Just look at these two motors that were done in at Japfest at the weekend:(

 

 

 

 

Put it this way. If they crashed doing the same speed on a road it would have been a lot worse, they could have killed pedestrians and children. Their car would have been worse off.

 

Also 99% of crashes on tracks are the drivers fault. If any one is driving dangerously or not obiding by the rules of the track they will be taken off.

Put it this way. If they crashed doing the same speed on a road it would have been a lot worse, they could have killed pedestrians and children. Their car would have been worse off.

 

Stu how on earth do you work that out?

 

1 I don't see too many kids playing on motorways or A roads,in the town YES but what sort of a ****er races through a busy town?

 

 

Also 99% of crashes on tracks are the drivers fault. If any one is driving dangerously or not obiding by the rules of the track they will be taken off.

 

Not strictly true, a large number of smashes on tracks are down to other drivers smashing into you and taking your line through a corner,Ask Mr Duff about a nice man in a Supra that almost ended his life on a track

I think if you like doing track days then you have to be prepared for that kind of outcome.

 

Don't go crying if it happens, assume that it will happen eventually and be prepared for the expense that will inevitably follow.

 

A bummer admittedly, but there is not much you can do about these sorts of things happening TBH.

Stu how on earth do you work that out?

 

1 I don't see too many kids playing on motorways or A roads,in the town YES but what sort of a ****er races through a busy town?

 

 

 

 

Not strictly true, a large number of smashes on tracks are down to other drivers smashing into you and taking your line through a corner,Ask Mr Duff about a nice man in a Supra that almost ended his life on a track

 

 

That track wasnt well marshalled then as they should have been taken off. This is also why I was trying to organise a Z only track day for us lot, as then we will know eachother and tosser driving would not be tollerated, but I am sure we wouldnt drive like that too.

If you drive within your capability yes or if you don't make sure you do it somewhere where there's not a wall, and just make sure you have insurance.

 

I was actually on track when the R32 hit the wall.

Really upseting as it was a very nice car. :(

 

I went on track twice and it was ace, really really good fun. My insurance covers me for track days.

Going to be doing it again soon.

I'm going to get some proper tution before I do it again though, there were some rather hairy moments. :)

 

You pays your money and you takes you chance.

 

I have done many track days on bikes and a few in cars (not Z yet) and as long as you dont get too competertive with someone who is quicker or more experienced than yourself you should be OK.

 

If you use the first few laps as sighting laps, just take it easy and you'll be fine.

 

Personally, I would do a track day in the Z, but it would have to be a large wide curcuit like a airfield (bruntingthorpe, elvington) as i dont think a small twisty track would suit the Z.

 

Rich:)

(Sorry to go on about this ;))

 

But the track day was where trying to organise, we would have a qualified racing instructor with our group all day would would go out with each driver and tuition us on the track.

(Sorry to go on about this ;))

 

But the track day was where trying to organise, we would have a qualified racing instructor with our group all day would would go out with each driver and tuition us on the track.

 

Sounds like a good idea to me. Especially as i've never done a track day before, and quite like the idea. Having some form of tuition is good, as I'm quite sure that the total novices (like myself) could be dangeous to the more experianced amongst us. Also it would be nice to know how to handle the car properly, not that I cant drive it, but I drive to MY degree of knowledge/limit, because afterall, we cherish our Zed's and wouldnt want to damage them.

I did Brands Hatch in my Z (Stu kindly posted the pics for me) and I have to say that it was just brilliant.

 

Of course you have to keep your brain in gear at all times and remember that it's NOT competitive, and also the marshals will have you off the circuit quicker than you can blink if they think you are acting up.

 

At the end of the day what's the point of owning a car such as the Z which is so well engineered and built for speed/handling if you only ever drive it on the sh*t roads provided by our friend Tony ?

 

I'll be doing more as soon as my suspension and brakes are sorted and I really do think it's worth the risk.

 

Mark

You could argue whether are 1/4 mile sprints worth it, broken clutches, gearboxes and the occasional excursion into the wall.

not worth the risk in my car :)

 

few weeks time ill be at brandshatch in a single seater AUDI, that will be worth it :D

Here's the scobby crashing!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=15639&messageid=1085407238&lp=1085407238

Or for anyone who doesn't want f'in gator etc installing itself on their machine, see here ;)

 

http://www.bzz.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/scoobycrash2004.wmv

R32...

 

http://www.ratdat.com/vids/100_2566.MOV

It depends what you want to do with your car I guess. Personally I think they are - and I have hit a tyre wall as well. :(

 

If you don't want it to be an expensive day (tyres, petrol notwithstanding) then take it easy. The problem with track days are usually around people not obeying the rules or thinking they can do what they like rather than paying attention at the briefings.

 

Track day insurance cover is available if you're a little squeemish.

Looking at those videos both crashes were caused by people driving like ****s - serves them right IMO. The R32 took a huge chance and paid for it - almost taking others with him...

 

Yeah its a shame.....

LMAO ... it really does help if you don't drive like a complete ****er

Trackdays = Idiot Festival.

That sounds like something Ken Livingstone would say...........

 

"People who drive 300+horsepower cars on the streets of our country are complete idiots"

 

There are probably people out there who will welcome GPS monitoring of your speed at all times relative to the speed limit of where you are at all times.

 

There are only a few motoring pleasures left, one of which is track days. I wouldn't say that people who are happy to partake of such events are idiots IMO.

 

Mark

I think there's also a distinct difference between genuine trackdays and the "why not 'ave a go" events.

 

A properly organsied track day begins with registartion where you can tell them about your exeprience, or lack of, and get assigned an appropriate group. That way the novices are kept away from those going much quicker. It also means those with limited experience can call on their more experienced colleagues to assist from the passenger seat. Once done there are sighting laps. I've often seen 5 laps used for novices just to make really sure they know where to go. After that there is a lot of monitoring and it's not unusual to see people come in after a few laps just to rethink things before going out again.

 

Genuine track days will attract those genuinely interested in getting the most from their car and they would rather spend the day getting better through experience than having an off early on and spoiling the rest of the day.

 

If you have an event where anyone can go, where they mix the skills and abilities, where they mix the performance of the car and where the emphasis is on "ragging" the car as much as possible before you have to come in to let the next bunch out - there will always be accidents. 2 at Japfest last year, 2 at Japfest this year. Not to mention the damage this sort of approach will do to a car not fully warmed up. All in all the figures for Japfest are not a good average when you compare it to any other track day organisation - club or independent.

 

As a member of the GTROC we run events throughout the year, and some members of the 300ZX Club have even been there and had a good time. It is all very well organised and safe. There is no-one out there trying to get the max out of the car in the minimum time. Everyone wants to get quicker, but the best times only come after a while out on track.

 

The GTROC organises events throughout the year and has been at Japfest for the last two years. It is club policy NOT to do track time at Japfest for all the reasons above. However, if individuals want to do it that is up to them.

 

As someone who does track days my views are very simple. Spend some time with people who are better than me on track. Learn from them and try and get a little quicker when I feel capable. Stick to the rules and make sure there is always a margin of safety. If I feel there are people on the track who might be a danger to me or anyone else I don't go out. As far as Japfest is concerned I have little or no control over any of these, therefore will not be going on track at events such as this.

 

Q: Are track days worth it?

A: Yes.

Q: Are five minute blasts at a general public event worth it?

A: You have go to be joking! I wouldn't even think about it.

I wouldn't even get near any event filled with people of varying skills without insurance as mandatory for a start...

The R32 took a huge chance and paid for it - almost taking others with him...

 

Yeah its a shame.....

 

 

Almost taking others with him and That's my point you can be the best driver in the world but it only takes a :xxx: to wreck your pride and joy.

LOL I'm sure Michael Schumacher would agree with you there :D Saying that, it was his brother ralphy that caused the safety car in the first place by being a :xxx: so whats the saying?

 

KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY :D

 

I think the real point has been made though - properly organised track days are great and a safe way to learn the limits of your ability/car. Come and have a go events are a BAD idea UNLESS they are properly organised and drivers placed into groups AND people actually listen to the briefings...

I think the real point has been made though - properly organised track days are great and a safe way to learn the limits of your ability/car. Come and have a go events are a BAD idea UNLESS they are properly organised and drivers placed into groups AND people actually listen to the briefings...

Yep! Couldn't agree more. Have never been on track at Japfest and have no intention of.

Lets' be really honest... the number of scoobs etc. out there being driven by nim-nols in baseball caps with an IQ that bearly equals the sum total of the registration numbers of their cars is just a bloody awful prospect on a track.

 

Trackdays are inane, the best thing any driver can do is hone their handling prowess on a big square of tarmac, 2 hours on such a piece of ground would do more than almost a month on the track at one of these 'Rushin Roulette' toss-festivals...