TravisJB Journal

travisjb · 05-23-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

Hey all, this is Tage Evanson.

Terrific to have you on this board, Tage!

All, I think you know from my prior posts who Tage is... back in the day a top autocross driver, and more recently a winning time attack driver and racer... you've probably seen him and his Civic featured in import tuner, modified, etc. It's great to see him make the jump to a nissan platform, and maybe we can keep him around! He'll be a great resource for all of us on driver coaching and understanding which mods really matter at the track. And I'm sure he'll be looking for specific input on his new 350 from all of you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

So here's a few of my comments:

Just a few, huh?! lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

1. Travis, you put WAY too much emphasis on the car and seemingly nothing on the driver....The moral of the story is DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THE DRIVER!

I'm sure it would seem that way having just read through this journal, but I do invest what time I can into my driving skills... never enough, but I put more time there than I do into mods/tuning... I've done the 4-day Bondurant course, for example... and plenty of Karting and more recently have gotten into Sim racing to hold me over between RL sessions... Also, my improvements at Chuckwalla were more about learning that track than they were outright driver improvements... Also tires and setup definitely bought ~3 of the 4 seconds... As a benchmark, my PIR times improved by 5.8 seconds over two years including all of the mods that were done on the car... final time of 1:07 and change, and I don't think anyone could do much more than mid 5s in the car, no matter how good they are... so, my guess would be that at PIR I was leaving 1.0-1.5 seconds on the track due to the guy in the seat

But I'm with you... it's time to check my ego and maybe do another 2-3 day advanced course with one of the schools

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

2. Along the same lines of focus on the car, you have too much emphasis on the power to weight ratio...but the point is, power isn't everything.

Fair... it matters though... there is time to be gained coming out of corners - you can only make up so much everywhere else

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

3. Oh, BTW, I LOVE the background of your car number. I had no idea I was a "target". Nice!

Everyone needs a huckleberry! If only you weren't a moving target! ha

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

Good move on sticking with the F250 as a tow vehicle

It's a solid, dependable vehicle... it's been choking a bit lately on clogged fuel injectors, but otherwise solid

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

5. This is my first 350/370Z related thread I have read so far but I'd agree that this is likely the best one EVAR!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

I say you supercharge your engine and then tune it for TTS. The last thing you want is a car that makes 325WHP but only 320+ for the last 200 RPM before hitting the rev limiter

I think you may be right! Going to ease my way back in this fall and then maybe take the plunge to keep things interesting

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

...Another eye opening experience could be to hire a personal coach or pro driver. That might be cheaper than a private school. Have them drive your car and then analyze the data on your Traqmate. I think you'll be surprised at the differences in the graph plots and then you'll know exactly where to shave those seconds off your lap times... he consistently pulled away from me lap after lap. Yes, I was even humbled... :-)

Good idea! But of course if they wreck it... that'd be an ugly scene

Tage humbled? say it isn't so!! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

9. In terms of getting out of a burning car quickly, regardless if your car is stock or modified, you should still practice the procedure...curious how long it takes someone in a stock 370Z to do the same?

We're all glad you are okay!!

I have a new job looking after products that protect people from fires, so your incident hits close to home for me

I'd be curious as well how long it takes people... you might even start a thread on that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

10. BTW, I'm looking to compete in my 350Z in TTA (on Hoosier DOT rubber) to see if I can get all the track records in that class here locally and then I'll switch to Hoosier slicks and go for TTS/ST2 (TT and Race Group). My Civic when rebuilt will be lighter and more powerful and be maxed out in TTU/ST1 (the next class up in TT and race group).

Rock on, Tage!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tage

One last question so I'm not hijacking Travis' thread here (more than I already have). Is the 350Z similar enough to the 350Z to warrant asking questions here on this site or should I just find a 350Z specific site to do that?

Yes, what Chris said

I think you'll find plenty of people around here that talk about the differences but at the end of the day they are darn close

By the way, did you know this car is for sales? (at least I think it is still available)
Twin Turbo Time Attack 370z for sale built like a factory race car!

Tage · 05-24-2011, 11:53 AM

Thx! Yeah, I'm pretty excited to give the 350Z a try to see how it performs and see if I can make it competitive on not just a local scale but on the National level as well. That wasn't the plan originally but my Civic is going to take so long to rebuild that I might as well stick with the Nissan for a while to see what I can do with it.

RE: Your improvements at Chuckwalla. Yeah, learning the track and/or gaining driving skills is all the same thing to me IMO. Improvement via the driver is the bottom line. Take PIR for example, you might know it like the back of your hand but unless you're flat out from T9 all the way through the oval, you're leaving a TON of time out there. No reason your PTW couldn't do it. I was flat out in my Civic!

Speaking of which, for those interested in the Civic that Travis was chasing after. Here is the most recent video of it at PIR. It's a race vs a TT but you'll get the point (low weight = lots of grip and great brakes / it also has ridiculously short and close gearing).
NASA Arizona - PIR - Feb 6 2011 - Big Bore Race on Vimeo

Oh and before I forget, I noticed along your struggles with fuel starvation that you mentioned of plans of going a fuel cell to not just resolve those issues but also that you alluded to the fact that you thought it was required for race group. That is not true, you do NOT need a fuel cell for race group. In fact, IMO a stock tank is preferred since it doesn't "expire". With a fuel cell, the bladder must be 5 years or less in age and you need proof of the age in order to pass tech. IMO, just get a good surge tank and keep the stock tank. Your dual fuel pumps is a good start but you should have those pumps, pump into a small 1/2 gallon aluminum box (outside of the tank). The stock tank/pump(s) job is to keep that thing full at all times (to simulate a "full tank") and then you have a 3rd fuel pump that draws fuel from the bottom of that to feed the fuel rail. If the stock tank ever sucks air the aux/surge tank will keep the engine running uninterupted for quite some time. I'm not sure why folks aren't doing this now as it's a much easier and simplier solution than all this maddness with baffles/tubes with holes in it or trying to find the perfect location for the dual pumps, etc.

I am anxious to hear how your experiences with NASA Florida compares to NASA Arizona as well as how you stack up against their local competition. I believe the tracks there are a bit faster so the aero should certainly help out more so than AZ tracks (w/ the exception of Chuckwalla).

That 370Z race car is pretty awesome but it costs about the same as I have into my 06 F350 dually, 24' Hallmark trailer, my Civic and my 350Z.

Boost_lee · 04-05-2011, 10:41 AM

Wow, amazing story. My best wishes to him for a speedy recovery

Mike · 04-05-2011, 04:47 PM

scary stuff, hope he recovers quickly

travisjb · 04-05-2011, 09:47 PM

Tage also had oil and fuel pumping in various places through his cab... something that always had me thinking...

He's a great guy, as you can tell from his post-incident posts... not many folks would sit in their hospital bed and share those kinds of thoughts with their fellow racers... good experience for us all to learn from SECONDHAND! lol

So, back to work I go! I'll check back in just a bit down the road

Mr&Mrs · 04-06-2011, 06:02 PM

Hey I see you made the move hope your are getting comfy. Cant wait to meet up sometime in the future!

travisjb · 04-06-2011, 08:18 PM

I need to have a "Z party" at my new house... the neighbors will love it! haha

Mr&Mrs · 04-06-2011, 08:25 PM

Specially with my GT Haus =D

travisjb · 04-06-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr&Mrs

Specially with my GT Haus =D

That's a pretty amazing project... Just subscribed to your thread!

Mr&Mrs · 04-06-2011, 09:39 PM

Thanks im a fan of your car so that means alot. I would love to track (even been to many hours of schooling for it) but it just does not fit into my lifestyle or budget right now. So I like to read your thread =)

travisjb · 04-08-2011, 08:22 PM

^ cool, thanks

So, here's what I ended up doing with my other rides...

Keeping the F250 ! Zless/Greg will be pleased!
Bought a Honda Ruckus ! I've been driving it to work and it makes my day !
Have a 135 vert on the way ! tricked out with pretty much everything... m package, perf, comfort, HK radio, nav, etc and sport suspension that lowers it 25mm with 2x spring rate and bigger sways

Z is waiting patiently in the garage!

Zless@arizona · 05-03-2013, 04:29 PM

Honored, and glad to be remembered!
Thanks, TravisJB!

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

^ cool, thanks

So, here's what I ended up doing with my other rides...

Keeping the F250 ! Zless/Greg will be pleased!
Bought a Honda Ruckus ! I've been driving it to work and it makes my day !
Have a 135 vert on the way ! tricked out with pretty much everything... m package, perf, comfort, HK radio, nav, etc and sport suspension that lowers it 25mm with 2x spring rate and bigger sways

Z is waiting patiently in the garage!

Mike · 04-08-2011, 10:08 PM

cool!

Benz_05tsx · 04-11-2011, 10:14 AM

Crazy car!!! DId you had fun installing that underdrive pulley?

Kingbaby · 05-09-2011, 04:23 PM

Great thread!

some dead pic links...awesome though

great power along with gross weight is truely incredible!

04-05-2011, 04:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	scary stuff, hope he recovers quickly __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

04-05-2011, 09:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 189	Tage also had oil and fuel pumping in various places through his cab... something that always had me thinking... He's a great guy, as you can tell from his post-incident posts... not many folks would sit in their hospital bed and share those kinds of thoughts with their fellow racers... good experience for us all to learn from SECONDHAND! lol So, back to work I go! I'll check back in just a bit down the road __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

04-06-2011, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr&Mrs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,207 Drives: RZ34 Rep Power: 31940	Hey I see you made the move hope your are getting comfy. Cant wait to meet up sometime in the future! __________________ Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

04-06-2011, 08:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 189	I need to have a "Z party" at my new house... the neighbors will love it! haha __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

04-06-2011, 08:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mr&Mrs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,207 Drives: RZ34 Rep Power: 31940	Specially with my GT Haus =D __________________ Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

05-24-2011, 11:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tage Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2 Drives: 03 Nissan 350Z Rep Power: 14	Thx! Yeah, I'm pretty excited to give the 350Z a try to see how it performs and see if I can make it competitive on not just a local scale but on the National level as well. That wasn't the plan originally but my Civic is going to take so long to rebuild that I might as well stick with the Nissan for a while to see what I can do with it. RE: Your improvements at Chuckwalla. Yeah, learning the track and/or gaining driving skills is all the same thing to me IMO. Improvement via the driver is the bottom line. Take PIR for example, you might know it like the back of your hand but unless you're flat out from T9 all the way through the oval, you're leaving a TON of time out there. No reason your PTW couldn't do it. I was flat out in my Civic! Speaking of which, for those interested in the Civic that Travis was chasing after. Here is the most recent video of it at PIR. It's a race vs a TT but you'll get the point (low weight = lots of grip and great brakes / it also has ridiculously short and close gearing). NASA Arizona - PIR - Feb 6 2011 - Big Bore Race on Vimeo Oh and before I forget, I noticed along your struggles with fuel starvation that you mentioned of plans of going a fuel cell to not just resolve those issues but also that you alluded to the fact that you thought it was required for race group. That is not true, you do NOT need a fuel cell for race group. In fact, IMO a stock tank is preferred since it doesn't "expire". With a fuel cell, the bladder must be 5 years or less in age and you need proof of the age in order to pass tech. IMO, just get a good surge tank and keep the stock tank. Your dual fuel pumps is a good start but you should have those pumps, pump into a small 1/2 gallon aluminum box (outside of the tank). The stock tank/pump(s) job is to keep that thing full at all times (to simulate a "full tank") and then you have a 3rd fuel pump that draws fuel from the bottom of that to feed the fuel rail. If the stock tank ever sucks air the aux/surge tank will keep the engine running uninterupted for quite some time. I'm not sure why folks aren't doing this now as it's a much easier and simplier solution than all this maddness with baffles/tubes with holes in it or trying to find the perfect location for the dual pumps, etc. I am anxious to hear how your experiences with NASA Florida compares to NASA Arizona as well as how you stack up against their local competition. I believe the tracks there are a bit faster so the aero should certainly help out more so than AZ tracks (w/ the exception of Chuckwalla). That 370Z race car is pretty awesome but it costs about the same as I have into my 06 F350 dually, 24' Hallmark trailer, my Civic and my 350Z.

04-05-2011, 10:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 30	Wow, amazing story. My best wishes to him for a speedy recovery

04-06-2011, 09:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mr&Mrs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,207 Drives: RZ34 Rep Power: 31940	Thanks im a fan of your car so that means alot. I would love to track (even been to many hours of schooling for it) but it just does not fit into my lifestyle or budget right now. So I like to read your thread =) __________________ Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

04-08-2011, 08:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 189	^ cool, thanks So, here's what I ended up doing with my other rides... Keeping the F250 ! Zless/Greg will be pleased! Bought a Honda Ruckus ! I've been driving it to work and it makes my day ! Have a 135 vert on the way ! tricked out with pretty much everything... m package, perf, comfort, HK radio, nav, etc and sport suspension that lowers it 25mm with 2x spring rate and bigger sways Z is waiting patiently in the garage! __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

04-08-2011, 10:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	cool! __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

04-11-2011, 10:14 AM	#14 (permalink)
Benz_05tsx Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Richmond, BC Posts: 21 Drives: 2005 Acura TSX Rep Power: 15	Crazy car!!! DId you had fun installing that underdrive pulley?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DannyGT's Journal/Progress	DannyGT	Member's 370Z Gallery	174	10-17-2017 10:25 AM
RCZ's 370Z Journal.	RCZ	Member's 370Z Gallery	1743	08-09-2013 11:55 PM
Edmonton Journal Review of the 370Z	BanningZ	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	13	08-09-2009 05:44 PM