bjhines Posted October 17, 2006 Share #25 Posted October 17, 2006 They usually cost $300 for an entire weekend... That usually works out to about 3 hours ON TRACK AT SPEED... trust me... it is well worth the money... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chino 240Z Posted October 17, 2006 Share #26 Posted October 17, 2006 There are other great prices organizations in your area that can get you to speed safely. Check out the NASA HPDE (High Performance Driving Events) for a listing near your area. They divide the day up with different sessions for Class Racing & HPDE groups 1,2,3,&4, and Time Trial. You'll get loads of seat time, class and instruction at these types of events.http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/index.htmlAny So. Cal. Z's want some track time... $150 a day or $225 for 2 days!https://www.nasaproracing.com/nasa_event/show/?event_id=417See ya there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
76Datsun280z Posted October 17, 2006 Author Share #27 Posted October 17, 2006 That's cool, thanks for all the info and the links guys. I think when I started this post that I really meant it to be different things that you guys have learned about driving these cars. I mean like times when to shift and when not to shift, I guess stuff like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJGREEN71 Posted October 17, 2006 Share #28 Posted October 17, 2006 I wouldn't call a High performance school something that you can get at arelatively loe cost, at about $400 or $500 for a day ( using your car), unless you know of something else?TomoHawk, I don't know about Ohio, but I believe this guy is in Washington. Portland International Raceway (PIR) hosts a driver school for $159:http://www.cascadesportscarclub.org/training.asp?page=homeWe have one in Northern California too at Thunderhill for $225:http://www.thunderhill.com/html/driving_school.htmlI have not attended either of these schools, so I am not endorcing either one, but the track time alone seems worth the price of admission to either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Moore Posted October 17, 2006 Share #29 Posted October 17, 2006 I think that we all forgot the most important driving technique!The shiny side goes UP, and the greasy side goes DOWN!Have fun, but be careful... remember that the life expectancy of a car is only about 20 years and yours is thirty! Treat it with the respect and caution it is due. (you wouldn't flog a 90 year old grandmother would you?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomoHawk Posted October 17, 2006 Share #30 Posted October 17, 2006 We have one in Northern California too at Thunderhill for $225:I was referring to an SCCA- approved training course at Mid-Ohio race course using Acura cars, with classes, coaches etc., so it's not going to be cheap. I'm sure that there probably are some cheaper, 1-day driving schools put on by auto-insurance companies or somebody in a parking lot at some mall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjhines Posted October 17, 2006 Share #31 Posted October 17, 2006 Didn't the original poster want to know how to drive a "Z".... why on Earth would he want to drive a FWD Honda... TOTALLY DIFFERENT ANIMAL...All of the SCCA, PCA, PBOC, NASA, ETC... have CLASSES, Coaches, ETC... plus they are 2(TWO) day events... and they beat the $^!# out of driving someone elses Honda... I would rather pedal than drive a Honda on track... AND!!!! they are wrking out to only about $150 per day...To END this... you can talk and read about driving all you want... If you want to learn performance driving then seat time is the only way... I will not even entertain some of the stupid Q and A that armchair racedrivers come up with... get in your own damn car and drive it on track... best way to learn... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomoHawk Posted October 17, 2006 Share #32 Posted October 17, 2006 Ever heard of the "Tail of the Dragon" course? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasz Posted October 17, 2006 Share #33 Posted October 17, 2006 I wouldn't call a High performance school something that you can get at arelatively loe cost, at about $400 or $500 for a day ( using your car), unless you know of something else?Consider the alternatives! What would an accident cost you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjhines Posted October 17, 2006 Share #34 Posted October 17, 2006 I have been to the Tail of the Dragon several times in several different vehicles... That is complete stupidity... drop offs... ROUGH edged rockwalls... Minivans, motorcycles... AND a host of other neophyte wannabe drivers... as well as idiots going the other damn way on a 2 lane road... besides that the speed limit is 40MPH now... what are you gonna do... set the cruise controlJust how in the hell are you supposed to learn ANYHTING on that road... The fact is.. you are expected to run off at the track... it is made for it.. there are spotters and flag stations to help manage traffic when someone DOES GO OFF... granted you will be sent home if you continue to have offs... but one or 2 per-event is somewhat common... You don't know jack about driving until you have pushed it beyond your control many, many times and jumped right back on that steel horse..."There are only 3 sports... Mountaineering, Bullfighting, and Sports car racing... everything else are simply children's games played by adults"... Ernest Hemmingway..."Soccer, Football, Basketball, Baseball, etc... are all games that require only one ball... Race car driving requires 2 huge balls"... unknown... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Coffey Posted October 17, 2006 Share #35 Posted October 17, 2006 "There are only 3 sports... Mountaineering, Bullfighting, and Sports car racing... everything else are simply children's games played by adults"... Ernest Hemmingway...Hemmingway never said that.I agree that a new driver should spend time in a performance driver training program. Personally I think it needs to be more structured then a HPDE or an open track day. Most police departments that have access to officer driver training programs offer a teenage driving course. I've paid for all my niece's and nephew's attendence at those courses when they first got their driver's license. There are some very basic things that need to be learned before a new driver gets on a track.Regarding any unique driving techniques or tips to driving an early Z: There's nothing really different about driving these cars compared to others, if the early Z is properly maintained. The basic chassis behavior is no different then a mid 90s Miata or any other small rear wheel drive car. Its also very similar to a higher performance front wheel drive car like an Integra Type R or a later generation Prelude.My driving tips for someone just starting out:Keep your eyes up and look ahead.Keep your eyes up and check your mirrors every few seconds.Always think about what you are doing.Keep the radio off and listen to the car.Try to feel what each tire is doing as you're driving.Pay attention to how the clutch feels.Pay attention to how the brakes feel.Drive by yourself a lot so you're not distracted by conversation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjhines Posted October 17, 2006 Share #36 Posted October 17, 2006 Good tip John... there are several events geared toward newer drivers ... your insurance agent will have more information...The HPDE event is more performance oriented...Autocross is fun for new drivers... but it has a very steep learning curve considering you get very little seat time... HPDEs are well organized in my area...You will get specific drivers training skills and on track communication before you go out... a good primer would be exactly the list J.C. has there.. your first event will get you in the right mindset... the second and third events will get you some confidence in your abilities and you will have opportunities to sort out your car... By the time you have a dozen or more events under your belt you will have touched on nearly all aspects of real performance driving... No doubt you will have had a few offs... but the Z is a very forgiving car.. you will not usually get very far off track.. and wall encounters for new drivers are usually in the HIGH$$$ HIGH HP cars... you simply won't have the power to get allll the wayy into a wall... granted... track driving can be dangerous... but with a proper dose of respect.. you will have a much slimmer chance of actually screwing up your car...As far as performance or track modifications... use your street tires and follow the track prep guidlines for the event you are registered for... all cars must pass a technical inspection...Hemmingway is well known for that quote.. google it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yarb
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