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My trackday in Mantorp Park!


fatalus

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Hi guys

 

Last weekend I had the opportunty to track my Z (at last!!) in Mantorp Park , Sweden. Mantorp is a nice big track, they even used to perfrom F1 races some decades ago!

I was kinda nervous in the beginning cause I was surrounded by other,mainly track cars and drift cars but as the laps went by I saw that their attitude was really nice and the initial sense of danger soon was replaced by pure excitement :teeth:

 

My Z is pretty much standard with some little modifications with an Injen air intake, Plenum spacer and HEL brake lines and ATE brake fluid. Bog standard brembo discs and pads after 45.000km. All I can say is that both tyres and brakes held very well in the 15 minute sessions of the track event! Brakes were really hot after every session but very little signs of fade. What amazed me even more was the amount of grip the Z is capable of in the track...I tried some times to floor it in the corner to get some oversteer but the rear tyres were tied to the ground, instead there was little understeer some times. Of course I am not a drift specialist but I thought it would move the tail easier.

Overall it was an extremely enjoyfull day and the Z held up really nice against some other much more powerful monsters in there! Only heel-toe braking is not so easy with Z's pedals...( I guess the 380RS gas pedal and different shoes would help immensely). Now I am looking forward to track it again, after I install my Yellowstuff brake pads, it seems the track-bug is well into me this time :) Next stop Nurburgring on July!! :teeth:

 

Here are some pics of my proud Z in the track :)

 

On the pitlane!

mantroppark2009trackdayz.jpg

 

mantroppark2009trackday.jpg

 

During the action!

mantroppark2009trackdayi.jpg

 

20090509gatebiltrackday.jpg

 

And a little video with my Z's pass ( Sorry for the low quality and awkward frame, my girlfriends fault :p)

 

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Does it really sound like that? Thats awesome!! Over 4K revs all you hear on the inside is the engine, brilliant. As I was watching the other cars go by I was thinking were is the Z, and heard a car coming thought it isn't the Z and the video is about to run out and it is, shocking!! :scare:

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Overall it was an extremely enjoyfull day and the Z held up really nice against some other much more powerful monsters in there! Only heel-toe braking is not so easy with Z's pedals...( I guess the 380RS gas pedal and different shoes would help immensely). Now I am looking forward to track it again, after I install my Yellowstuff brake pads, it seems the track-bug is well into me this time :) Next stop Nurburgring on July!! :teeth:

Very cool pics. Can almost see the smile on your face from here. Track time is fun aye. ;):drive1

 

Definitely get yourself some race booties. They're generally quite a narrow width and sole (especially), so makes it easier for heel-toeing and a non-slip sole. ;) That should help a lot. Also they're a lot more comfortable with the fastening points where they are and special lining, than driving in a normal shoe. Also try some proper driving gloves, improves your grip no end on the wheel, even on our leather wheels.

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Overall it was an extremely enjoyfull day and the Z held up really nice against some other much more powerful monsters in there! Only heel-toe braking is not so easy with Z's pedals...( I guess the 380RS gas pedal and different shoes would help immensely). Now I am looking forward to track it again, after I install my Yellowstuff brake pads, it seems the track-bug is well into me this time :) Next stop Nurburgring on July!! :teeth:

Very cool pics. Can almost see the smile on your face from here. Track time is fun aye. ;):drive1

 

Definitely get yourself some race booties. They're generally quite a narrow width and sole (especially), so makes it easier for heel-toeing and a non-slip sole. ;) That should help a lot. Also they're a lot more comfortable with the fastening points where they are and special lining, than driving in a normal shoe. Also try some proper driving gloves, improves your grip no end on the wheel, even on our leather wheels.

 

Racing shoes are next in line to buy! As for gloves , I followed a suggestion of somebody in a forum and bought some nice cheap golf gloves that stick as glue to the steering wheel and gear lever!! Plus they look neat :)

 

Next week on my way to change brake pads to EBC Yellowstuff pads, preparing for The Ring! :D

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Glad you had a good time mate, the Zed is very well behaved on the track. As you found, the Zed is set up to understeer at first on the limit. This is how most cars are these days as its more predicable. Push a little harder (I know its hard at the time, as you seem to be going so quick to start with), and it will eventually lead to oversteer :thumbs:

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Sounds good!

 

I was also amazed how nice the stock exhaust of the Z sounds from the outside! Me being the only person having driven hard the Z, it is the first time I am hearing what spectators hear!! :band:

 

Took mine to Cadwell park a couple of months ago and a good few people came round to have a look and told me that it sounded really nice :yahoo: apart from being amazingly quick around the track :boxing::#1:

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