Racing your Roadster?

TexasChuck

On the Drivers Edge website, 350s & 370s convertibles, are listed as approved. In my opinion, Nissan does not list anything. Because of the liability. If you open your top about half way, and open up those little curtains that cover the hoops, you can see a steel large (2") horizontal tube that goes across the car, and the steel tubes that make the hoops. All welded together.
Some tracks are more lenient than others.

dkmura

With over 27 years of racing experience, there are some definitive answers and reasons behind all these questions. For true wheel-to-wheel racing, you won't find ANY racing organization (SCCA, NASA, EMRA, etc.) that will allow you on track without all safety equipment in place. That includes, at a minimum, a six-point rollcage, properly mounted race seat and six point harness. Why? That good old-fashioned American invention: LIABILITY.

Racing organizations and tracks need insurance to run their events, and insurance companies won't touch that type of liability without mitigating their risk. Same for Nissan North America, they can't say their safety systems include rollover protection because they know they could get their asses sued off by PI attorneys looking for large settlements. Strange as it sounds, liability rules many actions in racing.

So what does that leave 370Z roadster owners? Either running solo events, or some club high-performance driving events if the club allows it. Many won't because of their own liability issues. Could you modify your ZR to allow you to really race? Certainly, but the cost of modifying one would be high, and there would be drawbacks. For one, the aero disadvantage would be significant and nobody wants any of that. Next, the torsional stiffness of the resulting racecar (even with a properly engineered rollcage) would be less than a coupe and now you've got a top end and a handling problem.

Finally, and let's be honest about it, there would remain some safety issues that would remain. Lacking a steel roof, a roadster would be vulnerable to cockpit intrusion(s) in the event of a rollover. In almost every way, running a Z roadster would be a disadvantage in real racing, and believe me, I've looked at it from several angles.

kingcobra

I can see the ZR not being the best car to get into real racing, but I'm thinking more amateur/hobby racing...Do you see any downsides to that?

__________________
'10 370Z Roadster Touring w/sports, navi

dkmura

The only downsides are that--even as an amateur/hobby racing effort--a ZR would require more effort to build a proper roll bar or cage and would likely not be as safe in the event of a rollover. Moreover, it would be hacking up a perfectly good ZR to even attempt it!

RoadsterST

If by amateur/hobby racing you mean groups like SCCA and others than yes it's fine. Best thing to do is contact the various groups and ask them if the ZR is able to participate.

Sent while driving!

dkmura

As a tech inspector for SCCA road racing, I can say categorically that no, a ZR will NOT be fine. Besides a full rollcage and the rest of the mandatory safety equipment, I forgot to mention open top car drivers need arm restraints on to prevent a hand or arm getting crushed during an accident.

And yes, it is an excellent idea to contact any sanctioning body or organization well in advance of going to any event. The ZR will be fine for most solo events, which must be what RoadsterST is referring to.

Jwaite90

Roadster for the win!!! Stillen

Read T

So how many guys with Z roadsters have done HPDE/Track Day? I've read this thread and seems like some of y'all have, but I know they wouldn't pass inspection without a good 'ol cage at the clubs around here.

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2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars
SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

dkmura

In the past I ran HPDEs for Nissan Sport Magazine and there was one ZR participant. I kept a sharp eye on how he was progressing and there were no problems. But that was before the tracks tightened their safety and insurance requirements. We couldn't come up with the insurance policy required and that put a quick end to our fun.

Still, those were a great seven years and I'm happy to report no serious accidents occurred at any of our events in Colorado, NM or So Cal.