only 2 more days, so who's signed up?

 

Me!

 

I'll either do it tomorrow or when I get there Saturday.....

 

See you guys there!

 

So how did the Redline event go? Any reports from Z or G pilots who competed?

 

I didn't compete. I did pay the $20 to "spectate" and I walked around the pits in the rain on Sunday morning (from 8 to 9am). I didn't talk with any of the My350Z members because I didn't see anyone hanging around any of the 350Zs that were there.

 

Despite rain in the first half of the day, the event was pretty good. The rain stopped early and the track was completetly dry by the time the Time Attack sessions started which was good. Here's a quick report from the Zs...

M-Works 350Z - Tarzan Yamada was the driver of this awesome 350Z and I think took 3rd in the Unlimited RWD class. I didn't see his first Time Attack session, but his second Time Attack session was a throw away with two spins.

Axis Wheels 350Z - Verena Mai (SP?) was the pilot of this yellow monster, but unfortunately car troubles kept her from placing. I am not sure what was wrong with it, but it defenately was not running right.

Mr. A's VRT 350Z - Piloted by Aaron Bitterman in Street class and Unlimited class and driven by Tanner Faust in Modified class. No major problems with this car and they walked away with 2nd Place in Street RWD and 3rd Place in Modified RWD. Unfortunately they missed their first Unlimited Time Attack Session and their second Time Attack Session was cancelled due to Scion's Chris Rado blowing his motor and spilling oil all over the track, so they got no timed laps in for the Unlimited RWD class.

My 350Z - I drove my car in the Street RWD class and Scott Bush (WA2GOOD) drove it in the Modified and Unlimited RWD classes. The first Street RWD session was flooded with traffic so I got no clean laps and was sitting in 3rd place after the first round. As I was crossing the finish line on my last lap of the first Street RWD time attack session, a turbo pipe blew off and I had to get towed back to the pits. By the time we got back to the pits, diagnosed, and fixed the problem we had missed our first Modified and Unlimited sessions. The second Street Time Attack session was much better. I only had to deal with passing one car and he didn't hold me up very much and I did get some clean laps in. We came back to the pits, changed tires and Scott headed out for his first and only shot at Modified RWD. Unfortunately he was being held up by a white Evo who was being a complete a** hole and not letting him pass very easily. So with no clean laps in the Modified RWD class our last hope was for the Unlimited RWD class so we changed tires again and Scott went back out. Fortunately he was the first to go out so we were assured at least a few clean laps, but just before he could come around the start/finish for his first timed lap, Chris Rado blew his motor and they pulled all of the cars off the track. Due to time constraints, they had to cancell the remainder of the Unlimited Time Attack session and like Mr. A and his 350Z, we did not get one timed lap in for Unlimited. At the end of the night, I walked away with 1st place in the Street RWD class and we didn't place in the Modified RWD class.

 

I'll use this thread since it is regarding this past weekends events.
Congratulations to Mike Bonanni for taking the Street Class yesterday at Cal Speedway! Mike ran our front air splitter/diffuser kit for the Z. And took our $500
1st place cash award. It was a great weekend despite so much rain, which dried up later in the day. Kognition awards the highest dollar amounts out of the contingency sponsors for the Redline events. We know how much money it takes to do this sport. It is the least we can do. And i challenge the other sponsors to raise their cash awards to the $500, $300, $100 standard for this series. Redline is working very hard to increase media exposure to Time Attack in the states. And the manufacturers need to support Redline and the drivers for all their dedication and spirit.

 

Thanks Mike! And thanks for the pictures. That splitter was incredible and provided very very noticeable downforce on the front. Thank god we put that wing on to help balance it out. This splitter far exceeded my expectations in durability, looks, and performance. Can't wait too see what you come out with next.

 

Working on some carbon fiber thermal underwear this month. It was freezing out there yesterday.

 

Hahaha, nice.

 

On a sidenote:
I know my posts may come off to some members as self promoting, and i apollogize for that. Not my intentions. I don't sell parts thru here to customers, so i felt fairly safe about my post on the contingency money. But i will suggest to my dealers to support this forum when i meet with them this week.

 

You all have no idea what cold is...

J, whose first session yesterday was 15 degrees...

 

Yea, see i probably wouldn't even function at those temps.

 

congratulations to the silver Z driver. I was watching him decelerate everytime and the front diffuser was probably about <1" off the ground then some fire spits out of the exhaust.
I was just watching on the sides (freezing) with my gf and my dreams of participating in a time attack event

next month @ Cali Speedway (March16-18) I will be though (HPDE). Im not good of a driver (yet) for time trials but at least itll be my first time at that track with my yellow z.

 

Any more pics?

 

Thanks! It was either me or Scott (WA2GOOD) that was driving.

 

Way to go Mike B! That is fabulous. I am really happy for you, as that was one heck of a collection of hot cars and fine drivers out there on Sunday. We are all very glad to see you do so well.

Sorry that the boys could not unleash their cars in the unlimited competition. Poor Rado...he blew his motor at Buttonwillow at the end of the day last December as well. That Scion car is fast...when it is not on fire or spewing its guts all over the track.

I promised Nissan Sport Magazine that I would have my car in front of their booth for subscriptions. Looking to run with you next time.

Cheers!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks Ed! It was great seeing you again, I am sorry you had to come at the most stressfull time of the day when we had to rush to fix the turbo pipe problem. I would have loved to talk to you more about your recent experiences with the driving schools.

 

Here's some in car video i shot in Mike's car with Scott Bush driving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pkVtU9BvGU