Taking the Z to its first real track day

[70 Cam Guy]

Don't use a Porta-Potty as a brake or any other kind of marker like I did at Thunderhill. Someone moved it between qualifying and the race and I went off at the kink after Turn 9 at 70+ on lap 1.:stupid:

I drove Thunderhill the first time in December. They warned us newcomers about turn 9 and told us to point the car at the water tower on the hill as you're coming over. I thought it was a great trick, you can't see anything cresting that hill. Then I got the car sideways in turn 11 downshifting and clutching out too late into the turn. Being a newbie on the track I got pretty good at point-by's

[rxsleeper]

Depending on the track, brakes can be very important. I recommend a complete flush with DOT 4. Motul, Castrol, ATE your choice but a complete flush before the event. Hawk Blue pads will probably be fine but make sure you have some heat in them before testing too hard If you are still running drums in the rear, be sure to adjust the rears before you get to the track. Pull up the handbrake a time or two(with the button depressed) if needed to re-adjust during a session. DO NOT use the handbrake at the end of a session. Hot shoes have a tendency to bond to the hot durms. Don't ask me how I know thiat. You might be ok with DOT 3 fluid but why take a chance.

Make sure to have enough fuel in the tank to prevent starvation during high G turns and and try to glance at your oil pressure in some of the turns. You might see it drop under G loading.

Look ahead, look ahead, look ahead and remember slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Take full advantage of the instructors and listen closely to what they say. If you don't understand what they are saying, ask, and ask again until you do understand.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!! Track days are great fun and are a generally safe environment to find the limits of both the driver and the car. Go have a good time and come back and tell us about it.

[preith]

Don't use a Porta-Potty as a brake or any other kind of marker like I did at Thunderhill. Someone moved it between qualifying and the race and I went off at the kink after Turn 9 at 70+ on lap

Funny! Porta-Potty's aren't exactly light either, I have to wonder if that was the "movers" primary motive.

[WW2Winger]

OK, so how did it go. Give us your impressions.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

It is on March 13th. I am still putting the front brakes back together. Installing new inner and outer bearings.

[WW2Winger]

Sorry Stephen, I didn't read closely enough to catch the date. Where is the track day? On the 13th and 14th I will be back at TWS in College Station doing a Drivers Edge track day. I sent you a PM last time we went there inviting you to drive over. I never got a response. Let me know where your track day is....

About tire pressures...it really depends on the tire. In our weather these days, expect to pick up from 3 to 5 pounds pressure at temperature. I run Toyo RA1s and they like to be around 35, so I start at 30 PSI. Some other tire like Hoosiers, Yokohama, etc., may like different pressures, I don't know. Also, be sure to warm the tires and brakes.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

NO worries. I got that PM and wanted to respond, but got busy with my 2 year old. Track days are hard for me to negotiate with the boss. Lots going on. The track day is the 13th.. Today. I am about to leave for it in 20 minutes. Thought I would bump this post to let my fellow Z'ers know I am off to see what the silver bullet can do. I think she is as ready as she will ever be...time to find out! Took her out for a drive yesterday to bed in my new pads, and still think they have some to go before they are really set, but all seems well. She can lock up the tires if I mash on it. So I suppose that has to be good enough.

Wish me LUCK.

[Inf]

Sweet, good luck! Looking forward to the videos

[Zealous]

Good luck for today, I am looking forward to hearing about it after. Hopefully you some insights, experience and tips for other new people wanting to test their cars out on the track.

[spitz17]

Good luck! Keep us updated!

[Darrel]

so?????

[Darrel]

Did he run out of gas yet?