Hey guys! Alright, so I don't surf this section of the forums ever but I have an oppotunity to participate in an AutoCross/track event. Just going to be an empty lot with cones.


So here is the situation.

1. I never did a road course with my Z.
2. I never pushed the handling limits of my Z.
3. I have a stock Z (worried about my tires)
4. My lack of experience in tracking events (only time I've done it is at a Company sponsored event like MazdaSpeed and Taste of Lexus).

What do you guys think I should do? Will I risk breaking anything in the Z (I know it sounds like a dumb question but I rather ask)? Let me know...thanks. What advise do you guys have for me? I plan to borrow a helmet since I don't want to pay for one at this point.

 

A track event and an AutoX are two completely different things. You will not have any problems with your Z. The good thing about doing it stock is that once you upgrade your suspension you will really be able to tell the difference. It's a great time. Dont miss it.

Oh, and your tires will be fine.

 

Get out there, it's great fun! Don't hit the cones as it's 1 second penalty per. Don't get overzelous and wind up like that corvette driver

 

Stock = perfect for first timer! Go out and become addicted.

And AutoX is a perfect introduction to driving your car! Yet, once you go to a full blown track - you will wonder why you spend your time AutoXing!

 

Because it's more fun than track days?

 

Different strokes for different folks??

 

I think he is reffering to track days.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. What is the difference between AutoCross and Track? The event I am talking about is definetly AutoCross and not a track event. I am going to guess Track is taking your car to a professional track course made specifically for racing against yourself/others. Autocross is more about how quickly you can get around some cones in a course.

 

at the track, you'll be going at much higher speeds. autoX you might hit 60-65 mph depending on the size of the lot. at the track, you could hit 110-130 mph.

if you track, you might want to bleed your brake fluid and put in fresh fluid, such as Motul 600 or ATE Super Blue. Upgrading the pads to something a little more aggressive (ie Hawk HPS) might be worthwhile, too.

 

+1 Also, a complete tech inspection of the vehicle is required. most tracks and auto-x santioning bodies have their own inspection checklist. Make sure this is completed prior to attending either event. Unless the santioning body requires it done track-side by their own tech inspector.

 

Hey, welcome to the “car serious” section of My350Z !

Driving around cones or driving by cones, AutoX vs Lapping/HPDE. 2 forms of enjoyment, slightly different skill sets. Both are fun.

Your car will do great even stock. I guarantee it’s not the car that will slow you down! Expect that to be a humbling experience, watch, listen and learn. You’ll love it.

 

AutoX - One lap at a time driving in a coned off coarse. Each lap is about 30-60 seconds each, you get about 3 to 6 laps/day, and you get to work the rest of the day. So you get a grand total of 6 min of track time for a whole day worth of work. Fun - but takes all day.

Track - If you HPDE - you get an instructor. Will cost you 10X more than AutoX/day. You have to full prep your car. You get up to speeds 2 to 3x faster than AutoX. The instructor will help you learn how to properly drive your car. You don't have to work! You get between 1 to 5 hours of track time per day depending on who you drive with. You will wear out your tires and brake pads - fast. You will have the biggest smile on your face after!

 

If you have an '03 Z your car will understeer badly. I think they fixed this problem on newer Z's. Anyhow, just make sure your car is slowed down before you enter the turns, otherwise you and your Z will have a disagreement about which way the car should go and the Z will win.
You will have a great time learning how awesome our cars really are.
Enjoy!

 

An AutoX is a safe and easy was to try this out. It's fairly cheap and doesn't really wear on the car.

A lot of people start there, and then move up to the HPDEs. Then a few of those make the next step to full racing. No matter where you stop at, it's all a blast and you get to use the car for something it was ment to do.

 

Just inflate those front tires to around 44psi once you get to the event. A battery powered inflator does a good job. Just let them know that you are a novice when you register/check in, they should have lots of help available for you.

AutoXers are a fairly easy going bunch and will be more than willing to help you get an enjoyable start.

Good luck... Sorry to hear about your upcoming addiction...

 

Your terms are a little confusing.


Kirkster above. Ripken Stadium, Aberdeen, MD. 06/17/06

Autocross is with the cones. Usually in a parking lot. The 350Z has enough torque to run most courses in second gear. Preparation is simple:

Bring a helmet.
Empty the junk out of the car.
Pick up the tire pressure to 45PSI. I paint the sides of the tires to make a judgment about the tire pressure.


Summit Point, WV. 05/27/05

Track racing (open road racing) is much faster. Unless you are an experienced racer, most likely you will be with an instructor. It is called HPDE (High Performance Driver Education). Preparation:

Bring a helmet.
Empty the junk out of the car.
Install tow hook.

BTW where are you going? The stadium in Frederick, MD? When?

 

Road racing is not the same thing as a track day or an HPDE.

Autocross: http://www.over6racing.com/videos/nats_03_run3.WMV
Timed low-speed competition through a temporary course delineated with cones; one car at a time. Pros: Competition, can drive to and beyond the limit with minimal risk, cheap. Cons: Poor seat time-to-total time invested ratio (you only get a few minutes of wheel time at a typical autocross), relatively slow speeds.

Track day / HPDE: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xKqrf647Zkc
Non-competitive high-speed driving on a racetrack; several cars at a time, with limited passing. Pros: High speeds, lots of seat time (can run into the hours range). Cons: No competition, higher risk of car damage, expensive, can be boring, especially in a slow car.

Road racing / wheel-to-wheel: http://youtube.com/watch?v=H0OUbfly5Rw
Timed high-speed competition on a racetrack; several cars at a time, with unlimited passing. Pros: Competition, high speeds, lots of seat time. Cons: Highest risk of car damage, most expensive, addictive.

What do you value more, competition or high speeds? If it's the former, autocross. If it's the latter, do track days. If you can't make up your mind, mortgage the family and go road racing.

 

I just got back from an autocross event this morning, made 5 runs. Had a great time, there were at least 4-5 other 350z running. This was my first time as well and had a blast! Wear on the tires/brakes were minimal imo, I am sure there were some but nothing I can notice by eyeing them. The car handles awesome! The driver needs mods at this point, haha…

 

Sweet... Glad to hear you had fun... Up here in the DC region there are generally only 2 other Zs out there. The main competition are the RX-8s... They can be beaten but you have to have your A game banging on all 6 cylinders.

For me the biggest problem that I have been having is overdriving the car. Once I calmed down a bit I have been doing better.

Welcome to the addiction...

 

This Saturday on 9th, at the stadium in Frederick. Captial Racing Club I believe. What did you mean by painting the tires sides?