Mt Tam I am's Driving Journal

Mt Tam I am · 01-09-2014, 11:02 AM

As I left work coming by was a red 458 Ferrari. I suddenly became excited that I might be able to catch up and drive with him. Three cars separated us. I was talking to myself ex. "get out of the way", "let's make the light" , Nooo". After a two blocks or so I ended up behind the Italia. I wished for my camera.

A way down the road somebody signaled left and waited for an opening in traffic which stopped the two of us. Meanwhile the car just ahead moseyed along. Once the car completed the left the Ferrari waited another five plus seconds revved the engine and took off quickly but not crazy. I followed until we caught the car ahead which turned off leaving us alone on a 180 degree sweeping left which the moment you exit becomes a 55 MPH zone. I was applying gas towards exit and was WOT at exit. So was the 458. It was so cool. I didn't gain or fall back on this tiny straight uphill. We caught up to a car ahead driving 25-30 MPH so the Ferrari would slow down and run through his F1 gear box drive at a snails pace then speed up and catch the slowpoke.

At a pull out, the Ferrari pulled off the road and I did too he made a bit more room too. I got out, or tried with the auto locking doors, then approached the car. He rolled down his window and I extended my hand and we shook. I thanked him for playing with me. He was a bit younger than I, with his lady beside him who was friendly too. He told me they were out for an evening jaunt at sunset or similar word, and would I like to tag along. Without hesitation, said yes and rushed back to my car. He even allowed me to get my seat belt back on and then we were off.

When the road bifurcated he went left. The road less traveled. I have not driven this direction in several years. I prefer coming up this way as opposed to down as we now went, because the chances of driving without encountering tourist traffic is minimal.

Here is the part of the story where we Z folks can not compete. Every car pulled over for the Ferrari where normally you in your stupid Datsun will just have to wait. Even BMW's. It was amazing.

One thing that impressed me was that the Z did so well accelerating with him from 25. What impressed me about the 458 was the entry speed of a turn he could negotiate without trail braking. I was at the limit and he was not.

Eventually we met a militant type that would not budge so the Ferrari would hang back for a minute and then shift down into first gear, which gave me a warning, and then chase the Element down again and again. I kept thinking he would ignore the double yellow and pass but to his credit, he did not.

I could not stand the thought of unknown miles behind this rainbow flagged Honda, so I waved, flashed lights, honked and signaled to turn right up a head. Sadly he did not. Goodbye South Dakota* plate Italia1. I chose the better road. For the next 15 minutes I ran all out without a single car or bike. in the way. I got home and felt like I might be (car) sick for a couple minutes. I truly tossed myself around.

For all of you who put your Z's into hibernation, I feel for you. Remember this is the first time in my life when an unknown Ferrari chose to drive with me so this is extremely rare.

* He probably lives here in California but saved thousands of dollars registering there.

blackcherry20 · 01-10-2014, 05:37 AM

wow! What a story!! You have the best encounters.

Mt Tam I am · 01-10-2014, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcherry20

wow! What a story!! You have the best encounters.

This was the culmination of a life time. Thanks.

I told a friend I had a 45 minute drive home. He said how awful. I asked under what circumstances would it not be? He couldn't imagine, then the lights came on as soon as I said Ferrari. He's known me since childhood. My buddy was more impressed that I had an unobstructed drive back from Stinson Beach.

MightyBobo · 01-10-2014, 02:10 PM

Where is the part with the threesome with his wife?

Mt Tam I am · 01-13-2014, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Where is the part with the threesome with his wife?

Didn't happen. Guy just wanted to watch.

Mt Tam I am · 01-24-2014, 09:20 AM

Two days ago I'd been creeping behind a truck that went left and allowed me to hit the hair pin turn alone. I turned off VDC and took the uphill turn the car flashed traction control and I had no power. I looked down to verify that VDC was off, what happened? Oh I'm in third gear and an idiot.

The next day I was already alone at the same turn, and with VDC off, in second gear, launched beautifully I had a bit of tire smell, and was alone until a quarter of a mile from the house. I came up behind law enforcement, and putted the last bit.

blackcherry20 · 01-24-2014, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

Two days ago I'd been creeping behind a truck that went left and allowed me to hit the hair pin turn alone. I turned off VDC and took the uphill turn the car flashed traction control and I had no power. I looked down to verify that VDC was off, what happened? Oh I'm in third gear and an idiot.

The next day I was already alone at the same turn, and with VDC off, in second gear, launched beautifully I had a bit of tire smell, and was alone until a quarter of a mile from the house. I came up behind law enforcement, and putted the last bit.

i hate it when I miss a gear!

JARblue · 01-24-2014, 09:55 AM

I had the first encounter with ice in the Z last night. Note: this refers to the central Texas version of ice

( Click to show/hide )

blackcherry20 · 01-24-2014, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

I had the first encounter with ice in the Z last night. Note: this refers to the central Texas version of ice

( Click to show/hide )

oh gosh Jar! You had me nervous just reading this. Too many pics of our cars losing the battle w ice. Happy you came out on top

Mt Tam I am · 01-25-2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

I had the first encounter with ice in the Z last night. Note: this refers to the central Texas version of ice

( Click to show/hide )

I'm happy you are fine and know how to deal with ice. I do not.

RE: I let off the accelerator as the car drifted slightly left and traction was regained in about a second.
Do you come off the gas a little bit or all the way off?

wstar · 01-24-2014, 01:57 PM

Icy roads + cars -> disaster in TX. Just don't do it if you don't have to. If you don't screw up, someone else will screw up and hit you.

MightyBobo · 01-24-2014, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

Icy roads + cars -> disaster in TX. Just don't do it if you don't have to. If you don't screw up, someone else will screw up and hit you.

I just don't get it.

Well, I do - clueless drivers and all. But anyone with half a brain should be following the same order of operations on a day when questionable traction exists:

1) Start Car
2) Drive Car to closest street when plenty of stopping room
3) Press brakes progressively harder until the tires lock up, to determine approximate braking force required to "have a bad time"
4) ????
5) Profit

wstar · 01-24-2014, 03:58 PM

I think the actual sequence around here is:

1) Start Car
2) Finish that beer you left in the console last night
3) Drive to random street full of cars
4) Slam brakes randomly, spin out into oncoming traffic
5) ???
6) End up a redneck millionaire after suing the other guy for your fake neck injury, somehow.

JARblue · 01-25-2014, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

I'm happy you are fine and know how to deal with ice. I do not.

RE: I let off the accelerator as the car drifted slightly left and traction was regained in about a second.
Do you come off the gas a little bit or all the way off?

My first recommendation is to echo wstar. If you don't absolutely have to drive in ice, don't. But that goes especially for locations that do not see ice frequently during the winter season.

As for your question, all the way off. Generally I am feathering the accelerator anyway, as I do a good bit of coasting. It's a constant on-off battle in real ice. A lot of it is knowing what the car is doing just by feel (like a lot of you guys have a feel on the track). I practiced up to 50 mph in serious ice conditions in a massive parking lot when I lived in Colorado. It was invaluable.

Mt Tam I am · 02-10-2014, 06:02 PM

I was driving in the first real rain of the year coming back from San Francisco at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge is a slight left. Bump in the pavement? Thud/bump sound and My rear end felt like it was in the air and I was forced to make a quick correction and wondered what just happened. Was it a flat? I looked at the TPMS light and it was not on.

I drove slowly got to work and asked a tire guy to look at my tires. He said they were fine.

On Saturday I drove 30 miles round trip and was white knuckling it the wole way. I'd ask my gal if she felt that and she thought it was the wind gusting. No such luck. It was like a 15 mile drift until we got to the banquette where Johanes van Overbeek* spoke.

On the way home it was more of the same until I hit a huge puddle and hydroplanned like a SOB.

When I got home and looked the next day I am showing steel belts. The tires are shot and I have zero tread on the insides due to the negative camber. This has now determined that I will not drive on racing slicks in the future.

The tire guy looked at my tires awhile ago and figured they would still be fine.

Moral of story: Look for yourself and do not reley upon others.

*Johannes van Overbeek From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search Johannes van Overbeek (born April 14, 1973) is an American race car driver in the American Le Mans Series. He currently drives an HPD ARX-03b for Extreme Speed Motorsports.

Career[edit]Johannes raced go-karts as a child, and began racing sedans at eighteen. Since 1996, he has competed in several racing series in North America, including the Speed World Challenge, the American Le Mans Series, and Grand-Am. In 2007, he won the Porsche Cup, and was ranked as the top non-factory Porsche driver in the world.[1] He finished third in 2008. As of 2013, he has eight wins in the ALMS. He was the only driver in ALMS to finish in the top three of the driver's championship every year from 2004 to 2008. In 2009 he drove for Flying Lizard Motorsports. He switched to Extreme Speed Motorsports for 2010. With codriver Scott Sharp van Overbeek finished 2nd in the 2012 ALMS GT championship in a Ferrari 458 GT2 with 2 wins for ESM. Johannes has competed in four 24 Hours of Le Mans races, finishing sixth in GT2 in 2008, fourth in 2006, and third in 2005.

Johannes lives in Oakland, California with his wife and two sons.

01-09-2014, 11:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	As I left work coming by was a red 458 Ferrari. I suddenly became excited that I might be able to catch up and drive with him. Three cars separated us. I was talking to myself ex. "get out of the way", "let's make the light" , Nooo". After a two blocks or so I ended up behind the Italia. I wished for my camera. A way down the road somebody signaled left and waited for an opening in traffic which stopped the two of us. Meanwhile the car just ahead moseyed along. Once the car completed the left the Ferrari waited another five plus seconds revved the engine and took off quickly but not crazy. I followed until we caught the car ahead which turned off leaving us alone on a 180 degree sweeping left which the moment you exit becomes a 55 MPH zone. I was applying gas towards exit and was WOT at exit. So was the 458. It was so cool. I didn't gain or fall back on this tiny straight uphill. We caught up to a car ahead driving 25-30 MPH so the Ferrari would slow down and run through his F1 gear box drive at a snails pace then speed up and catch the slowpoke. At a pull out, the Ferrari pulled off the road and I did too he made a bit more room too. I got out, or tried with the auto locking doors, then approached the car. He rolled down his window and I extended my hand and we shook. I thanked him for playing with me. He was a bit younger than I, with his lady beside him who was friendly too. He told me they were out for an evening jaunt at sunset or similar word, and would I like to tag along. Without hesitation, said yes and rushed back to my car. He even allowed me to get my seat belt back on and then we were off. When the road bifurcated he went left. The road less traveled. I have not driven this direction in several years. I prefer coming up this way as opposed to down as we now went, because the chances of driving without encountering tourist traffic is minimal. Here is the part of the story where we Z folks can not compete. Every car pulled over for the Ferrari where normally you in your stupid Datsun will just have to wait. Even BMW's. It was amazing. One thing that impressed me was that the Z did so well accelerating with him from 25. What impressed me about the 458 was the entry speed of a turn he could negotiate without trail braking. I was at the limit and he was not. Eventually we met a militant type that would not budge so the Ferrari would hang back for a minute and then shift down into first gear, which gave me a warning, and then chase the Element down again and again. I kept thinking he would ignore the double yellow and pass but to his credit, he did not. I could not stand the thought of unknown miles behind this rainbow flagged Honda, so I waved, flashed lights, honked and signaled to turn right up a head. Sadly he did not. Goodbye South Dakota* plate Italia1. I chose the better road. For the next 15 minutes I ran all out without a single car or bike. in the way. I got home and felt like I might be (car) sick for a couple minutes. I truly tossed myself around. For all of you who put your Z's into hibernation, I feel for you. Remember this is the first time in my life when an unknown Ferrari chose to drive with me so this is extremely rare. * He probably lives here in California but saved thousands of dollars registering there. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

01-10-2014, 05:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
blackcherry20 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 22,749 Drives: ‘17 badazz Z51 Rep Power: 240459	wow! What a story!! You have the best encounters. __________________ Grand Sport Corvette Arctic White

01-10-2014, 02:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 53	Where is the part with the threesome with his wife? __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

01-24-2014, 09:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	Two days ago I'd been creeping behind a truck that went left and allowed me to hit the hair pin turn alone. I turned off VDC and took the uphill turn the car flashed traction control and I had no power. I looked down to verify that VDC was off, what happened? Oh I'm in third gear and an idiot. The next day I was already alone at the same turn, and with VDC off, in second gear, launched beautifully I had a bit of tire smell, and was alone until a quarter of a mile from the house. I came up behind law enforcement, and putted the last bit. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

01-24-2014, 09:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	I had the first encounter with ice in the Z last night. Note: this refers to the central Texas version of ice ( Click to show/hide ) Yesterday, we had a nasty cold front come through and drop temps 50+ degrees about 36 hours. It was in the upper 20s yesterday evening with rain turning more and more to freezing rain as I drove the Z through the hill country (FM 620) west of Austin. There wasn't really a danger of ice on the majority of the roads because the weather had been in the 70s the day before. I managed to cruise at or near the speed limit most of the way (50-60 mph). The one spot I was worried at was the bridge near Mansfield Dam. I could tell the bridge was just starting to ice over, but there was still a plenty of unfrozen water on the road surface. What little traffic there was, was driving 10 mph with flashers on as they approached the bridge. I passed them a few mph faster and felt comfortable around 30 mph once I got on the straightaway. Near the end of the bridge, I may have been going to bit faster as I hit a small patch and lost traction for just a moment. I let off the accelerator as the car drifted slightly left and traction was regained in about a second. I slowed down to about 15 mph at the other side of the bridge where it curves to the left and up a hill. I slowed further as I came upon an minor accident scene, but there were plenty of cars already stopped. I continued on my journey with no further worries of ice and got the Z home safe and sound after her very first adventure in icy weather. Considering the tires are at around 40% life, I was extremely pleased with her performance in the weather and on the minimally icy bridge. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

01-24-2014, 01:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3595	Icy roads + cars -> disaster in TX. Just don't do it if you don't have to. If you don't screw up, someone else will screw up and hit you. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

01-24-2014, 03:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3595	I think the actual sequence around here is: 1) Start Car 2) Finish that beer you left in the console last night 3) Drive to random street full of cars 4) Slam brakes randomly, spin out into oncoming traffic 5) ??? 6) End up a redneck millionaire after suing the other guy for your fake neck injury, somehow. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

02-10-2014, 06:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	I was driving in the first real rain of the year coming back from San Francisco at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge is a slight left. Bump in the pavement? Thud/bump sound and My rear end felt like it was in the air and I was forced to make a quick correction and wondered what just happened. Was it a flat? I looked at the TPMS light and it was not on. I drove slowly got to work and asked a tire guy to look at my tires. He said they were fine. On Saturday I drove 30 miles round trip and was white knuckling it the wole way. I'd ask my gal if she felt that and she thought it was the wind gusting. No such luck. It was like a 15 mile drift until we got to the banquette where Johanes van Overbeek* spoke. On the way home it was more of the same until I hit a huge puddle and hydroplanned like a SOB. When I got home and looked the next day I am showing steel belts. The tires are shot and I have zero tread on the insides due to the negative camber. This has now determined that I will not drive on racing slicks in the future. The tire guy looked at my tires awhile ago and figured they would still be fine. Moral of story: Look for yourself and do not reley upon others. Johannes van Overbeek From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Johannes van Overbeek (born April 14, 1973) is an American race car driver in the American Le Mans Series. He currently drives an HPD ARX-03b for Extreme Speed Motorsports. Career[edit]Johannes raced go-karts as a child, and began racing sedans at eighteen. Since 1996, he has competed in several racing series in North America, including the Speed World Challenge, the American Le Mans Series, and Grand-Am. In 2007, he won the Porsche Cup, and was ranked as the top non-factory Porsche driver in the world.[1] He finished third in 2008. As of 2013, he has eight wins in the ALMS. He was the only driver in ALMS to finish in the top three of the driver's championship every year from 2004 to 2008. In 2009 he drove for Flying Lizard Motorsports. He switched to Extreme Speed Motorsports for 2010. With codriver Scott Sharp van Overbeek finished 2nd in the 2012 ALMS GT championship in a Ferrari 458 GT2 with 2 wins for ESM. Johannes has competed in four 24 Hours of Le Mans races, finishing sixth in GT2 in 2008, fourth in 2006, and third in 2005. Johannes lives in Oakland, California with his wife and two sons. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler.* Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

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