I took the Z out to Gingerman Raceway last night after work with a few other Tire Rack friends (Integra, Miata, NSX, and a couple of BMW's) .... so here's the low down ...(on Sunday I installed some Hawk HPS brake pads to enhance the braking ability)
Leaving the pit road I immediatley find myself entering turn 2. After a leasurely warm up of the tires I come around turn 11 and hammer it in 3rd gear up a long, some what uphill straight. Reaching about 90mph before grabbing 4th and hitting 105mph cresting the hill where I'm hard on the brakes for turn 1 a 90 degree right hander across the rumble strips onto a short straight leading to the tricky turn 2 which is more than 90 degrees at apex I drop to second and ease into the throttle drifting out to the edge of the track (somewhat sideways) I hit third with a vengence and cut to the right to pass a slower car (the Integra). Racking third to 85mph then heavy on the brakes for turn 3 the tightest corner so far. hit the apex and lay into the gas with a back end waggle and some tire shake I blast down the short straight into turn 4 a slight lift to transfer some weight and I'm back into the gas through 4 a mellow left hander which I hit at 80 while accelerating to 95mph . Turns 5 & 6 are a little more technical which can be driven as 1 - 180 degree turn but the fastest line is to make it 2 distinct left hand 90 degree turns at the exit of 6 I'm a little to generous with the boost and here comes the back of the Z trying to pass the front ... counter steer and ease off the boost she's back in-line heading in a big hurry for 7, a tight right hander leading into a smooth radius to turn 8. I am running about 60 through the decreasing radius number 8 with a slight lift of the throttle to settle the car and let her rotate I'm into #9 a fun little high speed left hander I attack at about 80mph . A short run to turn 10 which is a long wide right hander which I carry about 70mph through into the second longest straight on the course. I reach for fourth about mid way down the straight reaching about 95mph before braking hard for #11 a 90 to the right onto the longest straight going up the hill. Damn, this 4 wheel steering stuff is slick. We spent about 2.5 hrs there and we will definitely be back (probably next week). I put in about 25 laps in total and my times were definitely getting better the more I got comfortable with the track. I had to let the Z rest 3 or 4 times because of brake fade (man these car need help in that department) but all in all it was a fun time. We were the only people even at the track. It was so cool to have the track to ourselves. Maybe I'll see some other Z's out there some time
Luke Pavlick 
Items in the mirror appear ... TO BE LOSING
I want to die peacefully in my sleep ... just like Gramps
not screaming and terrified like the
people in his car at the time |
