My First Track Day ...

b1adesofcha0s · 05-02-2012, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixpax

I had told him I was on stock brakes, which can't handle much, and that the Z has an issue with oil cooling and I had no oil cooler ... so therefore I am going to be slow to protect my rig, and us.

I think he forgot all about that after 1 or 2 laps and the race car driver in him took over ... but I think I was just incredibly slow and he was probably getting bored ... I was more concerned with just staying on the track than how fast I was going. I liked him though, I hope I get him again when I go back in June.

Actually in my video when it starts out there is a Corvette ahead of me. That was the second time I had pointed him by LOL.

Hmm if you were ok on stock brakes and taking it easy, maybe I should try going in June. I might have my oil cooler by then too.

sixpax · 05-02-2012, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

Hmm if you were ok on stock brakes and taking it easy, maybe I should try going in June. I might have my oil cooler by then too.

I think for a Hyperdrive you would be alright ... not for a whole weekend HPDE. The Hyperdrive in June is on the smaller Jefferson Circuit instead of the main circuit ... so even easier on the brakes.

ChrisSlicks · 05-02-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixpax

I had told him I was on stock brakes, which can't handle much, and that the Z has an issue with oil cooling and I had no oil cooler ... so therefore I am going to be slow to protect my rig, and us.

I think he forgot all about that after 1 or 2 laps and the race car driver in him took over ... but I think I was just incredibly slow and he was probably getting bored ... I was more concerned with just staying on the track than how fast I was going. I liked him though, I hope I get him again when I go back in June.

Actually in my video when it starts out there is a Corvette ahead of me. That was the second time I had pointed him by LOL.

He was just trying to trying to get you on the correct racing line and braking and accelerating in the correct places. Instructors don't care about speed, they just want consistency, so as long as you are accelerating when he tells you to that is fine - you don't have to be foot to the floor. If you run it in manual mode and then just short shift at 5-5.5k you should be able to prevent overheating at least on a cooler day, plus it will make the car more stable in the turns by being in the correct gear at the start of the corner rather than having it kick down 2-3 gears on exit and risk the rear end stepping out. No need to wring the car's neck when you're not driving flat out.

So when you heading back on track?

sixpax · 05-02-2012, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

He was just trying to trying to get you on the correct racing line and braking and accelerating in the correct places. Instructors don't care about speed, they just want consistency, so as long as you are accelerating when he tells you to that is fine - you don't have to be foot to the floor. If you run it in manual mode and then just short shift at 5-5.5k you should be able to prevent overheating at least on a cooler day, plus it will make the car more stable in the turns by being in the correct gear at the start of the corner rather than having it kick down 2-3 gears on exit and risk the rear end stepping out. No need to wring the car's neck when you're not driving flat out.

So when you heading back on track?

Great input there, thank you sir. I have been reading the COMSCC site a little bit, btw.

I am about 98% there in getting "permission" from the wife to get the car ready for HPDE-1 at Summit in June

. I submitted my budget proposal over dinner last nite ... awaiting final approval.

MightyBobo · 05-02-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixpax

I had told him I was on stock brakes, which can't handle much, and that the Z has an issue with oil cooling and I had no oil cooler ... so therefore I am going to be slow to protect my rig, and us.

I think he forgot all about that after 1 or 2 laps and the race car driver in him took over ... but I think I was just incredibly slow and he was probably getting bored ... I was more concerned with just staying on the track than how fast I was going. I liked him though, I hope I get him again when I go back in June.

Actually in my video when it starts out there is a Corvette ahead of me. That was the second time I had pointed him by LOL.

He probably thought you were blowing it out of proportion. Understand if he was driving, he'd be braking a LOT harder, and SIGNIFICANTLY later than you were. He'd overheat them in no time. I'd give them 2 laps with him driving...maybe.

A good instructor will tailor himself to the driver - he was pushing you hard at first, harder than you (rightfully) wanted to go, and I could tell he was kinda seeing how far you'd go. You were still WELL within safe range for the tires and he knew that - I barely heard your tires squeeling. In fact, the first time you DID squeel, he freaked and cheered - which I thought was awesome/hilarious, btw.

With a proper setup you could accelerate longer on straights, accelerate earlier when exiting a corner, brake later/harder into corners, and in general, throw the car around more.

Your instincts to go slow are hardly unnatural, and being your first time ever, perfectly fine. After a full weekend of doing this, you will look back at this video and go, "Damn, I WAS slow" hahaha.

You did great for your first time (and being handicapped w/ no good brakes/cooling). Be happy with your performance, change what is needed, and go out ready next time!

sixpax · 05-02-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

He probably thought you were blowing it out of proportion. Understand if he was driving, he'd be braking a LOT harder, and SIGNIFICANTLY later than you were. He'd overheat them in no time. I'd give them 2 laps with him driving...maybe.

A good instructor will tailor himself to the driver - he was pushing you hard at first, harder than you (rightfully) wanted to go, and I could tell he was kinda seeing how far you'd go. You were still WELL within safe range for the tires and he knew that - I barely heard your tires squeeling. In fact, the first time you DID squeel, he freaked and cheered - which I thought was awesome/hilarious, btw.

With a proper setup you could accelerate longer on straights, accelerate earlier when exiting a corner, brake later/harder into corners, and in general, throw the car around more.

Your instincts to go slow are hardly unnatural, and being your first time ever, perfectly fine. After a full weekend of doing this, you will look back at this video and go, "Damn, I WAS slow" hahaha.

You did great for your first time (and being handicapped w/ no good brakes/cooling). Be happy with your performance, change what is needed, and go out ready next time!

Thanks for the great input. I think I still learned alot, and hopefully a better equipment set-up going back, i.e. an oil cooler and a better brake situation, I can worry less about those two things and focus on other things.

ZCarMan · 04-29-2012, 06:44 PM

Congratulations! Reading what you said had me right back there at Summit for my first Hyperdrive. Its awesome fun. Now you're hooked!

sixpax · 04-29-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZCarMan

Congratulations! Reading what you said had me right back there at Summit for my first Hyperdrive. Its awesome fun. Now you're hooked!

It was everything you said it would be and more !

SPOHN · 04-29-2012, 07:16 PM

Glad you had a blast. Tracking is about the best high you can get. In quick due time it will all come together and you'll be blasting away at the track.

Repped.

B&W_Evader · 04-30-2012, 10:10 AM

Great writeup! Sounds like a blast!

ChrisSlicks · 04-30-2012, 10:44 AM

Great fun!

The first time out there is very overwhelming. Was this a single session hyper-drive thing? The more sessions you do the easier it gets and you can start focusing on the individual things such as braking, turn-in, balance, gear selection, mirrors, flag stations etc. First time out the instructor is going to be talking to you continuously and focusing on car position. When the instructor isn't talking any more that means you are doing really well

I'm guessing the wheel hop was actually the rear end locking up under braking, a sign that your front pads were overheating slightly. Real pads in the front are probably all you need for now.

If you or anybody else that area is interested I will be there on Monday with COMSCC. There will be some great instructors available and you are assigned a single instructor for the entire day. Just drop my name in the comment box as referred by and I might be able to steer an appropriate instructor your way (no guarantee's). We will also be doing hot lap ride-alongs, where you ride passenger with an instructor in his race-car for several full-speed laps. Ride-along's are $35 and come with free club membership.

Today is the last day to sign up before you have to beg and plead your way in.
COMSCC Registration

P.S. There is a Time Trial on the afternoon of the 2nd day which is optional, solo'd students may compete. The first day is practice sessions and students (separate run groups for students of course).

ResIpsa · 04-30-2012, 12:24 PM

I’m glad you had fun. You had a great instructor. He really wanted to make sure that you got a real sense of what it is like on the track. You will find out that as you gain experience and start moving up groups every driver is always pushing their car. It actually makes things safer because you can anticipate when a car is going to close on you.

If I see a Porsche GT3 in my rear view I know that he will be on top of me in a second. And I will start positioning my car on the track to allow him as uninterrupted pass as I can manage.

If I see a Miata, I know that he is faster in the corners and give him the point bye in turns 5 or 6.

If there is a comparable car such as a S2000 or 3 series BMW, I will wait for the most awkward off line pass and see how good he is.

I watched your video and you were not experiencing limp home mode. That was fuel starvation. That is the reason I bring gas cans so I can top off my gas to the point of having fuel in the filler neck. Normal gas pumps will not allow you to fill your tank really to the top.

Even with my method, I would start getting fuel starvation out of turn 2 after 20 minutes.

sixpax · 04-30-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ResIpsa

I’m glad you had fun. You had a great instructor. He really wanted to make sure that you got a real sense of what it is like on the track. You will find out that as you gain experience and start moving up groups every driver is always pushing their car. It actually makes things safer because you can anticipate when a car is going to close on you.

If I see a Porsche GT3 in my rear view I know that he will be on top of me in a second. And I will start positioning my car on the track to allow him as uninterrupted pass as I can manage.

If I see a Miata, I know that he is faster in the corners and give him the point bye in turns 5 or 6.

If there is a comparable car such as a S2000 or 3 series BMW, I will wait for the most awkward off line pass and see how good he is.

I watched your video and you were not experiencing limp home mode. That was fuel starvation. That is the reason I bring gas cans so I can top off my gas to the point of having fuel in the filler neck. Normal gas pumps will not allow you to fill your tank really to the top.

Even with my method, I would start getting fuel starvation out of turn 2 after 20 minutes.

It was great meeting you and thanks for everything ! Sorry we bolted but the wife was getting kind of cranky on account of the weather. I was hoping to hang out awhile more and try to catch a ride with you, but maybe next time. I figured it was oil on account of my gauge was at 260 and when I tromped on the gas it bogged down and didn't want to go anywhere.

sixpax · 04-30-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Great fun!

The first time out there is very overwhelming. Was this a single session hyper-drive thing? The more sessions you do the easier it gets and you can start focusing on the individual things such as braking, turn-in, balance, gear selection, mirrors, flag stations etc. First time out the instructor is going to be talking to you continuously and focusing on car position. When the instructor isn't talking any more that means you are doing really well

I'm guessing the wheel hop was actually the rear end locking up under braking, a sign that your front pads were overheating slightly. Real pads in the front are probably all you need for now.

If you or anybody else that area is interested I will be there on Monday with COMSCC. There will be some great instructors available and you are assigned a single instructor for the entire day. Just drop my name in the comment box as referred by and I might be able to steer an appropriate instructor your way (no guarantee's). We will also be doing hot lap ride-alongs, where you ride passenger with an instructor in his race-car for several full-speed laps. Ride-along's are $35 and come with free club membership.

Today is the last day to sign up before you have to beg and plead your way in.
COMSCC Registration

P.S. There is a Time Trial on the afternoon of the 2nd day which is optional, solo'd students may compete. The first day is practice sessions and students (separate run groups for students of course).

Indeed it was a single session Hyperdrive. Interesting on the wheel hop. I will check out the COMSCC ... thanks for the input !

sixpax · 04-30-2012, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B&W_Evader

Great writeup! Sounds like a blast!

Thanks ! It was a little scary but well worth it !

04-29-2012, 06:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
ZCarMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MD Posts: 4,488 Drives: 09 Z34, 13 F-150 Rep Power: 26	Congratulations! Reading what you said had me right back there at Summit for my first Hyperdrive. Its awesome fun. Now you're hooked! __________________ Jon Swift \| SPC \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| AAM \| Cobb \| Hawk \| Volk Racing \| Bridgestone Green Demon Eyes

04-29-2012, 07:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 46 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 222	Glad you had a blast. Tracking is about the best high you can get. In quick due time it will all come together and you'll be blasting away at the track. Repped. __________________

04-30-2012, 10:44 AM	#11 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	Great fun! The first time out there is very overwhelming. Was this a single session hyper-drive thing? The more sessions you do the easier it gets and you can start focusing on the individual things such as braking, turn-in, balance, gear selection, mirrors, flag stations etc. First time out the instructor is going to be talking to you continuously and focusing on car position. When the instructor isn't talking any more that means you are doing really well I'm guessing the wheel hop was actually the rear end locking up under braking, a sign that your front pads were overheating slightly. Real pads in the front are probably all you need for now. If you or anybody else that area is interested I will be there on Monday with COMSCC. There will be some great instructors available and you are assigned a single instructor for the entire day. Just drop my name in the comment box as referred by and I might be able to steer an appropriate instructor your way (no guarantee's). We will also be doing hot lap ride-alongs, where you ride passenger with an instructor in his race-car for several full-speed laps. Ride-along's are $35 and come with free club membership. Today is the last day to sign up before you have to beg and plead your way in. COMSCC Registration P.S. There is a Time Trial on the afternoon of the 2nd day which is optional, solo'd students may compete. The first day is practice sessions and students (separate run groups for students of course). __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms Last edited by ChrisSlicks; 04-30-2012 at 11:05 AM.

04-30-2012, 12:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
ResIpsa Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 564 Drives: 09 RACING HEN Rep Power: 338	Nice to meet you. I’m glad you had fun. You had a great instructor. He really wanted to make sure that you got a real sense of what it is like on the track. You will find out that as you gain experience and start moving up groups every driver is always pushing their car. It actually makes things safer because you can anticipate when a car is going to close on you. If I see a Porsche GT3 in my rear view I know that he will be on top of me in a second. And I will start positioning my car on the track to allow him as uninterrupted pass as I can manage. If I see a Miata, I know that he is faster in the corners and give him the point bye in turns 5 or 6. If there is a comparable car such as a S2000 or 3 series BMW, I will wait for the most awkward off line pass and see how good he is. I watched your video and you were not experiencing limp home mode. That was fuel starvation. That is the reason I bring gas cans so I can top off my gas to the point of having fuel in the filler neck. Normal gas pumps will not allow you to fill your tank really to the top. Even with my method, I would start getting fuel starvation out of turn 2 after 20 minutes. __________________ The Reed Law Firm; Michael Fasano VA Attorney and Counselor at Law: A Virginia Traffic, Criminal, and Family Lawyer.https://reedlawva.com/

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