Now that the track night schedule is out, it feels like the perfect time to start this thread. In May, I will be riding along on a roughly 3700 mile journey to 5 track night events in as many days. The driver and other fool involved is someone I've worked closely with when he was our local SCCA region's Membership and publicity officer, a title I now hold. I'll let him come along later to introduce himself.
Our journey will begin and end in Topeka but our first track night will be at NOLA motorsports park. From there we will head to Memphis International Raceway, Atlanta Motorsports Park, Carolina Motorsports Park, and to really make it an endurance event, Gingerman Raceway! No truck, no trailer, just two guys in a hatchback filled with gear. And here's what I know you've all been waiting for...the Versa in question!
We will be trying to document as much of this journey as possible and keeping everyone updated on how things are going. We welcome any tips, tricks or hints for the journey or any of the tracks we'll be visiting. We hope to hear from and even meet up with many of you on the way!
What are the dates? This could be an EXCELLENT poor man's One Lap.
mazdeuce wrote:
What are the dates? This could be an EXCELLENT poor man's One Lap.
That's sort of the idea 
The NOLA event that will kick things off is May 15.
We'll also be doing the Solo event at Texas A&M on the 14th.
That's awesome.
What are the Vegas odds that the Versa throws a rod before the end of the first track day? 
Looks like you'll be driving through Champaign IL. Stop near the University of Illinois and eat at Papa Dell's Pizza. You may want to nap afterwards:
Papa Dells
Good luck!
In reply to Klayfish:
It wouldn't be the first time it's blown the motor on track.
It's actually currently running an mr20de from a sentra.
Joe Gearin wrote:
Looks like you'll be driving through Champaign IL. Stop near the University of Illinois and eat at Papa Dell's Pizza. You may want to nap afterwards:
Papa Dells
Good luck!
Restaurant recommendations are one of the things we'd really like to see. Keep them coming!
DanielCut wrote:
In reply to Klayfish:
It wouldn't be the first time it's blown the motor on track.
It's actually currently running an mr20de from a sentra.
That's cool. I've always wondered if the platform had any potential, but they're so awful in stock form that few people would dare try. I speculated a long time ago (before FoRS) that if NISMO were to massage one with a Juke 1.6T drivetrain, that could make a fun drive. Looks like you've one-upped even that idea, though.
You need to add it to your garage and give us some details on the build. Or do you already have a build thread?
4Msfam
Reader
2/14/17 3:31 p.m.
Can you give us some build details on the Versa?
Coming through Houston you'll pass within spitting distance of the Grosh. If you want a soft (free) place to rest your heads, let me know.
4Msfam wrote:
Can you give us some build details on the Versa?
I would also like this to happen if you don't mind since they can be bought for a box of used tissues.
mazdeuce wrote:
Coming through Houston you'll pass within spitting distance of the Grosh. If you want a soft (free) place to rest your heads, let me know.
That is much appreciated. I would love to see the garage firsthand. However, my home is in Lake Charles, LA so that's our stopping point for that night.
Versa info: 2007 Nissan Versa S Hatchback(non-abs):
Current mods - Nissan MR20DE motor swap(09 Sentra base), AEM cold air intake, Weapon-R race header, DC Sports cat-back exhaust, oil cooler & filter relocation, Tuned by Jesse Prather Motorsports with UpRev, RacingLine short throw shifter and welded linkage mounts(cable linkage), Versa Speed stainless steel brake lines, Hawk HP Plus front pads, Fortune Auto coilovers, Hypercoils Springs, front camber bolts, rear alignment shims, Power Flex control arm bushings ordered from the UK, home made polyurethane motor and transmission mounts, RacingLine lower motor mount, White Line rear sway bar from Malaysia, disconnected front bar, 15x7.5 e10 wheels, 200tw 225/50r15 Maxxis Vicra VR-1 tires, and Sparco Chrono Road drivers seat.
Several other mods, mostly electric or comfort related.
Pre-trip mods – Roll Bar fabricated by Jesse Prather Motorsports, additional tuning, and possibly bigger/wider wheels and tires and some motor head and intake work.
Sorry I'll miss you. A friend and I are now thinking of doing at least a three day version of this (Dallas, Austin, NOLA) at some point in the future. You've inspired us. 
In reply to mazdeuce:
Excellent! Hopefully I'll run into you, I should be at most of the NOLA events.
We should set up a Texas version - there's what, 6 tracks, just off the top of my head? MSR Houston Grandsport COTA TWS Harris Hill MSR Dallas Eagles Canyon
That's 7.
mazdeuce wrote:
What are the dates? This could be an EXCELLENT poor man's One Lap.
You're gonna love Gingerman. It's relatively flat but still a total hoot, just be sure your brakes are 100%, because it ends up being a pretty fast track. South Haven is a great little town and only about 5 miles away. Clementine's in South Haven is pretty decent for burgers, onion rings, etc.
Just chiming in, This is an EXCELLENT idea. I've been thinking about 1 Lap for years. This seems to fall into the category of such an obviously great idea, why I hadn't I thought of that already. You know.... Face palm DUH!
appliance_racer wrote:
Just chiming in, This is an EXCELLENT idea. I've been thinking about 1 Lap for years. This seems to fall into the category of such an obviously great idea, why I hadn't I thought of that already. You know.... Face palm DUH!
Well you're welcome to convoy with us.
We've now got a page on the book of faces so we can provide easier updates and make use of facebook live. Give us a like if you want to keep up!
TrackNightTour
This is a great idea. Cant wait to see it play out.
Thanks Ross
Can't wait to see how this goes, how difficult was the engine swap? And was it done for reliability, power or both? Very curious as these things are soooo cheap
In reply to Blitzed306:
The engine swap was done because the original engine got all explody on track. It was more or less a direct swap. Extra power was a nice bonus since it needed a new motor anyway.
