If you're looking for an opportunity to brush up on your track skills or even if you've never been on track before, come on out to the first Buttonwillow Performance Driving Clinic of 2012 on Saturday, February 25. Taught by seasoned racers in a relaxed, non-competitive environment, Buttonwillow's PDC will provide lots of track time and expert instruction. Temp is forecast to be 72 degrees and sunny - perfect weather for stretching the legs of your Z car. For more info:
http://buttonwillowraceway.com/clinic.htm

 

what configuration?

 

First thing in the morning the track is divided. Novices will run the East Loop and experienced drivers will run the faster West Loop. After a few sessions (after lunch) the track will be combined, and we'll be driving configuration 14A CW for this clinic. I believe "A" designates the use of the new version of Offramp.

 

bump for Scott.

he is an excellent instructor. go check out his newly acquired 350z with advans

 

I'm looking forward to giving the KW ClubSport suspension a workout as well. It'll be my first time on track since TechnoSquare installed it last week.

 

did you invert the rear spring perch and drill through the OE spring cup?

 

I'll give my standard answer when I'm asked questions like this at the track: "You'll have to ask the mechanics. I'm just the driver."

I'll have to check with Howard, but given his expertise with the 350Z, I'm assuming so. I even mentioned drilling the hole in the stock rear perch to him when I dropped it off (as I'd read he had done recently for Project 350Z on www.MotoIQ.com).

 

Do they have track cars available for rent? I know someone who is interested.

 

The track doesn't have cars for rent, although some people bring their own rental cars (I've done this myself). However, it's quite possible that track driving is excluded on the rental agreement.

Feel free to contact the track directly to see if they have any suggestions:
Contact Les or Carrie
phone: 661.764.5333
fax: 661.764.5334

email: lesrace@aol.com
email: Carrirace@aol.com

 

http://youtu.be/dyuRT8wQEcI

Here's some video I took while giving student ride-alongs at Buttonwillow last weekend. As you can see, there was lots of open track. And I think the only Zs there were driven by instructors.

 

Great Video as usual Scott! looks like a great day for a driving school... that back straight looks insanely fast w/o the usual bus stop there! any idea of the MPH you hit right before Riverside?

 

I clocked you're lap time at around 1:50? If that's correct, damn, that's fast!

 

I honestly have no idea of my terminal velocity at the brake point for Riverside. Since I have only OE horsepower, it couldn't be too fast. I was quicker in the ZR-1 I drove!

I wish! You must have caught a lap with a splice in the video. My times were more in the 2:05.xx range when I wasn't slowed significantly by traffic. Still, I don't think it's too bad for a daily driver with only an exhaust and suspension on street tires.

 

That's still fast, though. I was there last year. My brother races in the SCCA Spec Miata. I was timing the other classes (Vettes, Mustangs, Nascar looking ones, etc) and only a handful were barely touching 2:00. And, there were those F1/Indycar looking ones that were doing around 1:50.