I ran into a guy with a black Boxster yesterday who just got back from Packwood. It was at Romeo's where we practically have an area for Z parking. He asked what happened to all the Zs he expected to see.
I hung my head. Next year I'll plan my summer around the events and get involved.

 

Oh boy, Friday's runs were all over the place with both An and I seriously overdriving the car to find the limits of the 285s and what we could do. At no point were we really trying to "get" a time (and the data we recorded shows it!).

In fact, I wasn't really even paying attention to the practice times until someone announced later in the afternoon that one of the RX-8 drivers posted a "really good time" of a mid-27, and I knew that An and I had both posted high-to-mid 26s.

Oh well, lesson learned, next event is the ProSolo this weekend. I'm going to have to seriously restrain myself on Saturday in order to "save it" for Sunday!

 

solo,

No lurking, wrapped up in the yellow car's stuff. Charged the Z's battery and started driving it again, hence the renewed presence here.

BC

 

Hey guys, just got back from the Evo AutoX school, phase 1, in Packwood. It was great!

*I dropped more than 1s bewteen the first 3 runs and end of the day (first 3 runs were done without any help, then about 16 runs w/ 2 different instructors helping out, then the last 3 runs by yourself)

here's the few points I learned:

-seat closer to steering wheel; this helped me to be a bit smoother. (with my arms straight out, wrists should lay on steering wheel)

-with understeer, slightly unwind steering wheel and less throttle (very small adjustments with this make a big difference in car traction)

-don't let go of steering wheel when trying to correct for oversteer. (need to practice this while driving every day!)

-In slaloms, "backside early"...the rear inside wheel should be the closest to hitting the cone. this helps to make sure your turn-in is correct and adds some margin for error.


I would rec'd this class to anyone interested in autoXing!

 

Nice! My turn tommorrow, it'll be my first time going to Packwood, should be a pleasant 2 hr drive if I don't hit any traffic.

 

- I just assumed you've been there before...it was a great drive both ways...the morning had very little traffic. the roads closer to packwood made me think of deliverying Tofu in an 8-6

 

Well, it was an interesting day. I think I was expecting more out of the school, but it was still good to go. I learned and confirmed a few things that I will try over the next few months and see if it helps me out. I'll see if I can retain enough so I can take Phase II next year. The instructors really know there stuff.

Packwood was really nice, it was my first time there. The mountains surrounding the autoX location makes the whole place look unreal. And the covered pit area is so cool.

I took Skate Creek road down from Ashford. Oh man... someone should put a warning statement w/ instructions on the potholes, ruts and dips that you encounter. My S14 is just slightly stiffer and lower than stock and had I not avoided some of the bigger holes I would've bent something. Truth be told, 1 mile into it I kinda got the impression that there was absoultely no one around, so I cut lose. That's a great stretch of road if you know where the rough areas are or just play along the stetches where the road is in good condition.

 

Did you go by Alder then Elbe? The "Canyon" is the best 4 miles of road I know of Period.

 

Is that the part of Hwy7 that cuts through the mountains?

The road that connects Ashford to Packwood is about a 25 mile stretch of secluded twistes. I think it cuts through Gifford Natioal Forest since it's also known as NF-51(?) It is incredible. You can't help but to go fast, but the holes in the road sneak up on you in a heart beat when you're traveling at speed.

 

have you tried hwy 101 from Port Angeles to Sol Duc Falls? the windy road along the edge of Lake Crescent is pretty fun on the twisties...

 

Yep, I've driven that it's nice too.

Guys.... I don't know about you... but I'm feel'n the urge for a drive.

 

Let's do it! Drivesolo, how many miles do you have on your Z now...enough to open her up?!?! Maybe an early morning trip to Mt. Helens?

Those pot holes on HWY 7 were scary...I hit one really bad and saw sparks in my mirrors from my exhaust bottoming out . I end up taking the "trailer freindly" route on the way back.

 

^ You're a madman! You should expect things like that when you're more than doubling the speed limit while towing a trailer.

Only 724 mles as of this morning. I could do use some break-in mileage though. I'll go for a run but I'm keeping it it under 4000rpm.

 

Anyone doing the Pro-Solo this weekend at Packwood? PDX Racer?

 

maybe double the speedlimit (not sure what the limit was )...but no trailer! (I did the event on street tires...wanted to save the good rubber for Canada)

 

^ So if you win the Canadian Nationals, does that mean when they award you your trophy they will play the Star Spangled Banner? Or do they play the the Canadian national anthem in-lieu-of?

 

Other than First350; is anyone else going to the Canadian Nationals in Vancouver?

Anyone?... PDXRacer?....
Anyone?... Dkorr?....
Anyone? Anyone?... Buller?...

 

I beleive a former 350Z guy will be there...he's driving an Exige now - should be great to see him run!

 

Ahhh... yes the Snells will be there; and probably a lot of the other local hot shoes. Is this the first time that it's been held in Vacouver BC?

 

I think so...

...check out the results!

(B Stock is on page 2)

2007 Packwood Pro Provisional Results