There is a Track Day on Tuesday, September 28th at Pacific Raceways. This is being organized in conjunction with ZCCW, NWDE, and a couple of other groups. Contact the ProFormance racing school at 253-630-5130 to get your payments in for the session and reserve your spot! This event is not limited to just Zs, but there are quite a few going.

It's an all day session including a catered breakfast and lunch. The more drivers that we can get to participate, the lower the costs will be....30 people would be around the the number ProFormance is looking for. (There are about 15 as of today) First time drivers to the track as well as returning drivers are welcome, there will be separate driving opportunities for each group. ProFormance proposes that the day will go something like this...we'll start at 8:00am with a group photo and then breakfast. After breakfast, the senior (more experienced drivers) will take to the track for a critical walk through and then driving, while the first time drivers will attend a morning round school. After the morning ground school and lapping for the experienced drivers, the first timers will go out to the track for some safety drivers training and braking exercises. The two groups will alternate track driving at this point. While the experienced drivers have lunch, the first timers will have their turn on the track with instructors riding along. The groups will alternate for track driving until the late afternoon where both groups will run together until 5pm or so. This length of time driving will really help you get a feel for the track and a good feel for your Z's handling abilities. ProFormance figures everyone will get around 200 or so track miles in an all day session like this. After the driving, certificates will be handed out and you'll have gotten some serious performance driving time under your belts.

Prices for the first timers will be around $445.00 (this includes a ride along instructor for the day), and the more experienced drivers could expect to pay around $225.00.

All cars are welcome, not just Z's. Just make sure that your car is up to the task of doing some spirited driving, and will be able to pass a basic tech inspection.

Website: http://www.proformanceraceschool.com/

 

Looking on the website, $445 is the regular price. What kind of discount can we expect if we can get 30 people signed up?

 

Having never done this before, I'm not sure. Ron over at ProFormance said that Performance Nissan (out of Everett) is tossing some money into the pot, but I got the impression that the more people joined, the cheaper it would be.

For myself, I was going to do it regardless of price, so any discount is simply a plus... but is also pure speculation from me at this point in time. However, from what I understand, it'll be somewhere around a c bill.

 

I'm signed up. I attended my first class on 8/03/04 and will be making my second trip. They will have me ride with an instructor my first trip out and then solo up till noon. Instructor will ride with me a second time to sign me off for solo driving from there on and after. This is a must do and probably like myself you will discover that the stock Z is more car than most novices can handle. The class room time and driving skills for first timers is really beneficial not only for the track but also for defensive daily driving. It should be a great time, just pray for good weather.

 

Are non-350Z's invited? (I have a G35c and my friend has a S2000)

 

Absolutely. It's being spearheaded by Nissan/Datsun guys, but all others are encouraged to attend. Simply go to their website, call the number there and ask (or leave a message) for Ron.

 

Anyone have any problems with warranty work after participating in one of these events? There were some stories previously that Mitsubishi voided warranties after they determined someone had used their car in a race event. I haven't heard of any problems locally, but just wanted to get some opinions if this is a concern.

 

Well... this isn't racing. It's personal driving instruction. It's also not autocross. I think what you're referring to was something that Autoweek covered a few months ago, and Mitsubishi had voided the warranty because the owners name had showed up in some SCCA races.

Nissan hasn't done even that yet, but at any rate, there are some fairly strict rules out there. However, you do get to drive as fast as you safely can. You should be able to hit the straightaway as fast as you are able. I can't imagine a Z or G doing less than 110 down there.

 

Last day to sign up! This is tomorrow, and there's not many of us, so it'll be great one on one instruction.