So.. how do I go about getting on a track?
#21
Originally Posted by first350
**at PR, you're going around 140+ MPH into turn 2...there's a lot of energy/heat needed to be slowed down, and then 3a is also a big braking zone.
#24
Originally Posted by warmmilk
so ur saying i'll need new rotors after one track day?
OE pads/rotors: my rotors lasted, but pads won't (took me 4 30min sessions to burn through a new set of OE pads...and I got some brake fade)
OE rotors and semi-metallic pads and Mutol RBF6000 fluid: pads lasted (FTW!), but the heat warped the rotors (2 sets so far). no brake fade
*I tend to abuse my car a bit...IMO if you were to let up on the straight sections, you could reduce the stress/heat wear on the brakes.
PR/SIR also seems to be hard on the brakes...their turn 2 and 3a are very heavy braking zones. my pads/rotors would last much longer at Thunderhill.
IMO, if it's your first track day, just make sure you have a new set of pads on, and a spare set (just in case)...your first day, you tend to be learning how to drive on the track (flags, driving etiquette, learning the course,...), so you're going a bit easier.
**just noticed that you have an '07, your brakes are larger, so that will help out a lot...you may be fine OE.
#25
BBK's won't have rotor warp issues if you use the correct pad and provided you have slotted/solid rotors I presume. How long does a good BBK last usually? Rotors and whatnot? Let's say only a couple of track days a year.
#26
I think the main thing to realize, which is the one of first thing you discover when going on a track like Pacific Raceways as well as other tracks, is that your brakes are very important, not just for performance but also for your safety.
But before going out and buying stuff for your car cuz you're interested in getting on to a track, and to use a truly worn out saying; "You should spend your time and $ working on fixing the loose nut between the seat and the steering wheel.". Go to a few autoX events (WWSCC Slush Series starts next month, BBK for a Z is not needed), take an HPDE class (PR or PIR) or join a car club that does performance events and participate in those events. Juat my $0.02.
But before going out and buying stuff for your car cuz you're interested in getting on to a track, and to use a truly worn out saying; "You should spend your time and $ working on fixing the loose nut between the seat and the steering wheel.". Go to a few autoX events (WWSCC Slush Series starts next month, BBK for a Z is not needed), take an HPDE class (PR or PIR) or join a car club that does performance events and participate in those events. Juat my $0.02.
#27
Originally Posted by drivesolo
I think the main thing to realize, which is the one of first thing you discover when going on a track like Pacific Raceways as well as other tracks, is that your brakes are very important, not just for performance but also for your safety.
But before going out and buying stuff for your car cuz you're interested in getting on to a track, and to use a truly worn out saying; "You should spend your time and $ working on fixing the loose nut between the seat and the steering wheel.". Go to a few autoX events (WWSCC Slush Series starts next month, BBK for a Z is not needed), take an HPDE class (PR or PIR) or join a car club that does performance events and participate in those events. Juat my $0.02.
But before going out and buying stuff for your car cuz you're interested in getting on to a track, and to use a truly worn out saying; "You should spend your time and $ working on fixing the loose nut between the seat and the steering wheel.". Go to a few autoX events (WWSCC Slush Series starts next month, BBK for a Z is not needed), take an HPDE class (PR or PIR) or join a car club that does performance events and participate in those events. Juat my $0.02.
+1 ...and seat time will also help you figure out what mods you actually need.
#28
Originally Posted by jining
Whats up guys, im new to the whole track thing, but this coming spring I really want to hit up some open track days.
I know the alpha club has taken new guys out to the track and then just let them run all day for ~ 200 bucks... Does anyone have some information or know of any Nissan clubs that do this?
Thanks a lot,
Aaron
I know the alpha club has taken new guys out to the track and then just let them run all day for ~ 200 bucks... Does anyone have some information or know of any Nissan clubs that do this?
Thanks a lot,
Aaron
#30
Originally Posted by jining
rofl... yea i went there tonight.. your nuts man! Im glad we didnt get a ticket.. or actually at those speeds, arrested. Nice to meet you by the way.
#31
Originally Posted by first350
+1 ...and seat time will also help you figure out what mods you actually need.
The only time that the car comes into the equation is when you've maximized the driver part of the equation. That's why you see national drivers in only a few types of cars -- at that level the car (and car prep) become a lot more important.
Also, sometimes it's knowing what NOT to change. For example, a lot of people are shocked at how *little* I've done to my Z yet it's very competitive.
#33
Originally Posted by PDX_Racer
Driver is always 90% of the equation. I've seen (and ridden with) guys in street cars who can drive faster than a "good" driver in a formula car.
The only time that the car comes into the equation is when you've maximized the driver part of the equation. That's why you see national drivers in only a few types of cars -- at that level the car (and car prep) become a lot more important.
Also, sometimes it's knowing what NOT to change. For example, a lot of people are shocked at how *little* I've done to my Z yet it's very competitive.
The only time that the car comes into the equation is when you've maximized the driver part of the equation. That's why you see national drivers in only a few types of cars -- at that level the car (and car prep) become a lot more important.
Also, sometimes it's knowing what NOT to change. For example, a lot of people are shocked at how *little* I've done to my Z yet it's very competitive.
*that's not to say that the correct mods don't help...and 1 good way to figuring out what mods to do, is that get out on the track.
If I were to be going for more track days, the first mod I would get would be a BBK + mutol RBF600 brake fluid - it's not going to make the car stop any faster, but it'll prevent brake fade and warping of rotors. After that, it's really just driver's preference; I found that the Z would push a bit too much for my liking (at track days), a set of hotchis springs and sways solved that (easy mod, and not too much $$).
**there's lots of mods that will lower lap times, but may slow down your learning curve as a driver. Stuff like R-comp tires - it'll drop your lap times by a good amount, but won't allow you as a new/novice driver to find the edge of traction as easily/safely, and in the end, ppl usually find that it takes longer to develop the correct driving skills as opposed to just staying w/ street tires.
IMO, I jumped to R-comps too quickly...I wasn't maximizing the street tires on the track for every corner (mainly the 60MPH+ corners...too scary !), then when I switched to R-comps, I was leaving even more safety margin on the same turns.
for the same turn:
street tire maximized is 65 MPH --> I go 55 MPH...I'm leaving 10 MPH of unused rubber
R-comps maximized is 75 MPH--> I go 60 MPH...I'm leaving 15 MPH of unused rubber.
-so I may be faster on R-comps, but I'm using less of my tires' potential!!
(street tires tend to give more warning when they're at their limit - they squeal, slide, whine....R-comps have much less warning and can feel more twitchy. So if you can't drive street tires at 100%, you'll be struggling even more to push the R-comps to their limits)
Last edited by first350; 12-24-2007 at 07:29 AM.
#34
Originally Posted by warmmilk
^what do have u done to ur z?
And LOTS of work on the driver. I run data acquisition (GTechPro RR for acquisition and AXAnalyst for analyzing the data) and video.
#35
Originally Posted by PDX_Racer
Eibach FSB, Koni DA shocks.
And LOTS of work on the driver. I run data acquisition (GTechPro RR for acquisition and AXAnalyst for analyzing the data) and video.
And LOTS of work on the driver. I run data acquisition (GTechPro RR for acquisition and AXAnalyst for analyzing the data) and video.
#36
Originally Posted by Devil Z
I've been told it's not a good idea to track a TT Z/G without upgraded brakes? That's why I'm thinking I'll just do AutoX before I upgrade to a BBK.
#37
so all the people that autox, when is the next one? i'm looking to get started on autox and it'd be great if i could go with someone to show me around and what not
i heard that to get on the boeing autox, u need and invite from a regular, so if someone could issue an invite, that'd be great
i heard that to get on the boeing autox, u need and invite from a regular, so if someone could issue an invite, that'd be great
#38
There are several series that run in western WA, the two main ones are:
-Western Washington Sports Car Council (primarily runs in Everett) - http://www.wwscc.org/
-The Northwest Region SCCA (primarily runs in Packwood) - http://www.nwr-scca.org/
The 2008 schedules for the regular seasons aren't firmed up yet. The championship series usually begins around April and runs through October. But the WWSCC has a pre-season series in the form of a 3 event non-championship series; WWSCC Slush Series. The first event will be on the last Sunday in January.
As for the Boeing Employees Autosports Club (BEAC), in order to attend a BEAC practice days, you must be invited guest of a BEAC member. First350 and I are both active members. We haven't received a schedule for our practice day events yet.
-Western Washington Sports Car Council (primarily runs in Everett) - http://www.wwscc.org/
-The Northwest Region SCCA (primarily runs in Packwood) - http://www.nwr-scca.org/
The 2008 schedules for the regular seasons aren't firmed up yet. The championship series usually begins around April and runs through October. But the WWSCC has a pre-season series in the form of a 3 event non-championship series; WWSCC Slush Series. The first event will be on the last Sunday in January.
As for the Boeing Employees Autosports Club (BEAC), in order to attend a BEAC practice days, you must be invited guest of a BEAC member. First350 and I are both active members. We haven't received a schedule for our practice day events yet.
#40
^ You have to be a Boeing employee or an employee of a Boeing partner or supplier. If you have an immediate family member affiliated w/ Boeing, you can join through them as well. BEAC is always looking for prospective members interested in motorsports, but we still have to abide by the rules of Boeing in order to qualify for the support they give to us.
There are many other local car clubs in the area. Most are specific to certain interests but I think the one that would match most guys on this forum who have an interest in getting into motorsport would be Torque Steerers. They are probably the largest motorsports oriented car club in western WA that doesn't cater to one specific make of car. They hold many performance events (autoX, track days, drifting, etc.).
There are many other local car clubs in the area. Most are specific to certain interests but I think the one that would match most guys on this forum who have an interest in getting into motorsport would be Torque Steerers. They are probably the largest motorsports oriented car club in western WA that doesn't cater to one specific make of car. They hold many performance events (autoX, track days, drifting, etc.).