He talked me into it............

[MikesZ06]

One of our bruthas, Jeff (jknight) finally talked me into trying this road racing stuff tomorrow. Since I haven't taken the Z in for the motor swap yet, I figured "what the hell"
I tried to convince him that my Z is tricked out for the strip not the track but he wasn't buying it.
I think when he said I could probably get to 150+ on the straight aways, he hooked me

I can tell you one problem with this road racing stuff already...
I got to get up at 5:30am tomorrow and Sunday to get to the Heartland track in Topeka by 7:00am. At least with the drags, you don't have to get up so early

Also, since this is a Porshe club event, I know it's gonna rag my azz to get whipped by a lot of those guys since this is my first time road racing. I usually dominate pretty much at the drags so getting an azz whooping at the road coarse is gonna be a real bummer

Oh well, ya gotta try new things...right?

[Subdriver]

Mike,
You are going to love it.
I raced there the first weekend of April. Pretty good track. I ran the 11 turn, 2.1 mile layout. A couple high speed turns, but most of it is low speed. Good place to learn.
Be careful crossing onto the dragstrip. Very easy to get loose there.
I'd suggest you run in at least comp mode.
Have fun!

[MikesZ06]

Originally posted by Subdriver
Mike,
You are going to love it.
I raced there the first weekend of April. Pretty good track. I ran the 11 turn, 2.1 mile layout. A couple high speed turns, but most of it is low speed. Good place to learn.
Be careful crossing onto the dragstrip. Very easy to get loose there.
I'd suggest you run in at least comp mode.
Have fun!

Oh yea, easy for you to say, bro. I hear you're pretty damn good at this road racing stuff.
You don't have to go out there and get ragged on for turning lower times than the Porshes and others

Seriously, sub thanks for the advice. There would be something kind of ironic about doing a spinout crossing the dragstrip

[Zrod]

Mike,

We've heard a lotta things about your ride, but didn't think it was a "crossover" kinda vehicle. Not with all those b@@lls!

Zrod

[MikesZ06]

Frankly Zrod, I didn't think so either. No tranny cooler, Hodgkis sway bar, no toe out alignment, etc. All I got is a helmut, roll cage and a whole lot of engine Hope this isn't a mistake

[Kat]

Good Luck Mike Have fun

[camshaft]

Mike, since this is your first time road racing instead of drag racing just don't forget, you're going to have to turn the steering wheel. Just remember that and you should be good.

Good luck,
Austin

[MikesZ06]

Originally posted by camshaft
Mike, since this is your first time road racing instead of drag racing just don't forget, you're going to have to turn the steering wheel. Just remember that and you should be good.

Good luck,
Austin

Thanks. Austin. I'll try and remember that.


(must turn wheel, must turn wheel, must... )

[tlaselva]

IMO, road racing is what the Z is really about.

Yes, I enjoy dragging too, but acceleration is only one performance aspect of the Z.

When you road race, acceleration, braking, handling, transitions etc. all come to play. You are generally using all the performance aspects the Z has to offer, therefore much more challenging. It also teaches you what the car can and can't do, b/c you’re exploring the edge of the Z's performance envelope, therefore become a better driver out on the roads.

Good luck, and drive safe.

[sconi]

Mike,
Just remember slow in and fast out. And learn the line through each corner. The Z is made for this stuff! I assume you'll have an instructor and some classroom stuff before they freggin let you loose out there!! If I were there, I'd be wearin a helmet in the garage area when ever you fired that monster up! Good luck.... you'll forget all about the drags in no time!

[David Pintaric]

Michael,

road coarses make drag racing look soooo tame. You will love it!

BTW, did you and I meet at the Z06Fest?

DMP

[Porsche Killer]

Hey Mike,

Good luck man. You are going to love it. Once you are hooked on the track thing - get ready to spend a lot of money on brake pads and tires - yes, Mike, four tires at a time.

Oh, and about those Porsches - you'll take some - and some will probably take you. But there is something really special about passing one of those 911's in a curvy part of the track (you'll pass plenty of them on the straights with that monster of yours).

Let us know how it went - pics please.

[ZO6/Les]

Mike,

Have a blast, a few tips as I have been around the Road Course a few times:

1. Start slow and build up lap speed as you and the tires get warm
2. Run no more than 30 PSI
3. Road Racing is about coming into the curve fast and getting on the brake hard enough to get the weight transfer over the front wheels JUST BEFORE you turn the wheels. Once you are in the turn you should be off the brake
4. Downshift (ideally heel and toe) as you brake, again completed before the turn
5. Linear and smooth power application as you come through the turn. Let the car "unwind" as you apply power.
6. Keep all active handling features active

If you drive to within 90% of your abilities the car will keep you out of trouble. Have fun bro, let us know how you do

Les

[xcorvettex]

YOU MEAN YOU CAN ROAD RACE THESE THINGS ALSO
HAVE FUN ITS A BLAST

[Ted Pennington]

You're trackin' that monster?

Good Luck Mike You're already at the track this morning, but I would like to say have fun and enjoy , and of course you will let us know how it goes, won't you?

Ted