So been thinking what I want to do for tracking this year, really thinking. The group I normal run with, decided to take the year off :( It was a fun group with car limits of 25 per session. This has left me in a real bind. So I am thinking of running with Jzilla, for I know a couple of friends that use them. Also maybe only 6 events this year VIR and Barber in the Type R, Atlanta Motorsport Park and Road Atlanta twice each in the Z. Still thinking and wondering. :confused:

Do you ever make it up to midohio/gateway? I’ll be up there with NASA midamerica, and they have a pretty good group to run in.

not anymore, since I drive the car to the track, and I'm old, need some with something that is more comfortable - old man excuse (thanks for the suggestion)

ok, been a lazy weekend, was suppose to go on a trip, but it got canceled and it all worked out. It has allowed me to think of my tracking for this year. Tracks I have decided on. VIR and Barber in the Type-R, the AMP and Road Atlanta twice maybe in the Z. Then a couple of SCCA Track Nights, just because they are easy.... Will keep all posted if they want to come and visit

interesting about tracking, so I inquired to just track it, about where I would fit with in there groups. damn, its like going through an interview process, let's see your tracking CV and who was you instructor, because the instructors with you were tracking with are not very good, damn...

Also met a neighbor for the first time, had a great time and at the end of the night he said, if you want to drive my 96 jags, just come and ask for the keys.... amazing, the only question I ask was what year his jags were .... and no more talking about cars... :tiphat:

decided in order to improve a bit this year with tracking I signed up for Ross Bently's
Speed Secret - Self-Coaching for Drivers Masterclass
more education / more knowledge / better driver...

The Z is up for sale... Why, just time, partly the Type-R spoiled me, with the comfort it has and its not a bad on the track.. Just gotten old and did not want to deal with a car that is more track, then pleasure for long trips... Any suggestions on the ad, I look forward to hearing about

https://awesomejoeauctions.com/class...2-Nissan-370Z-

Good luck with the sale!

Thanks, it will all be down to price, which is a slippery slope. :tiphat:

never realized how expense a head gasket failure could get, Actually one shop asked the mileage and said, since its apart might as well replace the timing chain/water pump. It makes sense Its really a catch 22, haven't priced replacement engines. Just a big bummer... car has 78K on it... If I was 10 years younger it would be an easy decision, but I'm not �� Its not really the parts but the time, 25 to 30 hours labor

on the other hand, I have booked a lapping afternoon at Mid-Ohio in September. Fingers crossed for VIR with chin. Booking opens on 4/1. For Memorial Day weekend, from there the rest of the year will play out But It won't be in the Z, That will be next year if I still have it.

Made a decision to park the Z for the year and try to figure out what I need to do with it.
If I was 10 years younger it would be easy, but I am not.
Good News, I did get a quote from HAGERTY insurance, with a value of 25K.
Which is about half for my full insurance with State Farm. Waiting on State Farm to start offering HAGERTY, which for TN, should be in April.

Look at it this way. In 10 years you'll be saying the exact same thing: "If I was 10 years younger"...

Meaning - if you feel well and enjoy the car - maintain it and keep enjoying it, you're not going anywhere yet.

I wish, but being 71 in a couple of days, its age/retirement running together...
so I haven't given up hope... Just trying to figure out... :)

On the other hand just signed up with Chin to do VIR May 27/28 with the Type-R.
That part of me hasn't stopped :)

Wednesday night I did a SCCA Track night, but this time I did work/drive, which means I get one session for 50 dollars. It was suppose to be a shakedown, but it decided to rain. I took the 3rd session to run, but before that I went did parade laps and decided, I would do the session. By the time I got out, track was wet and no rain. Funny, slow starter, so I let cars pass. I got a blue flag for Cayman GT4. I said ok. Interesting is that it did not run away. And by the end of the session, I got a wave by them,. Spent the time feeling the car. Here is the video of best lap

Sunday was a good day, Car came back shiny side up and I went as fast as I could on this day. Best was a 1:38:10. Got in about 44 laps total. Biggest thing is just to have fun and take what time I can get. Because I have done a lot of laps here. The session I got my best time in I averaged 1.40.13 for the session. What really surprised me, was the number of cars. The group I ran with last year limited it to 25 cars per run group (maybe why there not there anymore). I do not know the count, but that was lots of cars. Also, in running yellow (intermediate) passing was allowed anywhere on track. Also vs last year group I ran with, this group, the drivers seem better/more experienced. But in the end I had fun and that is what it is all about.

Other news, I found a shop in knoxville, that will do the following on the Z.
Head gaskets
timing belt
water pump
coolant flush
oil change
For about 4600.00, which is great.

So that means when I put it back up for sale, someone is going to get a nice package.

Because along with that...
Last year - new transmission / clutch / battery / power steering

so keep tune....

That’s the way to treat the Z (or any other vehicle for that matter). Take care, drive it as the engineers intended, and take more care.

Good stuff!

Awesome build! Whoever is going to buy your car is getting a solid machine!

Had a fun couple of days at VIR, its a fast track, what I mean, is the front straight 125+
Up the esses 100+ and back straight 127-130. Its amazing.

I did have several comments, a person in a porsche cayman, said I got past by a civic, another person in a porsche cayman said, I couldn't shake you and your fast.
Lots a comments about how quick I was.

Did 91 laps over two days, with a best of 2.18.64.

Enjoy the video

Was doing a post track inspection...
Found out my rear brakes are basically gone...
I was taking to a neighbor who has done VIR and he said it is hard on brakes....
Tires, took a beating too..
So when I go back, need to just buy special brakes for VIR...
still amazing and still learning...

Yes, indeed, thou its hard I keep thinking about making it easier for the street and making it more a DD, going have them put normal brakes on it. Haven't decide what to do about ride height, it needs to go up about an inch.

Thanks for the comments

My 370Z that I have owned for 12 1/2 years will be going up for sale shortly.
Mixed feelings. but it seems to be time.
Car is going in for the repairs from last year tracking problems.

So stay tune.
A quick summary of what has been done in the past 18 months.
Power steering pump replaced
serpentine belt replacd.
Transmission replaced
Clutch replaced
Timing belt replaced
water pump replaced
Spark plugs replaced
head gaskets replaced.
all hoses have been replaced.
shock bumper stops
besides doing oil changes at least twice a year.
The car also was on Nissan's gold plan from 2012 to 2019, which included oil changes every 3750 miles, and all the other stuff with that warrant.

The list does not include all the little things done to the car, still working on that.

well dropped the car off for its repairs...
It felt good to still drive it and felt and look good.
Felt good (alots of good in this)
It should be ready by Wednesday, then decision time...
:)

Z is all done, will pick up Monday
excited.....

Back for now... Password reset problems not sure if fixed.
But Saturday and Sunday at Road Atlanta in the type-r
Z is home, but will no longer be tracked...

well its been two months, August was a blur, mainly it was
Reno - where it was hot august nights and 6000 hot rods
Ohio - to visit mom and help with her move
NC - for a wedding..
then just some time to recover.
Now this weekend is tracking the Type-R at Road Atlanta....

And the password problem is not solved, so this computer works, but is in Atlanta.
The one at home doesn't :(

on the other note, the Z is up for sale....
Here is the ad,

https://awesomejoeauctions.com/class...12-Nissan-370Z

The ad, still needs cleaned up a bit, but it is basically correct

Welcome to Monday evening, already, yea....
Over the weekend I tracked the Type-R, Saturday on a wet track and sunday on a dry track
more to come later....

Interesting -- 1 370z about 4 350z, 8 Civic Type-Rs. and about 6 of the new Supra's along with your usually BMW's and Vettes.

well, funny a bit, trying to recover from the weekend.
But, I am doing a work/run with SCCA Track Night at Road Atlanta.
which means I work get a 20 minute session which is all good with me.....
:driving:

Well that didn't work last night...
Not that I did anything wrong.
It was a C8 Vette, that somehow hit the guardrail and hit it good enough that they needed more repairs.
The track night finished, but with 1/4 of the track a slow zone, decide I did not want to run.
It would have been hard, because I was left all alone to direct cars to the grid.
oh well
will be doing AMP in Oct, driving the entire night.

well by magic, my id started working again.
or was it me..
just very odd
time to get back at it