All, here is my baby before my "off-track experience)
I attended HOD event at Thunderhill Raceway yesterday. The event was very well-organized. I was in group B. I've never had a problem with run groups at HPDE's but this event was like a school for folks with expensive cars and attitudes. Way too many cars in the groups.
Pretty cool car show though. Mclaren SLR, F430/grips of Z06/997TT/GT3/Ford GT:



I've never been off the track before. After getting frustrated with a Ferrari F360 and a Porsche Cayman S I let the "red mist" take over and I lost control of the Z in turn 1, sending me into the infield. The car spun a few times and slid across the dirt and I was praying for it not to roll-over. Waves of dirt rushed through the car and the interior looks like a rally car. I actually ended up close to the entry to turn 2! Scariest thing I've ever experienced in a car.
Here are video clips my good friend Scott took(also a Z owner/enthusiast):
Chasing the Cayman
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/c...5d018077f9.htm
The aftermath of the spin:
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/b...5d01748955.htm

When the car stopped I got back on course and drove to the paddock. The right rear wheel was cocked outward, like it had excessive toe-out:


The rear toe-link was completely bent, probably from hitting a rut as I slid across the infield:

We put a jack underneath and slowly "raised" it back into place. Obvious improvement. I test drove her and felt better about driving 2hrs home, but too shaken to drive back on the track.

I learned an important lesson: street tires SUCK!
oh, and it's not a race

 

forgot to add this Nismo 350z

 

the rear link always bend, dont worry about it

 

niiiice. only thing I don't like is the rear bumper.

 

probably better that you weren't on R-comps...you would have been going even faster! (street tires are perfect to learn on...they give much more warning when they're close to letting go [compared to R-comps])

glad you're okay and the Z isn't too bad!

 

it's not the tires

 

Glad to see that your Ok and that your car isnt damaged badly.

 

Absolutely correct! It was all me.

 

Glad to hear there was no major damage. I've gone off track several times over the years, but luckily haven't spun yet.

 

You so crazy. I had just asked if I could do a ride-along with Alvin, but this group doesn't allow passengers. I would have either slowed him down or shat my pants as we spun around in the dust.

Alvin - let's clean her up this weekend (or maybe Tuesday night?)! You bring the beer (lots of it).

 

Alvin, Glad your car is OK. Who owned the Nismo Z? Was it tracked?

 

I feel for you bro. Next time you gotta get the dual wishbone suspension and double Vanos setup available in the beast you see below:

 

Not a bad result givin what COULD have happend anyways.. good for you for getting out there.. but you shouldnt let this stop you..

 

Check out the racing thread from Roebling Road. The 350Z holds its own in the T2 SCCA class.

 

Who's M3 is this ? Perry's ?

 

Well it is you, but not all you. It's also your wheels. Get a set of 22s and you'll avoid the spin next time.

 

The Nismo was tracked a few sessions! I have video somewhere. I think it was a Nissan marketing car. It was also at a Nissan/Datsun show the very next day.

UPDATE: Both the camber arm and toe are bent. Will be replaced by factory parts soon!
Interior is frustratingly dirty. Seats will probably need to be removed

 

The other lesson to be learned.....
Get up early so you can get a spot in the covered area.

Glad you came out ok.
Marc Mc

 

Sounds like the perfect excuse to upgrade to me!

 

I'd like to see the video.