You should have no problems when you get there man. I always just register and pay and go through tech the day of the event. So don't worry about it.

As for me, I am in a wait and see approach. Car is currently in the body shop, if it's done in time, I will be there. They know that I really would like to have it on Saturday for this event, so I will keep my fingers crossed.

Gary.......not that it matters but I met some of your neighbors this week as I had to do some service on a treadmill for them. They said they werent too sure about you, thought maybe you were running a meth lab out of your house...........just kiddding......they didn't know you actually.

Brian

 

Brian,

I spoke with Nathan last week. He has the ok from the wife to come play with other z's.

 

Just finished registering and getting through ZCCC tech tonight. After driving many, many interstate miles in a C3500 crewcab dually (with a 24" trailer along for good measure), I decided that I'm ready to manuever a certain red car around 1.5 miles of pure fun. Looking forward to joining everybody this weekend at SCR!

 

Brian - If you would have told them that I'm the guy who's always 'wasting' a ton of water by washing my silver sports car on a regular basis, they probably would have known exactly who I am.

David - It'll be great to have you back on the track! I call dibs on a place in the right seat for a few laps. It'll be good to see that Redline Z tearing round the track.

 

This will be sweet, it sounds like there are going to be a lot of people from the board out there this Saturday. It will be cool to see all the awesome drivers (Dkmura, Gary, Ron, etc.) out there showing what the 350z can do.

Brian: good luck on getting your car done in time.

Will: congrats on the new house. Did you get Redstuff brake pads in yet? I put mine in on Monday.

It turns out my car will be doing double duty. So I will be in the Class C and my friend will be doing Class D. There’s only two times in the day where the groups are after each other and they’re split by a corner people change.

Anyway, see everyone in (2) days.
David

 

I'll put the Redstuff in Friday night with my wife home, that way we can bleed the brakes as well. Really sounds like there will be a lot of us there, too bad all the Z's I see down here in the Springs don't want to play. Such a shame...

 

Don,
I just threw the seat belt lock in the car so I won't forget it. You can show me the secret to making it work. I hope it will work as this is the place to make use of it. See you tomorrow.

Craig

 

I will be there,..............got my car back tonight.

See you all tomorrow.

Brian

 

Was great to see everyone, especially those that did a little showing off!!! You know who I'm talking about... hehe

Can't wait 'till the next one... you guys are really getting faster.

 

When all is said and done, I find myself exactly as Dave said I would, "having even more to think about." Reviewing in my mind every turn, every braking point, every line and apex, every tire put wrong - and the feeling of when they were put right- leaves me both frustrated with more questions and excited about answering them next time out. My goal of finding just how far my mettle can hold and how well my car can take me there is a fine balance, but becomes increasingly more stable every lap out. Every new question comes with the anticipation of pushing for that answer, and realizing that when it is found, the balance just moved a little farther. The more balanced I become in what I can do and what my car can handle, the more I see a new skill developing that is both fun and consistently learning. And while it will most certainly remain the skills and knowledge of a hobbiest, it is the fundamentals I gain about myself in the process for which i am most grateful. Thank you all for the kindness, patience and wisdom you shared to make this a fantastic event!
Will
(I still can't believe no one got a shot of the big wipeout...)

 

2nd Creek proved to be as exciting and challenging as it was held to be. Anticipated problems with brakes did not present themselves, however an unanticipated problem popped up. A back to back session and vigorous driving brought up a problem with heat in the transmission(5AT). A cooldown period brought that to a close but my day was ended with the "Check Engine" light on my dash. I anticipate something irrelevant but my conservative nature (and wife) said to stop for the day.
Don was kind enough to ride with me for a few laps and give some very valuable pointers that surely made my day more productive and enjoyable. This was my first time on 2nd Creek and it makes me very sad that the track will be going away. It was a very good experience as the track flows from turn to turn and allows for very spirited driving. It also requires a great deal of concentration.
It was great to get together with everyone again and to meet some new people. The events just get better and better. I'm looking forward to continuing this great fellowship. Thanks to all!!

 

Saturday was a good day! As Resolute points out, motorsports is not only an exercise in gaining confidence in what yoiur Z can do, it's equally a challenge to your self-knowledge. As we learn to drive quicker, smoother and better, it's important to know that those skills on the road are just as a critical. Will YOU have the alertness and self-awareness to USE those skills to avoid an accident, a skid or any number of circumstances that put any of us at risk?

It's gratifying to see everyone who has been to our Z-track days (as well as SCCA or ZCCC-sanctioned events) having fun and improving. I rode with, or gave rides to, a number of people yesterday. From what I witnessed, everyone is making fine progress while exploring their own limits. BTW- Will had a snap spin in two directions. Nothing too bad when exploring the limits themselves. "Wiping out" is more akin to bringing the steering wheel back to the pits as the only stright piece! Let's not go there, folks...

 

Hey everyone,
You can learn the darndest things when you read the book. The manual says that the "AT CHECK" light comes on when there is violent braking or excessive wheel spin in the system. Now how could that have happened? Nothing to do with the tranny or with overheating. It does, however, lock the transmission in 4th gear. That was the symptom I was experiencing. So I cut short a day for nothing. Live (and read) and learn!!!

 

Whew! glad it wasn't anything serious...

Craig, I gotta tell ya... there sure were a lot of young guys out there this time, all fired up on speed... you included!!!

 

I agree with all, the Second Creek track day was great. I appreciate all the help and instruction from everyone. I had a good time on the track. And as usual it’s always cool to sit around and talk about the 350z’s.

For those of you who were not there. There were twelve 350z, a bunch of older Zs, an Outback, five Posches, a new Maxima, a racing truck, and a couple GTI Golfs to name a few. All I’ll say about the Maxima is that it was awesomely insane. I was the second car behind the racing truck with the engine blew. I got a little smoke screen.

It is good that there were no major or permanent damage to anyone’s car here. I’m surprised to hear that Craig’s problem was a result from a Nissan error setting. Even with my car doing double duty, I did not have any issues. After a back to back session, there was a little brake fade, but nothing too serious.

I took a couple pictures with my friend’s camera of Gary, David, Don, and Will on the track. This is from the last round when we were working corner one. The picture of Will is pre-spinout though. As soon as I can I will post them here.

David

 

Don,
I told you if you got the seat belt tensioner to work it would cut my lap times. With that and your excellent instruction I was not to be denied. I have to think of what else will help me go fast. Maybe some fuzzy wuzzy dice hanging from my mirror

 

Took the Z in to have the Service Engine light reset. I'm getting a new transmission!!! I don't have an explanation, just that the part that is causing the problem is in the tranny and Nissan says to replace it. The thing shifts fine and is okay to drive but it will be replaced. Go figure???

They also found a small hole in my top and that is being replaced also. There is a new design for the top. I'm told that the seams are reinforced and some padding is inplace to prevent wear through. Empire is sure treating me nicely.

 

I'll echo the remarks of everyone here - it was a great day at the track! Lots of different cars out there, but not so many that the track was overcrowded. It was great to meet Chris and some of the other new folks (hopefully we'll have some more people to add to our track-driving group,) and it was good to have yet another opportunity to improve all of our car-handling abilities.

To David's point about being able to use what we learn at these events on the street, I can say without question that this practice has come into play on the street 4 times for me so far (and very nearly came in a fifth time when I encountered oncoming traffic in my lane around a blind turn on a mountain road...fortunately the offending car got back in his lane before I had to take an agricultural excursion!) It's all a lot of fun on the track, but it can also save your bacon on the street! It's amazing how quickly the reflexes can take over and switch your driving from ho-hum street driving to 'holy-$h!t' track driving and back again at a moment's notice. And it all comes from knowing the handling abilities of your vehicle, and having the confidence to approach the limit quickly and smoothly.

Thanks to Don for providing the shade...it's amazing how much more enjoyable the day is when you're not standing around cooking for hours on end.

Craig - glad to hear that what you experienced with your transmission was 'normal,' although 4th gear is probably not the most useful one to be stuck in! I wonder if there's anything that can be done to keep that from happening in the future.

 

Craig: So.. does this mean you're getting a manual??? LOL...

Everyone: Thanks for all the nice words. However, the real expert is David or even Gary... i'm just a 'ol fart with a young heart... I only give out advice that either David or Gary have given to me first.

The shade will go with me always.

Cheers!

 

Craig: Are you picking the cars that need their transmissions replaced for free? Acura CL Type S, just kidding. It good that everything will be working out for you with the dealer.

We were talking at the track about an upcoming drive. How does that sound? I don't think that we should let Don's mosaic map go to waste.

David