We will be able to attend this event.

Thanks to my sponsors:
Seattle Bulk Rail Transfer Station
IJS Motorsports
WebXtremes Graphics
Techstyles Design
Highlander Motorsports
Automotive Adventures, LLC.
BMWBergy
FTL Performance
:redspot

checked the entry list and it is formidable so far in the STREET RWD Class:
665 hp Nissan 350z supercharged (California Speedway Class Champion)
690 hp Nissan 350z twin turbocharged
Lotus Exige S
Acura NSX
Toyota Supra
Mazda RX-7
I am sure there will be many more locals signing up too.
:shifty

Pray for rain! As it is the great equalizer! :help

Will be good times, driving the corkscrew how bad can that be!

Congrats Scott. When will you be traveling?

Jay

Congrats Scott. When will you be traveling?

Jay

Like the Reno trip will leave o'dark thirty (4 pm this time) on 11/9 Friday. My brother is going this time.
Quick lunch again?

... driving the corkscrew how bad can that be!

Well, one thing you need to know is that it's downhill! :rolleyes Good luck, Scott.
http://www.pbase.com/usm34me/image/38381668/medium.jpg

Well, one thing you need to know is that it's downhill! :rolleyes Good luck, Scott.
http://www.pbase.com/usm34me/image/38381668/medium.jpg

Thanks, will do my best to stay on the tarmac!:eek:

Will be good times, driving the corkscrew how bad can that be![/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]

The corkscrew isn't bad at all - it's the exit of T9 to watch out for. :) Overall, it's not a particularly difficult track, just focus on your launch out of T5, keep up your speed in T6, and it'll be a piece of cake.

It's been clear and cool down here, and I'd expect more of the same this fall. The one thing to plan for is the sound limit - be sure you have additional plumbing for the muffler and for the air intake - I'd expect more than one competitor to get booted for noise. An e36 with cats and aftermarket catback can easily fail sound.

The corkscrew isn't bad at all - it's the exit of T9 to watch out for. :)
Yeah, the Corkscrew gets all the "press" 'cause it's dramatic, but it's also the 2nd-slowest corner on the track. But T9 will make you sh*t yourself if you get it wrong :)

An e36 with cats and aftermarket catback can easily fail sound.

In some cases, it's intake noise that can cause an issue as well. FWIW, the race car has never had a problem, in all sorts of weather on conditions (intake, exhaust, stock cats). Overcast or fog tend to make things worse, sound-wise, so be aware of that.

Oh and, Hi Andy :wavey

The one thing to plan for is the sound limit - be sure you have additional plumbing for the muffler and for the air intake - I'd expect more than one competitor to get booted for noise. An e36 with cats and aftermarket catback can easily fail sound.


If any E36 WITH cats and a simple aftermarket catback can easily fail, I would expect both of those 350z's will fail with 6xxbhp, likely the others are highly modified aswell.. I think a stockish E36 would be one of the last ones to fail a sound ordinance. Perhaps he will win, being as he is the only competitor left ! :D

If any E36 WITH cats and a simple aftermarket catback can easily fail, I would expect both of those 350z's will fail with 6xxbhp, likely the others are highly modified aswell.. I think a stockish E36 would be one of the last ones to fail a sound ordinance. Perhaps he will win, being as he is the only competitor left ! :D

T9, will make a note of that, Thanks!

My car has the stock unaltered cats, and an aftermarket no name exhaust with match no name headers. Its really quiet. All of our races run a 98 dba rule never had an issue.

:madthose Z cars are going to have to have some bad luck for me to tussle with them. I can see them disappearing now....on the other hand you have to show up, play by the rules, and do your best. Never know what can happen. Even if I get my A** kicked it will be fun.

All of our races run a 98 dba rule never had an issue.

Depending on the event, Laguna can be as low as 90 or 92 dB.

Just so you're aware.....

Depending on the event, Laguna can be as low as 90 or 92 dB.

Just so you're aware.....

90 or 92!?? Since when are race cars supposed to be quiet? :confused

The 328-ifed ti I race, with a stock airbox, cats and a custom dual cherry-bomb setup is absolutely right on the edge. Usually, with the group I go out with, it'll be fine around 9am, fail at the 11:30am session (92.5 to 93db), then be fine again for qualifying and racing in the afternoon. It's all just atmospheric conditions that transmit the noise easier to the sound booth or not. Turbo cars sometimes have less trouble, as the high whistling doesn't peg the meter as much as low rumbling. But then again, I had a friend who's Turbo 911's wastegate actually set it off, so no guarantees.

I talked with one of the Skip Barber guys and the Barber Dodges have to meet an 85 db limit -- he said that even the bodywork rattling will exceed that depending on the weather. A $30 decibel meter from Radio Shack will help you plan for that.

90 or 92!?? Since when are race cars supposed to be quiet?

Yeah, really. Yet another example of people building their houses near a racetrack, then complaining about the noise. From a competition standpoint though, it's just another variable to plan for, take into account, and use to your advantage. :)

Oh and, Hi Andy

Hey Jim! One of these days I'll have to get out to a CR race. I'd have to add about 250lbs to my car to be in JP though in the 2008 rules. :p

90 or 92!?? Since when are race cars supposed to be quiet? :confused

Probably since (I'm guessing) encroaching urban sprawl in an area that was previously much more rural.

Hey Jim! One of these days I'll have to get out to a CR race. I'd have to add about 250lbs to my car to be in JP though in the 2008 rules. :p
Thunderhill. This weekend. 2007 rules. Be there! :)

(We need at least 2 more sign-ups to break even.)

Like the Reno trip will leave o'dark thirty (4 pm this time) on 11/9 Friday. My brother is going this time.
Quick lunch again?

Sure. Food is good!

Remind me the day before.

Jay

Thanks, will do my best to stay on the tarmac!:eek:

If you've never done it before, don't be weenie about the initial turn-in. If you don't give it enough you'll be on top of the berm on the right QUICK. Ask me how I know :help I did it on my 1st warm-up lap. Only took me once to get the idea.

Jay

If you've never done it before, don't be weenie about the initial turn-in. If you don't give it enough you'll be on top of the berm on the right QUICK. Ask me how I know :help I did it on my 1st warm-up lap. Only took me once to get the idea.

Jay

Or you could pull a move out of the hat like Zanardi did in the CART race back in 1996, and fly straight over it. That was awesome being there for that...This is a video of the pass...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN511FyjdVs

It isn't a good angle at all, but he actually became airborne and flew over the cones on the inside of the corner...

I will probably come check the time trial out, since I live less than ten minutes away...

If you've never done it before, don't be weenie about the initial turn-in. If you don't give it enough you'll be on top of the berm on the right QUICK. Ask me how I know :help I did it on my 1st warm-up lap. Only took me once to get the idea.

Jay

Will do. Have about 800 laps now on Xbox Forza Motorsport on the big screen. Not the same, but at least I will have some idea of the view.

I am taking notes from this actually.

I got the results from Pacific Double National. Sat (cloudly med overcast) was 90-91 all day. But Sun in rained, low overcast and was 92-93 all day.
Making up some clamp on exhaust turns for my muffler outlets. I am also taking my foglight block off plate for the left side to replace my intake duct in case that is an issue.

BIGGER problem now. My mentor/NBF called me and asked me to look at my brake pads. I told him, I have tons been running Hawk HT10 blacks all year. Last time I pulled them they had to be 75-80% no problem. Tells me to get another set. DUDE, that is so not in the budget! They will be fine. He gets me thinking, so I dig around in my box and pull the pads to measure. 18mm new is standard for the StopTech ST-40 pad. I measure two places each pad and run from 14.98-15.35 on first three pads. Pick up the forth pad and it as a CHIP knocked off the corner.:eek: CRAP! Krikey! It is the outer corner, at a 45 degree angle about 1.0mm each way. Freaking Hell. So now I have to scramble to beg some pads.:mad Looks like contact damage from rattling around in the box/trailer. Fine otherwise. crap. Stoptech does not sell direct anymore.

Looks like contact damage from rattling around in the box/trailer. Fine otherwise. crap. Stoptech does not sell direct anymore.

Post a picture...it's hard to tell from your description, but they might be just fine.

Pad looks like this drawing. The corner is broken off from pad surface all the way to the backing plate. No cracks or anything I noticed.

I'll see ya there.. I work for Redline.. soo u'll find my doing race control and probably on grid somewhere.. as well as tech inpsection... I'm Kevin.. Just ask for me and u'll find me...

Pad looks like this drawing. The corner is broken off from pad surface all the way to the backing plate. No cracks or anything I noticed.

Absolutely no reason not to run those pads IMO as long as it appears the material was just knocked off in your toolbox rather than the result of the material breaking down over the entire pad.

I'll see ya there.. I work for Redline.. soo u'll find my doing race control and probably on grid somewhere.. as well as tech inpsection... I'm Kevin.. Just ask for me and u'll find me...

:coolCool Kevin. How much $$ do make sure those 600hp 350z's fail tech? I'm kidding (mostly:shifty).

Just look for the Lightweight e36 Clone with a sh*tload of decals all over it.:devillook

Absolutely no reason not to run those pads IMO as long as it appears the material was just knocked off in your toolbox rather than the result of the material breaking down over the entire pad.

That is what I was leaning toward. Especially if I put the broken end at the end of the direction of travel.

Definately broken from being knocked about, found the missing piece in the bottom of the box.

Next time I wrap these back up, and TAPE the damn box shut. Lesson learned.

FYI - that's a 400whp+ Turbocharged NSX in your street class :stickoutt


....No one knows about turn 6? -most crashes happen there.


See you guys out there! Should be an awesome event.

FYI - that's a 400whp+ Turbocharged NSX in your street class :stickoutt


....No one knows about turn 6? -most crashes happen there.


See you guys out there! Should be an awesome event.

:devillook"Damn it Scotty, I have got to have more power now!
I'm givin'r all she's got Captain, the anti-matter won't hold":devillook

:shiftydamn another car to sabotage:shifty I kidd, I kidd sorta.

What racing gas and how $ a gallon at Laguna? :confusedand is it worth it?

I know, wont make up the differance. Will cool to meet you down there. Will be good times, good times even if I am slower:rolleyes

"The corkscrew isn't bad at all - it's the exit of T9 to watch out for. :) Overall, it's not a particularly difficult track, just focus on your launch out of T5, keep up your speed in T6, and it'll be a piece of cake."

K.........LOL

:devillook"Damn it Scotty, I have got to have more power now!
I'm givin'r all she's got Captain, the anti-matter won't hold":devillook

:shiftydamn another car to sabotage:shifty I kidd, I kidd sorta.

What racing gas and how $ a gallon at Laguna? :confusedand is it worth it?

I know, wont make up the differance. Will cool to meet you down there. Will be good times, good times even if I am slower:rolleyes

"The corkscrew isn't bad at all - it's the exit of T9 to watch out for. :) Overall, it's not a particularly difficult track, just focus on your launch out of T5, keep up your speed in T6, and it'll be a piece of cake."

K.........LOLI think i've met you before at Buttonwillow or Cal Speedway. BMWRetard usually follows me around (he drives the Berk Technology MR2) and I usually drive the Factor X NSX.

I'm not driving the NSX in your class, it's someone else. No worries, all you have to do is build your motor and turbocharge your car within the next two weeks!

"keep your speed in T6"... lol.

Pretty sure I'd run 'em. What are you missing? 2% of the contact area for that pad? Divide that by 2 pads and you'll only have to brake 1% earlier :devillook

Jay

Good u see back at a Redline event. Billy Sorry I missed u at VIR.. Did u see u give me the node when u were driving to gird though while I was driving the golf kart.. I'll see you all out there hopefully.
I drew Jury Duty next week.. any Suggestion how to get out of it?

Pretty sure I'd run 'em. What are you missing? 2% of the contact area for that pad? Divide that by 2 pads and you'll only have to brake 1% earlier :devillook

Jay


You must be an engineer! :D

You must be an engineer! :D

An engineer would know that surface area has nothing to do with the amount of friction a brake pad produces against a rotor. ;)

I think i've met you before at Buttonwillow or Cal Speedway. BMWRetard usually follows me around (he drives the Berk Technology MR2) and I usually drive the Factor X NSX.

I'm not driving the NSX in your class, it's someone else. No worries, all you have to do is build your motor and turbocharge your car within the next two weeks!

"keep your speed in T6"... lol.

No worries:eyecrazy 15 days to rob a bank, call Sunbelt about a motor, and install.
:help

Not me, never been to Buttonwillow, never been on a Cal track before.

Pretty sure I'd run 'em. What are you missing? 2% of the contact area for that pad? Divide that by 2 pads and you'll only have to brake 1% earlier :devillook
Works for me Jay, hey....Lou with the black M3 said to say hi, loaned me some Fiske wheels yesterday so I dont have to dismount my slicks. He was headed to Thunderhill this weekend. Great guy, guess you will have some crew help huh?

You must be an engineer! :D
An engineer would know that surface area has nothing to do with the amount of friction a brake pad produces against a rotor. ;)

Actually I am a Rocket Scientist.....really...aerospace:rolleyesdoesn't pay what you think it would.

I think any car over 350 hp should have to run a temporary spare on the right front...:lol

Redline:Time Attack! to be held 50 years to the day, of the first racing event ever held at Laguna Seca Raceway!

A bit of history for all of you automotive enthusiasts out there. The first organized race at Laguna Seca was held November 9th, 1957 and was won by Pete Lovely driving a Ferrari. The Redline:Time Attack! event scheduled for the weekend of November 9th-11th will be taking place EXACTLY 50 years after the first race concluded at Laguna Seca.

Join us for the beginning of the next chapter in the remarkable history of what is now known as Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The 2007 Redline:Time Attack! Championships is the innaugural event of what will be an annual visit to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula and historic Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Those in the Time Attack community with the highest aspirations and the biggest dreams will descend upon Laguna Seca to secure their spot in the history books. To witness history in the making you will need to be at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca the weekend of November 9th-11th. Who will be crowned the Champion of the first ever officially sanctioned Time Attack event to be held at Laguna Seca!? Join us to find out!

An engineer would know that surface area has nothing to do with the amount of friction a brake pad produces against a rotor. ;)

And a careful reader might notice sarcasm. :stickoutt

Good u see back at a Redline event. Billy Sorry I missed u at VIR.. Did u see u give me the node when u were driving to gird though while I was driving the golf kart.. I'll see you all out there hopefully.
I drew Jury Duty next week.. any Suggestion how to get out of it?
In the VIR grid when I was in the black/orange TSX? -I'm pretty sure...

Jury Duty: What I did was say that I knew the police officer in the investigation and had personal opinions of him that may affect my neutral judging of the case (which I did). You might try it... Because they want neutral jurors and if you have a negative impression that may affect your decision making, they'd probably let you go...


No worries:eyecrazy 15 days to rob a bank, call Sunbelt about a motor, and install.
:help

Not me, never been to Buttonwillow, never been on a Cal track before.

Pretty sure I'd run 'em. What are you missing? 2% of the contact area for that pad? Divide that by 2 pads and you'll only have to brake 1% earlier :devillook
Works for me Jay, hey....Lou with the black M3 said to say hi, loaned me some Fiske wheels yesterday so I dont have to dismount my slicks. He was headed to Thunderhill this weekend. Great guy, guess you will have some crew help huh?

You must be an engineer! :D
An engineer would know that surface area has nothing to do with the amount of friction a brake pad produces against a rotor. ;)

Actually I am a Rocket Scientist.....really...aerospace:rolleyesdoesn't pay what you think it would.

I think any car over 350 hp should have to run a temporary spare on the right front...:lol
I'm sorry, I have all of you beat with my profession: Rocket-Surgeon

In the VIR grid when I was in the black/orange TSX? -I'm pretty sure...

Jury Duty: What I did was say that I knew the police officer in the investigation and had personal opinions of him that may affect my neutral judging of the case (which I did). You might try it... Because they want neutral jurors and if you have a negative impression that may affect your decision making, they'd probably let you go...



I'm sorry, I have all of you beat with my profession: Rocket-Surgeon

LOL right on! ;)

BMWRetard usually follows me around ...

:lol

I'll be there, not sure if I'll be driving...

Be sure to wander over n' say Howdy

I'll be there, not sure if I'll be driving...You can be my ninjaneer anytime... ;)

Be sure to wander over n' say Howdy

Yea, will do. Hopefully Berk will have their motor ready by Nov 9.


You can be my ninjaneer anytime... ;)

Thanks man, but just one thing: you really gotta stop with the "I'm loose!! DO SOMETHING!!!" over the radio. I need more feedback than that.

Thanks man, but just one thing: you really gotta stop with the "I'm loose!! DO SOMETHING!!!" over the radio. I need more feedback than that.
"Is this straight enough?"

I'll be there driving, just on Friday tho. No time attack for me. I'm stoked about finally going to Laguna. :redspot

I'll be there driving, just on Friday tho. No time attack for me. I'm stoked about finally going to Laguna. :redspot

Have fun Kim. Aim for the middle tree and don't lift in T9.:D

Pretty sure I'd run 'em. What are you missing? 2% of the contact area for that pad? Divide that by 2 pads and you'll only have to brake 1% earlier :devillook

Jay
Jay are you gonna be there on the 9th? If so, will you ride with me for a few laps, or let me follow you like we did in July?

I just checked the weather and there's a 30% chance of rain for Friday. :shifty

I'll be there all three days.. the sound limit for the weekend is 95db. Not great, but better than 91-92db

Jay are you gonna be there on the 9th? If so, will you ride with me for a few laps, or let me follow you like we did in July?

Kim-

Sorry for the slow reply. I was at the club race over the weekend and I missed this.

I will not be at Laguna. I'll be at TH 11/9-11/10 with TrackMasters.

I've only driven Laguna once so I'm no expert. For the most part I think the track is fairly intuitive. But I did have a problem on my 1st lap. You have to turn in more than you think at the top of the Corkscrew (T8). Turn in hard and drive over the apex berm. If you don't you'll be straddling the berm on the right side (T8A) as you head down the hill. Or, worse. I think of it a lot like the top of the Cyclone (T5) at Thunderhill.

Enjoy it, it's a fun track.

Jay

Only a few more days to go. We still have plenty of spots available in both our Friday and Saturday HPDE run groups. $300 for Friday or $340 for Saturday or $600 for both days at Laguna Seca.. Each group will get 5 run sessions each day.

The weather forecast is improving as well. :-)

Come on out!

Nikolas

Last minute sign up, but I'm a go for the Test-and-Tune tomorrow.

I'll be on the lookout for you guys!

Drive Safely,
Raza

Reports? How did you do Scott?

Jay

What I hear from my sources that were there and broke on Friday, is that Scott was rather poky. Part of the JMC Motorsports team was there on Friday with a third gen RX-7, they lost a cranks angle sensor.

To salvage the weekend they picked up a Rental Sky, and think they took 4th, several seconds ahead of Scott. I haven't seen official results yet, so it may not be that much gap.

I was there for all three, but only made it halfway through Saturday. I was driving an Integra Type R for KSport USA. My best lap was a 1:40.1, with a long lift for the sound booth. With the normal exhaust setup, it blew 102db. With a silencer in the exhaust, stock airbox and sound insulation around the intake it got down to 94.1. I just gave up and lifted by the sound booth for the rest of the weekend.

Exiting the corkscrew on Saturday, I accelerated the same way I did the previous 60 laps, but something let go... pretty spectacular blow up. The corner worker gave me a 2" piece of connecting rod as a present.

Laguna is awesome.. I'm planning on going back there in January with NASA and running my E36.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/3cork.jpg

oops..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/4bam.jpg

and my favorite picture..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/5out.jpg

Sorry to hear about the integra blowing up :( thats never good. but those were some really fast laps in the car.

Laguna Seca Finale
Top 20

1. Billy Johnson FactorX NSX 1:31.440 U-RWD
2. Kip Olsen Driving Ambition NSX 1:31.777 U-RWD
3. Tyler McQuarrie JIC/Hankook Tires S-15 1:31.814 U-RWD
4. Brian Lock GST Motorsports Impreza 1:31.851 U-AWD
5. Paul Gerard AMS EVO 1:32.089 U-AWD
6. Steve Mitchell M-Workz 350z 1:33.049 U-RWD
7. Navid Kahangi PDX Tuning STI 1:34.388 U-AWD
8. Christian Miller 034 Motorsport A4 1:35.722 M-AWD
9. Kip Olsen Driving Ambition NSX 1:36.552 M-RWD
10. Scott Bush Double Down 350z 1:38.301 U-RWD
11. Scott Bush Relentless Auto 350z 1:38.409 M-RWD
12. Billy Johnson Team Kaneko Datsun 510 1:38.575 M-RWD
13. James Elterman Nukabe/Cusco STI 1:38.699 M-AWD
14. JC Meynet Harmon Motive STI 1:39.526 M-AWD
15. Craig Dabbs AGP Turbo SRT-4 1:40.238 U-FWD
16. JC Meynet Harmon Motive STI 1:40.367 S-AWD
17. Matt Andrews Fair Enough Comp. Miata 1:41.206 M-RWD
18. Igor Iyustin Driving Ambition NSX 1:42.160 S-RWD
19. Jeremy Renshaw 240sx 1:42.162 M-RWD
20. Matt Andrews Fair Enough Comp. Supra 1:42.187 S-RWD


Stuntman taking home the Unlimited RWD and Overall win (BMWRetard doing all of the engineering/setup on the car):
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Redline%20TA%20LS%2007/DSC_0068.jpg
Stuntman finishing 3rd in Modified RWD (BMWRetard setting this car up too): -photo by BMWRetard
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Drifting/DSC_0029.jpg
Stuntman finishing 4th in Unlimited RWD and 6th overall:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Redline%20TA%20LS%2007/DSC_0738.jpg
Stuntman goofing off:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Drifting/CP2_0618.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Drifting/CP2_0629.jpg

Was everyone having to lift during the TA finals? Or were those top laps flat out? I heard a bunch of people has laps thrown out to exceeding sound..

We are back safe and sound. Car is too. We had a fantastic time at a fantastic track.
We also faced some challenges along the way. We managed to overcome them all.

Results: 11th out of 17 cars in STREET Category, 6th out of 7 cars in Street Rear Wheel Drive.
We lacked some 150-275 HP to our competitors. We weighed some 250-400 lbs too much also.

BUT WE HAD THE BEST TIME! Driving Laguna Seca in anger is something I will never forget.
Neither will my brother who got to ride with me for 10 hot laps.

Street tires 140 tread wear minimum are not the same as DOT-R tires I am used too.

Got to first gas stop south of Portland and saw that our trailer hitch was bent down 45 degree angle!
Too much tongue weight for the hitch (bolts to the spare tire well with plates).
We re-arranged the load on the trailer.
We then took a ratchet tie down strap around the cargo shelf bracing to the ball mount on the hitch to help support the load.
It worked fine the rest of the trip. We will re-engineer it this winter. All told took us just under 19 hours to get to the Motel 6 in Salinas.

On Saturday we went out for our first practice session and begin smoking. We were black flagged after two laps.
We jack the car up, no visible signs of leak source. Wipe everything down best we can.
Second session black flagged on lap 3 for smoking. Jack the car up, lower exhaust, pull the heat shield. The heat shield and sound isolation blanket (stock) are soaked with transmission fluid. No obvious signs of leaking.
I move the exhaust and swear the tranny moved! What the? The ureathen has separated from the mounting flanges?
We dig through the box o’spares we packed, found the old transmission mounts. We installed them, and the car never leaked again.
Go out for 3rd practice and get 12 laps, best time was a 1:59 something. Tires suck, no grip.
Debrief, check pressures and they are right on the mark. Re-read the track school notes I was given. Then I put them away. I was spending too much time on that, not enough on driving and flowing with the car. The car and I need to find OUR rhythm and our pace.
Go out for 4th practice on grid find out that there will be one more EXTRA practice session as program is running fast.
I tell my brother to fetch his helmet and buckle up. The video is classic. I won’t include here what he said (not suitable for young children), use your imagination. He loved it! With him (210 lbs) in the car best lap was down to a 1:58.5.

Come in, check pressures and debrief. We decide that pressures are off as we only get 3 hot laps per Time Attack session tomorrow. We bump up the pressures and decide to run 4 hot laps, them hot pit for pressure check. We do that for the final session and the pressures were spot on what Bridgestone said to run 31-33 lbs. Go out finish the session, about 10 more laps. Best lap time was down to 1:58 flat, 3 in a row even. Maximum lap variance was 4 tenths! But only single fast lap of the day counts on Sunday. Pack up, head back to motel. Walk to In/Out Burger for a $4.08 dinner.

Sunday, arrive early go over car no leaks. We are out first for a 30 min practice. Best lap now down to 1:56 flat!
Bad news, we are last in rear wheel drive by over 1 second. Damn it Jim! We talk and decide that I am going to have to step up more. I switch in to maximum effort qualifying mode.
Our best lap in the Time Attack Session one was a 1.55 flat! But that dam Saturn Sky was 1:54 flat! This is unacceptable. I will not be last place; I will not be beaten by a Saturn!

We set the pressures to 29.5. We set the driver on kill. We check insurance is up to date. We check that my brother can get a ride to the bus station if I wad up the car. Check, Check, check. Call the wife tell her might be late getting home. Why? Because I am going to run high, not afraid to die!

I run my warm up to the green flag on cold tires like I am Alex Zanardi. I power-slide on to the front straightaway and take the green flag. I can see I am gaining the @ )(*^!!! Saturn! Slide the car on throttle into 5, up the hill dap the brakes, down shift to third, slam the throttle and turn in. Hit the curb, car compresses drifts to the edge of track but the curbing catches me. I am really gaining on the Saturn the rest of the way around. I flat foot turn 9 (Rainey curve) drifting right to the far right. As I come on the front straight I see my on board lap timer. 1:54 FLAT!

Reeling in the Saturn now, in Andretti hairpin he looks over and sees me. His look in his open face helmet is priceless! I got you now my pretty and your little dog too! This is Laguna Seca, your not in Kansas anymore.

This time the lap timer says 1:53:84! I see my brother jumping up and down on pit wall with the GO! Hand signal, (you know the one!) He can hear the announcer saying each lap is faster then before. I point to the Saturn ahead of me, he is toast!

I haul into Andretti past marker 4, past marker 3, (I should be braking) and lift, brake, downshift at marker 2! Rut roo, back end starts to come around to the right. I bury the throttle and save it, I come off with 200 more rpm then before.
I get through 3 okay (toughest turn on the track for me). Turn 4 I am on the throttle way before turn in and drift the entire corner clear to the curb on exit, left rear gets some dirt. I don’t lift. I carry fantastic speed through 5 up the hill.
Dab of brakes, downshift to 3rd, slam the throttle and slide it to the apex of 5 nick the curb and let it run wide to exit curb. Curb saves me from the dirt. Hauling up the hill to the 3 marker for 8 (corkscrew), I dab brakes carry big speed over the crest of hill. Brake hard after crest, down shift begin turn in but the rear is light and wants to come around. Nothing doing, I slam the throttle down rear end digs in and launches us off the corkscrew towards oak tree #3 on the right. Car is floating now (seems like off the ground)…wait I need to turn, so I turn right and leave foot on the floor.
Rear end comes around on the left, I keep my foot down and the curbing saves me again. I am now driving straight at the corner station for turn 9. Breath throttle slightly turn in tires protesting, adding throttle down the hill clip apex curb car drifting toward dirt again. I don’t counter steer at all. As sliding out to curb I grab fourth and rocket towards turn 10. Jab brakes down shift, full throttle for apex, nick curb let it run to the left end shift heading for turn 11.
Almost out brake myself, tires locking/unlocking (repeat), trail braking at turn slightly. I down shift to 3rd, 2nd, turn in nick curb slight throttle over steer onto the straightaway and there is the Saturn. Can I get a draft? No not close enough. Look at the timer….1:53:64! 1:53:64! Yes! I proceed to bang the steering wheel and bruise my hands all the way to Andretti on the cool down lap.
We wrung every drop of performance that little 2.5L had, and it gave all it had. The car handled and braked great.
We are just out horse powered. Wife says we need to fix that. I agree. I saw a 3.2L race motor on bimmerforums…Honey?

Good times, good times. Better then that even.
Thank you so much to all of you who helped me fulfill a dream of driving at Laguna Seca.


Scott Norton

What I hear from my sources that were there and broke on Friday, is that Scott was rather poky. Part of the JMC Motorsports team was there on Friday with a third gen RX-7, they lost a cranks angle sensor.

To salvage the weekend they picked up a Rental Sky, and think they took 4th, several seconds ahead of Scott. I haven't seen official results yet, so it may not be that much gap.

Poky huh?:nono:mad:devillook Stock 2.5L, first time at the track. Poky huh?

That's what the guys in the Rental Saturn said.

LOL, well when he came over and talked to me he WAS ahead on lap time just barely.
He never talked to me after wards. Saw him leave, waved. He did not wave back, but his buddy driving the tow rig did:)

Congrats guys, it sounds like a great time. Congrats to Stuntman for the wins, man it seems like you're in every class. Beautiful NSX btw.

93coupe, that was a great writeup. It felt like I was there, very intense!

I really need to go to Cali to check out some of these events.

Congrats guys, it sounds like a great time. Congrats to Stuntman for the wins, man it seems like you're in every class. Beautiful NSX btw.

93coupe, that was a great writeup. It felt like I was there, very intense!

I really need to go to Cali to check out some of these events.

That NSX was awesome. Well turned out. Nicely done, great drive to by the way

I had fun on Friday for my first time out. I ran with the intermediate group and was running just under 1:50. Overall, a very good day. I couldn't stay for the weekend because I had vet school stuff to attend to on Saturday morning. :( Oh well, I will definitely be going back again. :)

According to a few AWD teams (hint: names consists of 3 letters), sound ordinances, additional mufflers, and more restrictive exhausts only affect power levels of AWD cars...:rolleyes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/Dizy56/sweeetexhaust.jpg

Looks like we'll have to think up something different exhaust wise for next year, then we'll see what we can really do.

We are back safe and sound. Car is too. We had a fantastic time at a fantastic track.
We also faced some challenges along the way. We managed to overcome them all.

Results: 11th out of 17 cars in STREET Category, 6th out of 7 cars in Street Rear Wheel Drive.
We lacked some 150-275 HP to our competitors. We weighed some 250-400 lbs too much also.



Scott Norton

Scott - What did you do to make your car pass the sound limit tests? I'm going in January with NASA to run my E36. I figured a stock (M3) exhaust and stock airbox would be enough? What setup for intake/exhaust did you have?

Scott - What did you do to make your car pass the sound limit tests? I'm going in January with NASA to run my E36. I figured a stock (M3) exhaust and stock airbox would be enough? What setup for intake/exhaust did you have?

My low budget set up:
S&S Auto Chrome SS Headers and cat-back exhaust with stock cats.
Cosmo modified intake from behind foglight with custom brake duct, Dinian heatshield and Comforti heatshield. The exhaust has a DTM 45 deg kick up exit. We normally get 90-91 depending on the weather. Only time we got a 93 was in the rain at Pacific Raceways once.

Some very creative exhaust set-ups on some of the subies. Deisel truck rigging on one. Most went to home depot and bought dryer ducting. NOTE: Did not work, left shards of it all over the F*:shifty place. Surprised no cut tires.

From the sounds of it my car might have been the only car stuntman (Billy) did not drive...:D I came over to say hi to ya, but you and retard looked busy so left you alone. Oh, and I was entering the track when you went by me in the Datsun WFO about 3" off my fender. About scared the crap out of me:lol.
More laps and my DOT-R Nitto's and we would have broke 1:50 for sure.
The RE01-R's sucked, should have shaved them. Oh well got rain tires for next season.

These teams are well staffed, know there S*, and do a good job. Very tough competition. Well played.

I didn't and still don't understand the sound rules by Redline. The track is bound by the laws, so it is what it is.
But a guy could go out, pedal the warm up lap by the sound booth then run a hot lap over 92, do it again the next lap and get the meatball.
But still allowed to keep is time from the first over sound lap? WTF? Why have a rule if you can break it?
Not that it mattered to me personally had no effect on me or my placing.
Just made no sense? If your over 92 even once nothing in that session should count. FWIW

From the sounds of it my car might have been the only car stuntman (Billy) did not drive...:D I came over to say hi to ya, but you and retard looked busy so left you alone.
Yea 'Tard and myself were really busy trying to get that little orange shoe-box and the un-tested NSX handling right. But you should have still stopped by and say hi!

Oh, and I was entering the track when you went by me in the Datsun WFO about 3" off my fender. About scared the crap out of me:lol.
Sorry about that...:D Were you in a white M3? And did you enter the track before turn 2, or did you enter after the motorcycle track-out between turn 2 and 3?

I didn't and still don't understand the sound rules by Redline. The track is bound by the laws, so it is what it is.
But a guy could go out, pedal the warm up lap by the sound booth then run a hot lap over 92, do it again the next lap and get the meatball.
But still allowed to keep is time from the first over sound lap? WTF? Why have a rule if you can break it?
Not that it mattered to me personally had no effect on me or my placing.
Just made no sense? If your over 92 even once nothing in that session should count. FWIW
In the 510 and 350Z, I had to lift/maintenance throttle from turn5-6 past the sound station, and yes, blast well over 92db the rest of the lap. Yes its stupid, because cars can still go around the track over 92db, but the nature of the track/test station/county rules, all that matters is the db limit between turn 5&6. Just like any rules, you work with and around what limitations you have to work with. Yes it technically wouldnt have made a difference to the county if they had a 92 or 110db limit that weekend as cars were doing well over that, but again, thats the rules/laws by the county, if you make sound at the station, you're good to go. And that's all that matters...

Well you had the same look I get when in the "zone" a thinkin and a concentratin'...;) Well we see each again! Laguna Rocks! Will be there next year for sure! If the wife did not have such a killer job up here we would move!

Ya, that was me. But it only looks like an M3, it a 325s automatic,(we fixed that right away) the motor is still a 325is with chip, headers, exhaust, intake. A whopping 200 hp at the crank:lol. But suspension is all aftermarket as are the brakes.

I was in the motorcycle lane heading to the 2-3 entrance. But we were next to each other right where you would run right to the left edge. Nothing was your fault I was not looking and all of the sudden I hear this freaking loud ass "whoose"...:eyecrazy that Datsun kicks ass. My grandma used to have one. Not quite like yours...:eek: :lol

Next practice I followed you on to the track, no wait....I was on the track and you came out of the pits in the motorcycle lane and kick my ass coming out of 2...spitin flames and all. Was way cool!

yea, the sound rules are weird. ALMS and others get exempted...go figure

We are so low budget I didn't even eat that the track. Thank god that In/Out was across the street from our motel so I could eat....

We drove my car there towing my little gypsy trailer with tires/tools/spares 800+miles, (17 hrs) raced best we could, the drove home. And we would do it again in a heart beat. Was the best of times!

yea, the sound rules are weird. ALMS and others get exempted...go figure

Yep, that's the way it is. Laguna is a County park, technically, and operates a bit differently than other tracks. There are a few "unlimited" sound days throughout the year, for ALMS, GrandAm, MotoGP, and others. Then there are a few 98-103 events - usually SCCA races. And those can have a sliding sound scale based on time of day, so they manage the groups accordingly (SCCA Vintage event in April is such an event). Most of the other "club" dates get the 90-92 days. Many folks that race there regularly with SCCA/NASA/etc have specific "Laguna exhausts".

Unique for sure, but worth the "inconvenience" for many.

Also be aware, they will on occasion use a mobile sound meter. And they know that you know to lift between T5 & T6 :)

We are back safe and sound............................................. .

....................Thank you so much to all of you who helped me fulfill a dream of driving at Laguna Seca.


Scott Norton

That was a great write up. Sounds like you and everyone else had an amazing time.

I've only seen one Time Attack and it was at Sears Point a few years ago. Sure wish they would come farther north. :( You always see some of the craziest looking/sounding cars around at these events. i.e. NSX, 510 (hopefully with some crazy velocity stacks :stickoutt) etc.

You always see some of the craziest looking/sounding cars around at these events. i.e. NSX, 510 (hopefully with some crazy velocity stacks :stickoutt) etc.
:confused?

:confused?

When I was growing up my buddies would either cut holes in, or totally remove their 510's hood. Then they would run longer, louder velocity stacks. They sounded amazing and loud as hell too. I loved it! I've always been a huge fan of 510's.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/gilly_22/velocitystacks.jpg

When I was growing up my buddies would either cut holes in, or totally remove their 510's hood. Then they would run longer, louder velocity staks. They sounded amazing and loud as hell too. I loved it! I've always been a huge fan of 510's.
I'm not sure how well they would work on a turbo rotary flamethrower...;)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Redline%20TA%20LS%2007/DSC_0880.jpg
You can see the I/C between the lights behind the "SSS" logo:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Redline%20TA%20LS%2007/DSC_0147.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/Dizy56/sweeetexhaust.jpg

Looks like we'll have to think up something different exhaust wise for next year, then we'll see what we can really do.


Can't wait to see you top that ^ :rofl

MORE INFO ON THE 510!!! building a competent turbo rotary 510 that actually doesn't blow up is like the Everest of the tuner car world in my opinion.

Great write up, thanks for sharing.
You only made two mistakes:
Not shaving the RE01Rs, and staying at the Hotel 6 in Salinas:), unless they have cleaned that place up since I was there for a Barber school.

Yup, we realize that on both accounts now.:shifty

Crap, well you can sight the lack of sleep due to drug deals and hookers as one reason you weren't a tenth or two faster:)
I know the feeling, trust me.

MORE INFO ON THE 510!!! building a competent turbo rotary 510 that actually doesn't blow up is like the Everest of the tuner car world in my opinion.
Haha, true. What do you want to know?

1972 Datsun 510, 13B rotary with 'special' parts, custom 1-off turbo, custom carbon dash/inner door panels, recaro seats, sparco 6-pt belts, caged, JRZ triple dampers, TSR Fabrication i/c-plumbing-etc...

Haha, true. What do you want to know?

1972 Datsun 510, 13B rotary with 'special' parts, custom 1-off turbo, custom carbon dash/inner door panels, recaro seats, sparco 6-pt belts, caged, JRZ triple dampers, TSR Fabrication i/c-plumbing-etc...

Forget to mention the 4 foot flames out the exhaust when you shift:stickoutt:alright

Haha, true. What do you want to know?

1972 Datsun 510, 13B rotary with 'special' parts, custom 1-off turbo, custom carbon dash/inner door panels, recaro seats, sparco 6-pt belts, caged, JRZ triple dampers, TSR Fabrication i/c-plumbing-etc...


sounds kickass. Wasn't sure if you had a link to a build page or anything? Did you use a RE or REW motor? Engine management? MORE PICTURES! haha. I'd also be very interested to see how you got JRZs to work on the car.

Wasn't sure if you had a link to a build page or anything?
The car is 20yrs+ in the making.
http://www.turbomagazine.com/features/tur0801a01_1972_nissan_datsun_240z/index.html
http://www.superstreetonline.com/featuredvehicles/custom_1972_datsun_240z_import_car/index.html
Did you use a RE or REW motor?
Modified FD 13b rew
Engine management?
Motec M4
I'd also be very interested to see how you got JRZs to work on the car.
Custom application/fabrication by TSR

very very cool stuff there. thanks for the links. Now i can waste the rest of my workday with 510 AND 240z dreams.

I think that the super street author almost has it pegged when he says that the cars are so good it makes you want to abandon your own ideas of the project because you know they won't come out as well.

My in-car video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=243PbhioX_8

I think that the super street author almost has it pegged when he says that the cars are so good it makes you want to abandon your own ideas of the project because you know they won't come out as well.
Haha, soo true. The car is ridiculous how clean it is inside and out. When I was a kid, my uncle (who owns the car) wouldn't even let me sit in it, fast forward a few years... and now he has me tracking it!

I should have some nice in-car footage of the 510 up soon!

will ya have any in-car of the NSX? :)

Here's some in-car from when the engine blew up on Saturday..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JSNF-qYR3Zw

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/phoenixR34/4bam.jpg

Here are a couple pics from Friday.

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/4661/corkscrew2yl1.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4008/corkscrew4am6.jpg

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/1504/laguna2ba8.jpg