Well, I finally had some time to test out my car, with its current setup, on a circuit course. I've done quite a few track sessions with the older 400whp'ish setup, but this was my first time at Road Atlanta...and with about 600whp in low boost (16psi).

My track setup consistened of Hoosier R6's 245/18 fronts, and 295/18 rears, and a set of Ferodo race pads for my AP Racing BBK. Other than that, its the same platform I drive everyday on the street.

Much to my surprise, my car actually hooked up VERY well on corner exits, which is where I was most concerned. With a gentle application of throttle, the rear end was competely 100% planted, and felt very composed. Over the 2 day event, I did 6 30 min sessions, basically driving the car as hard as I possibly could, and everything held up GREAT! No overheating, no issues whatsoever.


I am by no means, the best driver out there...probably a hair above average. But I was completely running circles around every Z06, Viper, 911 Turbo..etc..etc. It was no contest...both in the corners, and in the straights. I had a blast. Next time, we'll have some video.

Special thanks to one my customer...Jose E...who showed me the ropes around Road Atlanta. He is a demon on the track...and the most humble guy you will ever meet. Oh, Sandy (my GF) rode with me almost every session, and was a real trooper...she loved it!

For those that are curious, my handling mods consist of the following:
Tein Flex Coil-Overs (felt best at full hard)
Hotchkis Sways (medium front..full soft rear)
Hoosier R6's 245 front 295 rear
Tein TE37's 18X8.5 front 18X 10.5 rear
AP Racing BBK 6piston front, 4 piston rear

 

Nice Sharif. You have stand still shots of those TEs?

Where da vids at!!!!!!

 

Holy hell! I think I gotta change my underwear....

"600hp in low boost" lol....

I am jealous... I would love to see it in action... very nice indeed!

Glad it's all working out great for you....

 

What was the competition saying about your car?

 

Car looks great. We just need vids.

 

At first, their ego's didnt want to allow me to pass (point to pass rules in effect) After a few turns off hugging their bumper, they would let me by. In the pits, everyone came by to take a peak at the monsters under the hood....mmmuaaahhhh!

 

Next time...promise.

Next event is at CMP in South Carolina on the 10th and Feb..then Panos again at Road Atlanta in March.

 

600+ nice!

 

hey Sharif,
hey you all
i would like to thank Sharif ,Sandy,Devon and Chris for the great time we had at Road Atlanta and their hard work and expertise in developing my NA track car.
Indeed, Sharif's car is most impressive in power ,handling and looks, and i couldn't handle that power in the track, as Sharif can. He drove it flawlessly. I wonder how those vipers and modded z06 drivers felt seen a Z pulling away. next time we need some videos.
regards
jose

 

sounds like too much fun...I remember getting passed fairly eaisly by the new Vette when I was on RA-1's

 

I would love to drive around a course with those cars. Sounds like your car is a beast.

You should do a video similar to the VRT video they had on their website.

"Your car will pass..." then show you passing a new Z06 or new Porsche. That would be bada**!

 

Good stuff Sharif... have you considered any other kind of suspension setup? I'm not personally a big fan of twin tube struts and after watching VRT's track video and watching the body roll with the Tein Flex system I can see why they have been testing other suspension setups...

 

My 350Z is lame.
Good work sharif

 

nice work, give those super cars hell at the track!!!

 

NASA event right? I'll stop in and say high between races, look for a maybe blue (still painting) Factory Five Cobra.

Cheers,
Mike

 

Excellent, it is exciting to hear you are pushing your car to the limits on road courses, Sharif

 

Would love to see the beast at one of our events...

How does VIR in April sound.

Stacy and Myself may be at RA in March as well.

 

Any pics of those Tein TE37s?

 

Thanks MIA,
I know there are technically superior suspension setups, such as the Mono Tube JIC's, and new Mono Tube Tein Flex, and others. I havent tried them yet. Jose's car is also running the Twin Flex, and believe me..they still handle exceptionally well. Body roll isnt necessarily a fuction of mono-vs-twin design. It is more a function of spring rate, pre -load, and sway bar selection. I'd love to try the JIC's or Flex Mono's but testing out $2000 coilovers can get expensive...LOL. Also, its nearly impossible to get a true comparison, becuase everyone loves the suspension they have. I wish a back to back test was more feasible.
Jose is a much better drive than me, and he also scared the poop out of me with his car...running the Tein's.
Next time, we'll have vids
Can you send me a link or info on this event? I'd love to try VIR...I hear is a beautiful track.

 

Sharif,
I didn't have any problem with cooling on my TT 350Z until I was able to go full throttle before the apex of the corner and I started to trail brake in the corners. Once that occured, I started see temperature problems. And still working on right now.

And forget Panoz - waste of money IMHO. NASA even runs a better event than they do, and they do hold two events at Road Atlanta every year.