Folks - for months we've been talking about getting the Texas 350Z club folks out to an event. We've done drives together very successfully, we've done dinner, we've been talking about TWS events for a year now - now it's time to go!

The Drivers Edge has taken over an event at TWS for the first weekend of May. The weather will be relatively cool, so the track and our cars will be optimum.

We're focusing on premium cars, so you'll be out on the track with cars of the same calibre as ours. Registration specifically for Z owners has just opened up... Registration Details

Best of all, this event is being run by The Drivers Edge - the best instructors in the state with the most experiences across the broadest possible range of cars means your assigned instructor will have the best possible credentials to teach you how to drive your car at speed around TWS !

Post here and I'll be happy to discuss details.

It's time to get some serious Zs out on the track! Register ASAP, or be left behind.

-Jeff Fisher
Instructor, T.D.E.

TWS

 

jeff, the driver's edge page has been down all day

btw when's the next drive? i need more rockchips!

 

It's up now: http://www.thedriversedge.net/

Don't know when the next drive is... but I won't be bringing the ****-u-ar next time...

Also, I've left a long post over on the registration site - specifically for Z owners. Comments can go herfe (or there, if you register on that site).

Also, see my note in the other post - I'd like to get the local S2000 and Z gorups together before the event to review the event and track in dfetail, give you a headstart on learning about the track. We've done this before, very successfully. I'd bring in-car videos, track maps, and some speakers to discuss technique and preparation. If there is interest, I'll set it up.

 

Hey Jeff,

I can't find the actual registration form. I looked all over the Drive's Edge site and can't find the form for the May 3-4 event.

If you can post a direct link to the form that would be great and I'll put the information up on the CZOT website. I've gotten some interest from some CZOT members already.

As far as getting together prior to the event, that would be great. Maybe you can come talk at either the March or April CZOT meeting. They are held the last Monday of the month at Tres Amigos Restaurant on US Hwy 290E and 183. Let me know and I can set something up.

Thanks,

Rodel
2003 President
Capital Z of Texas

 

I'm interested. Any details on Cost? One more excuse for me to upgrade my brakes.

 

The details for registration are on the S2KCA site: registration details here. The form is ont he T.D.E. site itself, which the link above leads to:
form

Also, Rodel, I'd like to come to the Z club monthly meeting in Austin on the 31st and explain how this type of event works in more detail... even show some in-car video. I think the Z club members will find a new addiction in Open Track events... and you certainly have the right cars for it!

Can we do something like that?

 

jeff, maybe you can convince randy to do a group buy on helmets for those of us that need them

also, rudy is trying to get a saturday or sunday a week or two prior to tws at grandsport (out in hitchcock se of houston) for a little "practice" time on the track.

 

I'm sure Randy would be very interested!!!

Let me know about Hitchcock, and I'll be there to help. Perhaps I could show some TWS video... talk about prep for the track and how to get around it faster.

Also, did you see the long post I wrote on S2KCA specifically to Z owners? I made an offer to setup a meeting a dinner meeting in Austin to review the track in detail... and review on some in-car video. It would be a great jump-start to learning the track!

 

Jeff/Rodel,

This sound great. I've been looking for one in the Spring that we can get more Z out there. Count me in.

 

"Spring" is the keyword here... June thru early September is miserably hot on the track:

In your car: 100
On the asphault: 130 !!

Driving like this in the middle of the summer takes a lot out of you, your car, your tires, your brakes, etc. It's not optimum at all.

So, this is the best chance for a TWS event for everyone... which is why we pressed S2KCA to include the Z folks.

Did you read my long diatribe/manifesto on the S2KCA forum? It's addressed specifically to the Z folks.

The Z is a great car for the track... every single model since thew start.

Al, glad to see you are coming!!

Just remember, I warned you about the addiction you will develop for this aspect of the hobby. It's the greatest fun you can have in your car!

 

Thanks Jeff for the heads up.

Regarding helmets and other items, I'll edit this post when more information comes together. For the past few years I've dealt with Bieffe, however they have recently gone under, or on their way under. So there is no way I can offer any more Bieffe helmets with the exception of my demo unit, which is an F1 SA2000, white in size SMALL. It doesn't fit everyone's head, but to the one that wants it, I will offer it at a great price.

Helmets - Currently looking into offering Bell and Simpson helmets for this group buy.

Brake Pads help out with whoa power - I'll be offering specials on Porterfield R4 & R4S brake pads and if the demand is there, I'll offer EBC brake pads as well.

Brake Fluid is a must, so I'll try to get more ATE Super Blue in stock a few weeks before the event so we can have a mini-tech day here in Austin and bleed out that stock fluid or else, it will just boil over.

 

Great idea Randy!

I'll commit to help out at the mini-tech day as well. Purpose is to get to these events and *not* have any trouble on track which would hold up the weekend.

Therefore, some top-notch brake fluid and pads would be a huge plus!

-Jeff

 

Here's in-car video of 2 (slow) laps at TWS!

TOV video

It's not exactly realistic, this was the last run of the day on Sunday and everything was tired and worn out. There also weren't any other cars on course. Also, a soundtrack was added, so you won't hear the actual sounds. Needless to say, I was in VTEC at all times and often bouncing off the rev limiter at 9300.

Top speed was about 132 - by turn 1 and THRU turn 1 (coming off 18 degree banking and heading into the infield course). Brake from that speed and downshift to third, prior to making the left thru turn 2.

This was in my (then) entirely stock S2000, on street tires, with a mild alignment, brake pads, and of course ATE Super Blue.

Do not try this at home, your results will differ, etc.

We'll discuss all this in detail when we get together. I'll also invite another Austin-area instructor, if he is available, who is an expert in suspension and tire setup.

Later this month, a couple of us are renting TWS for a private practice day. Hopefully, I'll have a lot more in-car video after that event. I'm now equipped with a Cone Cam.

Yes, it's the most fun you can have with your car!

 

Quick question for you guys:

I was originally thinking about attending the November date at Motorsports Ranch.

Can you tell me the differences between the two tracks?

Thanks!

 

Attend both! That's in November, quite a ways into the year.

MSR = 1.7 mile very technical road course. lots of off camber corners. 11 turns.

TWS = 1.7 or 2.9 mile road course (this event will be on the 2.9), not as technical until you've been there a few times, lots of speed. 15 turns on the 2.9.

 

TWS if you like SPEED

November is a long way off... join us in May.

 

Hey Moroccan Mole...
when were you gonna let your ol'buddy Zcardave in on a possible Hitchcock event? You know that's only a few miles from my house. The last time I went out there it was in a state of TERRIBLE dis-repair...to the point of being dangerous.

Let me know if you're planning to go. We can use my house if something goes wrong and we need tools/garage/lights, etc.

Would like to get a chance to warm up my new LSD on the Smurfmobile before any TWS events.

 

Jeff/Rodel,

I just registered. Look like I should get some better brake pads and fluid for the track this time. See you at the Z club meeting on the 31th. Hopefully Jeff can pump up more interest. We need more show than last November at the TWS.

Jeff, great welcome write up for the Z folks at the S2KCA forum. I can use all your help to get better prepare this time.

 

yea the track is in very bad shape at the moment. some concrete barriers need to be moved to make it safe in case somebody goes off track. cones will also need to be set up to avoid potholes. not to mention it needs to be swept in the worst way.

it's still very early, but im hoping we will be able to get it and have it in shape to be able to use it safely. once im for sure, i will post here to invite those that are interested. it should be about $65-$70 for a 1 day event.

 

well, I can't edit my post. ugh.

so here are the LIST prices on Porterfields:

Porterfield R4 front: $159 rear: $89
Porterfield R4S front: $110 rear: $69

R4 - a track only pad that squeaks, dusts and stops very fast when they are at temperature. these are not recommended for the street because of their higher operating temperature.

R4S - a good street/autox/light track pad. they can dust, and they can squeak if you use them very hard. they are good for light track events or if you are not that hard on the brakes. otherwise, you will go through them very quickly. if you are a novice on the track, these can work for you. otherwise, you need to go to an R4 pad.

keep in mind these are list prices. I am offering a discount on these pads, and even more if you purchase them as a set of front and rears. if you want a set of front and rear pads, please email me: randy@importdevelopment.net and I'll give you the final sale price. I'm discounting them a bit further than I'm allowed to, so I cannot post the sale prices here.