That's some good advice BG. With my 11 track events, 5+ years of track/autoxing, and 6+ first time students I've incar instructed, and the 20+ new track driving Z32 Club Z  owners that I've now got hooked on track driving, let me add a few comments..
: Here's the car advice:
: Gotta have good brakes and expect them to fade -- you'll just have to see how yours do at the track. Remember to build a little heat before blasting them, and definitely take a nice long cool-down lap with no brakes. LEE:
- One of the easiest things to overlook with beginers and very nesissary (sp). After you see the checkered flag, make sure to take the last lap very slowly. So slowly that you shouldn't need to use your brakes on any of the turns. Let your brakes cool down after the punishment you just gave them for the past 15-20min.
- Another very common beginner mistake, when you then park your car, DON'T ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE!!! Put a block of wood, or something under your tire to prevent it from rolling. If you use your emergency brake, your rotors will cool in an inconsistant manner and it will promote rotor warpage.
- REPLACE YOUR CURRENT BRAKE FLUID with a higher temp DOT 4 fluid. NOT your everyday fluid at the local auto shop. I recommend Motul 600. If you can't get it, use something with a very very high DRY BOILIING POINT. Other brands to use are Wilwood and AP.
- Install a fresh set of pads. Take the wallet punch and do it. You'll wish you did if you run out of brake pads at the track. It's happened to me 3 times, and I know of 6+ other Club Z occurances where they ran out of pads at the track. : Tire pressure: Pump 'em to the 40s somewhere. I like to drive to the track (build heat), then pump them to 44ish. You can always bleed from there. If your TT is a stock suspension set-up, then I recommend much higher rear tire pressure (or lower front pressure) to help dial out the understeer. LEE:
- If you were to measure your tire pressure before and after a track session, you'll see that your tire pressure has increased about 3-4 psi. The pressure read that you want to pay attention to is the FINISHING tire pressure. NOT the STARTING pressure. When your tires get hot, the pressure inside will build. The Finishing pressure will be the pressure you'll be running for about 80%+ of the time your on the track. Do not START at 40psi, as you'll end up driving the track at around 43-44 psi, which is very close to the tires maximum pressure. Instead, START around 37-38ish. In my experience, a good street tire pressure to run on is about 38psi-41spi. - For your first time out though, I wouldn't mess with the pressures too much. As long as your below ~42 psi on all four tires after a run, you should be fine. Try to concentrate on driving your line consistantly instead of tire pressures. This will be your biggest problem for the day.
: Coolant: I was told running at high boost for extended periods would implode the lower Rad hose, and you could blow your engine. True or not, I installed the Stillen lower Rad pipe to be safe. If you can't get this done, then WATCH YOUR TEMP GAGE! I added Red Line Water wetter after a full system flush, and it must have helpep because I had no cooling issues even with a bra in place!
LEE:
- In my experiences, I've never heard of anybody blowing that hose, but it's not a bad thing to change. I ran about 6 track events before changing mine when I was at about 80K. A number of the events I ran too, were in the 100+ degree range too! The hose still looked fine when I took it off.
- Definately add Redline Water Wetter. Add the whole bottle to the radiator.
- Make sure you're caught up on all your 60K, 120K maintance.
- Install fresh clean oil.
- Get a garage who is experienced with inspecting sports cars before they go to the track. They'll know what to look for and make sure your car's up to par.
- If you've got a Stage III TT, odds are good you'll overheat. I over heat mine and I've even got the Euro Rad, and an oil cooler 25% larger than Stillens. I know of people who have overheated their Stage III's with even more cooling mods. If that temp gages goes OVER THE HALF WAY MARKER, let off on the gas, and just take it easy for a number of laps untill it comes back down. : Here's the driving advice: : Be smooth, not herky-jerky. If you have never been to driving school, then get tips only from guys who really know what they are talking about. Find the guy who knows the track, and ask to follow him around to learn the line. LEE:
- Absolutely. Smoothness is key.
- Don't forget to always keep both hands on the steering wheel. This isn't a cruise down the boulivard. : The best advice I had came straight from Steve Millen: After braking for a turn, crack the throttle plenum open as soon as possible to get positive intake pressure. This will make the car very stable in the corner (at a maintenance or slightly accelerating speed). Do not carry braking very far into the corner; you will tend to lose the rear end (it's called trail braking). LEE:
For a beginner, I would even say, just do ALL your braking in a straight line. : Your eyes: LOOK UP> What I mean is look through the corners, not at the curbing or corners themselves. Your binocular vision has a better sense of balance/roll/yaw when you look through the corner. It is OK to take quick glances down. Try it. LEE:
If the event has apex cones, that's even better. When going around the track, look at the apex cones the whole time when going around the turn. Look ahead and keep from looking at your speed. : Caution: As you get more aggressive, you are bound to find oversteer. Z32s can snap sideways VERY FAST. I wish there was a way to explain here, but there is not. Maybe my best advice is to keep your vision up when the car gets out of control (your brain will have an easier time dealing with it), and be very quick with your hands in countersteering -- don't just follow the rear-end sideways; try to catch it. LEE:
If you have HICAS, it's snaps out even quicker when accelerating out of a turn.
: Otherwise, you'll have a blast! Wish I could be there. Be safe!
: BG LEE:
With all the advise you'll be getting, you won't be able to remember it all. Just keep is simple and just consentrate on a few. With all the first timers I've instructed on the track, and first timers I've taken to the track, these are the most important points I think you should remember. 1. New brake fluid, New brake pads, New oil, All proper maintance done. Bring basic common tools with you. You never know what's going to happen. You won't believe the stuff I've seen over the years. Unbelievable. Be prepared.
2. Set tire pressures on all 4 to ~37-38psi and check them before each run.
3. Last lap, cool down lap. Don't use the brakes. When you park, don't use the emergency brakes.
4. Concentrate more on your driving abilities and the driving line. Don't try to be the fastest car on the track.
5. If your tires are squeeling, take it more easy. Good fast driving is driving the car just up to the point where they're about to squeel, NOT SQUEELING THE TIRES AROUND THE WHOLE TURN, FOR EVERY TURN. (very very common beginner mistake)
6. Bring water, and drink LOTS OF IT. Even when your not thirsty. Sleep good the night before.
7. Listen to your instructor. Even if you disagree with him and think your right. Ask lots of questions, even if you think they're stupid. They are there to help you. Get as much from them as you can.
8. Two hands on the wheel. *** IF YOU GO OFF COURSE, and odds are you will, VERY VERY SLOWLY bring the car back ON
Lee Darzycki
Red '93 300ZX TwinTurbo
ClubZ-Track Event Organizer
  www.ClubZ.org
San Francisco Bay Area 300ZX Club
>>> ClubZ Track Division <<<
  
  
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