BUTTONWILLOW AN AMAZING TRACK!!
the track was amazing and instructive. I learned more about my driving technique than at a previous track day at Willow Springs raceway.
The course was much more technical requiring better downshifts and braking techniques.
Phil hill and cotton corners were toughest on most cars since they would brake too early or too late, thanks to my newest brake upgrade i had no problems late braking, bringing down the gear and shooting for the apex, and its where the NISSAN motor shined. Throughout the entire track, the VI was constantly running in the higher rpms, where the power was surprisingly responsive. The brakes were strong enough to drop my speeds quickly, and my suspension kept me stable through the all the G forces, but once i saw the corner exit I PLANTED MY FOOT ON THE GAS, and there was so much available power. I am completely satisfied with the power my car outputs on the track, it was enough to keep up with the newer AUDI S4 and pass an older AUDI A4.
The morning session introduced me to the course layout, as the day went on i was noticing the potential of the tires and the characteristics of the coil overs. The tires could not keep the stopping grip that the brakes could produce, and the coil overs were at a daily driving setting, thus I WAS UNDER-STEERING LIKE CRAZY!! ha ha
( if your trying to take a stock max to the track, your body roll and under-steer are really embarrassing, it looks like you don't belong in the pit area.) So i adjusted the coilovers accordingly, first to full stiff and then variably. Full stiff only made things worse, the car did not have enough travel to keep all four corners of the car planted, so i would lose too much speed and traction on the corners to keep with the others.
ONCE i set up the front to one setting and the rear to another, my car could push the tires to the limit.
For the maxima layout, higher speeds feels very sensitive around long bending turns. I had to teach myself how to take the SWEEPER into the ESSES; taking a long bending turn into a decreasing radius turn. Towards the end of the day i pushed the car as hard as i could, braking at 80% and downshifting before the turn to jump in. ha ha My tires could not keep up, i was slidding at the braking points, but it brought down my speed, SO I KEPT GOIN' !! The max can be very fast, if you learn to use the correct line and use the power of the motor to stay ahead. My secret weapon was the VI and not letting of the throttle until the last minute, a technique that the the layout of the car does not show immediately like all of the new RWDs, like the 350z or BMW 3 series. Its up to the driver to make the MAX a fast car.
I had so much fun, and i got a rush close to sky diving and love the feeling that taking my car to WIDE OPEN THROTTLE racing only shows the best in its ability.
the track was amazing and instructive. I learned more about my driving technique than at a previous track day at Willow Springs raceway.
The course was much more technical requiring better downshifts and braking techniques.
Phil hill and cotton corners were toughest on most cars since they would brake too early or too late, thanks to my newest brake upgrade i had no problems late braking, bringing down the gear and shooting for the apex, and its where the NISSAN motor shined. Throughout the entire track, the VI was constantly running in the higher rpms, where the power was surprisingly responsive. The brakes were strong enough to drop my speeds quickly, and my suspension kept me stable through the all the G forces, but once i saw the corner exit I PLANTED MY FOOT ON THE GAS, and there was so much available power. I am completely satisfied with the power my car outputs on the track, it was enough to keep up with the newer AUDI S4 and pass an older AUDI A4.
The morning session introduced me to the course layout, as the day went on i was noticing the potential of the tires and the characteristics of the coil overs. The tires could not keep the stopping grip that the brakes could produce, and the coil overs were at a daily driving setting, thus I WAS UNDER-STEERING LIKE CRAZY!! ha ha
( if your trying to take a stock max to the track, your body roll and under-steer are really embarrassing, it looks like you don't belong in the pit area.) So i adjusted the coilovers accordingly, first to full stiff and then variably. Full stiff only made things worse, the car did not have enough travel to keep all four corners of the car planted, so i would lose too much speed and traction on the corners to keep with the others.
ONCE i set up the front to one setting and the rear to another, my car could push the tires to the limit.
For the maxima layout, higher speeds feels very sensitive around long bending turns. I had to teach myself how to take the SWEEPER into the ESSES; taking a long bending turn into a decreasing radius turn. Towards the end of the day i pushed the car as hard as i could, braking at 80% and downshifting before the turn to jump in. ha ha My tires could not keep up, i was slidding at the braking points, but it brought down my speed, SO I KEPT GOIN' !! The max can be very fast, if you learn to use the correct line and use the power of the motor to stay ahead. My secret weapon was the VI and not letting of the throttle until the last minute, a technique that the the layout of the car does not show immediately like all of the new RWDs, like the 350z or BMW 3 series. Its up to the driver to make the MAX a fast car.
I had so much fun, and i got a rush close to sky diving and love the feeling that taking my car to WIDE OPEN THROTTLE racing only shows the best in its ability.
The tires:
These are month old tires, HANKOOK evo V12s that are great street tires. But not aggressive enough for summer track days. These tires are rated at 280 tread-wear, and they still chunk-ed, minimally but they still chunk-ed. They could not keep grip during tight radius turns and heaving acceleration around turns.
Notice the tread around the outside and inside lining of the tire, by the side wall.
These are month old tires, HANKOOK evo V12s that are great street tires. But not aggressive enough for summer track days. These tires are rated at 280 tread-wear, and they still chunk-ed, minimally but they still chunk-ed. They could not keep grip during tight radius turns and heaving acceleration around turns.
Notice the tread around the outside and inside lining of the tire, by the side wall.
Quote:
the track was amazing and instructive. I learned more about my driving technique than at a previous track day at Willow Springs raceway.
The course was much more technical requiring better downshifts and braking techniques.
Phil hill and cotton corners were toughest on most cars since they would brake too early or too late, thanks to my newest brake upgrade i had no problems late braking, bringing down the gear and shooting for the apex, and its where the NISSAN motor shined. Throughout the entire track, the VI was constantly running in the higher rpms, where the power was surprisingly responsive. The brakes were strong enough to drop my speeds quickly, and my suspension kept me stable through the all the G forces, but once i saw the corner exit I PLANTED MY FOOT ON THE GAS, and there was so much available power. I am completely satisfied with the power my car outputs on the track, it was enough to keep up with the newer AUDI S4 and pass an older AUDI A4.
The morning session introduced me to the course layout, as the day went on i was noticing the potential of the tires and the characteristics of the coil overs. The tires could not keep the stopping grip that the brakes could produce, and the coil overs were at a daily driving setting, thus I WAS UNDER-STEERING LIKE CRAZY!! ha ha
( if your trying to take a stock max to the track, your body roll and under-steer are really embarrassing, it looks like you don't belong in the pit area.) So i adjusted the coilovers accordingly, first to full stiff and then variably. Full stiff only made things worse, the car did not have enough travel to keep all four corners of the car planted, so i would lose too much speed and traction on the corners to keep with the others.
ONCE i set up the front to one setting and the rear to another, my car could push the tires to the limit.
For the maxima layout, higher speeds feels very sensitive around long bending turns. I had to teach myself how to take the SWEEPER into the ESSES; taking a long bending turn into a decreasing radius turn. Towards the end of the day i pushed the car as hard as i could, braking at 80% and downshifting before the turn to jump in. ha ha My tires could not keep up, i was slidding at the braking points, but it brought down my speed, SO I KEPT GOIN' !! The max can be very fast, if you learn to use the correct line and use the power of the motor to stay ahead. My secret weapon was the VI and not letting of the throttle until the last minute, a technique that the the layout of the car does not show immediately like all of the new RWDs, like the 350z or BMW 3 series. Its up to the driver to make the MAX a fast car.
I had so much fun, and i got a rush close to sky diving and love the feeling that taking my car to WIDE OPEN THROTTLE racing only shows the best in its ability.
Got to like the a VI equipped 3.0, just keep it above 4K and it moves. Makes you want a 7.5K-8K rev limiter and a motor built to handle it. The close ratio on the 5 speed transmission is nice on the heel toe downshifts the engine stays on the boil and just floor it past the apex. Originally Posted by exsjulio
BUTTONWILLOW AN AMAZING TRACK!!the track was amazing and instructive. I learned more about my driving technique than at a previous track day at Willow Springs raceway.
The course was much more technical requiring better downshifts and braking techniques.
Phil hill and cotton corners were toughest on most cars since they would brake too early or too late, thanks to my newest brake upgrade i had no problems late braking, bringing down the gear and shooting for the apex, and its where the NISSAN motor shined. Throughout the entire track, the VI was constantly running in the higher rpms, where the power was surprisingly responsive. The brakes were strong enough to drop my speeds quickly, and my suspension kept me stable through the all the G forces, but once i saw the corner exit I PLANTED MY FOOT ON THE GAS, and there was so much available power. I am completely satisfied with the power my car outputs on the track, it was enough to keep up with the newer AUDI S4 and pass an older AUDI A4.
The morning session introduced me to the course layout, as the day went on i was noticing the potential of the tires and the characteristics of the coil overs. The tires could not keep the stopping grip that the brakes could produce, and the coil overs were at a daily driving setting, thus I WAS UNDER-STEERING LIKE CRAZY!! ha ha
( if your trying to take a stock max to the track, your body roll and under-steer are really embarrassing, it looks like you don't belong in the pit area.) So i adjusted the coilovers accordingly, first to full stiff and then variably. Full stiff only made things worse, the car did not have enough travel to keep all four corners of the car planted, so i would lose too much speed and traction on the corners to keep with the others.
ONCE i set up the front to one setting and the rear to another, my car could push the tires to the limit.
For the maxima layout, higher speeds feels very sensitive around long bending turns. I had to teach myself how to take the SWEEPER into the ESSES; taking a long bending turn into a decreasing radius turn. Towards the end of the day i pushed the car as hard as i could, braking at 80% and downshifting before the turn to jump in. ha ha My tires could not keep up, i was slidding at the braking points, but it brought down my speed, SO I KEPT GOIN' !! The max can be very fast, if you learn to use the correct line and use the power of the motor to stay ahead. My secret weapon was the VI and not letting of the throttle until the last minute, a technique that the the layout of the car does not show immediately like all of the new RWDs, like the 350z or BMW 3 series. Its up to the driver to make the MAX a fast car.
I had so much fun, and i got a rush close to sky diving and love the feeling that taking my car to WIDE OPEN THROTTLE racing only shows the best in its ability.
The FWD layout is very forgiving and late braking/late apexing is how to make these cars keep up. Got to put all the load on those front tires to keep the car from understeering. Also the throttle lift oversteer is amusing when it happens.
What kind of coilovers do you run? I'm using the Koni/GCs and eventially learned not to adjust anything over the day as it seems I am always chasing my setup. Messing around with tire pressure seems to help with the fine tuning the most. My issues now are the inconsistant performance and little suspension bugs that show up time to time. I think the R-compounds reveal alot more limitations with the suspension than street tires.
But if you can run some R-compounds the driving is even better. The braking distances get so much shorter and the corners can be taken so much faster. Just watch out for the front wheel studs getting messed up.
Track season is starting up here in New England I am looking around June to start driving events. All the car work, prep, and money spent ticks me off but once I get out on the track it all goes away.
June? eek...
We never stop having events here. Had one on Christmas eve, and another on New Years. I didn't go to either, but the local tracks are open year-round. one good thing about living in the south.
We never stop having events here. Had one on Christmas eve, and another on New Years. I didn't go to either, but the local tracks are open year-round. one good thing about living in the south.
I'm running D2 Racing Coil-overs and all of the wheel studs have been changed to Nismo Long studs for strength and stance. I really wished rev limit was at the 7200, but i wouldn't trust the stock internals to last long.
Quote:
We never stop having events here. Had one on Christmas eve, and another on New Years. I didn't go to either, but the local tracks are open year-round. one good thing about living in the south.
The season is April-October up here, but I won't goto any of them until June. I usually work on the car from March till May when the weather is warm and not 20 degrees in my garage. Guys with heated garages got it made and have their cars ready in April. Originally Posted by Matt93SE
June? eek...We never stop having events here. Had one on Christmas eve, and another on New Years. I didn't go to either, but the local tracks are open year-round. one good thing about living in the south.
Even funnier there have been April events that have gotten snowed out.
It snowed four times in Houston this year. WTF?! GLOBAL COOLING! DAMN YOU AL GORE!!
umm, yeah.. the problem here is that it gets too dang hot to work on anything in the summer. I need to buy a used AC unit to stick in the garage when I need to work on the car.
In the winter, it wll get into the 40s or so in the garage, but just start the engine and it'll be warm in there in no time!!
I just throw on a sweatshirt and get to work. after you get moving, it's warm enough in there.
umm, yeah.. the problem here is that it gets too dang hot to work on anything in the summer. I need to buy a used AC unit to stick in the garage when I need to work on the car.
In the winter, it wll get into the 40s or so in the garage, but just start the engine and it'll be warm in there in no time!!
I just throw on a sweatshirt and get to work. after you get moving, it's warm enough in there.