Friday at the Shenandoah Circuit was a blast!

I'll be seeing you out at the track soon!


Check out some photos of my session at http://www.racedayphoto.com click "Shenandoah FATT", then "Run Group 1B", photo pages 2, 5, 9, 11, 16, 20, etc...

 

Great pics - looks like you were having a great time. My track season is over after this Sunday at VIR. Look forward to seeing you at VIR next year.

 

I'd love to run VIR next year. Do you have a link to the company that holds the events at VIR? Do they operate like BSR?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I also did my first auto cross with the AutoCrossers Inc. at FedEx field on Sunday. My 1st run was a little hairy:

1st Run: Rolled up to the starting grid and called for an instructor. None were around. Forced to run solo. Made it through the first slalom, around the cone wall, down the esses, through the chute...uh...see cones lined up in pretty shapes out every window of my car, see course marshals wildly waving flags from all sides...where the hell did the course go? Total time 1 minute 5 seconds and VERY off course.

2nd Run: This time with instructor. 87 seconds.

3rd Run: This time with BETTER instructor. 84 seconds.

4th Run: With the same instructor as my third run but this time he was screaming "go, go, go,go!" the entire time. 74 seconds.

 

There are several clubs that host HPDE events at Summit Point, VIR and other track venues - we're lucky to live in this area! Check these out:

www.mazdadrivers.com
www.trackdaze.com
www.chinmotorsports.com
www.nasaracing.net

 

So how did the G do? How was it compared to the Vette?

 

I had a lot of fun taking the G35 Coupe out on the road course at the Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit. Trail braking, throttle steering, kicking the rear end around on the tight turns and chasing down some faster cars. I even took my wife out for a session and she couldn't believe what the car could do. You definitely want to invest in good quality brakes and pads, improve cooling and run a wider tire front and back. Its heavier with a front bias.

Honestly, you can't really compare the Infiniti G35 or a Nissan 350Z to the Corvette. Two great but very different cars. If you ever get a chance to take a C5 Z06 around the track you'll see what I mean. Now you may find a guy/gal that doesn't know how to drive a vette get passed by modified G35 or 350Z, but those are rare exceptions. Enjoy these cars! They're lots of fun. Mike

 

I'm hoping to go to summit point next year around spring time. I have never been there before, I have never been to any track before, I just got my 05 g35 coupe 6mt a week ago and its stock aside from tint and smoked coners.

Any tips to a virgin newbie to the track?? Do I need to bring a extra set of brake pads?? Can you change your oil there or should you change it right before you come? Any safey requirements?? Im sure you have to have a helmet.
Do you have to take a class before they let you on the track? Any info would be greatly appreciated and cost that goes with a day at the track.

Thanks

 

I created a "HPDE Helpful Hints" thread that provides information for people who are new to taking their cars to a professional road course for HPDE and related activities that I think will answer most of your questions. Check out this link. Let me know if you have any questions. One word of warning - "Addictive"! Once you start this hobby you'll be consumed by all the fun you'll have.

 

Thanks, I will let you know if I have any questions and Im sure i will get addicted since I can't drive my car how I would like to on the street. Im sure we will probably run into each other there in the future.

 

Clubs sponsoring HPDE activities already released their schedules for 2009 so you can begin planning your calendar. NASA, Chin Motorsports, Mazda Drivers, Track Daze and more.. See you at the track. Summit Point is close by, but also check out VIR. Its worth the drive! Mike

 

Mike I saw the video of your G35 at Summit, thats some good stuff! So how long before they let you drive with out an instructor? Looks like the tires and brakes took some work on the G. what maintainence was needed to be preformed on your G after you were done racing?

 

HPDE has 4 levels (1 - Novice; 2 - Beginner; 3 - Intermediate and 4- Advanced/Instructor). Level 1 and 2 require an Instructor in the car. An Instructor must "sign off" on your Driver Logbook for Solo before you can move into Level 3. It all depends on how fast you learn and apply the proper driver techniques, etc. Could take one year. Levels 1 - 4 all have classroom instruction. HPDE is about learning to drive your car in a high performance environment vs. racing. My G35 required very little maintenance after the event. Check fluids, brake rotors/pads, etc. Have fun!