are you setting up both for NASA spec Z?

 

Yessir!

 

That is my goal in the long run.
I started tracking ~5months ago.

During my first event last year in Sept/Oct. I remember I went up to someone loading their silver 350z on the trailer. I asked about what tires he ran, the person responded and also told me he was setting up that car with his other car for Spec Z.

I wonder if that was you? This was at a NASA event @ Sonoma

 

I believe that was me (I do get approached a lot about similar topics). The timing of a silver Z doesn't exactly make sense with last Sep/Oct, nor was I at Sears in those months, however, I did have MY silver Z at Sears months before that.

Regardless, there aren't many SpecZ-ers out there locally until THIS year, so if it was a SpecZ you were discussing than it was definitely me. I have my GREEN SpecZ race car for sale since I'm almost done with the SpecZ build of a different silver car, so give that some thought, too!

Hope to Z ya out there soon! The next CityTech/SpeedSF day is in June, but I'll be out with other groups before that as well. I wish this weekend at BW worked out for you.

 

I am actually going to NASA Sonoma event this weekend. I have around 5 other college friends that wanted to try out tracking their vehicle. All are in HPDE1.

So I am showing them how a typical track day works. I really wanted to try ButtonWillow though, never been there!

 

I love NASA for the face of racing; I don't like NASA for a standard track day. Four, 20-minute sessions (compared to most groups are 4 20s and a single 25 or more), and many cars on track. Instruction is good, but sometimes a bit arrogant IN MY EXPERIENCE. I won't be at NASA events unless there is SpecZ racing in the future.

CityTech / SpeedSF
NCRC
and a few other randoms (Mazda friends and family at Seca, etc.) are my go to groups.

 

I agree, NASA is probably the least amount of track time in terms of organization. It is the last on my list when I am looking to register. But my buddies wanted instruction in car and I am also trying to work my way up their HPDE ladder to do Time Trials with them.

I have been with GDS, NCRC, and TMR. And they are all great. I also heard great things about citytech, I havn't participated in any of their events yet though. But that will change in june =D

 

Oh no, the next city tech is june 6th, i didnt know it was a friday =[.

 

Finally decided to make a facebook page to keep track of all my teams stuff in one area instead of constantly hording it on my facebook haha.

Like if you wanna see updates on my car, our S2k, Spec miata, or 24 hr of lemon miata :P

https://www.facebook.com/teaminevitable

 

Well, first "real" track day with the Nismo didn't fair out so great. The extra heat from the exhaust swap cooked the RECENTLY-REPLACED CSC, so my weekend was cut short. I also battled a failing (overheated) diff and something funky with the alignment or new suspension.

Excuses aside, the power compared to my green DE Z was noticeable, and here's a 1-lap clip from Sunday's 13CW configuration:

 

did water and oil do OK?

 

Water - yes. Oil - I assume so, but don't know for sure.

I smelled fluid all weekend, and thought it was diff fluid as I noticed the diff was failing. But me thinks it was the clutch fluid as it was getting hot and slowly killing the CSC.

 

Cool. My water and oil did ok too. Im still undecided whether I even wanna run this summer or just run outdoor karts until the whether cools down again.

 

NCRC at T-hill this Friday. GreenZ back on track and will get much use, as I'll be driving it, instructing in it, and have another rental, so it'll see THREE groups!

 

Hi scotts300,
I have two questions
1. What would be a good lap time (or to be qualified as a "good" driver) for Thunderhill bypass with RS3 255/35/18 tires. My car is 2006 350Z Enthu., modifications are KW V2 set to middle point (7 clicks from full firm for both front/rear), stockteck BBK with street performance pads, SPL camber kit set to -2.5 front.
2. I haven't have any alignment work done on my Z yet, and I am considering one. What would be your suggestions for alignment spec? Note that I already have the camber kit, and my car is a weekend car/track car, tire wear is less of a concern.

Thanks

Francis

 

Hope the car made it through!

 

Try not to be too caught up in what laptimes you should or could be running. Yeah its a nice measurement, and everyone looks at it. But try to be consistent in hitting your marks and the speed will come.

Thats what I am trying to do, and I am noticing improvements everytime =D

 

Alignment - I like 2.5-3 degrees of front camber for a car that's not track-dedicated, a touch of front toe-in, and max caster. For the rear, I like 1.5 degrees of camber, but lowered cars without adjustable toe arm usually run 2-2.5 degrees of rear camber in order to get the toe correct (at 0 degrees or a touch of toe out).

It all depends, really. Years ago my 'fast' buddies were running high 2:teens and low 2:20s with the Crow's nest, so subtract 1.5-2s for the bypass. For years I didn't time myself at all, but now I do just so I can analyze the data and see where I'm leaving time on the table. I feel the 'good' barometer is now in the 2:10-2:15 range. A lot of guys gun for sub 2-minutes, which is tough to do in a Z on street tires but not impossible. It's not so much driving fast, but being aware and driving safely. I'd much rather lap with a 2:15 car that is smooth and in control, than with a 2-flat car that's all over the place and unsafe. When SpeedSF runs T-hill bypass, I think they have their open passing / fast group cut off at 2:04.

I'm sorry I missed you on Friday; I saw some other Zs that I didn't recognize (orange one not on track, and another white NISMO (we had one in our crew as well); which were you?

We had some light snags with the diff fluid, but she ran all day!

Agreed!

 

Whos signed up for 6/6 Thunderhill? Im really going back and fourth lol

 

Hi scotts300 and RAYoRAY,
I agree with both of you that lap time is less important than smoothness and consistency, I have been working on that With the mods I have on the Z right now, the car feels good for the weekend/track car duty.

Scotts300,
Thanks for the alignment spec, will try those. I was there last Friday, but not with the 350z due to a bent wheel. I was driving my stock daily E92 M3, I saw you in one of the afternoon sessions, you passed me on the front straight and you were chasing down a black corvette I will definitely find you and say hi next time

SE5spd,
I have signed up for June 6th Thill!