A&Q about 350Z
Q:
This Sunday (2/26/06) will see the most comprehensive and least expensive track day in North America. In the past, we've run a traditional High Performance Driving Experience (HPDE) complete with driving and accident avoidence exercises. We'll move from the exercises to the eight turn road racing course for a turn-by-turn walk through and follow-the-leader lapping sessions. The afternoon usually consists of lapping sessions with limited passing rules.
LaJunta Raceways is located in SE Colorado and is a 1.4 mile road course. It's not a particularly difficult course to learn, but it can be plenty fast. 100+ MPH speeds on the front straight in a 350Z are possible and turn one is flat out once you learn the line! Another positive is that LaJunta is THE best bargain in the U.S. and Canada (maybe the world!?) with track rental fees confirmed at $35/per car!
The weather is projected to be in the 50's and 60's all weekend, with a 10-20% chance of rain. Some of us are planning to drive to LaJunta on Saturday afternoon and stay the night (it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from the Denver metro area). There is a Holiday Inn Express as well as other accomodations in town, so it would be worthwhile to take a relaxing drive and get up with plenty of time to get to the track.
As usual, there is NO advance fee involved, simply post up here if you have definite plans to go. Mention whether you plan to stay the night (we'll get a caravan going) or drive down the day of the event. We'll work out the logistics and check the weather forcasts as the date gets closer. Questions? Post 'em up!
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Unbelievable?!
Is this event strictly for Z33s or are other gens invited?
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Any model Z car is invited! We're trying to limit this to Nissan/Infiniti products and may have a G35C (or two) joining us.
David Muramoto
Sport Z Magazine Motorsports Editor
RMDiv SCCA
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$35 is a steal. You might consider posting this in the other forums as well as Car Talk, because I know many people will likely jump at this opportunity.
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It's been posted since December '05 on two Z sites as well as G35driver and G20.net. For more details, here's a link to the active thread:
Hard to believe Z pilots are passing up an opportunity like this!
A:
Unfortunately people on these forums don't seem to want to drive their cars on a track. They just seem to like to talk about it. I've tried several times to get people to attend lapping days on the east coast and all I get is "maybe next time". Not a single person from this site signed up. The event always fills up, so it's no big deal. I just seems that the net is too full of talkers and no doers.
Good luck on the event though. If I lived on the west coast I'd be there.
*-- Just some stuffy advice from an old fart who's too set in his ways. --*
A:
I have been accused of not driving my car on the track. ;-)
--Denver 6-29-1999 1st post.
82 280zxt 4 spd auto
73 240z--lsd, cv axles
ferget donations, I'm into blackmail.
spindle pin puller for sale.
I can't believe some people spend $15 on shifter bushings in the B trans
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Now that's what I like to see.:)
*-- Just some stuffy advice from an old fart who's too set in his ways. --*
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JT...i know what you mean.its always the same story after the event...."sounds like you guys had a good time/wish i was there"...year after year.
to most Z owners,a Z meet is a drive to the local Hooters for a beer and a burger and talk cars.pathetic.
If all were equal, none would be strong.
Ballistic,Ruler of Interstates
Stage XX+ 1993 Z32 NA
"SoulTaker"
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Bingo!!!! Thanks for the understanding.
*-- Just some stuffy advice from an old fart who's too set in his ways. --*
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Well come on fellas, not everyone is a sport-driver. Some are collectors or mild enthusiasts and there is nothing wrong with that.
Meeting with your local Z buddies at the local Hooters is NOT pathetic, but rather enjoyable.
That being said - I cant wait to wax your ass on the track one of these days;)
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Darrel- You've gotten more mileage (pun intended) out of that excursion into the weeds at Second Creek Raceway than anyone I know! LOL! How about coming with us to LaJunta this weekend?
After years of putting on these types of HPDEs, I'm somewhat inclined to agree with some of the opinions here. It's a shame to own a car with the type of performance that any Z car has... and never really USE it (except to scare yourself from time-to-time on the street).
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David - I do agree - Its a shame that a lot of desk jockies dont ever get to let it all hang out on the track. I cant wait for the season to start down here.
Since Im just shy of 1200 miles away from La Junta, I'm going to pass ;) but I hope you get a good turnout. I am eager to see how our local turnout ends up being.
Y'all be safe and have fun.
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I wish I could David, but I have to watch my neice and nephew this weekend. My brother only has 5 sundays left of volunteer work then he gets a lifetime season pass at Winter park. 10 sundays a year for 15 years.
--Denver 6-29-1999 1st post.
82 280zxt 4 spd auto
73 240z--lsd, cv axles
ferget donations, I'm into blackmail.
spindle pin puller for sale.
I can't believe some people spend $15 on shifter bushings in the B trans
A:
I googled la junta raceway, there is also a link in the my350z thread.
--Denver 6-29-1999 1st post.
82 280zxt 4 spd auto
73 240z--lsd, cv axles
ferget donations, I'm into blackmail.
spindle pin puller for sale.
I can't believe some people spend $15 on shifter bushings in the B trans
A:
Please read the link to the thread on the "other" Z board if you're at all interested in going. The details of who, what, where and why are posted! The track itself is located several miles north of LaJunta at the local airport. Please DON"T be impulsive and just try to show up- let us know you're coming so we can help you get there on time!
Speaking of airports, LaJunta has several qualities in common with Sebring International in Florida (site of the 12 hours of Sebring). But as I understand it, the standard daily rental fee for that facility is $1,200 per car (when you can get it)! Can any of our FL Z drivers confirm this and comment on what they think of a $35 track rental for the entire day (with free instruction)?
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Hey dkmura. I would really like to attend the event it will be my first track day. Could you email me and give me all the info that I may need. thanks
jeremyvaldez03@hotmail.com
1992 300zx n/a 5 speed
1990 300zx n/a 2+2
If nobody in the world was stupid there wouldn't be a way for the intelligent people to seem intelligent.
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lol.
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Post from above by dkmura-- posted again this time with the link to other forum in bold---
<<< It's been posted since December '05 on two Z sites as well as G35driver and G20.net. For more details, here's a link to the active thread:
http://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159701
Hard to believe Z pilots are passing up an opportunity like this! >>>
--Denver 6-29-1999 1st post.
82 280zxt 4 spd auto
73 240z--lsd, cv axles
ferget donations, I'm into blackmail.
spindle pin puller for sale.
I can't believe some people spend $15 on shifter bushings in the B trans
A:
Well, we only attracted FIVE cars for our 2006 LaJunta track day. It's mind-blowing how many Z drivers won't make the slightest effort (or $35) in learning how to drive their cars. Really, it's OK, the rest of us had far too much fun to ponder this much.
Sunday was ideal for a track day in LaJunta. As an example, at full throttle down the front straight, my 350Z track model was easily reaching over 110 MPH in fifth gear. Overall speeds at the track were up, thanks to some asphalt revisions that opened the exit of T3 and widened the lines through both T4-5. LaJunta is now primarily a third and fourth gear course and if you like speed, this was the place to get it!
Our small group ran the driving exercises in the morning, and proceeded on to a 'drive and walk' session on the circuit itself. The afternoon was filled with lots of laughter, car talk and multiple sessions of increasing speed on our own "private" race track. Blue skies with high, scattered clouds and comfortable temps in the 60's.
It occured to me that the amount of freedom and speed we experienced in that single day could fill the LIFETIME of many drivers. Besides learning new skills and gaining confidence, the happiness of experiencing the essense of a Z car is both within the grasp and yet- far beyond the reach of many who buy a Z car...
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And kudos to you for going to your first-ever track day. Keep an open mind and know you're on the right road to a fun and enlightening experience. I'll work on getting up the pics I took!
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Cant wait.
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Z
Post Edited (Mar 1, 9:59pm)
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LaJunta track day pics link:
http://photobucket.com/albums/y92/dkmura/?action=view¤t=acda5d2b.jpg
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cool!
what about the vids? haha.