Today was my first time at Sandown as I had finally plucked up the courage to try this track. It was a great day - the weather was kind to us, MG Car Club are a great bunch of people who run events very well and lots of fun was had by all.
Thank you to Ray, Ying, Dan, Tran, Mugsee and Charger for coming to watch and support. Big thanks to Ray for doing the lunch run, that chicken rice was great. Thanks Ying, Jas and Mugsee for taking pics too! Also thanks to Jason, Shaun, Drew, Laura, Adrian and JimJim for the moral support. Without you guys participating, I doubt I'd be out there alone having a go.
Circuit map:
Speed vs Distance graph for lap where I reached 197kph and my best lap:
Thoughts:
- I still need to figure out the line to take as well as braking and acceleration points for turns 6, 7 and 8.
- I need to work on braking from close to 200kph while downshifting two gears.
- I need more power to keep up on the straights with the Exe counterparts who have turbos. 
- The proximity of the walls scare me.
Session 1
1:40.1700
1:45.0500
1:37.3600
1:36.6300
Session 2
1:37.1000
1:34.9200
1:34.3700
1:34.9500
Session 3
1:35.4400
1:38.2300
1:34.0700
1:33.9600
Session 4
1:33.5700 PB
1:34.9000
1:33.7800
1:40.4800
More results:
http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?12/10/2008.SAND.Q1.I
Photos courtesy of Mugsee, wokstar, senk9 and UnCo.
Dyno'ed the car for a second time since stock, this time with the addition of the plenum spacer.
Result: 167.3 rwkW
Specs: 2006 350Z | 221kW VQ35DE | K&N Panel Filter | Motordyne Intake Plenum Spacer
For comparison, here are the stock graphs. There was only a slight gain in power from 5000RPM to redline. Torque was improved throughout the whole rev range.
31st August 2008
Installed a Motordyne 5/16" plenum spacer. This is meant to allow more air into the engine, especially the front two cylinders which are normally starved of air due to the angled design of the factory plenum. Mid range to top end response should be improved. First impressions are that there is no real discernable difference in how the car pulls. I'll be happy if the dyno and acceleration results prove the claims correct.
13th September 2008
Bypassed the throttle body coolant by rerouting it through a metal L piece pipe. Thanks for getting it for me Silas.
I went into this track day with the focus on:
- Maximising corner exit speed
- Increasing my speed through the double apex left hand sweeper
- Braking hard without activating ABS
I think I ended up concentrating too much on these things and losing sight of the big picture, neglecting my racing line and overall technique. I was therefore off the pace and still 1.4 seconds off my PB. Silas sat in with me for one session and at least I can take a few of his tips away from the day, so not a total loss. Thanks Silas. Now it's time to regroup and make my efforts count next track day.
Session 1
2:14.9300
1:49.7000
2:01.4400
1:45.5400
1:45.7400
2:06.9200
Session 2
1:53.7500
1:46.2900
1:45.9600
1:46.5400
1:46.2900
1:46.9400
1:46.1600
Session 3
1:55.9700
1:47.1100
1:46.3000
1:45.0600 BEST FOR DAY BUT NO PB
1:47.6100
1:46.4000
Session 4
1:47.1700
1:45.8200
1:45.9800
1:47.5300
Session 5 (Wet)
2:13.8400
1:59.7700
Results:
http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?30/08/2008.WIN
