12/2/07: Nissan Performance Festival
 

For beginners to experts...if you don't like car shows, then show your go!

https://img229.imageshack.us/img229/...ressidedg2.jpg


Click here for: Nissan Performance Festival

Click here for: 4th Annual Toys for Tots Charity Car Show

Cheers, Ted
https://img527.imageshack.us/img527/569/forumsigeu7.jpg

I think I might be heading to this.

Through the cooperation and teamwork of Nissan Sport Magazine, with regional HPDE track day organizers SpeedVentures, Inc., a Nissan Performance Festival is being scheduled for Sunday, December 2nd, at the California Speedway in Fontana, California. And, as Ted notes in his flyer above, there is going to be a lot to this one!

There will be at least three components to the program.

A charity show and shine competition for Nissan and Infiniti cars will be presented by local California car club Team Transport in support of the US Marines and their Toys 4 Tots campaign. This is a really worthwhile event to support one of the best charities around, and TT makes it a regular on their annual program.

But what really makes this different is the "action" part of the program.

A full track day program, oriented for novice drivers with driving school instruction provided, will be offered on the auto competition course at a terrific price (Nissan Sport and TT don't get a penny of the cost, that goes to paying the rent on one of the world's newest and best tracks....which includes not only the infield but the amazing "Roval", the 3100 foot long banked NASCAR straight followed by the banked oval turns 1 and 2! And yes you can drive it yourself in your own car.

And thirdly there will be an autocross event.

There will be sponsor tents from major companies and basically it should be tons of fun.

Registration will be at the links above, and many more details shall be following.

Those persons that are experienced track runners will have the opportunity to run in advanced and intermediate groups. But for the novices, those who have always thought about what it might be like to drive their car on a great road racing course, but were concerned about their skill sets or whether it would be something they could do in their own car......this is a great opportunity. SpeedVentures instructors and enthusisasts in the Nissan/Infiniti community will be on hand to help out, and introduce you to driving a race course in a controlled environment. And at a remarkably low cost, as this is being done in conjunction with raising money for charity, not as a business venture for the magazine or car clubs.

And if you don't want to drive, you can come and watch. You just have to bring a toy, this includes driving participants also...it is for the kids!

Check it out, and sign up early before the spots are gone.

If you wish, the latest issue of Nissan Sport Magazine has a section on driving the track, or you can get a pdf download of the article at www.nissansportmag.com, and there is also a video link so you can get some idea of the experience.

See you out there at the track!

Nice I didnt know there was a nissan event/car show/charity thing goin on too! Thought it was just a speedventures track day. Im signed up to run with the blue group on both days with them. Guess Im gonna bring a toy that day too. Cant wait! :)

Paulie:
The Track Day event is "embedded" in the Speedventures program that day.

We are trying to accomplish multiple goals as a team.

First and foremost, we are trying to help out all the children who would not have a holiday present but for the supportive efforts of the community and the US Marines. These events take a huge amount of effort, and not an insignificant amount of cash by the sponsoring car club, to rent the venue, pay the insurance, have the trophies made etc. Typically, they run at a loss and sometimes a serious one of several thousands of dollars, even though a nominal charge is made to the participants and attendees. By "piggybacking" the shine and show event on the Speedventures event, some very significant economies of scale can be achieved. For any club to rent this particular space on their own or as a standalone would be prohibitive. With the support and enthusiasm of Speedventures this venue is being contributed by Speedventures (applause everyone, please!) to help the cause. And make no mistake, the California Speedway venue is one of the most expensive venues in the state, a first class facility.

Second, we are creating a "template" for events that Nissan Sport Mag can replicate at other top rate track venues around the country for Nissan/Infiniti enthusiasts to gather together, enjoy their cars on the show grid and on the track course, or autocross course, and support an important local charity for the community. Hopefully this one will be successful and lead to more.

Third, we are opening up in a friendly and receptive environment the chance for the "newbies" to come and be exposed to motorsport as participants. So many Nissan and Infiniti enthusiasts are interested in the possibility of driving on a track, but are hesitant because they do not want to look silly or not knowledgeable. Well not to worry on this one, because even though you will sit in the same driver lounge as the NASCAR boys.....you will be with people just like you and not a bunch of "hair on fire" rocket jockeys. And best of all, the driving course experience is bargain priced, so you won't get in trouble with the master of the purse for doing it.

Think of all the fun and joy you have had with your experiences starting out with the track outings, writing and sharing those times, and how far you have come in such a short time? And how much anxiety and trepidation at first has been replaced with excitement, and increased skill and confidence. The fact is that there are many more who, given a respectable opportunity to be introduced, could share in that fun. And what Nissan Sport Magazine is doing is working with a seasoned professional track company to offer up this kind of introduction to performance driving instruction.

We think it should be a cool deal. What we are hoping is that we are correct, and that we will get at least 25 newcomers to sign up and take the experience.

And get a LOT of toys for the young children.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...NSiLogo118.jpg

I was out of the loop on the info. The track day is both days, so we can take novice applicants on both Saturday and Sunday. The Toys 4 Tots car show is Sunday only. (I guess i will be working both days. Hmmm. Two days on the track instead of one. What a sacrifice.

i will be going to this event and trying my hot shoe out on the novice group! should be fun!!

Couldn't have said it better myself Eagle... thanks!

-T

ill be there....

Awesome IDRMOFS7 and VOLK350Z !
I look forward to seeing you both.

And remember everyone...if you can come Saturday but not Sunday, bring a toy for the kids anyway. We will have a collection carton to put the toys into, and will then secure them overnight to deliver to the Marines on Sunday morning.

ill bring toys... i have a sh@tload that are just taking up space..

EDIT: These can be used toys right?? or brand new?
EDIT 2: Nevermind, just read it has to be unwrapped... ok ill buy a toy..

Gino:
Check the requirements of the Marines Toys 4 Tots program. I think that they have to be new and in their original cartons or packages, unwrapped. However, I do suspect that "like new" story books and such would be ok.

Nevertheless, if you do have used toys to donate, there are many other very fine charity programs collecting toys for the children this holiday, and they may include your own church or temple, and of course the Salvation Army, and many others. It is a wonderful thing to do.

At my office we have created and supported for several years now a program where we "adopt" a family which has a young child in the Head Start program, and buy and wrap/deliver toys for them. Together we cover every single child in the program, and we also cover the siblings for every family. (the families cannot afford toys for any of their kids). It has been one of the most enthusiastically supported and warmly rewarding programs we have ever pursued.

This is "all good" as they say.

I might sign up for Sunday. Hey Paulie, how is this cali speedway track? What degree is the banking on that track?

http://www.nissansportmag.com/downlo...earticles.html

Click on the link for a pdf download of an article that describes how to drive the track. There is also a link to a video so you can see the track from your perspective.

The track is 11 degree banking on the front straight, 14 degree in the Roval, and 3 degree on the back straight.

That video is awesome, i'm gonna try to get my suspension finished and corner balanced by then. Hopefully I can make it to this event. :)

I might track my car otherwise maybe just attend the car show.

^ You can do both! :)

The crew and I will be there!!!!
Eagle1, that video was AWESOME.

Do i need a helmet to participate in the novice(newbie group) to drive my car on the track?

Yes.

Anyone who races on a track needs a helmet. I might have a extra one for you. Usually they have some to borrow at every track event.

See you all there!!!

thanks for the offer! I'll let you know. Are helmets expensive? I might just buy one for myself.

Not really, they're around 100-120 bucks.

They say it has to be DOT and snell approved but everytime we've been to a track they've never checked for snell approval which is weird. But I would definitely get the newest snell approved helmet.

Thanks, Jeff. Looking forward to seeing you and your team out there.


http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...ier-276BD5.jpg

Yay Speed Ventures :)

Helmets are required for both ROVAL and Autocross.

using a motorcycle helmet for the Autocross is acceptible.

As you might get up to 130+ on the ROVAL, I recommend the best helmet you can afford... it's your melon you're protecting.

Helmets are available for rental with advanced notice... I think it's $20. Advise Speed Ventures on your registration, if required.

Anyone know if there will be a cap on the number of entries for autox?

See ya there paulie....this time, keep your side skirts on!

That is a good question and we will send a "sonar ping" to Aaron at Speedventures and get an answer for you, possibly some details on what they intend to do on course set up, etc.

The HPDE full track event definitely has a limit to the number of registrants permitted in the special newcomer's class, and it is pretty small, so if you want to run on Saturday, or especially Sunday when the big Toys 4 Tots and Car Show events are running, you need to get you rear in gear and register or risk being closed out. There is also a pretty long syllabus that lays out the entire day, schedule, procedures etc., which will be emailed to each registrant in the newcomer category, and I think that it might wind up being posted on the Nissan Sport Mag website in a couple of days once it is done being polished up. Also tech inspection sheets. And of course the article on how to drive the course and a video.

Fundamentally, there is going to be a wealth of information for someone to check out if they are a novice or newcomer so that they have a better idea of what to expect at this event if they sign up for the driving school and track event. For those with more than 5 events under their belt, they may qualify to run in the intermediate or advanced groups....but they already know what to expect and don't need to have it explained.

Just for perspective, although there is some serious classroom work for the newcomers, they will still get four sessions and about 80 minutes of time on the track. that is a lot of track time and for most first timers they will feel some fatigue by that time. They will also get some ride along time in instructor cars, time and space permitting, and that is not exactly "relaxing".

To help put this in perspective, read the article on driving the course. Then put it down and realize that everything described there in summary fashion probably took you about 20 minutes to read. A lap takes about two minutes....something in the low 1:50's for the advanced drivers and something around 2:15 to 2:25 for novice drivers. Compress all the actions you read about into those two minutes and you will realize that you are really working fast, and precise. Then watch a lap on the video and try to remember all the actions described in the article that you have to take. Each session is like a roller coaster ride that does ten runs without stopping. Except...YOU have to keep the car on the rails!

The first time I did this was at Laguna Seca, and after four sessions I was whipped. The concentration and focus really can take it out of you. It takes some time to build stamina for this, mentally and even physically. California Speedway is in my view a more demanding and difficult track to drive, both technically and physically, than Laguna Seca. Four sessions should be plenty. I would hope that everyone would leave happy and wanting more....but not any more that day!

Cheers.

Looks like I will be going to this event.

Should be a great event...will roll out there with some friends....:icon38:

We should be able to make this event. Organizers-- Let me know how I could help out.

Scott, that is great! Would you be able to help out as one of the instructors? You can still have Red Group driving time. But having a Winston driver would be a terrific thing for the students. Just don't scare the willies out of them on the ride along requests!

Still trying to get specifics on the AutoX...not dodging the questions, it's just with an event this size, we are dealing with many many details all at one time.

But remember, this show/track/autox day is put on by drivers for drivers. It's not a big corporate advertising thing.

It's a huge parking lot, so I am sure you will get a chance to test your car to your abilities. Additionally, the autox will be constantly running after the driver's meeting - there again will be plenty of track time.

Here's a draft image of the event's layout:
https://img166.imageshack.us/img166/...calimaprb9.jpg

You can see that the Autox has an area larger than the general parking lot and twice as wide as the Show Area (which is regularly the RV/motorcoach parking lot). Plenty of space to have some fun!

id love to go hopefully my new wheels will come in by then

but ill be going to Japan Dec 10 - 31st :(

i really really want to go to this

Ya, I got the PM from Ken that said you all would be very busy in the months to come. Have a safe trip to Japan

Cheers, Ted

You can get Bell helmets relatively inexpensive. They're good to have since we have tons of track events in SoCal. Remember you can always use them for ride alongs as well.

We don't carry Bell here, but Ive seen them cheap here:
http://www.thebellstore.com/

Also, I believe ASpec Products can get them.

Gonna track it? Just a reminder that the earlier you sign up, the better your chance of getting a garage.

-T

thanks bro appreciate the message, id do really want to check this out but gotta save up for that expensive Japan trip since ill be there for almost a month,

good luck with the show and event bro, i know you guys will have good turn out Ted

peace brotha
~ Ben

yeah you can pick up an open face helmet pretty cheap.
i might actually go to this, sounds like fun

justin, think we can get alex to go? should help my laptimes alot...

T4T07 Update 10/23:

1) We want to thank the following sponsors who recently signed on to make T4T07 special for everyone:

MagnaFlow - 1 free catback exhaust for any car, except diesel or vettes
Vision Autosport of Hacienda Heights - Parts for raffle!
Street Image of Baldwin Park - Parts for raffle!

2) We've had a lot of questions in regards to the Autocross:

The autocross course will be set in an infield parking lot at California
Speedway and will be designed as much as possible to SCCA standards by an
experienced course designer. Course length will be approximately 35-40
seconds with a top speed of 50-60 mph. It would be comparable to a Pro Solo
course. Drivers can expect to get 10+ runs on the course. A timing system will be also be in place.
Autocross is $80. A helmet is required; motorcycle helmets are acceptable.

3) High Performance Driving Experience, or HPDE, aka TRACK aka ROVAL
Yes, you can drive your car on the racetrack. Here is what the course looks like:

http://t4tcarshow.com/images/calispeedway/sun_roval.jpg

Medium size groups of 35 cars get four 20 minute runs for $195
Smaller groups of 30 cars get will have five 24 minute runs for $295.
Price includes ride-alongs, classroom training, and all you can stomach autocross/time attack
competition. It doesn't sound like a lot of time, but you will be exhausted by the end of the day, guaranteed!

You need a SNELL approved helmet to run on the track, and rentals are available (please note in the comments during registration if you will need one (they run around $20)


4) Speed Ventures, our track/autocross partner will also be providing every T4T07 car show participant a $25 gift certificate good for a future Speed Ventures track event.


5) Please note that Paypal has been experiencing slow response times, so it may take 30 seconds to a minute or so for the checkout process to finalize. Please be patient, and don't abandon your session! We do track the info as it is entered, so we will contact anyone that looks like they had a problem. If you do not want to use PayPal, you can go through the whole registration process, entering up to 10 cars, and then mail us a check. Just stop by our forum with any questions. Checks can be made payable to: Team Transport and sent to 19745 Colima Rd, #205 Rowland Heights, CA 91748

(note: paypal seems to be working fine now!)

Alright! I cant wait for this event! Should be fun! I just wish I had better rims for track so I can show my car too. Rotas :icon14: , but oh well. Although the CaliSpeedway is not really as fun as Buttonwillow, Id still be in any track event thats held here since it is only 10mins away from my house :)

See you there. I saw your name on this upcoming speedventures event this Sunday 10/28 Ill see you there too. what do you mean keep the side skirts on?

Paulie, I think he is good naturedly ribbing you to stay on the asphalt. A little excursion into the grass and dirt, or riding over some of the striped curbing in a couple of the turns out there could take the aftermarket body panels under the doors right off the car. I am just guessing of course. Sort of like "keep the shiny side up"!

Im trying to get Alex to come out. Im hoping I have a running race car by then as well :)

Subscribing

Thats what I thought so too before, but he said "... this time, keep the side skirts on.." I think he has seen a yellow Z before at the track and he might have mistaken me for that one because I havent really tracked the car without the kit on. Have had a few OTEs (not looking forward to more though).

Ed, I invited Steve Mitchell to come hopefully he'd bring his M-Workz Z when I was getting my alignment (new more aggressive camber settings) from him yesterday. With your USCC AWD G35 TT and Scott and Mike's RA Double down Z, this event will be LOTS of fun! This time Im gonna take LOTS of pics :) See you there!

P.S. Do you know or does anyone know if Cali Speedway offer tire shaving? Kinda wanna shave my NT01 for this Saturday's event.

i think i can get alex to come, weve been talking about him helping me get more grip experience for a while

we should get them to switch the auto-x out for drifting so we can have real fun, or both, who cares about the car show

I will be there fighting with Scott over who gets to drive the time attack car! :D Should be a fun event. Might just have to bring our time attack Evo as well so Scott and I have something to switch off between as long as you guys promise not to gang up on the outsider Mitsubishi :D.

Should be a fun, laid back way to celebrate the end of a crazy racing season and an opportunity to spend everybody's Christmas present money on my entry fee. :D

Jacko Luong is likely to bring his GT-R34 that was in the USCC, so with Mike B's monster Z, possibly the Evo, and Steve's great M-Workz Z we have the makings of a "corral" of fire breathers for the fans to oogle. I will pop an email to Steve Ruiz and ask if he could bring his supercharged StopTech Z06 which was also a top performer at the USCC.

I don't think that Cal Speedway has a shop that shaves the tires. Usually you arrange that when you buy them through a speedshop or distributor. Normally, unless you are going to be racing in competition, you don't need to shave them for HPDE days. You will get precious little use anyway on a heavy car like the Z. Just watch the number of heat cycles and break them in on HPDE track days, then put them aside for the couple of weeks before you are going to use them. That way you get the tread depth down where you want it....while having fun with them!!!! Furthermore, the unique wide tread block design on the Nittos gives a lot of dry condition grip even with full tread, compared to many other makes when new. Indeed, while the RA-1 from parent company Toyo is often a preferred wet weather rain tire, the Nitto NT-01 is horrendous in the wet, precisely because of those blocks.

Cali doesn't want any drifting or burn out contests.. they don't like the mess in their parking lots. We wouldn't be welcomed back, and the clean-up bill is pretty horrendous.