Datsun 280Z Turbo Autocrossing

This was on March 13, 2011 at the Porsche Club Autocross event at the Sherriff's Training Grounds in Oklahoma City. As you can see, not too many Porsches :-)
My best time was actually 85.852 and I did 85.999 in this run. I thought I didn't have the camera on, so that's why, at the end, I say "what a waste". It's soon followed by a "nice" because I realized I did get the camera started.

My "camera" is actually my phone, a AT&T Samsung Galaxy S recording at 1280x720 with Outdoor Visibility turned on. I think I will try covering the mic next time, so there won't be as much wind noise. I wish there was a way to record higher quality audio, cuz the video is pretty good. I had my phone tied to my rear view mirror with 3 big rubber bands. Seemed to work pretty well, but it was kind of a pain to put it on and take it off every time. I was worried about battery life so I didn't want to leave the display on while I was waiting for my next run.

At these events, we split the cars into two numbered groups. Both groups get two heats of 4 laps/runs. I was in the odd numbered group so we were the 1st and 3rd heat. My last two laps it started sprinkling, and I had to leave right after that, so I don't know if the last heat did all their laps in the dry or even got to finish.

Man, driving like this is so fun, and every car is setup differently, so you're really just racing yourself for your best time. Not very competitive, and it doesn't matter how much you've put into your car. You can come and have fun in a stock vehicle, or a full blow race car. I realized the main thing I'm missing now is traction, so someday I'll have to get some good tires, maybe even find some slicks for track days :-D.

Times for the day:
1st Heat
93.702 - cold run, letting the tires and track warm up
87.376
85.852
88.279 - DNF (did not finish) because I spun and went into the grass with all 4 tires
2nd Heat
88.165
85.999
88.028 - started to sprinkle, road still dry
86.414 - sprinkling consistently but not enough to need wipers imo, road was still dry enough, but the wetness on the windshield really dampens your confidence in grip

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Datsun
• Nissan
• 240Z
• 260Z
• 280Z
• 280ZX
• auto
• autocross
• autox
• racing
• sport
• tires
• time
• track
• road
• fast
• turbo
• legal
• fun
• pca
• oklahoma
• porsche
• club
• war
• bonnet
• high speed
• automobile
• extreme driving

[lukbrazle]

Lots of fun. The rear view mirror worked better than I thought it would have, and the quality is pretty good considering it was a phone. I am still trying to figure out how there is this much wind noise inside you car. ;) Are you up for a road trip to Texas?