idea of how many people would be interested in tracking their Z.


This is at the beginning stage of planning so this is a rough idea of what the format would be like:

Event Date: To be arranged. Right now we are shooting for March depending on the Calendar of Willow Springs.
Event Location: Streets of Willow Springs Raceway (http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/home/home.asp)
Rosamond, Ca (near Lancaster/Palmdale)
Tentative Schedule:
7-7:30 AM Register in garage get & sign tech/track waiver/release of liability forms.
7:30-8:00 AM Get your car teched at the paddock area.
8:00 AM Mandatory driver's meeting, if you miss it, you will be held out of the first session.
8:30 AM Begin first run group, 1st session (typically 20-30 min sessions)
12:00 PM 1 hour lunch for corner workers, EMS staff, etc.
1 PM Resume, first run group 3rd session
5 PM End of run groups
Event Cost: $145
It would be reasonable to expect 4 sessions, possibly 5. The sessions are normally 20 minutes each. This is plenty of time to get to know the track, improve your driving line and get the feel of your car without completely wearing you or the car out. There would then be a 40 minute rest time before your next session. There are no prizes, no money, and no trophies given out. These track days are all about having fun, getting to know your car and racing with some cool people. You are to drive at your own speed. Beginners will be paired with an instructor in the morning, and if they feel comfortable enough may run alone in the afternoon.
I have already contacted Carlos Gutierrez" cgutierrez@ci.glendora.ca.us. Carlos coordinated the track day I just participated in on Oct 20th, 2003. He is willing to work with us to make this track day a reality. What we need for it to happen are 30 people to participate. The bottom line is it cost that much to make this event break even.
If you are interested, post your name here. If you could, also e-mail Carlos at cgutierrez@ci.glendora.ca.us and let him know you are interested in the event.
Let’s have fun, get all of our 350Z’s together, and truly enjoy the great handling, braking, and performance this car has to offer.
Jeff - zland

 

Im interested. Please aim for a weekend date, as I, and i would asuume most others, have work during the week. Thanks for looking into this for us.

 

1. Carlos just told me that he prefers you write him at southwest@serca.org. if you want to participate.

2. suprblkperformance, you are on the list, I'll try to keep you posted.

....Jeff

 

totally interested!!!

is there an age limit?

 

daytona350z:

E-mail Carlos at southwest@serca.org. I am not sure of age requirements. I think you are ok if you have a valid driver lic but I am guessing on that one....

Jeff

 

Ok, we need 30 people to make this a go for track day. At this point (day one of post), we got:

1. Greg Vogel, Mossy Nissan car
2. Jeff - Zland
3. Jeff @ performance Nissan
4. suprblkperformance
5. daytona350z

Am I missing anyone so far?

 

Count me in! I'll email Carlos.

 

You are on the list jimster. We got 6 guys in one day ready to go, we need 24 more.

Guys, if you know someone that drives another car like a s2000 etc, it would be fine for them to get involved. Besides, it is kind of nice to see how your Z performs next to those "other" cars.

The list:

1. Greg Vogel, Mossy Nissan car
2. Jeff - Zland
3. Jeff @ performance Nissan
4. suprblkperformance
5. daytona350z
6. jimster716

 

i'm tentatively in because there's no date set yet....and i'm pretty sure i can get my friend to go with his evo.

 

id love to participate in this but i dont get my license until jan 1st

 

I'll go, but I gotta tell you, I have had a bear of a time getting other Z's to show up at track days.

 

The list:

1. Greg Vogel, Mossy Nissan car
2. Jeff - Zland
3. Jeff @ performance Nissan
4. suprblkperformance
5. daytona350z
6. jimster716
7. b18bvudoo
8. Friend of b18bvudoo (owns an EVO)
9. Mikeb6986 (dont worry, event is tentative date, most likely will be March thus after Jan so you are ok)
10. raceboy

We got 10, need 20 more! Not bad for one day.

 

I'm in, but I'm tentative depending on the date as well. Can the stock brakes handle the track? I have an enthusiast and I don't want to crash n burn cuz my brakes faded to hell. Sorry I'm a newbie to tracking, but I'd love to take my car out and see what she can do.

Alvin

 

I would go as well

please keep me posted

 

MAYBE. I would love to but I need to see when and if I am working or not. I have a vacation to mexico coming up soon as well.

 

The list:

1. Greg Vogel, Mossy Nissan car
2. Jeff - Zland
3. Jeff @ performance Nissan
4. suprblkperformance
5. daytona350z
6. jimster716
7. b18bvudoo
8. Friend of b18bvudoo (owns an EVO)
9. Mikeb6986 (dont worry, event is tentative date, most likely will be March thus after Jan so you are ok)
10. raceboy
11. LeighJr
12. Splurt
13. axis007
14. Jsn350Z

PS: I know some of you mentioned your concern about the date. We have not confirmed the track date. Carlos is working on that while I am working on lining up people that want to be involved. Dont worry, it will a while before it happens so everyone will have time to get it on their calendar.

 

Richard:

1. I did read your post. Please forward a letter to Carlos concerning track options.

2. Here is a pic of the last track day. I think this is either Richard or Mossy Z.

 

Pic of the track at Willows....

 

Another pic from that Oct 17th at Willows

 

The list:

1. Greg Vogel, Mossy Nissan car
2. Jeff - Zland
3. Jeff @ performance Nissan
4. suprblkperformance
5. daytona350z
6. jimster716
7. b18bvudoo
8. Friend of b18bvudoo (owns an EVO)
9. Mikeb6986 (dont worry, event is tentative date, most likely will be March thus after Jan so you are ok)
10. raceboy
11. LeighJr
12. Splurt
13. axis007
14. Jsn350Z
15. Richard 350z

PS: I know some of you mentioned your concern about the date. We have not confirmed the track date. Carlos is working on that while I am working on lining up people that want to be involved. Dont worry, it will a while before it happens so everyone will have time to get it on their calendar.