Has anyone out there gotten on the track with a roadster?

What did you have to do to get the ZR acceptable for safety -- any pointers to rollbars?

Here in the northeast, all the tracks are pretty **** about the safety things, and the factory roll hoops on the Z (and the S2K for that matter) are not acceptable, so they want a real bar. (Told this by phone, not in person.)

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone with track experience in a ZR!

Thanks,
-frank

 

I had the ZR on the track for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and it was awesome. Buttonwillow, and the group for whom I was teaching, accepted the factory roll-over protection on the ZR (and would for the S2000 as well), so I did nothing more than play with tire pressure and check the oil.

The car was flat awesome, and sounded great with the exhaust uncorked. Turn-in grip was great, with plenty of usable feedback, and the car had just a touch of oversteer in the quick corners - which I like. The big Brembos really bled off speed consistently, too. I caught and passed all kinds of "faster" machinery all day long, and I had a line of students waiting for rides - many of whom thought the car had to be turbo/super-charged to go so fast.

 

Scott,
That's the first good reason I've yet heard to move to the LA area.... ;-)

It's really a bummer that the tracks/clubs I've talked to in this area all say the factory roll hoop is insufficient, and that they also follow the "broomstick rule" (broomstick placed on roll bar and front windshield frame must be 2" over driver's head); pretty much means that in order to get on a local track, I'm going to need to somehow have a real bar fabb'ed and installed.....

Nice roadster! I didn't know that the DB model with the light interior had the roll hoops in DB, too -- looks cool. Are the wheels gunmetal?

-frank, very envious

 

I had the roll hoops painted when the body kit and interior panels were painted. The wheels are gunmetal Volk Racing TE37's - 19" to clear the big Brembos. The link in my sig leads to a space on our web site about the car - and look for it in an upcoming issue of Modified Magazine. The editor saw it run at the track, and asked to do a feature that afternoon.

BTW, there are plenty of reasons to leave CT and move to LA - but we've got enough people now as it is. My first job transferred me to LA from the Boston area 14 years ago, and I haven't really considered leaving.

 

Nice car Scott Webb....You raced with all the audio equipment in there?

Did you use street tires when you tracked?

Do you guys do installs?

Which racing school did you teach? I am interested in participating in one.

 

Scott,
What group were your racing with? I've been on the track with my 91 300zx T-tops. But was told by NASA and PDA in New Jersey that the factory bar in the ZR would not qualify. I bought a Miata with a hardtop specifically to run on the track as I sold my 300zx when I got the 350ZR. I also have a 93 300zx convertible, but it would cost at least $4500 to gat a roll bar fabricated and installed. That is why I got the Miata, it was cheaper. But, if you know of any way I can get my 350 onto the track please let me know. Thanks.

 

Mwest,
I just heard back from The M Club (http://www.themclub.net/) that they do not require roll bars at any events (auto-x or HPDE/time trial), so the factory roll hoops are fine for them. They will be at Pocono in June, and have frequent auto-x events.... (Their auto-x events are not quite SCCA-aligned.)

-frank

 

I did drive on the track with all of the audio equipment installed. The tires I used were the same Yokohama AVS Sport tires I run on the street. They worked very well. I'm not involved with anyone that does installs, but I can offer some suggestions in the SoCal area if you have something specific to install. I've taught for a variety of groups over the years, but the day I had the Roadster on track I was teaching for Hotchkis for their annual customer track day.

I also teach for Buttonwillow Raceway Park, and they accept factory roll-over protection on some roadsters (Z, S2000, Boxter).

 

ct roadster,
Thanks for the feedback. I have a 6 race dates scheduled at Pocono with NASA and PDA. I contacted NASA and they said the roll over protection system on the ZR would be acceptable. So, now I am scrambling to upgrade my pads to Hawks and install stainless brake lines. For the time being I will use the stock rotors. Have 04 Touring ZR M/T. I will also check out the M club. Thanks.
MWest