No dings on the cars, but The stain in bamyi's seat might take a something to get out after he went off the course. ;-)

 

 

Hey, for your information my jeans kept it from staining the seat.

 

 

I think Darrel is vying for a seat in the CORR series. Not sure if they'll let the Z in with the tubeframe racetrucks though...

Bamyi- you were doing well up until that point. Your Z was like the Energizer Bunny at turn nine: it kept going and going and...DUST BUNNIES GALORE!

 

Yeah, great time. Big thanks to David, Gary and Joel for putting this together this event and taking time to share their knowledge. The driving instruction was a lot of fun - both me and my wife loved it. The track time both following instructors and ripping around on our own was a blast. And the end of day open track section was incredible fun (just as the golden day was). We definitely need to have more of these types of events (pure track day such as golden and HPDE type classes - perhaps a intermediate level?).

The only suggestions I would make are:

With three instructors available it would be great to have some seat time in our cars with them. For example, during the classes in the morning, maybe rotate david/gary/joel into the passenger seat of each car for 1 run on the braking, avoidance and solo cone lessons. Maybe the last run after people have gotten it down a bit; everyone would really benefit from something like that.

This would also be absolutely killer to do on the track later in the day; I felt pretty good throughout the track but having someone with me that really knows it give me some pointers would of been a nice touch too.

I know you offer the option to ride along with the instructors too, which I've done in the past but didn't have a chance to do yesterday, and that's excellent as well. In a small group like we had yesterday, I would think doing some reverse seat-time would be very helpful to all and doable.

Maybe these aren't practical suggestions, I don't know, but that would be the only way I can imagine improving on this already stellar event! Everyone should do a couple of these, it's just too good to pass up!

Thanks again guys!

rick & sumiyo

 

As usual, the attendees of this event delivered a stellar performance in the spirit of speed, knowledge and friendship. I am very pleased to see new people joining the group and watching their progress throughout the day. Everyone showed improvement with each pass of the driving exercises, and that’s very encouraging to me (and should be to all of you too)! David M, thank you as always for hosting another great day at PMI.

Thanks to Daniel for letting me ride with him in his vintage 1973 240z. That was a great ride with a surprising level of power and handling. During dinner we affectionately coined his car the “Frankenstein Z,” noting all of the tweaks and mismatched parts that Daniel has assembled to make his 240 an awesome track car!

Gary was kind enough to let me ride along for his last run of the day too - I had no idea the Z could stick to the ground so well. His recent upgrades have certainly inspired me to part with my money! Thanks a lot, Gary.

Joel

 

ill have to make it to the next one!

 

Any Pictures???

 

Another great day at the track! Perfect weather, nice cars, great people, and lots of track time. It was fun to see old friends again, and to meet some new ones.

Like others have said, it seemed as though everyone had a great time, and it was easy to see all of our driving skills and confidence behind the wheel improve dramatically throughout the day. I thought that everyone did a great job, both during the driving exercises and the track sessions. I'm always impressed at how well the first-timers do at these events, and this time was no different. Where else in the country can you get all that for a measly $100? In my opinion, that's the most cost effective car mod there is.

As for the cars themselves, I think that my personal highlight was seeing that beautiful 240Z ripping around the track; thanks to Daniel for coming out and joining us. (A close second would be seeing/hearing Kevin's FI beast fly down the straights...now I know what an F-16 would sound like on the track!)

Rick - I'm all for taking a ride in the passenger's seat (and I'm sure the other experienced folks would be as well)...all you have to do is ask; let's make sure to do some of that next time out. At previous events, there hasn't been as much interest in that, but I'm happy to do whatever I can to help out. Great suggestion! Any others?

Joel - Thanks for the feedback on the mods...it's nice to know I'm not just seeing a placebo effect from the suspension mods. And I'm ALWAYS willing to help anyone spend their money!

Thanks to everyone who came out and made this yet another day to remember at the track, and thanks to David for putting it all together for us.

 

We'll hold you to that!

 

I will hopefully not be missing anymore of these again as I love it down there. Since I have some seat time on that track, id be glad to have anyone ride along with me, like Gary, just do what I can to help out. Also im including probably the best map I have of PMI that also includes the optimal line on it. Everycar is different but it gives you a rough overhead view of what it would look like when your trying to get that rubber to hold down there!


I have this on video several times where I come through turn 10 and then moments later, so does Kevin and it bout near blew out my stereo at home. Speaking of which Kevin, we got a killer shot of your car shooting flames out the back of it at the end of the straight going into turn 1.

Ha, thanks David. Nothing like settling in new pads and then running them as hard as I can stand to!

All in all it was a great day. Only minor problems around, and I think everyone learned not only a great deal about their cars, but also in how to handle them in a street and track setting. It was really nice to meet everyone and see all the different levels and expierence everyone had and share a fun day with a bunch of Z crazy people. Thanks to everyone who lent me tools for the bleed and to Kevin for clearing my ghost engine code about 13 hundred times. (It came back on the way home).

 

Excellent day at the track. No issues as usual. For those who didn't make it out, and are worried about your daily driver getting scratched or damaged- it just doesn't happen. The day starts with great avoidance and braking exercises in an area where losing control is half the fun because there is nothing to run into. Might as well get a feel for it in a safe environment with no obstacles around than in traffic, so it's a great way to start the day and really see the limits of your car. Then it's out on the track for some follow the leader at an easy pace. The speed builds at your own pace and there are no cars to pass or pass you. It's very easy and safe. No where else can you push the car in such a safe manner. The street is way more dangerous than learning to drive fast at an open track with excellent instruction on hand.
It was a real pleasure to hang with everyone there. Good to meet some of you guys for the first time as well. Daniel your classic Z is still one of the best I've seen. Spivey, it was good to meet you and see you take full advantage of the open pavement with a nice powerslide for the crowd. Kevin, Joel, David, Phu, Gary, and everyone else, thanks for making the day such a good one.
Driving the Sentra made me miss the Z something fierce, and driving David's red 350Z made me really jealous for that Tilton lightweight clutch and flywheel. That thing just revs so fast it's silly.
Can't wait for the next one guys!
Will

 

Will and Dave are completely correct about the exercise. To be honest, I was intimdated about the event because everyone's skill and knowledge was soooo much higher than mine. But everyone was very respectful, helpful and understanding and this made for a great day of learning for me.

For the excersize it have acutally changed the way I drive and think in the streets. Coming from a LE background I always leave myself an escape route and plenty of stopping room when ever I drive. Adding to that, now that I know the Z's amazing potential, I have more "escape options" should all hell breaks loose in front of me.

Again, thanks everyone.

 

THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!
Thanks guys, David wow you are a well of great info, thanks for sharing.
And your car HOLY CRAP MAN! That thing sticks so well, when I was passenger with you, turn one I thought for sure we were going for the dirt, great control man!
Lets do this again soon.
I can't believe how the day makes you feel more comfortable on the streets!
Thanks
Kevin Gilman

 

Hey Gary, thanks for the offer. I thought of this after the event on the way home as my wife and I talked about what a great day we had. Had I thought of it earlier, I would have asked you or one of the other instructors to ride along. This was only my second time on a track so I just got all caught up with getting out on the track as much as possible... if my enthusiasm and huge grin hadn't been distracting me, I might have thought of thought of this before the day ended.

I'll keep that in mind for the next event, thanks again to you and everyone for such a great day!

rick

 

Only three days since we were reveling in the sunshine and warmth in Pueblo! OK, OK- I know the weather can vary wildly at this time of the year, but it's still amazing to see freezing temps and 6-7" worth of snow on the roads Tuesday night!

Glad we made "The Run" to PMI when we did!

 

David, I was literally just thinking that myself. The track gods were smiling on us that day!

 

Just clearing the snow off the sidewalks and driveway on Wednesday. The Z is hibranating and dreaming of HOT LAPS around PMI!

 

Sweet, it sounds like it was another great HPDE. It's cool to see that there will always be new people in the group attending the Colorado Track events. Also that they are very enthusiastic about it, not as much as Don was, but enthusiastic.

What are you guys talking about with the snow on the roads? I was still passing SUV's this morning on my way to work
David