We do a track event every month here in Tucson. I was tracking a 260z for the last couple years but I got an offer for her that I couldn't refuse. So.....

I started looking for a z33. The girlfriend campaigned hard for a roadster and I was able to find one with Brembo brakes and a 6 speed.

I decided to take her out completely stock as I bought her. Didn't even upgrade the brake fluid. Just wanted to see what the platform was like unaltered.

Honestly, not too bad. Learned right away this car is heavier than my 260z by about 1000lbs. Brakes heated up accordingly. High temp brake fluid is a MUST before I go back out. The tires I have on right now have tread wear ratings of 500...not too grippy, let me tell you. I'm going to keep using these tires and stock wheels though, I want to get as good as I can with the platform before upgrading.

I have to say I'm stoked about getting the roadster (and myself) faster.

Anyone else tracking or AutoX their roadsters?

 

Dont you need a beefy roll bar or cage or something to track a roadster?

I know here in NJ you need some sort of protection should you roll the car.

 

Epic 1st post. Welcome and congratz!

 

It's cool the helmet will work as ROP

 

myork -- No, per NASA and ProAuto sports HPDE does not require additional roll bars. If I were to go to higher series, Time Attack I or door to door stuff, I'd install some regardless of rules. I have the plans for a hoop and attachment bars to the stock roll bars but I don't have the pipe bender yet. This car is a fun car with monthly AX and or track time events. Not going to get too serious. I did that with my 260z and frankly, I'm a bit burned out of the pursuit of the perfectly set up track car. I just want to enjoy my ride and have fun on the track. I don't have nor will I have harnesses in this car so no, the helmet won't become a pivot on a roll over. Don't know if you can tell, but this isn't my first rodeo.

 

I ran mine last year in Riverside. Was a lot of fun. I have the 5 sp automatic but I used manual mode. Also, I will disengage the traction control next time.

 

I'd like to on occasion, nothing serious. Hoped to be able to run at HPR east of Denver but they'll not approve a Z roadster in stock form. I did check in advance of my recent purchase so I knew this going in but...I was buying a roadster regardless (for warm season cruisin' in CO, UT, AZ, etc.).

I'll need to keep looking around to ID a track that will accept this car 'stock' as I'm not adding adavnced protection for a scant few days a year at a track.

Have fun my man, that's pretty cool.

 

Welcome. Check out the Motorsports section. There is a lot of good info on what works for the track. It's addicting for sure. I started last summer with my Z and couldn't be happier.

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-road-305/

 

I will be in the near future.

But I wanted to ask you for roadsters is there and roll cage or special safety requirements over a coupe? Flip hazard and stuff?

I feel like there should be but I can't see how when miatas and S2000's run all the time. But I don't wanna make a trip then get turned down because I'm missing something safety wise.

I've already got my helmet, track tools and ez up for when I feel my Z is track ready

 

Excellent, went there.

Kicked an email over to Pueblo Motorsports Park after diggin' that out of the archive. Read their requirements / list of approved roadsters...350Z not there but...there list looks a lot like HPR's. I'll see what they respond with.

I'll keep scrounging that forum archive and try to find other CO-based tracks that might let me do lap days. I'll put on good rubber and will upgrade the brake system but...that's all I hope to do.

 

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you had a great day out, look forward to hearing what you do to the roadster over time.

 

Went back out to the track last weekend....what a blast!

A good time at this track is 1:00.000 Track record for a car is 0:55.xxx
The first time out with the Roadster, I started out at 1:14.xxx
By the end of the day, I was at 1:10.xxx

This time, by the end of the day, I was 1:08.xxx

The only thing I changed was the brake fluid as the last time out I boiled it and lost brakes completely. Which, it turns out was good. I had to drive the track with minimal braking and learn the good momentum line for this chassis.

Pretty stoked with the improvements so far. Next time out, I am going to install some new, less than 560 Treadware tires. I'm getting a lot of understeer at entry and then a snap oversteer at the apex. Last week, I lowered the front tire pressure from 50 to 40 and the rears from 50 to 35 which, I think, is where I was able to gain the 2+ seconds.

I had a very experienced racer take her out and he felt the chassis was actually way better than he imagined. This learning curve is getting fun!