First Time at the Track
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Sanger Tx
First Time at the Track
Well first of all I have just joined the forum and really appreciate all of the great information it has to offer. I recently purchased a 2008 Z06 as a fun toy after racing my BMW for years. I just wanted a big V8 and what a great car to start with. I went to the track, specifically North Star in Sanger, Tx where I live last night. One of the best tracks and fortunately less than a few miles from my house. I wanted to thank Mr. Drane for his help as well. I took extensive notes on each pass. Unfortunately it was a lot like my golf game. The first pass was my best of the night. However I took it easy shifting, light burnout and easy launch. I wanted to just focus on my 60 ft. times. This is by far the hardest car I have ever driven down the track. I will need a lot of practice before going any further with modifications. Slipping the clutch at the start I consider an art form as I have watched countless others do it flawlessly. Me on the other hand... not so much. My next mod will be to get the invos and spider wheels off my car and put a drag set up on it with a much more forgiving sidewall. Anyways sorry to rant just wanted to thank everyone in the community for unknowingly helping me with my purchase and parts I have added thus far. Cheers!
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Sanger Tx
Well my first pass and only full pass I ran a 7.34 @101 with a 1.92 60ft. Not really worth mentioning when I consider the times on the fast list. I ran four other passes and was really focusing on my 60ft. On a side note I turned my car off in the staging area waiting to race to keep engine temperatures cool. Proceeded to do my burnout and killed the car due to the traction control turning back on after starting again. That was really cool but not ever going to happen again. I could not find the sweet spot between bogging and wheel hop. Leaving at 3500 rpm or higher would create wheel hop and under 3k it would bog down. Next time out I am going to feather the clutch further and try to stay at 3.3k rpm. Also getting a line lock installed this week and shift light.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
You didn't ask but if I was to share what I would do with same car for better short time and consistent lounge;
This will not make any sense and you may even reject this in your heart here it goes I know it works...
Two step lounge controller so you can lounge exactly at the rpm you want every time effortlessly.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...Xs8aAmNf8P8HAQ
Hoosier drag radials for stick shift or better yet bias ply.
4.10 diff gears your clutch will thank you and your smile will not lie nor will your short times.
Delrin rear lower control arm bushing to make car run straight down the track.
This will not make any sense and you may even reject this in your heart here it goes I know it works...
Two step lounge controller so you can lounge exactly at the rpm you want every time effortlessly.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/m...Xs8aAmNf8P8HAQ
Hoosier drag radials for stick shift or better yet bias ply.
4.10 diff gears your clutch will thank you and your smile will not lie nor will your short times.
Delrin rear lower control arm bushing to make car run straight down the track.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Sanger Tx
I will have to do some research on that. But I agree it would definitely produce more consistent results. I need to do some research on a wheel and tire combo. I would really like the smallest wheel to get more sidewall on the tire. I do not want to change brakes out.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The smallest plug 'n play wheel is a 17". Several OEM's will fit, with the C5 Z06 front being the lightest 9.5 x 17.
Others in order of increasing weight are C4 A-mold, sawblades, and salad spinners.
Lightest drag radial is a Hoosier 275/40-17 and reportedly will handle 600 whp.
Others in order of increasing weight are C4 A-mold, sawblades, and salad spinners.
Lightest drag radial is a Hoosier 275/40-17 and reportedly will handle 600 whp.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 5
From: Saratoga NY
I'm in the same boat as you OP, I have a 2002 M3, looking to get into a C6 ZO6 at somepoint in the future. What sort of BMW did you have? Perhaps I've seen your car in the past. I've only done one track day, it was a Porsche club event and man was it a blast, sounds like the vette did fairly well for you on the track too.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Sanger Tx
I still have a 2009 335i. RB turbo's, upgraded trans with wave trac and all other supporting mods. It is a fun car but the Z06 is a different animal. Very raw and requires skill. The BMW was point and shoot and very refined.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 5
From: Saratoga NY
I'm willing to bet that 335 moves pretty good with that work done. My brother has a base C5 vette and I will say that it is totally different compared to my M3. So much more torque in the vette, but definitely a different animal from the M3.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 201
Likes: 14
From: Flower Mound Texas
Well first of all I have just joined the forum and really appreciate all of the great information it has to offer. I recently purchased a 2008 Z06 as a fun toy after racing my BMW for years. I just wanted a big V8 and what a great car to start with. I went to the track, specifically North Star in Sanger, Tx where I live last night. One of the best tracks and fortunately less than a few miles from my house. I wanted to thank Mr. Drane for his help as well. I took extensive notes on each pass. Unfortunately it was a lot like my golf game. The first pass was my best of the night. However I took it easy shifting, light burnout and easy launch. I wanted to just focus on my 60 ft. times. This is by far the hardest car I have ever driven down the track. I will need a lot of practice before going any further with modifications. Slipping the clutch at the start I consider an art form as I have watched countless others do it flawlessly. Me on the other hand... not so much. My next mod will be to get the invos and spider wheels off my car and put a drag set up on it with a much more forgiving sidewall. Anyways sorry to rant just wanted to thank everyone in the community for unknowingly helping me with my purchase and parts I have added thus far. Cheers!
Time trials at Motorplex June 2016
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Congrats on the purchase!! If you spend the time to learn to drive it, with drag radials it will hit 6.9 in the ⅛ and 10.9 in the ¼.
Here is an excellent primer for you, pay close attention, including to the clutch fluid maintenance section.
It's a great car and you'll love learning to extract all it's performance - even in stock form it's a beast.
Any questions just ask! There's a lot of us old hands still around.
www.rangeracceleration.com
Here is an excellent primer for you, pay close attention, including to the clutch fluid maintenance section.
It's a great car and you'll love learning to extract all it's performance - even in stock form it's a beast.
Any questions just ask! There's a lot of us old hands still around.
www.rangeracceleration.com
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
The smallest plug 'n play wheel is a 17". Several OEM's will fit, with the C5 Z06 front being the lightest 9.5 x 17.
Others in order of increasing weight are C4 A-mold, sawblades, and salad spinners.
Lightest drag radial is a Hoosier 275/40-17 and reportedly will handle 600 whp.
Others in order of increasing weight are C4 A-mold, sawblades, and salad spinners.
Lightest drag radial is a Hoosier 275/40-17 and reportedly will handle 600 whp.
I personally like 315/35/17 Mickey Thompsons, a little heavier but drivable in the rain and they last a good long time.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 201
Likes: 14
From: Flower Mound Texas
Todd holding the plaque winning the 6.50 no prep race last night at North Star. I made quarter finals last season but couldn't make the race Saturday. OP follow Joe G advice read and practice.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 201
Likes: 14
From: Flower Mound Texas