Hey everyone.

I registered for a session at this Spa-Asia event with my almost stock 31 years old TT for this Sunday, 09/18... Anyone else coming? I guess not but, asking anyway. ? I'm going there solo for now, not with a club or anything, and haven't seen any other 300ZX competing in the listing so i'll be amongst fine-tuned Supra's, Skyline's and stuff like that (huho). I know i stand no chance but i am doing it for fun, and this is an unique opportunity to ride on this legendary track... Oh, and i have no experience whatsoever. I was just born in a paddock on a pile of tires and have fuel running thru my veins. Two of my stepfathers were professional pilots so i know the basics, trajectories (especially on Spa), hands positioning, tires pressure, slowly heating up the vehicle, things like that. I already installed tow hooks/straps as well, hopefully i won't need it. I'll put on some "X" signs made with yellow tape on my rear bumper too which basically means "Warning, slow car with newbie on board, go ahead and avoid me, i will try to make you room to overtake". And no, i don't have any airbag, heh.

Is there anything technical i should watch for with a Z32 on a track? Each session will last for about 30 mins and i am a little worried about the brake pads heating up (then not huhhh, braking anymore). I don't even know the brand. Anything else you can think of? All i have on my Z is some K&N filters, an aftermarket exhaust (with a... catalytic converter) and i think a Porsche garage fiddled with the ECU but that's about it. It must have around 300hp. For tires, i will be using Pirelli P-Zero's, 245/35/18 on front and 265/40/18 on the rear, they have about 500kms (~310 miles).

There's a good chance the weather will be bad as well...

Did i forget something? Especially technical (fluids are gonna be topped up). Or anything else, really.

See ya if i am still alive ? ?

Cheers,

Charles.

Enjoy it Charles and the only thing I would worry about is the brakes. 

Sounds like a brilliant opportunity! I would suggest checking your fluids beforehand and making sure they are topped up. I'd also suggest taking breaks within each 30min session as I expect your brakes will become spongy within a lap or 2 at most. Best to give them some time to cool down before carrying on. The worst case scenario would be going into run off as the car won't slow down going into a turn!

Thanks guys.

I went ahead and bought new brake pads & good brake fluid (TRW). I rushed at a (the?) brake & clutch specialist here in Belgium, mosa-frein.be, asked for advice and got Pagid Racing RS42 for front and Ferrodo RS2500 for the rear. The shop is not far from the track itself so they are used to that kind of stuff. For example, they have a brake fluid that cost 260£ for one liter... Next time maybe ? Now i have to make about 150 miles with it, for the "break-in". The pads are not too agressive so my discs should be safe. I should indeed be careful with temperature changes.

A Z32 that actually brake, can you believe that? ?

Look forward to your updates on the track Charles and stay safe.

Enjoy it and take a gopro so we can see!

Hey guys. Sorry it's been 3 weeks now heh. Just to let you know it all went well. A Z32 was on the f.. track and it was the only Z ? It was AWESOME. Anyone interested in getting into "serious" racing business must go to Spa at least once. No video game or video on YT can reflect that impressive, intimidating dive into the "Eau rouge" turn. As you'll see in the description of the vid, i had to drive VERY carefully when "madame" was in ? Made a much faster lap after that where i munched on some GR2's on straight lines, but the GoPro's battery was indeed dead... Here's a glimpse of a very, very slow lap. You know, gallantry oblige. T'was just for fun anyway ? Cheers.

 

And here's a slow-mo of the magnificent Z32 we all love. (Yes, i think that's fuel leaking there) ?

What an experience that must have been! Well done for getting the car in track and keeping it alive. Will you be planning any more similar events for it? And how much track time did you get in the end?

That looked like great fun ? thanks for sharing mate.

 

That looks like good fun and your Zed looks lovely!

On 10/10/2022 at 20:32, sumshiftyguy said:

Will you be planning any more similar events for it? And how much track time did you get in the end?

Yes. It will most likely be next year though. Got some maintenance and fine-tuning to do on the car (after installing some parts from JWT and Z1motorsports) during winter. I just did one session (30 mins)... (last lap was faster, got no images, sadly). But that's a start, heh. I'll let you guys know.

Long live the Z's! ?