Private Track Day - What Would Sau Do?

[Grungle]

So I've been invited to a private driver training/track day/hot lap by one of the directors of the company I work for. I've talked to him about motorsport, driver training and cars in general since I've been with the company, and it looks like he has finally organised something.

The invite says "Learn advanced driving techniques from a qualified race driver. You can bring your own vehicle or use one of ours. Then experience the thrill of driving a hot lap in a V8 racing ute."

So my question for the SAU crowd is: do I take my M35 or use their (at this stage unknown) car?

How likely is it that I bin it or break it? My M35 ARX is fairly stock (3 inch cat back and swaybars), and still on it's original turbo (currently at 110,000km). Based on the other likely drivers for the day, it will be up against an Audi S5, HSV GTS, SS ute, Porsche GT3, Lexus IS250, Jag XK and a John Cooper Works Mini. Outclassed much?

I want to take the stagea - it's going to be an awesome opportunity to get some advanced training in my own car, and I'd really like to see how it stacks up against some of the others (we're a competitive bunch). The downside is it's my wife's only car, and if I kill it or blow the turbo she'll be without it while it's being fixed. Oh, and she's 5 months pregnant…

I don't know what the supplied cars will be – probably big aussie sedans. Good fun and less responsibility if something goes wrong…but I would like to know how the whale goes on the track.

So from those M35 owners that have tracked them, was it good fun? Did the M35 handle it alright and is there anything I need to do before I go (above and beyond changing/checkingfluids etc)? It's in November, so I've got a bit of time to get prepared. You would have to expect high ambient temps at Mallala in November though.

So what would SAU do?

Edited October 5, 2011 by Grungle

[iamhe77]

Take yours.

Always better to learn driving techniques in your own car.

Stock ARX? I'd be getting a trans cooler on it before a track day with some good fluid and that suspension ain't made for track days!

But why wouldn't you take it?

[Sunkist]

Take yours.

Always better to learn driving techniques in your own car.

Stock ARX? I'd be getting a trans cooler on it before a track day with some good fluid and that suspension ain't made for track days!

But why wouldn't you take it?

lol he can drive over the mini! definitely an advantage

[iamhe77]

and then put the wreck in the back of the Stag to hide the evidence

[Sunkist]

lol. I'de take the stag if I had the chance, and as Cam said. TRANSCOOLER! well worth it and they arent expensive at all

[Grungle]

I'm mostly concerned that it will spit the turbo and we'll be without a car for a while (I'll still have my hilux for work), but I guess it's going to happen eventually.

The appeal of powering past my boss' GTS commodore as he slides into the sand trap backwards in a cloud of tyre smoke may prove too strong...

[bigkevracer]

I'm taking mine our to the SAUSA track day at the beginning of November at Mallala.

Spoke to Craig about his experiences tracking his car, and the tips were:

- Power steering cooler. Standard on 350Z/G35 and PNM35, but not on the NM35? No idea why, but I've ordered a Nismo one that should be here any day now.

- Trans cooler

- Oil change with high quality oil

- Drill out the banjo bolt to turbo to 2mm

- Decent pads/rotors

I think that's everything. Shift kit is a good idea too!

[WAGON_BOY]

as Craig has mentioned to me the transcooler only works whilst in "Drive" so whilst hammering around in manual mode the fluid in the torque converter just gets hotter and hotter, which pisses me off cos whats the freaken point in that, i hate auto's and driving it in manual mode seems like its a bad idea.

so basically every now and then whilst driving in manual mode u have to flick it in drive to let the fluid circulate and cool down, i wish there was a better solution!!!!

[Sunkist]

torque lock switch eliminates ^^^ from happening.. trans cooler stays on permanently..

[bigkevracer]

torque lock switch eliminates ^^^ from happening.. trans cooler stays on permanently..

this, right? -> http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/368229-m35-trans-unlock-mod/page__p__5872643__hl__manual+m35__fromsearch__1#entry5872643

[Sunkist]

this, right? -> http://www.skylinesa..._1#entry5872643

thats the one sir!

but economy will go to shit.

[bigkevracer]

You've got a switch though, you can turn it back for normal road use. Not too bad.

[Sunkist]

yeh it had a switch. but i never bothered with it anyway economy doesnt mean much when your on ethanol lol was one of the first things scotty did for me

[GoldZilla]

Do it! This is justification enough!!! And if they tease you about driving a Volvo, you can stir them up and say they got pwned by that same car.

The appeal of powering past my boss' GTS commodore as he slides into the sand trap backwards in a cloud of tyre smoke may prove too strong...

[lilcrash]

Then experience the thrill of driving a hot lap in a V8 racing ute."

LMAO. THAT HAD ME IN TEARS. Thrill thrill lmao it's a f**king v8. Be more fun on a tricycle.

[Sunkist]

LMAO. THAT HAD ME IN TEARS. Thrill thrill lmao it's a f**king v8. Be more fun on a tricycle.

i would think it would be pretty fun. no weight in the rear, instant power of 8 cylinders.. and corners..

if it was me there be no tyres left on the thing..

[lilcrash]

Fast cars are more fun then skids, skids belong in your undies.

[Sunkist]

Fast cars are more fun then skids, skids belong in your undies.

lol each to their own I guess.

Skids dont belong on undies buddy.. maybe try wiping better?

joking...

[lilcrash]

Lmao. Yeah I know. I've driven a few high powered v8s and I prefer my stagea everyday.

[Sunkist]

Lmao. Yeah I know. I've driven a few high powered v8s and I prefer my stagea everyday.

yeh i think ill miss mine once i start getting over the 200...

anyway back on topic OP Take the stag!