The Official 370Z Autocross Thread

[Spec Jay]

Originally Posted by IMWEZL

I just recently had my first Autocross event with my 370Z. Big difference going from an SM Dodge Neon SRT4 running Hoosiers to a stock 370Z. My times sucked, however that was a driver issues.

I asked a fellow 370Z owner (didn't race/purchased the night prior) who gets FTD more often than not to drive my car. He knocked 3 seconds off my best official run on the first lap. His vids are on my youtube too.

My overall experience was that I could be more aggressive with the car. I did understeer a few times and drifted around a few turns. My best times came with the VDC on. My weakness was the slalom. I never had a good feel as to how big the car was as I entered and exited the slalom.

i miss autoxing at the stadium. i used to run my spec v there.

[Ruff]

Originally Posted by controller

How are you getting your tires to the track? I seriously doubt 4 wheels/tires will fit in the cabin of a 370, and there are no trailer hitch options yet.

I don't have a 370z yet, but I want to race in BS and drive to the track without having to rely on someone to carry my tires.

If I can get (4) 285/30/18 to the track in my 350z, you'll surely be able to get 4 there in a 370z...

Boardkat, hurry up and get that 370 so we can retire the 350.

[boardkat]

Originally Posted by Ruff

If I can get (4) 285/30/18 to the track in my 350z, you'll surely be able to get 4 there in a 370z...

Boardkat, hurry up and get that 370 so we can retire the 350.

hahaha. and i'm not so sure we'll be able to fit the 295/315 combo in as easily..

oh, and if anybody knows somebody looking for a clean, low-mileage ITR, send them my way!!

[Ruff]

Originally Posted by boardkat

hahaha. and i'm not so sure we'll be able to fit the 295/315 combo in as easily..

oh, and if anybody knows somebody looking for a clean, low-mileage ITR, send them my way!!

No rear hatch impeding strut tower brace in the 370z ftw. I guess we'll find out when the time comes, but the hatch brace in the 350z is what kills it for hauling tires.

OP, goodjob getting the new car out there! Keep at it and keep filling us in with the results!

[ChrisSlicks]

I had a similar experience to AutoX Z a couple of weeks ago at an SCCA event. There were 7 cars in BS and I finished 2nd .9 seconds behind first. The first place finisher was an RX-8 with $7K shocks on A6's. So a good result for me considering I was on street tires. Finished 31st out of 150 in the overall PAX'd results, which was the fastest non-race rubber car. Oil temps were only a smidge over 240 on the 65 second course, although I hit 260+ routinely on longer courses.

Normally I run local events that are open class and do pretty well there. In the SCCA system it looks like the Z could well dominate the class, which means they're ultimately going to eventually bump it to AS. Even in AS I think it's a competitive car.

[boardkat]

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Normally I run local events that are open class and do pretty well there. In the SCCA system it looks like the Z could well dominate the class, which means they're ultimately going to eventually bump it to AS. Even in AS I think it's a competitive car.

i don't think it's an overdog in BS. the rx-8 is a formidable opponent. given a little time to develop (anxiously waiting on what ast/koni/moton have to offer in the near future), people might have to rethink BS as a spec-rx8 class though. but if it bumps to AS, it doesn't stand a chance. the s2k and gxp z0k will eat it alive. think shorter wheelbase, better power/weight ratio, wide tires to boot, and camber. mchugh runs the wheels off his c4, and has his hands full with less accomplished drivers in those two cars. i'd take a c4 over the 370Z in AS any day, too.
in any case, if the BS/CS merger goes through, it becomes a course-dependent class, with the 370Z outgunned most of the time by the mx-5 msr, '99 sport and solstice z0k. but i'd still give it a fighting chance on a wide open concrete course. very interested to see how ruff and his co-driver glenn austin do in the "outdated" 350Z in lincoln!

[AutoX Z]

I think the 370Z has a very good chance of being an overdog compared to the RX-8 on most courses. Thats not to say it needs to get bumped to AS. I think its about time for the RX-8's reign to end and for BS to get a bit faster, especially when compared to CS.

As for the competitiveness in AS it probably doesn't have a great chance however I will offer this data point. At the last event I was at AS consisted of an S2000 CR with hoosiers. I can't comment on the quality of the driver but I beat him on street tires.

[boardkat]

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

I can't comment on the quality of the driver but I beat him on street tires.

good job but... i think you know the quality of that driver based on this statement

[controller]

Originally Posted by Ruff

No rear hatch impeding strut tower brace in the 370z ftw. I guess we'll find out when the time comes, but the hatch brace in the 350z is what kills it for hauling tires.

OP, goodjob getting the new car out there! Keep at it and keep filling us in with the results!

Pics?

[ChrisSlicks]

Originally Posted by AutoX Z

I think the 370Z has a very good chance of being an overdog compared to the RX-8 on most courses. Thats not to say it needs to get bumped to AS. I think its about time for the RX-8's reign to end and for BS to get a bit faster, especially when compared to CS.

As for the competitiveness in AS it probably doesn't have a great chance however I will offer this data point. At the last event I was at AS consisted of an S2000 CR with hoosiers. I can't comment on the quality of the driver but I beat him on street tires.

Yes, my comment about AS was also based on beating about half of the AS field running on Hoosiers (including a good driver and friend of mine in a C4). If I was on Hoosiers I would have easily won BS and came pretty close to matching the top AS driver who is no slouch.

Now I have to decide whether I want to go to the regionals, where the competition will really step up. I'm on the fence because I'm not sure if I want to show up on street tires and get embarrassed.

[ResIpsa]

I'll be at the Capital Driving Club autox tomorrow at Prince Georges Stadium in Maryland.

Anyone else running?

[Ruff]

Originally Posted by controller

Pics?

My tires are with boardkat since we are co-driving my Z next weekend and he is going to haul my tires there.

Anyway, in a 350, one in the spare tire well, one on the rear deck right behind the seats, and 2 in the passenger seat.

[IMWEZL]

How are you guys running numbers? I felt like an idiot when I tried to put my magnets on the door. I stood there for about a second wondering why they wouldn't stick and then I remembered...D'oh!

[ChrisSlicks]

Originally Posted by IMWEZL

How are you guys running numbers? I felt like an idiot when I tried to put my magnets on the door. I stood there for about a second wondering why they wouldn't stick and then I remembered...D'oh!

Yeah the magnetic doesn't work too well, LOL. The fenders and rear are steel but they are tool rounded for magnets to work.
I'm using reusable vinyl numbers. I get them from iZoom graphics, they have great turn around.

www.izoomgraphics.com

[AutoX Z]

Originally Posted by IMWEZL

How are you guys running numbers? I felt like an idiot when I tried to put my magnets on the door. I stood there for about a second wondering why they wouldn't stick and then I remembered...D'oh!

I have old magnets from my old and they worked on the rear fender. However they were hard to see and are not technically legal to be placed there so I need to pick up some vinyls too.