I finally got to drive my Z on the track today - as a participant in the National Auto Sport Association's "High Performance Driving Experience" (HPDE) event @ Limerock Park in CT. This is the second time I've participated in an event like this (the first was at Viriginia International Raceway in my old 300ZX Turbo a few years ago...)
Along with several members of the New Jersey Z Car Club and a bunch of driving enthusiasts, I was treated to 4, 20 minute track sessions where I learned the basics of high speed driving from an experienced instructor. By the end of the day I was very tired, but learned plenty - it's amazing how much faster you go when you focus on being smooth and consistent - the speed just follows naturally - high speed driving is so much about staying focused and calm... Limerock is 1.5 miles long with two straights and about 15-20 turns - there are some interesting elevation changes and multiple elements to cahllenge your driving skill. I'd say I was running about 60-80 through most of the turns, and as high as 105 mph on the back straight-
The 350Z is a fantastic track car, especially when you're just starting out - it is so well balanced- there is pleny of torque to pull you through the turns in either 3rd or 4th gear - I found the suspension to be very predictable - the car stayed balanced, despite my inexperienced inputs - the tires give you ample audible when they're coming close to loosing traction- there were a few situations where I just couldn't figure out how the car didn't spin (must have been the VDC, which I left on for the entire day by the way...) - I wish I had bought the track model - the brake pedal felt a bit numb after all that time on the track - I wouldn't say it was horrible, but it was bad enough to the point that I had to at least think about brake fade... the quick steering was really helpful when I turned a bit too late - the seats hold you *very* firmly, even through high speed turns - despite *many* hard downshifts (ie- 4th to 3rd at 70+ mph), the clutch and transmission was flawless - I didn't miss a gear all day... at high speed, this car is really planted - the bottom line is that this car can make someone new to high speed driving look halfway decent out there...
You might be wondering why my headlights have blue tape on them - I was told that taping helps to prevent damage from track debris & will prevent glass from shattering (and spreading all over the track in the event of an accident).
Date(s): November 11, 2002. Album by Ethan Snyder. 1 - 30 of 132 Total. 3063 Visits.
Wow, looked like you had an awesome time. Your pictures make me miss my 300zxTT. Well in a couple of years, I'll be in a 350z. Hopefully by then, the will release a forced induction model!!! - Jon, Tue, 12 Nov 2002 5:44PM
1 350Z front straight "I dont know why Nissa..." View Comments...
