Since I started to take over dkmura's Colorado Mountain Drive thread with talk about this Saturday's ZCCC track event at Golden's State Patrol track, I thought it best to start my own...

This event is open to everyone, but ZCCC members get a break on the entry fee. The guys running the event want us to arrive between 0730 - 0800, so they can start their technical inspection of our cars.

There's more information at the ZCCC web site: http://www.zccc.org/

Who's all going?

 

I'll most likely be there. I'm hoping that all the spots for the 50 cars won't be full. The $70 dollars for the track is a little steep, but I think that it will be well worth it.

Does anyone know the easiest way to get there. There wasn't a good link on the ZCCC site or State Patrol for directions. I also heard it's a dirt road to get there. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. See you guys tomorrow,
David

 

Take I-70 west to Colfax exit. Go east to Indiana Street and turn left (north). That turns into Old Golden Road. Follow that to Quaker Street and turn right. That takes you to the track. The last part of the road is dirt.
The $70 isn't so bad. My son paid $200 to use PPIR plus the rental of a driving suit.
I'll see you there.

 

Thanks for the info, Craig... I hope this helps David.

See you both there today... !!!!!

 

So how was it? Did everyone have fun? Was there a big turnout?

 

Lots of cars on a gorgeous day... reminded me of La Junta!! A few newbies in various vehicles, one guy taking digital stills of us all coming off the 'hump', and a beefed-up TT 300z (cranking out 550 hp @ 20psi) running the track with a video camera strapped to his hood or door! I'm hoping to see some great pics come out of this track run... we'll see.

IMHO, the ZCCC moves way to slow. I don't think I was the only one who might have been a litte anxious to finally get on the track. The day started with a Vette spinning in turn 7 (first turn after the hump going CCW). BTW: We never did go the other way round... which would have been nice, because turn 6 would be an incline... oh well. After that, things settled until the red MR2 (MRnot) got off a couple times in one session. No damage in either case.

Bottom's exhaust gave him probs again. I think a stronger, more permanent, mod will be required to keep that thing on at these events. It must be so frustrating for David.

ZZ-notop brought his sons along and they all had great fun! Very nice to finally meet you guys.

I started the day in group B, but after one session it was too obvious to Gary I was in the wrong group; he put me up in A, with a Legend, Porsche RT America, and a Viper! Now, I watched these mega fast cars run on their first session (mine was still cooling down and I couldn't join them until their next session out) and they definetly intimidated me just a little. So, I was stunned to find my lap times only about .5 secs more than the Viper or the Legend... I never did have the chance to really gage myself against the Porsche (Bill), but I thought we were either even or me a little faster.

I'm so happy to have gotten the day off from work to be there with all the other racers on a wonderful day.

GaryM05: Wished you could have been therel... hopefully I'll see you this coming Sat.

Cheers all!

 

The Saturday at the CSP track was a multitude of firsts. My first day on this track, my first day on any track on four wheels in more years than I wish to number,and my first day on a track in the new Z. I partnered with my older son (Geoff) to run the car in two classes which gave it a workout. My younger son (Jonathan) had his own Eclipse out for the day. He had just upgraded with a new brake kit and new tires. He was partnering with a friend so both cars got double duty

I was concerned about the brakes but they held up quite well. Only during the later stages of my run in a double sessions (the 2nd) did they begin to develop a little fade. A cool-off period brought them back and they gave no further concern for the rest of the day. I left the TCS engaged for the day and it made its presence known several times throughout the day. The first session I used the manual shift feature of the transmission and ran on to the rev limiter a few times. The second session I allowed the computer to take over the shifting duties. I became quite profient at predicting and controlling the shift points with throttle position. This has its disadvantage as there is a bit of a delay in shifting in this mode. The manually commanded shifts are quicker.

I had a great day and learned a lot about the car and reaquainted myself with long unused skills at navigating four wheels. The day ended with a ride along with my son as he showed the "old man" the advantages of youth and quick reflexes.

It was nice to see David again and to meet "peter" and a few others from this forum.

All in all it was a nice reintroduction to the sport and I am looking forward to doing it again.

Hope to see you all on Saturday!!

 

It was a great day. I was really surprised to see all the different cars there. There were three 350Z coupes and Craig’s roadster. There were all kinds of other Zs and ZXs, stock, racing, and heavily modified.

Like Don said they moved him up a class since his grades were good enough. I think that Don made the guy in the Viper sweat a lot. He was right on his a$$ through every turn, but the Viper took off on the straight-aways. I think that if the Viper had four more extra cylinders he would have really been gone.

It was cool to see a roadster with the top down running around the track.

This was a nice track. It was fun to gauge how better I was doing with how fast I could take the bump in the road. I wasn’t able to get my brakes to smoke like in La Junta.

I am glad that I changed my pads out though so I didn’t have to worry about them and concentrate on my exhaust issue . For those who don’t know I have a Stillen exhaust the keeps coming out of the hangers. I think that when I push the car at the track it heats up, expands, and pushes it’s way out of the hangers. It didn’t give me a problem until the second run. I had some hose clamps on the end of the posts, but those got pushed off. I used some duct tape to help hold the hangers forward. That lasted one round. I hope that I got it solved by drilling holes and using cotter pins.

Again it was a great day and I hope to make it out to the Second Creek track day next month.
David

 

Sounds like it was a great day! Too bad they didn't stick with the plan and run clockwise in the afternoon...I would have been curious to hear how the track flowed that way (especially that uphill right-hander at the top of the track.)

That turn after the bump (CCW) saw a 300ZX have a wicked spin last year, so I'm not too surprised to hear that it was again the site of an off.

David - hope you've got that exhaust squared away now with the cotter pins. If not, there are several shops in town that could probably fix you up with fairly little pain. Also, you mentioned that there were 3 coupes at the track...who was the third besides you and Don?

Craig - Sorry I missed seeing the roadster out on the track. You'll have to bring it to the next (and probably final) Z-club track day at Second Creek.

Don - Good work getting bumped to the A run group. They don't usually involuntarily bump people up, so they must have noticed something about that Brick tearing around the track. And I still haven't put in my order for one of those seatbelt-locking devices. I need to get on that!

Hopefully everyone can make it out again this Saturday for the mountain drive.

Gary

 

Gary,

Don't put an order into CG-Lock.com, I've got 7 of them in my garage that they sent to me mistakenly. I've asked them twice for what he wants me to do with them, but still haven't heard back... SO, I'm going to start selling them to anyone who wants one. They are $35/piece (that's what they charged me w/o shipping), so if you want one this Sat, then bring cash!

For anyone who doesn't know what they are, or what they do... check out their website: CG-LOCK.com

Anybody need more info, please contact me personally... I'd be happy to explain.

Cheers!

 

Gary: The Third Coupe was owned by a ZCCC member named Bill. It was a Lemans Blue Touring. He said that this was the second time that he's been to a track. He was running stock and said that he was having a little brake fade to the end of the runs. I told him to check out the my350z site and that we have a drive next Saturday.

I'm hoping that my exhaust is "fixed". I'll bring plenty of pins and washers to the next event just in case.
David

 

I believe its called 'Daytona Blue' if I'm not mistaken... and the LeMans Sunset is the orange color... you can ask Juztin to be sure. I know that's what you meant...

--------------------------------

Gary: David was really getting fast out there. If it weren't for the exhaust thing on his mind, I'm positive he would have been up a group too!

 

Don,
That seatbelt lock sounds interesting. I think I'll check them out and let you know if I want one. Several times on Sat. I wished I had just that.
I plan on being there Saturday but I will probably have to leave early. We're having gueats for dinner Sat evening so I have to help the wifey around the house.

See you then!

 

Craig, you can always show up late and say that you had car troubles.... naaaah, she wouldn't by it, would she?

Shine her up good and we'll see ya Saturday... you going to be the sharpest one of the bunch!!!

 

Don,

I'm good for one.

Joe

 

kewl... i'm bringing the whole lot, so if anyone else wants one they'll have a chance to try 'em out on the run.

lookin' forward to seeing you again Joe.. been awhile!

 

kewl... i'm bringing the whole lot, so if anyone else wants one they'll have a chance to try 'em out on the run.

lookin' forward to seeing you again Joe.. been awhile!