I want to start tracking my Z. I live in NY and i spoke to someone from scca and he said that he has one spot left for an event at lime rock in July, so i will go to that event. But i just wanted to know what i have to do in order to enter races and/or just track my car. I am a total newbie and i woul really appreciate help. Thanks!

 

change the oil, brake fluid and pads before the event, for normal track days. If you get into competition, youll need roll cage and lots of other stuff, plus licenses

 

I see you have the touring model. I have run four track days out in California.

The car has a lot of understeer stock. This makes it a safe but a slow car. Probably a good way to get strated. However I have replaced my Carbotec pads every other event and do not feel safe going any faster until I put in a new four wheel brake system.

Take a look at my mods and you will see what it takes to go faster. I started as a newbee this year. I love the thrill but it will cost funds to go fast. I am speeding them though.

I don't run race tires because I don't think I am experienced enougth to take the grip yet. That will be next year with improved brakes.

Good luck it is still a blast. Just measure your improvment against yourself and above all have fun.

 

I agree you should upgrade all things brakes. I would go w/ ss lines, motul 600 or other high temp racing dot 4 fluid, and I have found success w/ carbotech panther XP9s. On the stock touring brakes, these pads will withstand a few events and are relatively cheap. Good luck...
After you become addicted to the track, I would get some adjustable sways (I am very satisfied w/ the Evos), and either springs to start out with, or a coilover system. Once you start dialing out understeer, this car flies. Definetly focus on brakes and suspension.

 

Reggi914, You can take this car to the track "bone stock" and have a blast. Don't get too carried away with all the the add ons just yet. This is a great track car!

 

Reggie:
You have some time, so just make some good productive use of it.

First, you don't want to actually "race" in a wheel to wheel forum just yet. You need to get used to the car and to tracking. So for that you should sign up for what is often called "hot lapping". Many car clubs do it, and there are private ventures that arrange track days and take newbies. They put you in different groups based on car power and driver experience, and often put an instructor in your car for a couple of sessions to show you the line etc. Folks love the newbies, you will get plenty of help.

Second, get a good helmet. You won't need nomex yet, but do wear comfortable thin soled shoes, long sleeved cotton tee, that should be it. A decent tool kit, and a goody box with extra set of brake pads, brake fluid, and motor oil. Handi wipes, paper towels, masking tape for your light lenses, zip ties for the transponder and pocket knife to cut it off again. Sunblock, hat and icechest with gatorades and water for you, and a folding chair won't hurt.

Third. Read. Voraciously. You don't have experience, but you can learn hugely from the experience of others. The Skip Barber book Going Faster and the Ross Bentley book Speed Secrets 2 are both very fine, especially about cornering. Both are availabel through Amazon.com. Racing/hot lapping is all about cornering...the straights are just there to connect all the corners together. There is no real "driving" per se involved in holding on to the wheel with the foot on the floor as you rocket down the straight....the "driving" begins as you see the image of the almighty lord BEFORE you begin to brake for the turn in. (just kidding, well half kidding anyway).

Find somebody who is going and append yourself to them and ask lots of questions...and listen to all of the answers carefully.

I have done a couple of articles on hot lapping from the view of the newbie...and you can see video and read them at
www.g-owners.com. The first is on Buttonwillow, the second is on Sears Point with video, the third is Willow Springs and video will be up in a few days (that track is really fast!). There are also some articles on mods to make for the street civil car that will be track capable.

After you have done at least one session you will begin to get a feel for what if anything you want to do with your car. I agree with the other gentlemen above, that more hp is not really essential for having a great track experience in these cars...the VQ35DE engine has plenty of oomph. But suspension, brakes and tires are the keys to control. You do not "have" to do anything to enjoy that car on the track. It will have much more than you can outdrive for quite a while. When you have done a few events you will have learned so much, and then you will have an idea of how much you want to do, how deep you want to dig.

A big brake kit is going to grab you for about $5k. Anti roll or anti sway bars another $500. A coilover suspension system easily $2k. And you might along the way decide to put in a lightweight flywheel and high perf clutch, which will be another $2k. Of course then you can think about forced induction, a limited slip differential and totally replacing the exhaust system. But save all that for later.

After a couple of track days the thing to reflect on is that the biggest improvement to going faster will be investing in yourself as a driver...so take a course in performance driving. It will certainly do more for your laptimes than any hardware additions to this car.

Be safe, have fun.
Ed.

 

Well said!

 

thanks a lot Ed, your the best.