first350

iTrader: (24)

I just talked with my wife last night, and she's offered to goto Topeka Kansas in September...SCCA Nationals! I'll be in BSP and am just starting to figure out all the details...

I'm wondering how competitive is the 350Z in BSP IF it's got all the mods done (only looking at the car)?

*I'm fairly new to AutoX and have just been doing local events (this will be my first full season in www.wwscc.org). I'm mainly interested in going for the experience...to see what it's like, how good are the other drivers, and how I do. In the end, it'll be a fun week trip with my wife, our 2 dogs, and some autoXing!

drivesolo

iTrader: (6)

You might be the first 350Z attempting to run in BSP in Nationals. That in itself is a worthy thing for the Z faithful.

ULLLOSE

The car could trophy.... Wont win.

DavesZ#3

iTrader: (26)

The Z has a hard enough time being competitive in BS, so BSP could be a lot worse. It's been discussed here before and the general impression is that you'd have to put a lot into a 350 to be truly competitive.

Here's some recent threads discussing BSP setups, competition, etc.

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-road/194339-mods-to-become-more-bsp-competative.html
https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-road/231524-bsp-car-prep.html
https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-road/153150-anyone-here-got-a-bsp-z.html
https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-road/174643-bs-autocross-setup-faq.html
https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-road/121087-help-me-set-up-my-car-for-bsp-please.html

DmanG281

iTrader: (3)

What he said.

first350

iTrader: (24)

this is what I was looking for...I browsed through the '05 results and didn't see a single 350Z in BSP; it looks like a tough crowd to compete with, Evo's, S2000s, M3s, STIs...

Dave, thanks for all the links...I've looked through all of those threads before and have 90-95% of the mods done for BSP.


*the more I look at all the stuff I'll need for nationals, the more I'm thinking I should hold off for another year...bringing 2 sets of wheels (dry & wet tires), cost, time, etc... If I'm not trying to be competitive, maybe I should wait until I get more experience. I'll keep this option open for the next few months and see how things progress.

thanks!

Fluid1

iTrader: (19)

Exactly. Thing is, after BS, the car is classed horribly. No street tire class, completely uncompetative in BSP.

ULLLOSE

The RX-8 is worse off in BSP than the Z. I know a couple of guys that went down that road. A BSP RX-8 weighs 200lbs more than a BSP S2K and makes less power than a stock S2K, 200 rwhp/ 140 tq. Not that any of that matters as even the once might Corvette gets kicked around by the Evo.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Very proud of you trying out for the nationals. Doesnt matter if you qualify or win. Give it your best.

PedalFaster

You have to put a lot into any Street Prepared car to be truly competitive.

DavesZ#3

iTrader: (26)

True. We all know how expensive and difficult it is to mod the Z in the first place. From what I hear, it's hard to keep up with the Vettes in BSP.

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

When the SCCA Time Trial program held its first National event a few years ago, my Redline track model was clearly outclassed in BSP. The Time Trial program used Solo II rules on a local road race track. This was a track that I knew well and was relatively tight (with some sections coned down), so I hoped to pull one off. But a supercharged C5 came through to win easily, while I barely held off a determined C4 for second.

I can only imagine how much more lopsided this contest would be in Solo II competition. Good luck in your quest, but if you decide to go, moderate your expectations and enjoy the adventure!

ULLLOSE

The C5 is in ASP and with FI goes to SM2.

PDX_Racer

iTrader: (2)

If you can go, do so.

Just because you "won't be competitive" (compared to whom?) isn't a good reason. ULLLOSE is right -- the car is capable of trophying at Nationals, even against the Evos, STIs and Corvettes. If you can get a chance to drive at Nationals before you become "expected" to trophy, then you'll be in a better situation when ARE expected to trophy!

The Z may not be the most powerful car there, but even my stock prepared Z is quite nimble for a 3200-pound beast. With more suspension options open to you in BSP, it might make for a great David against the rest of the class' Goliaths.

DmanG281

iTrader: (3)

Don't worry about being competitive your first time out. Just bring enough money to cover you for a night or two and baby dolls and you'll be fine.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

I keep hearing rumers of a STU2 , STX2 class being formed in the near future. That would be cool.

first350

iTrader: (24)

thanks for your input guys...My wife and I have decided to keep this option on the table and to wait until I can get all the information (total cost, time involved, how many days off work we'll need to take)

**when ppl go, it sounds like you need to be prepared for the dry and rain...so do ppl actually carry 2 sets of wheels? Do Tire companies like Kuhmo, Hoosiers, and Hankoook go out there to sell/distribute tires?

thanks!

betamotorsports

iTrader: (1)

With Tom Berry driving a highly prepared EVO in BSP this year (and probably for the next couple years) everyone else will probably be fighting for second place. The 350Z can be competitive, but not likely a winner.

A legal, to the limit prepared Street Prepared car can usually:

1. Reduce weight by 10 to 15%.
2. Increase horsepower by 15 to 20%.
3. Increase tread width by 50mm on each tire.
4. Increase track width by 2 to 4".
5. Reduce CG by 1.5 to 3".

In the 350Zs case the weight is the biggest issue. It needs to be around 2,600 lbs to a winner in BSP but I can't see a legal way to get there. 2,800 lbs is about the best it can do in legal BSP trim.

DmanG281

iTrader: (3)

Yes and No. Not everybody brings 2 sets but I would say that it is common. Hoosier was the only tire company there I believe. Might want to see what Ulllose says about that. He knows a bit more about the goings on.

ULLLOSE

Typically Kumho and Hoosier and sometimes a few small dealers are there for support and to sell tires. The only way to be sure you get tires on site is to pre-order, lots of times they have very little extra inventory on hand. I did hear that Bridgestone may also be there this year.

You can usually get a good idea of what you need to take with you by watching the weather forecast ahead of time, if I don't think I will need them I wont take rains. Not like I have real rain tires anyway, I just use my street tires. In BSP rain tires will have even less importance because no matter what tire you have on a Z an AWD car will crush you in the wet.

Another option that is becoming very popular is to find someone that you can share rain tires with, as they cost like $1000 and often go unused, so find a BS 350Z driver with extra stock wheels and you could share rains tires.