Advice Please: Stock 370Z, Local Track Day
 

So I discovered a local track has an event this weekend (see below). Essentially you get instructed driving lessons on the track. I have two questions perhaps some of you guys can weigh in on.

First, I have 2,100mi on my car. Too soon for a little track fun or should I be ok?

Second, I don't have an oil cooler. I assume I can still enjoy the day and perhaps just call it quits every once in a while if the temps are climbing. It's said to be 4 30min sessions, but honestly the day is about driving the way you want...no timing or racing, just learning and instruction. I assume I can work around oil temp issues and drive accordingly. Any thoughts?

For anyone in the Chicago area, the event is TrackDaze (www.trackdaze.com) at the Autobahn race track in Joliet. Registration is $200 for one day and $325 for both Sat and Sun (5/30 and 5/31). If you enter in the novice category, they include a free instructor in the car with you. The day also includes two didactic sessions on high performance driving. I've signed up for the Sunday session.

well just take it easy for the first 3 sessions and learn the track / your car well... push it hard on the last one until your oil overheats... if it crosses 240ish.. I would just call it a day...

Yeah, sounds good. I'm just excited to get some driving instruction and also get to know the dynamics of the car better. Things like this make you a better driver overall. I'm certainly in no mindset to abuse my car.

look forward to hearing more about how it went... you're doing it the right way, ease into it... use instructors as much as possible, and try different instructors... they may tell you conflicting things, but that's because there are different ways to get around a track... don't worry about overheating for 1-2 events - limp mode is designed to protect your engine... i suspect it would be hard to damage the engine even if you tried... but if you're going to keep doing this, you'll want to get an oil cooler so you can go out and driver harder for longer... stillen or technosq kits should be fine, or check with me in a week - i know of a really robust kit being built

check this out for more track events MotorsportReg.com : Events Calendar for autocross (solo), driving schools, club racing and more motorsport events

My advice would be to save your money untill you get the oil cooler, I was out a couple of weekends ago for the first time in the 370 and made about a lap in a half during the instructor session before I hit limp mode. I did not run again untill the last novice run of the day to test this oil cooler theory, I went out behind the slowest driver of the day and made approx 4 laps before hitting an oil temp of 270 and brought the car in. Your call but I think you will just wind up frustrated that you bought a new (so called) sports car and you will be sitting on the sidelines watching. You can go and be a spectator probably for no charge.

As a novice in a new car I think you may be alright. Learn the track and take the advice of your instructor. If you see the temps rising give the car a break on the straights. You should be interested in a lot more than straight line speed on your first outing.

BTW, if it's like most novice groups I've instructed in you will get caught in traffic which will give the engine a chance to cool down.

Have fun. It will be the best $325 you have spent.