Chino 240Z

I'm sorry I agree with the hand brake too, I'm doing more brake jobs on domestic vehicles and keep forgetting about hand brake use is what adjusts out the shoes on a Z. Besides my Z (track use only) doesn't have a hand brake so I forgot. It's junk removed on track cars, it's a weight thing and if the hand brake is used you could do more harm warping a drum or rotor applying a hand brake while hot off the track. So in our case we bleed, clean and adjust by hand after every event. So I forgot about the hand brake on the Z, I do recall expanding them 15 years ago on my stock 72. My bad.

The adjuster wheel is the small wheel often called the "star-wheel" located at the bottem center between the 2 shoes. It will automatically screw out and expand the brakeshoes as they wear so the shoes stay close to the drums. When you replace with new shoes they will have thicker brakelining compared to the old worn shoes. Therefore you will need to turn the star wheel in the opposite direction to colaps the shoes together so the drum will fit back on. You may need to gently hold down the small lever away from the adjuster wheel so it will turn. It will be easier to close the adjuster-wheel if it was out while the shoes are off, but can easily be done with your fingers and a screw-driver after installed too. Once the new shoes are adjusted together inward and the drum fits back on, you will want to adjust or turn the star-wheel back out so that the drum slightly touches or drags a tiny bit on the shoes when you turn the it. You can hear the shoes touching as you spin the drum and that should be good to go. Sometimes even if the starwheel is adjusted all the way closed, you will have a tough time getting the drum over the fresh or new shoes, and that is when you push the shoes a little back and forth to get them centered and aligned so that the drum slides over the new shoes. Couple curse words always come about this time too. These rear drum type brakes will adjust automatically out to the drum when you apply the brake in reverse. The reverse action pushing on the shoes will cause the lever to actuate and turn the starwheel a tiny bit to push the shoes outward keeping them close to the drum. Hope this make a little sense? Let me know if it doesn't work, I can swing by afte work and give ya a hand. I work in Colton and pass by Ontario on my way home to Chino. Cheers, Craig

Clean windshield keeps the camera from auto-focusing on the bugs! 2ManyZs reminded me to mount an LED "Brake" light on the dash. So we installed a small 12V LED light that is wired off the brake peddle switch that we can see going on & off in the video when we are applying the brake. This way you can see if you are braking to early or hitting your braking zone where you thought you were. You normally can't see your feet in the view and is often too dark down below. So the tiny dash light is simple and effective! They also have split screen adapter boxes so you can use 2 lens at the same time. Just another thing to add later.

Victor, We currently use this I/Oport Racing mount for the "tape" type camcorder, but the recording head picks up vibration at high rpms or speeds... http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CM&Category_Code=IOPP This may be good for the larger old fashion type video cameras, but with the new smaller digital type camera or recorder a secure soft mount position on or in a seat works well. We don't use image stablization, adds more problems to the picture. This is going to be something you have to experiment with from camera to camera. Our old camera gets vibration even with rubber insulation between the mount clamps and the roll bar. Even though, it works good to watch your track session or driving habits at home after all is said and done. We are going to a digital recording camera with a lipstick or bullet lens & external mic. You will want remote start/stop control too, so you don't need to be reaching for the controls on the camera. We are investigating this system, since it has everything you need. This week they just upgraded to a newer or better camera than what is advertised but the price is still the same for the system.... I think about $550.00 http://www.upr.com/products/?id=4800&rsku=0 http://www.upr.com/images_products/4817.jpg I believe a 1GB SD card gives you 20 to 30 minutes of hi-resolution time, and they have 2 GB SD cards too. Here is another type of system ready to go and the media is computer ready to download, no conversion. http://www.chasecam.com/recorders/pdr.htm Might give these 2 companies a call and talk to them. I have had good conversations with the UPR people, but the camera guy is out till next week. Good luck, Craig

#120 white & yellow, here too. White a couple months ago, the Mrs. Chino brought home yellow last night.

If in the Palmdale area on Wed. Jan 17th? come on over to the Willowsprings International Raceway for a ride at the big track, 8:00-4:00. Entrance is free, just need a spare helmet and a change of pants just in case? We'll be at an OTR track event so stop on by! Craig

Love the color RED! Nice job! I enjoyed the pictures.

I saved $40 on sales taxes plus I got them before our local shops could figure out what the heck was going on with heat cycling. Kumho's 710s going on tomorrow.

Here are several types listed, maybe one of these can edumicate you in driving better? http://www.tirerack.com/features/motorsports/index.jsp

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.html Any 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=417 See ya there...

It's quitin time at work! Time to hook up and head for the track, so... Z-ya, wouldn't want to be ya! Craig & Cindy Latest email from ACRA..... This will be the last group email before the Track Day tomorrow. I have attached the Track Schedule below. Please arrive at 7 AM so we have time to check everyone in and become situated before the drivers meeting. The forecast shows for sunny skies all day so bring plenty of water. It will be cold first thing in the morning and warm up into the 70's, so dress in layers. Please do not park against the pit wall or in front of the 4 garages closest to the track/restaurant. These are reserved for the people putting on the event. Registration will begin at 7:00 am, please check in as soon as possible. There will be a mandatory 8:00 am drivers meeting, after the drivers meeting we will have classroom instruction for all newbies or people that want to attend followed by a on-track lead/follow session. The first run group will go off at 8:30 am. When you arrive at the track, please take the time to empty out the inside and trunk of your car, including floor mats and garage door openers. The restaurant will be open first thing in the morning to get hot coffee and a little something to chew on. The forecast shows great weather and we have LOW enrollment, this is the perfect opportunity to bring someone new to the track! NOT SIGNED UP YET...We have plenty of room left for all of you that are last minute registers. There are only a hand full of drivers signed up in each group...you will get an insane amount of track time! Please bring the registration, release form, and tech inspection with you to the track and email johnny@americancarracing.com to be added to the sign in sheet (please include your name, car, and run group in the email). Also, do not mail a check at this point, it will not arrive in time, please use paypal. Track Schedule 7:00 AM Track opens. We will have a morning drive around at a maximum speed of 55 mph. This is just to get warmed up and reacquainted with the track. 8:00 AM Mandatory Drivers Meeting to discuss track etiquette and Flag Instruction. 8:30 AM Beginners Classroom and Instruction. 8:30 AM Red Advanced Group 9:00 AM Blue Intermediate Group 9:30 AM Yellow Beginner Group 10:00 AM Red Advanced Group 10:30 AM Blue Intermediate Group 11:00 AM Yellow Beginner Group 11:30 AM Red Advanced Group 12:00 PM Lunch 12:30 PM Blue Intermediate Group 1:00 PM Yellow Beginner Group 1:00 PM Red Advanced Group 2:00 PM Blue Intermediate Group 2:30 PM Yellow Beginner Group 3:00 PM Red Advanced Group 3:30 PM Blue Intermediate Group 4:00 PM Yellow Beginner Group ACRA at WSIR - Weds. Oct. 11th Tomorrows event Wednesday October, 11th at Willow Springs on the Big Track. The track day will be held in the same fashion as all of our other events. There will be 3 run groups (beginning, intermediate and advanced). Each run group will be given 5 Thirty minute sessions (that's 2.5 hours of track time!!). There will be on track and classroom instruction. An all you can eat BBQ Lunch and a custom shirt is included. The price is $145 per driver. It is free to watch and ride along and extra lunches for spectators are $10, so bring out your friends and family. To register go to www.americancarracing.com or call 818-360-3906 and we can fax the forms to you.

Here's a good opportunity for those interested in taking your street Z to the track for a little fun. Passing on the note I just received, we'll be there too. Craig & Cindy ------------------------ As of now there are only 15 drivers signed up for Wed. Oct. 11th. With the low attendance, this is an ideal time for beginners to come out and get more attention than they normally would in class, on the track and with instructors. This is also a good opportunity for the more experienced drivers to get lots of uninterrupted fast laps. Wednesday October 11th, 2006 at Willow Springs on the Big Track. The track day will be held in the same fashion as all of our other events. There will be 3 run groups (beginning, intermediate and advanced). Each run group will be given 5 Thirty minute sessions (that's 2.5 hours of track time!!). There will be on track and classroom instruction. An all you can eat BBQ Lunch and a custom shirt is included. The price is $145 per driver. It is free to watch and ride along and extra lunches for spectators are $10, so bring out your friends and family. To register go to www.americancarracing.com or call 818-360-3906 and we can fax the forms to you. Regards, Johnny.