Is this event open to Non S2k and Z owners? I have a few friends with Audi and BMW's that might be interested.

 

Eventually.

But, we put a special advanced registration (and lower price) in place specifically for Z club owners.

Given the synergy we've seen with the Z owners here in Texas, we wanted to reinforce and build upon it.

 

I just registered also. Greg Stevens (president of s2000 club of America) emailed and verified my club membership and I'm in. Interested in a Mini-Tech day in Austin, that was talked about early, and get some ATE super blue brake fluid. Sounds great, can't wait.

 

Actually, there are 3 get-togethers coming up specifically for this TWS event!

1) An office of S2KCA, Sondra Sondfregger, and myself will be at the Capitol of Texas Z Club meeting on the 31st to talk about the entire event, with in-car video to show. For people who haven't signed up yet, we'll be there to explain what this "Drivers Ed/Open Track" thing is all about. And stress the synergy between S2K and Z folks. We'll also discuss the next two get togethers:

2) We'll schedule a get-together sometime before the event to review the track in detail, with even more live video. Probably over dinner some weeknight at some local joint like Hula Hut.

3) And, on yet another day, we'll have the tech session. Probably do some brake bleeding of everyone's cars then, install brake pads (get your order into Randy), etc. We'll need a house with a large flat driveway for this.

Furthermore, don't forget, if you are not entering to run at TWS, you are still more than welcome to come out and observe. Youcan walk around the pits, talk to everyone, go into the grandstands, etc. That's a great way to learn what these events are, how they work, what they look like. Also, any instructors from The Drivers Edge can drive you around the track in their own cars, providing you wear long sleeves and pants (cotton), and find a helmet to borrow. The track is a very simple ~110 mile drive from Austin.

And, if time allows (assuming the schedule doesn't get backed up), we will most likely have a SLOW speed "parade lap" during lunch hour on one of the days (where you take your own car around the track, no racing, and at 20 MPH) - this gives you a chance to get a view of the track from your own car. Warning, you will get addicted and join us for a future T.D.E. event!

 

Hey guys! I am signed up for the event as well, did this last November with Al and it was a blast.

If you guys are looking for brake pads, fluid, etc. I am a vendor for Hawk and Ferodo pads. These are the best track brake pads around. I would be happy to do these at cost for you local Z guys. For example, I can get Ferodo DS2500 pads for the 350Z Brembo front brakes for $90, rear pads for $50. For more experienced/serious drivers, I can also get Hawk Blues or Ferodo DS3000, but these pads would have to be installed at the track. I also have plenty of ATE Super Blue and a bunch of speedbleeders, and I can also get TechnaFit SS braided brake lines. Email me at kuah@splparts.com.

I must have met some of you guys at the Hill country cruise, also some of you may know me from CZOT meetings/events before. I drive a green 300ZX TT.

 

Glad to see another Z member on board!!!

The Z folks are going to make a very strong statement at this event!

I'm looking forward to szeeing a LOT more Z folks at these events in the future, too. Z owners *should* be doing this with their cars - it's what they are designed for!!

For most Z owners, this event is your best opportunity to get the very best start in this sport.

 

This will be a big topic in tonight's meeting... show up to learn more!

 

What was the cut off date for registration for the lower price? I just sent in my Capital of Texas Z club membership form and payment, I think I heard being a member was a requirement for this? Either way I'm covered.

I'm definitely in, and will be contacting Randy for brake fluid and possibly pads. I've been on quite a few race tracks on motorcycles, and a few times in cars, but never this car. I consider myself to be intermediate, with a fast learning curve. Are brake pads for a non track model really necessary? I know TWS can be pretty high speed, and I am guessing that is why you all would reccomend at least the street/track pads. I have read that people get away fine with just fluid and stock pads on non track models, but just want to find out what you all think. My job market is so up in the air that I would like to hit the "go fast crack pipe" as lightly as possible starting out here If you guys think stock pads on a non track model would be dangerous due to TWS high speed, then by all means tell me. I'm driving a 350z touring with a 6 speed manual (non brembo brakes for you S2000 folks), FYI.

I also mentioned this at the Z meeting last night, I have about 4 helmets I won't be using, all of them are Snell 95 or better rated. They are all full face helmets, 3 are medium Shoei's, and 1 is a small FM. Visors can of course be removed (they are motorcycle helmets). Just tossing that out there if anyone wanted to borrow one. If I can drag a friend along to watch/videotape/take photos, I will just bring them all, and probably another 3-4 helmets on top of those I listed. Something I just thought about is that between my ex-girlfriend and I we have about 8 full face helmets, all in good shape. I have stopped street riding, and probably riding for the most part, so we are both looking to get rid of most of the helmets. So if anyone uses one at the event, and decides they'd like to keep it, a dirt cheap price can probably be negotiated, as they are just taking up closet space for both of us

Thanks for coming out to the Z meeting and talking to us by the way. I already happen to know a few S2000 guys that defected from sportbikes, and you guys are a great bunch, glad to be invited along.

Rob

 

Rob -

Unsure of pricing. And discounts. The discounted fee might be for only S2KCA members within a particular period of time. You might want to check out the details at www.s2kca.com under the forums where it will provide the details on the TWS event May 3rd and 4th.

Brake pads for non-track models - not necessary, not required. But it really depends how fast you are. You've been on bikes out there before so you know those limits. In the cage you'll behave a little differently and take some different lines. But just watch your pads and don't think you need to be too conservative with them. However if you want to up the pads and you feel you'll definately go to a few other track events, let me know.

And thanks for the invite - the local Z guys (and girls) and a great bunch! Something that will take decades of devotion from Honda for us to match!

- Randy

 

Just put on the application that you are a member of the Z club (or any other auto club you are a member of).

We're purposely going after Z members here, so it's great to see you registering!

-JEff

 

Well, I wouldn't say I've defected from sportbikes yet...after all, I enjoyed thrashing my RC51, an Aprilia Mille R, and a CBR600F4 racebike at TWS just yesterday! It was a fantastic day for me and my friends, though I saw lots of sparks and smashed plastic...

Aren't the grandstands condemned? I've never seen anyone in them, and I believe that's why...

 

Man I haevn't been to TWS in a while I guess, lol. Do you mean the stands right along the pits?

 

The grandstands would be the seats on the outside of the front straight.

 

I have heard rumors that this event may get cancelled. Any updates?

 

Nothing bad happening yet... registrations are still coming in.

This is going to be **the** S2K/350Z gathering of the year!

 

S2KCA backed out because oly 1/4 the number of people signed up that they needed to cover the cost of the event. My estimation is that only 20 to 30 people sent in their entry payment. Dunno why so few.

Driver's Edge is taking it over, but with a couple twists - 1) they'll be running clockwise (very fun) instead of the normal counterclockwise, and 2) it's only open to drivers who have already been approved for going solo.

My thought is that the best way to have a good multi-make meet is to participate in the September 26,27,28 date being put on by SpeedVentures. The coolest aspect of their events is being able to rent transponders so you'll be able to see your exact lap times. Great stuff for a little S2000/350Z rivalry.

 

You've got it wrong. The Drivers Edge was always running the event. We originally set it up as an S2KCA hosted event, but purposefully invited the Z folks (all Zs) because of the synergy we have with them in Austin. The type of synergy we should have everywhere. We also had some owners of other sports type cars registered.

The Z folks accepted the invite and made up more than half the registrations. That's the way it should be... besides being an ideal car for this type of event, there are very nearly already more 350Zs built than the grand total of S2Ks. And, we had representatives of many other years of Zs too.

This event is in NO WAY any kind of S2K vs 350Z horseshit. Don't make it into that. In Austin, as there should be everywhere, there is a lot of synergy between the two owners groups. Don't ruin it by introducing any kind of kidstuff rivalry crap. That kind of crap is for teenagers and poseurs. It is not constructive, it is not sportsmanlike, it has zero place with mature sports car hobbyists.

Registrants for the S2KCA event should keep the weekend on hold... The Drivers Edge is cooking up something even better. It IS NOT generally announced yet... planning is taking place this weekend. Look for an OFFICIAL announcement from TDE shortly. Instructors for new folks are being worked.

As for Speedventures, IMHO it isn't half the group that The Drivers Edge is... it's not a DE group (it's timed, so your insurance won't cover you).. and their September event may be suspect due to the spectacular financial failure of their last event.

-Jeff Fisher
Instructor, The Drivers Edge

 

Well said, something I am a big proponent of. While I don't think Elistan meant to much about the rivalry thing, I understand being so adamant about the topic Jeff. Rivalry = wrecks and just plain foolishness.

I hope I am able to do whatever ends up happening. I think I had mentioned my job uncertainty at the Z club meeting in Austin, and it's even more uncertain now. I hope I know something more about my job before the deadline for whatever DE ends up doing for this event.

 

Thanks for your support Rob.

I'm so bloody sick of BS and this hobby. One of the other groups in Texas that runs events runs them solely for their own brand of car - and while they occassionally allow some other brands they leave no doubt that they'd *much* rather not have you there. God help you if you should ever pass any of their cars on the track (which most of us can't help but to do repeatedly... lapping some twice!)... if they'd brought a "cooler" (that's a hint) with them they'd toss you in it for the usual 2-week sentence.

 

I've met Elistan personally and he invited a few of us to the Dallas S2K dyno day back in Feb. He is good ppl and I think he was just kidding around. Methinks you "laid" back Austin boys are putting too much meaning into what us "uptight" Dallas boys are saying.

Anyway... I got an e-mail from Driver's Edge saying that May 3-4 was for solo drivers? Regardless, I've already committed to PCA Mayfast at Hallett.

Michael.