BigOdom1
03-28-2008, 07:58 PM
Big Thanks to Lee and Chris(whom I am unsure if I know), I was able to attend the track day at TGPR today with the Z nationals group. After the morning tech and drivers meeting, I was put in the advance class due to registration issues (luckily it was not a problem). I had Ricky from Bham Autox riding along all day. Thanks to him I learned a lot and quickly gained some confidence in a car that i feel performs really well; except that i need to roll the rear fenders some more due to scrubbing under load, and a few other things.
On to the driving:
The first session (third group) a guy went over the tire wall in his 350z almost toward the creek, they pulled him out and after some body alterations he was back on the track later that day (drove from New York btw). After they got that taken care of it was time for my group. I guess I lost some mental confidence after seeing that. It misted all morning and I am already paranoid about driving my car in the rain, and on my first lap I went in too hot toward the end and the brakes didn't stop the car. Maybe due to sitting for over an hour they were not very warm I don't even know but it just didn't stop and I went off track. That session was very shaky after a rough start on the first lap.
On the second session I was a lot more confident, but got kinda tense and did not relax, It seemed to last longer but I didn't push the car all that hard but tried to continue to improve with the help of Ricky.
The third session, with the sun finally out, we left with out the microphone and with a good bit of confidence. I tried to really push the car but my skills still need improvement with hitting precise apex, and not overdriving as i was not down shifting in braking zones at the correct times etc. but I felt that the car was very capable. During the third session tire temps were right and i actually pushed the car hard. I felt that I had improved and due to knowing the track i was able to brake later and step on the gas longer all the while trying to stay on line and look farther ahead to set up. Unfortunately I needed to exit track about five minutes early due to brakes going soft.
anyway it was lots of fun, im addicted, when is the next track day?
On to the driving:
The first session (third group) a guy went over the tire wall in his 350z almost toward the creek, they pulled him out and after some body alterations he was back on the track later that day (drove from New York btw). After they got that taken care of it was time for my group. I guess I lost some mental confidence after seeing that. It misted all morning and I am already paranoid about driving my car in the rain, and on my first lap I went in too hot toward the end and the brakes didn't stop the car. Maybe due to sitting for over an hour they were not very warm I don't even know but it just didn't stop and I went off track. That session was very shaky after a rough start on the first lap.
On the second session I was a lot more confident, but got kinda tense and did not relax, It seemed to last longer but I didn't push the car all that hard but tried to continue to improve with the help of Ricky.
The third session, with the sun finally out, we left with out the microphone and with a good bit of confidence. I tried to really push the car but my skills still need improvement with hitting precise apex, and not overdriving as i was not down shifting in braking zones at the correct times etc. but I felt that the car was very capable. During the third session tire temps were right and i actually pushed the car hard. I felt that I had improved and due to knowing the track i was able to brake later and step on the gas longer all the while trying to stay on line and look farther ahead to set up. Unfortunately I needed to exit track about five minutes early due to brakes going soft.
anyway it was lots of fun, im addicted, when is the next track day?