I've messed around with Tire Rack's autox course, a parking lot autox course and been to Deals Gap nearly half a dozen times... Finally took the Z to a road course!! I enjoyed it too much and feel addicted to it. I'd like to compare it to crack 'cause I can't stop thinking about it and I'm going broke doing it. hahahaha.

I had the opportunity to run at Gingerman with my local SBR SCCA for $25, how could I say no? When I got there, I felt a little overwhelmed to see these cars, but found out they just got off the track and weren't part of our run groups. I think I need to invest in some tires and coilovers, I was hitting my braking zones and nailing the line, but felt like I wasn't getting good carry through and was losing speed. Maybe it's time for a driving school.

 

Give it some time, I love seeing those high dollar cars on the track...its hilarious watching 120 hp Miata hurry them, not to mention what a competent driver in a z can do to some of them. Yeah, there are exceptions out there and some of those guys have paid there dues and are fast as crap (normally the GT3 guys to be exact).

Welcome to the addiction.

 

WOW congrats man, that sounds like a great day. any photos of the track?

i've been dying to take a driving school of sorts or track my z, just have to pay of some school loans first

were you running the oem brake setup? non bremebo? any mods to the car?

also did you experience much or any brake fade or other problems?

one of my biggest concern before tracking my car are the brakes, as i have a base non brembo.
especially after reading about how the nismo 370's brakes failed while car and driver was testing it and all nissan said was because it was using the base pads and not racing pads??

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ng_lap-feature

 

I heard they figured out the fluid boiled on car and driver test. I have the Akebono brakes and knew about the problem. I countered it by adding brake cooling ducts, better pads and fluid. I had zero fade and was pushing it pretty hard, braking deep into the corners.

link to Gingerman's site: http://www.gingermanraceway.com/

My mods (copy and paste from 'my garage'):

South Bend Clutch SS TZ-R 2800#
South Bend Clutch 4140 steel flywheel
Stainless clutch hose
HKS SMF intake
Gutted rear cats
Greddy TiC exhaust
front 370z sport brakes
slotted front rotors and drilled rear
Carbotech XP8 pads
ATE Super blue fluid
stainless brake hoses
Removed VDC controller
big power steering cooler
Espelir GT springs
Eibach sway bars
Varrstoen 2.2.1 wheels
18x9.5 +12 front and 18x10.5 +0 rear
BFG KDW2 275-35-18 front and 295-35-18 rear
Tinted tail lights (automotive clear/ black/ hardener mix)
Brushed aluminum F/R emblems
Smoked license plate cover
3" brake cooling ducts
Zspeed performance aluminum under shield
Zspeed performance stainless cooling panel
Rear 'bumper tuck' mod
Autopower 6 point roll cage (blue powder coated)

 

I've never even heard of Gingerman before thanks for the link! So they do a test & tune where you can just go out on the track by yourself, using point by's and stuff? I've done an HPDE event at Putnam Park and Nashville Super Speedway. Have you been to Putnam Park before? It would be a little bit of a drive for you but it's a really fun course with a high speed straight. I definitely need to get up there, let me know if you plan to go out again.

 

The fastest straight is the back straight at Gingerman. I'm hitting just under 100mph on that small track. I'm always down for going there. My tires however... they hate me. I think I used 1/4 -1/3 of their life in one hour on the track. I may not go back out until next year, depends on if I can find a deal on some race scrubs.

I've been to Nashville SS as a spectator for Zcon 2010, should have paid the jack to run with everyone.. I'll know next time. I have never been to Putnam. I've also been to Mid-ohio and Indy, again, only watching a big dogs run it. I guess all my watchin has finally caught up with me. lol

 

GingerMan is a real blast... great first track too since it's got so much runoff! Did you run the new section with the extended straight? Hopefully we'll hit some of the same events. Always nice to see another Z out there.

3ballsracing is a club you might want to check out. Lots of track time and a good relaxed (but safe) atmosphere.

 

Yeah I ran my TT black Nismo at the 2010 ZCONN. I'm running the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11's. I think they're pretty good on grip and have lasted multiple drag runs and 2 hpde events, but they're just as expensive as Hoosiers... smh. I need to schedule a time to get up to Gingerman and check it on one of their test & tune days. How far is it from you?

 

From the Detroit metro area it's a ~3 hour drive. I usually go out the day before an HPDE but some folks will drive it in the morning.

 

I have to agree, once you start tracking your car youre hooked lol

 

Picutre :0)

 

nope, they closed off the new section. Maybe to save time? Not sure why.

 

You're not tracking with that rear tire setup are you?

 

Driving school / seat time / tires / seat time

 

For someone who is just starting out tires shoudn't be concern unless they are unsafe for street use.

look at tires once you start going beyond the capabilities of the ones you have, and not by using bad techniques.

 

You think this is safe...

 

A little less offset of needed, glad you had fun on the track.

 

like I said, unless they are unsafe. I hadn't seen the pictures.

 

Marty, sorry to put you on the defensive (not my intention).

But OP, you don't want to end up like this... or worse.

 

NP, you had a valid point and I missed a key piece of information.