Driving In Koni Challenge At Daytona
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Just a quick note to pass along some info about another Z racing at Daytona in a couple of weeks.
I'll be co-driving with George Corso in the #50 Eastern Competition Promotorsports Nissan 350Z. You can follow a thread of our exploits so far by going here:
http://www.350zclubofflorida.com/php...er=asc&start=0
We are working hard (N-Tech Engineering) on getting as much right with the car as we can. We came on board pretty late on, but were able to make some significant improvements during test days. I personally need more time in that particular car, and on the track at Daytona. I haven't raced competitively in a year and a half due to my back injury and resultant surgery, so I need some time to get back up to speed.
Anyway, just thought some would like to know what's going on. The thread at the other site is more complete. Wish us luck, and come see us in the paddock if you are attending. The car is red with white graphics.
Nick Riefner
I'll be co-driving with George Corso in the #50 Eastern Competition Promotorsports Nissan 350Z. You can follow a thread of our exploits so far by going here:
http://www.350zclubofflorida.com/php...er=asc&start=0
We are working hard (N-Tech Engineering) on getting as much right with the car as we can. We came on board pretty late on, but were able to make some significant improvements during test days. I personally need more time in that particular car, and on the track at Daytona. I haven't raced competitively in a year and a half due to my back injury and resultant surgery, so I need some time to get back up to speed.
Anyway, just thought some would like to know what's going on. The thread at the other site is more complete. Wish us luck, and come see us in the paddock if you are attending. The car is red with white graphics.
Nick Riefner
Great to hear about this Nick. Is this an ex Unitech car or one of the 350Evo built cars? Are you doing the full GA Koni season or just select races? I got to be good friends with BJ Zacharis who ran with 350Evo team. The car was super competitive at handling tracks such as VIR, Barber etc. As in SCCA T2 the 350Z is down on HP for sure.
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The car was built by it's owner. I came on board due to our UECM computer being used on the car, and it has snowballed from there. I am doing a rush engine/head job, helping with car setup decisions, and ultimately, co-driving. I'm not sure what his season schedule is just yet, but all I have concentrated on is the Daytona race for now.
I still have our 350Z, but time constraints and my back injury have held up progress on it. Now I'll be playing business catch-up this year, and that will hurt my ability to find time for the N-Tech Z for now... My time has become VERY tight.
I still have our 350Z, but time constraints and my back injury have held up progress on it. Now I'll be playing business catch-up this year, and that will hurt my ability to find time for the N-Tech Z for now... My time has become VERY tight.
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Nick, Good luck to you in the race. Should be interesting to see how the 350Z runs in the 24 GT class as well. Unitech/Playboy is running cars in both the Koni Challenge aka GA Cup & the 24 Hours of Daytona.
The Koni Challenge doesn't list TV coverage yet. It is usually tape delayed. The 24 Hour race will have 15 hours of coverage.
http://www.grand-am.com/Home.asp
http://www.grand-am.com/Home.asp
You can follow the race here.
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/Event.asp?ID=191
Click on the live timing & scoring page. Race is at 2:15 today.
Here are the Q results.
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/Sessi...?SessionID=793
The 2 Playboy 350's in GT were withdrawn from the 24 Hour. Not ready yet.......1 350Z is trying to Q for the 24 Hour I think. The Koni Challenge has 2 Playboy 350Z's in 14th & 35th place. Nick's car is in 77th place & the Car & Driver Z is in 91st out of 104 cars. Good luck to all the Z's at a track not very favorable for the car.
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/Event.asp?ID=191
Click on the live timing & scoring page. Race is at 2:15 today.
Here are the Q results.
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/Sessi...?SessionID=793
The 2 Playboy 350's in GT were withdrawn from the 24 Hour. Not ready yet.......1 350Z is trying to Q for the 24 Hour I think. The Koni Challenge has 2 Playboy 350Z's in 14th & 35th place. Nick's car is in 77th place & the Car & Driver Z is in 91st out of 104 cars. Good luck to all the Z's at a track not very favorable for the car.
Last edited by jmark; Jan 26, 2007 at 02:32 AM.
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I'm driving the second half of the race. We have had some troubling times, as you can read in the thread over on the 350Z Club of Florida forum. Thanks for the well wishes. We hope to run a clean race, which should give us a decent finish, but only time will tell. The C&D Z blew up last night, so I think it is being withdrawn.
Race results
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/Sessi...?SessionID=795
Nice run by Nick. Murry in the Playboy 350Z finishes 4th. A superb run on a track not favoring the Z.
http://www.grand-am.com/Events/Sessi...?SessionID=795
Nice run by Nick. Murry in the Playboy 350Z finishes 4th. A superb run on a track not favoring the Z.
Last edited by jmark; Jan 26, 2007 at 02:22 PM.
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Great. I'd love to see them. How obvious was it that we had NO power??? I needed more time with the car, and to become familiar with everything about what had already been done. We just ran out of time. But, we moved up 20 positions by race's end, and basically kept the car intact, so that was a minor victory. N-Tech Engineering will be making the car better for Eastern Competition in the coming weeks...
I've got some pics of you from the race too...I'll try to get them resized and posted soon. I was there with Shezzzhot and met your wife during the race. I loved your daughter's shirt - "Go Daddy Go"! LOL
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Originally Posted by Juno
I've got some pics of you from the race too...I'll try to get them resized and posted soon. I was there with Shezzzhot and met your wife during the race. I loved your daughter's shirt - "Go Daddy Go"! LOL
I'm still hoping to see pictures from you guys and girls that have them! You can post here, or email me at nick@ntechengineering.com
Thanks again.


