^^^Why is someone w/ an RX8 posting in a Z forum? J/K. Thanks again for the info. guys. I'm going to get a couple of more events under my belt before I make anymore decisions. I'm just out for fun anyways.(for now )

 

Just trying to keep you guys down.

 

I run street tires on my Z in all past track days and have passed cars of about the same class like modded E36 M3, Infiniti G35, and some STIs and Evos(well, ofcos they are not the best 4WD drivers out there) running slick tires both in dry and wet condition on the track. And the satisfaction that the street tires gives you is a lot and it truly tells that you are the good driver. I can always tell how much I am driving the car and how much the car can get, honestly, I cant drive the Z to 100% even on street tires, why would i go on to click tires. Beginners should try to focast more on steering and throttle control on a FR cars, because with street tires its very easily to lose traction during a turn, therefore you can focus more on braking and turning in techinque instead of just getting super grippy tires to hang the turn like a champ. This is my 2 cents. But it may not apply to some ppl tho!

 

I autox'd in 30 events last year (my rookie season). IMHO, you do need the seat time first. I swapped to a race tire early on last year, and did well until I had a booboo with the car. I don't think the tires were the cause for this (just my agressive driving style). But I do know this; The Potenza's yell a lot, but they also tell you when they are running close to the edge. With a comp tire, there is little or no warning before "swoosh" your off the track.

I'm racing under a stricter budget this year, and competing on the stock tires, same as you. The funny thing is, I believe I'm actually faster now (compared to similar sites last year, and how I stack up in the points). With only 3 point events under my belt so far, I've taken 1st twice with one 2nd trophy. All of my competitors are on race rubber (M3, a few RX8's, and a couple turbo MR2's). Oh, and yes ULLLOSE, I did woop up on a fully prepped RX8 at a couple of the events. I'll grant you, none of these are national caliber competitors, but they are the same guys I was battling with last year, and they're not slouches either.

Man, I hope I can keep this streak going. That M3 popped me one on the last run Sunday

 

Great! That's what I am talking about! I always believe that a truly good driver should be able to run street tires just as good. And once you get into professional racing, no doubt slick tire counts as a big factor for winning, however, you will also have to do lots of other works on your car to make it faster than other cars, tires are only one of the factors. Then it will become a race on whos got the bigger bucks rather than on driver's skills, or its just simply another level of competition. I'd rather stick with street tires until I really get into serious competitions.

 

A good driver will always beat a mediocre driver given similar performance cars.

However, once you get to running national-level events, the guys who are winning are very good at both car prep and driving. The only way to really tell if you're "in the ballpark" as a driver is to duplicate the car prep.

(From someone who tries to do car prep "on the cheap")

 

Is there a list of official upcoming events? I've only ever done this with my friends, I've never actually witnessed an actual events, and I'd love to see it/try it out.

(we always called it parking lot running, )

 

i'm guessing youre from philli?

try www.phillyscca.com

 

Come on down to Ripken Stadium and run in one of the Philly Events.

You can meet Lee Picone the BSP runner up at Nationals. He also took 1st place in the Pro Solo nationals.

BMW M3....

Also we have 2 guys John V, and Clyde who drive a silver RX8 in BS that took 9th at Nationals last year.

Congrats to the Champ here on the forum.

If Washington DC is not too far, we run at Fed-Ex field, a HUGE awesome lot. I bump the rev limtier in 2nd ALOT there 60mph plus.

Plus there is a Pro Solo event there in the end of June, but I think it's full already.

As for me, I run 18's in the front, and 17's on the rear...V710's

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

what size tires do you run (trying to determine why you run 18s and 17s)??

car looks hot btw

 

Thank you.

245/35/18 in the front

275/40/17 in the rear.

V710's don't come in a 245/40/17 (only a 245/45/17), and this is too tall for my suspension.

So I run a 245/35/18 in the front, it is a lighter tire, and the sidewall is lower which works better.

I run the 17 in the rear, the overall diameter is smaller (better gearing), and the sidewall is slightly higher for better launchs.

It might not be pretty, but it works quite WELL for my co-driver and I.

I could always run Hoosiers, but I think the V710's are better.

Waiting to hear what the new Hoosier S06's will be like though.

Good luck 350z's are nice cars....

 

i figured it was a tire size issue.

i'd have to agree that a 710 is a superior tire to the s05...

 

How many of you guys run at Ripken with Philly SCCA? I might've seen you guys and not even known it!

I ran the white 350z in BS there last time, about a month ago.

I'm no expert, but I would also agree that seat time is the best thing you can do to become faster. All it costs is the price of admission. Sometimes places will even let you pay twice and run once in a class and run once in non-comp, for extra seat time.

 

I think running street tires is a good way to learn the limits of your vehicle. As you know most people dont just use there Z's for the track. I think that you should track your car with the same tires you drive on until you are ready to really take it to the next level. I am no pro but know that street tires are less foregiving and the last thing you want when learing how to drive at these events is false confidence. Street tires give you the opportunty to develop your skills. Then when you want to shave a few seconds off your time you should go to slicks.