| Lapping teaches you how important these two are, especially tires! In addition to A GREAT TIME, I suggest: 1) Check your tire pressures stone COLD, first thing in the morning, before the car moves. Make sure all pressures are even in each tire and remember (or log) what that pressure is. This info becomes valuable later if you have the same tires and do another track day. 2) Immediately after you exit the track from lapping (when your tires are really hot) check your pressures again. They should be 4-8 pounds higher. 3) Most importantly, when you check the hot tire pressure, also "read" your tires. Study the wear lines on the side walls to see how far you are rolling onto the sidewalls when cornering. Most tires have indicators stamped into the sidewall rubber. You can draw a line with marker to help. Don't be afraid to ask for help from someone knowledgeable about reading tires. If your pressure is too high and you are not rolling far enough onto the sidewalls, your cornering traction is compromised increasing understeer. Conversely, if you are you do not have enough tire pressure and you are rolling too far onto the sidewalls, your car will be sluggish and have poor turn-in response. Lastly, keep an eye on your brakes, especially brake pedal travel. The Z32 stock brakes (and aftermarket stock size brakes) are HORRIBLE. The 300ZX is too heavy for the amount of brake that came with the car and they easily overheat. Again, have fun. When you're done, tell us about your first time out.
While genius has its limitations, stupidity does not. |
18:56:18 07/15/09
