Anyone out there race their Roadster at track events. I've had mine on the track twice right after I got it. Lot's of fun. No mods yet, but will probably upgrade brakes and maybe some suspension upgrades. Car handled terrific. Was able to hit around 115mph in the straights no idea how fast in the turns too busy watching where I was going. Just got a 91 Miata that I am going to turbo charge and use in wheel to wheel racing. Don't want to risk th Z in wheel to wheel.

 

I take it that you didn't find it necessary to brake your car in first? Just curious?

 

No, this was not Auto X. It's a road course and typically did not do a lot of braking in 2nd either. Did lose my brakes at end of 3rd session and thought I was done. But brakes had 40 minutes to cool down and then were ok for my last 2 sessions and drive home. There are a lot of great drives in Bucks County. Weekends I go out at dawn to enjoy the back roads of Hopewell/Montgomery in Jersey and roads outside of New Hope. Nice opportunity to let the car run without any traffic, except those pesky deer. Very lucky so far, never got hit by one of them.

 

Why don't you keep the Miata naturally aspirated and run with us in Spec Miata? If wheel-to-wheel competition is what you're truly after, you won't find a more competitive class. Plus, you can run some great pro events.

Sticking to the acutal topic, I haven't had the Z Roadster on the track yet, but I hope to soon. Got to give those Brembos a good workout.

 

Re: the Miata,I want to try it this Spring non-aspirated. See what it feels like on the track. It's just that Miata's seem so anemic compared to my Z's and other cars I've had.Back to the Z. Last time I was out there were a couple of guys with the track models. They had no brake problems at all.

 

I took my Z Roadster to a trackday back in October. I went to the "Streets of Willow" course in Willow Springs CA. Had a blast and no real overheating problems, brakes or otherwise. I do feel the RE040 tires are not the greatest tires though. I'd say they were the limiting factor(of course, my driving skill too). I think some Michelin Pilots would be a good choice. I also have to get those stock brake pads out of there. Maybe some EBC Greenstuff next.

 

Yeah, the stock tires are not the greatest on the 350, but not bad. On my 300zx I got Dunlop 8000's. Love them on the street and seem pretty good on the track too. Relatively inexpensive. At this point I am going to keep my stock tires till they wear out. But, I think I am going to go for the Hawk pads and stainless brake lines. I am by far no expert but I talk to a lot of people that are serious about racing and race everything from Miata's, VW Rabbits, Porsche's and Ferarri's and try and get useful info from their experience. Glad to hear your giving your 350 some running fun. That's what it's all about, and these cars are great to run on the track where you can really let it out safely. The thing that sucks in the north east is that we are limited to a few months out of the year. I envy you guys on the west coast that can do this stuff year round.

 

Gigi,
I just took a look at my post re:racing and your question re: breaking, I am an idiot. Your question obviously referred to the break-in period for a new car, and my response was re:braking on the track. So, now to answer your original question, I am one who does not believe in the break-in period. I feel you should drive your car from day one the way you will be normally driving, and I find it impossible to stay within the guidelines typically recommended. Now, I am no mechanic and the mechanical expertise I do have is quite limited. But, I do have a lot of experience with cars owning/driving and racing and have never had a problem with any of my cars due to my not adhering to the break-in guidelines.