FCA Willow Springs event?

So, I am thinking I really want to get my 308 out on the track. I have "0" experience in this regard, so I am looking for input/comment. Anyone doing the FCA/Pantera club Willow Springs driving school event? I personally am mentally commited to participation, planning/doing : brakes, tires, maybe oil sump baffles, etc. (trailer to WS?). When I bought the QV last year, I did not plan to drive as much as I now do (3500 miles since 10/05 !! ) most of it in the canyons with you guys. I love to drive this car like it was meant to be driven, and though I can hold my own with the big boys (355, 360, 430's) in the canyons, I certainly welcome some instruction and track time. What do I need to know/do to make this happen right? RE: prep, requirements, tech insp., transport, accomodations for the two day event, etc.
I'm pumped up, commited, with checkbook in hand.....but otherwise clueless.

-Luigi

 

Hi Lou:

I'm a long-time Pantera owner and have been going to Jim Saxton’s Ferrari/Pantera open track event for years. It’s a fun, safe event and a terrific place to start and I can’t recommend it more highly.

I’ll be there with the Hollywood Panteras gang in one of the front-row garages. My car is a red Datsun 240Z #29. Come find me. I’ll be happy to introduce you around and lend a hand in any way I can. We’ll have piles of tools and just about everything you could possibly need and we’re happy to share. Come on out. You won’t regret it.

Matt Merritt

 

Lou

Sounds like fun buddy
Good luck around the track with the 308, I'm sure you'll do fine.
Beautiful car.

I'm glad to hear you drive it a lot, that means your havin fun with it.

Best wishes

 

Hey Lu, just remember when in doubt both feet out, basically I would encourage you to do the track day but I would suggest you might want to trailer up the car. Reason I say this, just incase you might develop problem with the car you wont be S.O.L spending $400 towing the car home. Yes some might say why would you do that? When it comes down to it, might want to add that extra safety comfort with not having to worry about the "what if".

Track prep.
Alignment, Tires, Oil change and other fluid changes.
Brakes, suspension, Bushings.

Truck and trailer rental.
PM me I have some options I can mention to you but not a good Idea for me to post them in an open forum.

Good luck and have some fun .

 

Hi Lou:

My opinions:

Brakes: Pads should be have plenty of life left; fluid should be fresh. That’s it.

Tires: Your current street tires will be fine so long as there’s a couple thousand more miles of life left on them. Your first time out you won’t be all that hard on your tires. Some Hoosier S06s would be nice but you won’t need them to have plenty of fun.

Oil Sump Baffles: A question for a Ferrari expert. I know that Panteras badly need aftermarket oil pans before heading for the track but suspect your stock sump would be fine.

Tech Inspection: Pretty rudimentary for street cars. Tech guy will pretty much just be looking for loose wheel bearings and worn brakes. Any well-kept Ferrari will sail right through tech.

Transport: Sorry Racer98. First time I trailered my car myself I was so nervous and freaked out that by the time I finally got to the track I was spent. Drive it there. If you break it getting it home is no big deal.

Instruction: Rod Bean is one of the best instructors out there. Try to glom onto Rod but if he’s not available any of the others will do you just fine.

Accommodations: My favorite hotel choice is the Inn of Lancaster at (661) 945-8771. Tell them you’re coming for the Pantera Club event for a discount. Hurry up, though. The Inn is popular with the Porsche guys who’ll be next door at the Streets of Willow that same weekend. If they’re booked ask the Inn for their recommendation for alternatives. Don’t bother with the Devonshire in Rosamond.

Make sure you buy some action pics of you and your car from the track photographer who’ll be on track on Saturday.

For a great education check out the Open Track Primer on the NorCal Cobra Club written by their head driving instructor, Scott Griffin, a guy I know well. Check out http://www.norcal-saac.org/ot/otbook.htm. Scott explains “If you spin, both feet in” to perfection. I think that’s what Racer98 likely meant with “When in doubt, both feet out”.

Matt Merritt
Burbank, CA
1971 Datsun 240Z
VARA CP3-M

 

+1, sigh my grammer !, btw how much is the track day ????

 

Cost is $225 for both days. There's a $25 late fee after 10/20 but most run groups will probably have filled up long before then. Second driver is only $25 and the race entry (for race-prepared cars running in the Red group only) is another $30. I can send a PDF of the entry form. Just e-mail me at [email protected].

Matt Merritt

 

Who taught u how to spoke?
Karmin, you should get on of them edmucation things...they useful

 

can you let me know if you have any other room ????

thanks

 

Problems, who me ?

 

I'm just a participant. I have no idea whether or not there's room.

Call Jim Saxton
(626) 285-2024
[email protected]

 

Cool,

Thanks for all the input and tips, boys. I will sign up with FCA, book a room at the inn and continue on my quest for track worthy "yester-tech f-car" nirvana.

Plans for the 308:

-Porterfield R4-S brake pads, braided stainless lines, fresh non-silcone fluid.
-switch to my new 16" QV wheels w/ Dunlop SP-5000s.
-Carabou Engineering modded height adjustable Koni set-up, slightly stiffer rate springs. (20 yr old bushings should probably be replaced, but seem fine, and time is short)
-Nick's Forzaferrari oil sump baffle upgrade (not a cure-all or a substitute for dry sump, but I believe it helps alot with the infamous 308 right turn oil starvation issue).
-Mobile 1 in the motor (5w-30 or 40), Swepco in the gearbox, Cosworth coolant (like water wetter) in the cooling system.

The car runs strong (Euro spec), and has about 5,000 miles and 4 years on fresh belts, water pump, and valve adj. (30,000 m service).

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Install new Halon fire extiguisher on custom passenger seat mount.

Also: I think I am in the market for a enclosed car trailer, not just for this track event , but for several other issues as well ( long distance events and concours, temp storage of car during garage remodel, etc) Anyone have a line on anything, used would be preffered, would like to keep the $$$ down to 3k or so. Would probably want it just large enough to fit the car w/ electric brakes, plan to tow it with my Tacoma extracab 4x4 (supercharged and TRD modded 300+ hp). Any comments?

Gratzi,
-L

Karim, BTW, I switched up to HID headlights (awesome) thanks for the tip.

 

Lou
Give me a call...buddy of mine is sellin his inclosed trailer, use to carry his 355 in it.

Also don't forget ur f shirt,
That's a must for any track event

 

Lou:

In my opinion there's no enclosed trailer large enough to haul a production car that can safely be pulled by a Toyota Tacoma. Your lightest-weight tow vehicle needs to be a 3/4 ton pickup. Trust me, soon as you start down your first mountain with that Tacoma you'll wonder which end is towing which...

An all-aluminum open trailer miiiiiight work with your Tacoma, but probably only in Kansas. It's not HP (and it sounds like your Toyota has plenty of that), it's stability that comes from suspension, tires and wheelbase.

Matt Merritt

 

very cool, also dont the HID's make a huge difference ? .

trailers: Pick up the recycler and take a look in the back for trailers and shop around then check out what is up on ebay to give your self a very good Idea what is market price.

btw, for the towing on the tacoma, get an oil and transmission cooler. and if you have a TRD L.S.D (possi Trac) I would suggest a diff cooler. and also look into a 3 or 4 row alunimum griffin or similar radiator. its much more cost effective vs. buying a new truck.

 

No need for a 3/4 ton truck to tow a 5000 lb car-trailer combo. Take a look at your trucks tow capacity for trailers with electric brakes . Most 1/2 ton trucks have a 8000 to 9000 lb tow capacity. Towing isn't a big deal, just take your time. I do it atleast twice a month and never run into problems. Just remember to give yourself that extra time to get where you need ,and you won't have that feeling of needing to rush.



Darrell.

 

I'm not going to completely hijack this thread so I'll drop the topic after this ...

According to PC Carbook, a 2006 Toyota Tacoma V6 Access Cab with 4WD has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. A stock Pantera weighs 3200 lbs. I figure a 308 can't be far from that number. My very light-weight 24' Interstate enclosed trailer weighs 3100 lbs. without all the tires and crap I take to the track with me. Do the math.

Don't worry, nobody else ever listens to me either.

Matt Merritt

 

Should be my signatue.

 

Matt,

I'll take your comments under advisement. Crap!! I don't want to move to Kansas! I dont' want a new truck! mine rocks !

My thought was with the long xtracab wheelbase, wider track and stiff bilstein damped suspension, the TRD should be ok. Of course a proper hitch with stabilzer bars and the pumped up hp are a must. I certainly would not want any more towed length or weight behind me than needed though. The 308 weighs in at 2875 on racing scales, fully gassed. (47%f/53%r, CG is near perfect with my skinny a$$ in the cockpit, BTW)
I know a guy who tows a 18' twin axle racecar trailer with an old ford explorer v6 with no problem.

More research on my part is due.

Karim,

Yes, TRD 4x4, 5spd manual, electronic locker rear LS diff. Bigger rad and additional oil cooler are good suggestions.

Thanx,
-L

 

Well, numbers don't lie. Thanx for the info.

Maybe I could just use my auto club platinum membership. "Yes, hello autoclub, I have a disabled Ferrari in Long Beach and I need to have it flatbedded to my mechanic @ Willow Springs Raceway. Great!! see you in twenty minutes"

 

Lou,

Could you send me or post info on these? I really need to put in new shocks. Thanks.

Michael

 

Here's their website: http://www.carobu.com/

I usually deal with Tate Casey.

 

Hi Michael,

I'm back from the land of Hometour and Fundraisers.

Carabou is a f-chat sponsor. I talked to them face to face (they are in Costa Mesa) about the shock/spring mod. They can rebuild and mod your shocks or sell you a set outright (about 2K) springs are extra but not too $$$, and they can "dyno" your existing springs to help determine what rate increase will be best (help with hard brake nose dive and stiffen things up in the rear without making your QV a ridgid lumbercart on the street) I am waiting on an e-mail with estimate for the work in their shop, plus suspension bushings as a seperate quote. Keep you posted. See you @ the awards party?

-L

 

Matt are you the BRE 240Z?

 

U know about that car ???? Ever seen a 4.3.2 "Z" ?