How I spent Fathers day

Mt Tam I am

Saturday before Fathers day, the little lady and I went down to Monterey for a weekend at Laguna Seca, about a two and a half hour drive. Only one CHP was sighted compared with Memorial day and eight cars were stopped and three CHP's were seen with radar guns shooting cars as they came around blind turns.

We were checked in by 8AM for the drivers meeting and on the track at 10AM. I failed to bring my power cable for my camera so I was limited in film time. Earlier I had two different mentors, both very aggressive. At one a moment mentor said suddenly with tremendous enthusiasm "Kill that Lotus!" I was briefly confused but understood and passed. My other mentor crashed by the end of the day when his brakes failed on turn 5 where mine would fade later as well.

I have been to Laguna Seca three time in two months. Boy what a difference from first to last. 2:04 was the best time I could post once, while 2:06 was repeated. I changed out my brake pads, brake fluid and ducts, and turned in a 1:56.6. My brake rotors still warped and needed more tuning. The third event had no brake chatter until the end of the day and I could usually get 20 minutes out of the brakes before fade reared it's ugly head. I put in a 1:56.0 dead. I know I can do a little better without other cars to slow me down.

It was much hotter as well. Many cars had brake fade/failure problems. My tires were getting too hot by the end as well. After 5,500 miles, 500 track miles, my front Michelins are nearly spent. I doubt I'll make it one more event. Rears will be OK once more for sure.

I became more aggressive and confident my third visit. By the end of the day I was someone others were talking about positively. Everybody assumed I had ten plus days behind me as well as being in the A - advanced group as opposed to the B - beginner group. I took this as a compliment. I am sorry that Laguna Seca is over until next year. Sears point in September is the next scheduled HPDE. I do not want to wait so maybe I'll find another way back sooner.

M3's and Lotus litter the track. I am the only 370Z each time so please get out there and show your Z pride. I also found that the majority of folks run competition tires. One more hurdle.


YOUTUBE:
.Nissan 370Z - CFRA Laguna Seca, Fathers Day 2012 - YouTube

Nissan 370Z - CFRA Laguna Seca - Short track session - YouTube

Nissan 370Z - CFRA - Laguna Seca - Spin - YouTube

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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