Empire Z

2007 Motorsport Performance Driving
f117z - 5/2/2007 at 22:44

Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Saturday, April 28, 2007

Steve Millen once said, "Eighty percent of success at motor racing is knowing how to go motor racing properly." I believe that to become a better driver, you must learn know how to drive properly, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to autocross. My last autocross (Solo2) event was more than three years ago at Hollywood Park in my '94 NA and I really wanted to do it again. So after I heard about the 2007 Motorsport Auto West Coast Nationals Performance Driving Event at El Toro, I had to register.

That day took a little bit of preparation for both myself and the Z. I did my best to get enough sleep and eat properly the week of the autocross. It also helped my focus to do some light reading on the SCCA California Sports Car Club site (see http://www.solo2.com/).

As for the Z, my brother and I just changed oils (motor/tranny/diff), put my cat-pipes back on (smogged earlier this year), and did some minor brake upgrades (Hawk HPS pads, Technafit brake lines, full brake fluid flush, and 300 Degree BMC brace). Unfortunately, one of the wheel studs got stripped because the tire shop had torqued it down too tight and we had to replace that as well.

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The SCCA set up the end of two runways near the entrance to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. At one end was the pit grid which looked more like a parking lot. Four main grids with two rows each were lined with Zs, tents, trailers, and other passenger vehicles. On the other side of the pit grid was the registration tent and the track. It was a sea of orange cones waiting quietly under overcast skies.

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I couldn't find anyone I knew until I spotted a large group, all wearing red long-sleeved shirts. Finally, familiar faces! Luckily, Charles, Anna, and others from San Diego were kind enough to let me spend the day with them.

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And so it began. Car numbers and driving technique pamphlets were handed out during registration. Each driver received their sticker during Tech. Everyone gathered for "chalk talk" (orientation) and we listened about the general rules, on-and-off track safety, track warnings/flags, run line-ups, and the day's schedule. The SD group and I did our course walk with Jennifer Lee and Mike. We paced the track, discussing the different approaches, preparation, and execution of the turns, slaloms, and offset gates strewn across both runways. Jennifer and Mike also taught me how to read my tire grip and adjust pressures accordingly. I'd come out with a wealth of information that became invaluable in the driver's seat. This was going to be fun!

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My first run was very slow, but I definitely got the hang of the course. The instructor's advice: "Your racing line is right, but you've got to anticipate those turns sooner. Smooth out those inputs. You started to feel the rhythm near the end, but that run was a little conservative. Drive faster!" I checked my tires and adjusted pressures.

For the second run, I let Mike drive. Even with a stock suspension, he said, "Your car is very forgiving. You can definitely take those turns at a good speed. Keep it smooth and you'll be fine."

  • RUN 1: 1042.365 seconds (with Instructor)
    That's 17 minutes and 42.365 seconds? It doesn't make sense, but that's what the timing guy wrote.
  • RUN 2: 75.433 seconds (Instructor drove)

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    For the rest of the day, it became my goal to maintain focus, keep it smooth, and watch my turns. I aimed to get as close to that time as possible while maintaining full control. I improved and kept it up, despite that my drivers' side T-top glass broke in the pit grid after my 3rd run. Thanks again to Nik for helping me fix up the hole before the meet, Charles for the replacement glass offer, and the SCCA / others for their support. Let me know what you think of these times!

  • RUN 3: No timing guy there, so no time slip. (with Instructor)
  • RUN 4: 86.108 seconds (solo)
  • RUN 5: 83.626 seconds (with random passenger)
  • RUN 6: 79.091 seconds (with random passenger)
  • RUN 7: 77.906 seconds (solo)
  • RUN 8: 79.019 seconds (solo)
  • RUN 9: 77.399 seconds (solo)

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    Not too shabby, IMHO. I thoroughly enjoyed the driving experience and got a mean sunburn. I hope that more people come out next year! See you all at the Empire Z meet.

    Allan Manangan
    Car #38

    [Edited on 6/27/2007 by jmallard]

    jmallard - 5/3/2007 at 23:28

    Allan,

    Nice photos!

    I copied them to the "2007 Motorsport" folder in the Photo Gallery.


    Jerry

    MrwassmanNa2T - 5/4/2007 at 00:45

    Nice