G3 Driving Experience

[Muchmas]

The dealer I purchased my G37 from, Grubbs Infiniti, throws in a deal called the "G3 Driving Experience" with your vehicle purchase.

It's a half day at a local road course called Motorsports Ranch. The track is a 1.7 mile course with 11 turns and several staightaways.

I did mine last week and it was a blast. It was taught by Jeff Harrison, a professional race driver. We started out with a short classroom session then a few laps in a van to see where the line is around the track. Then a follow the leader with Jeff leading to get more familier with the track and how our cars handled. Then some passing drills. After the passing drills we had two 20 minute sessions where we drove our cars as hard as we wanted. We ended up taking turns riding passenger in a stock G35 driven by Jeff to see what the car is capable of in the hands of an experienced professional.

For anyone that bought their G from Grubbs, I would highly recommend taking advantage of this offer. It's probably the only chance I'll ever have to really drive this car like that in a "safe" enviroment.

I was very impressed with the way the car handled the track. Mine is a Journey with the sports package so it has the automatic. Not having any experience on a road course, I didn't even mess with the the paddle shifters, I just stuck it in D/S mode and concentrated on keeping the line and seeing how much speed I could carry through the curve. I thought the D/S mode did a pretty good job of keeping the RPMs high and it downshifted quickly entering the turns when the brakes were applied. I left the VDC on and the car was very controlled even though I could feel it slipping sideways a little on the curves. There was probably only one curve on the track where it felt like the VDC might be cutting to much power as I was coming out of the curve and heading uphill.

A couple of other interesting items. I seen a lot of discussion on whether to leave the VDC on or off. Jeff Harrison spoke pretty highly of it for on the track. Said it adjusts more things quicker than a person could. He said we could turn it off if we wanted but said we were likely to end up on the grass. That being said, he had it turned off when he drove since it wouldn't allow him to do some of the things he does. I also was told that Jeff thinks that the G35/G37 is one of the best stock track cars out ther and compares favorably with some of the Porches. I wouldn't know, but thought that was an interesting comment.

Jeff definitely drove harder than I would ever think of driving my own car. After the first two people rode with him the brakes were really smoking because of how he waits to the last instant and brakes hard going into a curve.

All in all, a great time. I know I burned over half a tank and took at least 4000 miles of life off of my tires!

Heres a link to the event:

http://g3drivingexperience.com/index.html

[cvt]

i agree...the G37S feels planted for a luxury touring car. i wish my dealership had soemthing like that...."i'll throw in an all expense paid track day at willow springs"...i would have paid msrp for that....well....maybe not....LOL.

[GiGGaplease]

that must have been fun. does your dealership allow you to mod? sounds like they do, if they paid for you going to the track.

[MaxToTheG37]

Originally Posted by Muchmas

The dealer I purchased my G37 from, Grubbs Infiniti, throws in a deal called the "G3 Driving Experience" with your vehicle purchase.

It's a half day at a local road course called Motorsports Ranch. The track is a 1.7 mile course with 11 turns and several staightaways.

I did mine last week and it was a blast. It was taught by Jeff Harrison, a professional race driver. We started out with a short classroom session then a few laps in a van to see where the line is around the track. Then a follow the leader with Jeff leading to get more familier with the track and how our cars handled. Then some passing drills. After the passing drills we had two 20 minute sessions where we drove our cars as hard as we wanted. We ended up taking turns riding passenger in a stock G35 driven by Jeff to see what the car is capable of in the hands of an experienced professional.

For anyone that bought their G from Grubbs, I would highly recommend taking advantage of this offer. It's probably the only chance I'll ever have to really drive this car like that in a "safe" enviroment.

I was very impressed with the way the car handled the track. Mine is a Journey with the sports package so it has the automatic. Not having any experience on a road course, I didn't even mess with the the paddle shifters, I just stuck it in D/S mode and concentrated on keeping the line and seeing how much speed I could carry through the curve. I thought the D/S mode did a pretty good job of keeping the RPMs high and it downshifted quickly entering the turns when the brakes were applied. I left the VDC on and the car was very controlled even though I could feel it slipping sideways a little on the curves. There was probably only one curve on the track where it felt like the VDC might be cutting to much power as I was coming out of the curve and heading uphill.

A couple of other interesting items. I seen a lot of discussion on whether to leave the VDC on or off. Jeff Harrison spoke pretty highly of it for on the track. Said it adjusts more things quicker than a person could. He said we could turn it off if we wanted but said we were likely to end up on the grass. That being said, he had it turned off when he drove since it wouldn't allow him to do some of the things he does. I also was told that Jeff thinks that the G35/G37 is one of the best stock track cars out ther and compares favorably with some of the Porches. I wouldn't know, but thought that was an interesting comment.

Jeff definitely drove harder than I would ever think of driving my own car. After the first two people rode with him the brakes were really smoking because of how he waits to the last instant and brakes hard going into a curve.

All in all, a great time. I know I burned over half a tank and took at least 4000 miles of life off of my tires!

Heres a link to the event:

http://g3drivingexperience.com/index.html

So you have about 6000 miles left.... lololol


Man this is something every dealer should have access to... it would sell more cars....

nice job...

[GiGGaplease]

Originally Posted by MaxToTheG37

So you have about 6000 miles left.... lololol


Man this is something every dealer should have access to... it would sell more cars....

nice job...

so the 37 tires only lasts for only 10k miles? dang that sucks. i need to hurry and sell these then..

[Muchmas]

Originally Posted by GiGGaplease

that must have been fun. does your dealership allow you to mod? sounds like they do, if they paid for you going to the track.

Yes they do. In fact they will sell and install aftermarket exhausts and intakes. Their website is actually the first place where I saw the law mentioned thats says something to the effect that mods only void the warranty if the mods caused the damage.

[GiGGaplease]

Originally Posted by Muchmas

Yes they do. In fact they will sell and install aftermarket exhausts and intakes. Their website is actually the first place where I saw the law mentioned thats says something to the effect that mods only void the warranty if the mods caused the damage.

very cool dealership you have there.

[mikelr]

I've run that track in my Lotus, it's a fun track with lots of run-off. Very safe place to track your G. Be careful of HPDE track days, there addicting and also get expensive.
Real nice to see a dealership offer this type of benifit to new owners.

[ucla bruin]

Wow, that sounds awesome. I'm jealous!

[solopresident]

Texas. Dang it

[Muchmas]

Originally Posted by mikelr

I've run that track in my Lotus, it's a fun track with lots of run-off. Very safe place to track your G. Be careful of HPDE track days, there addicting and also get expensive.
Real nice to see a dealership offer this type of benifit to new owners.

What does HPDE stand for?

[mikelr]

Originally Posted by Muchmas

What does HPDE stand for?

High Performance Driving Education

[oct2274]

the dealership I bought my G37 does multiple track days throughout the year. As long as you bought your Infiniti from them you are welcome to go.

http://www.infinitiofscottsdale.com/IOStrackdays/

[mikelr]

Originally Posted by oct2274

the dealership I bought my G37 does multiple track days throughout the year. As long as you bought your Infiniti from them you are welcome to go.

http://www.infinitiofscottsdale.com/IOStrackdays/

That's an incredible benifit! That type of event would usually cost anywhere from $250-$375 per day.

[hgunner]

I have done HPDE at the motorsports ranch (in my NSX, not the Infiniti), that's a great little track and very safe place to learn. Lots of fun!

I did HPDE at Roebeling in my stock G35-6MT last month,. G35 did ok (a bit heavy, even after removing most everything I could easily get out). If you leave the TCS on you will probably not spin, but also not learn much about the limits and how to handle them. With TCS off you can rotate in the tight corners much better and power-on steer some. Also noticed the TCS hates rumble strips..

I would highly recommend HPDE to anyone who has a performance car, It is easily the most cost effective MOD you can buy as you and your car will be much faster (and safer) by the end of the day. Wish more dealers has a program like that.