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370z racing in grand-am series

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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 04:23 PM
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Default 370z racing in grand-am series

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a8hC_NYiLgI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

http://amperformanceracing.com/site/


A.M. PERFORMANCE ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BRING BACK NISSAN INTO GRAND-AM COMPETITION

Scotts Valley, California – January 11, 2011 – The newly formed A.M. Performance team announced today that it has acquired three brand new Nissan NISMO 370Zs, and will be preparing them for the 2011 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season. This will mark the return to GS action for the Z model after nearly 3 years. The new platform boosts a more powerful 3.7L V6 engine, completely new chassis and aerodynamics, refined suspension, and everything needed to compete with the high displacement V-8’s that dominate the class.

In addition to full race car builds, preparation, and arrive-and-drive programs, A.M. Performance will be making its mark on the streets as well as developing high performance aftermarket products for a variety of platforms. The Scotts Valley, CA based company, will be staffed with some of the most talented and passionate race car fabricators, tuners, and drivers in the country, and looks forward to a quick rise to the top by challenging the nation’s leading aftermarket parts and race car fabrication companies both on and off the racetrack.

The team aims to complete building their cars and begin testing by March with an eye on making their Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge debut at the Barber 200, which will take place at Barber Motorsports Park on April 8-9, 2011. For more information and to keep up to date with the latest A.M. Performance, please visit us at www.amperformanceracing.com and www.facebook.com/amperformance.


Leading the company as CEO and driver is Brian Lock who has spent the majority of his career running the fabrication side of his family race team, GOTO:Racing, and most recently ran COBB Tuning Motorsports. No stranger to GRAND-AM competition, GOTO:Racing had its share of success, during its very brief seasons, capturing a pole position, multiple top tens, and a second place finish and track record with Lock behind the wheel. As general manager and driver, he lead COBB Tuning Motorsports to 8 track records, 2 championship, and developed the fastest stock chassis road race GT-R in the world. For more info please visit www.brianlockracing.com.

Joining Lock with driving and chassis development duties will be Mike Sweeney. Sweeney brings with him multiple ST class wins, Rolex GT experience, and years as a professional driving instructor. The 29 year old brings not only speed, but experience in a wide variety of vehicles which will prove beneficial in developing the new 370Z chassis. In addition to being a great spokesman for A.M. Performance, he brings with him a very close relationship representing the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, who are committed to finding a cure for blood cancers. For more info please visit www.gomikesweeney.com.

Brian Lock
Driver, CEO, A.M. Performance
"Words can't describe my excitement for our 2011 program. To be back racing in GRAND-AM full time, and working with Nissan to put their brand back in the spot light in US road racing is an absolute honor and privilege. We look forward to climbing the GRAND-AM ladder and showing the country how fast A.M. Performance can make the NISMO 370Z go around the track."

“I have been waiting over two years for the chance to drive a GRAND-AM car full time, and now that that’s happened, to be able to share the car with Mike Sweeney only makes it that much better. His wins and performance record speak very highly about his ability; you won't find a better person to represent your brand and company."



Mike Sweeney
Driver, A.M. Performance
“Finally I get to go play in Grand Sport! GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge is hands down the most exciting racing in North America, and it's always fun being in the fastest class. Plus, as a founding member of A.M. Performance this deal is really exciting; it's fantastic to bring Nissan back into GRAND-AM, and I can't wait to get the NISMO 370Z on track. In the meantime, we are going to stay crazy busy building the cars, getting our shop rolling, and setting up our driver development program. It's going to be a great year, so stay tuned, kids!"

Last edited by mw9; Mar 17, 2011 at 01:05 PM.
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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 05:08 PM
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Did I read that correctly that they will boost the Z? (thought it may have meant 'boast' but I assume boost in order to stay with the V-8's).

I love this style of racing. Can't wait to see it and how the Z does.
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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 05:26 PM
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That kinda sounds like the 3 370Z's that the Boyles brothers bought from Fontana Nissan back in November.
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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 06:13 PM
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Subscribed! Glad to see a Z getting back into the series. I'm a big fan of the Rolex and ALMS series. Hopefully I can make it over to Barber for the debut of the 370 in this series. Good luck from a fellow Z (350 owner).
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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:08 PM
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Awesome. Good luck!
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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:22 PM
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Intersting announcement. It names the principal and one driver for a three car team. Guessing the other two NISMO 370Zs are for rent-a-drivers?
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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by dkmura
Intersting announcement. It names the principal and one driver for a three car team. Guessing the other two NISMO 370Zs are for rent-a-drivers?
I wouldnt doubt it if Chad and Ethan are the other drivers. They own the cars.
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 03:43 AM
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Love it!
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 04:56 AM
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Heres to hoping this one fares better than previous attempts.



Not sure if the rules allow for boosting it.
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 05:00 AM
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I am pretty sure they meant BOAST not BOOST. Forced Induction would not be allowed on a car that doesnt have it from the factory in the Grand-Am series.

Also I might suspect that the 3rd car might be a spare. Two drivers is usually enough for most teams and three seems like a bit much for a start up team.

Good for them, I have seen/met Brian Lock at a redline TA event and I am pretty sure he podium'd that day too with his 370Z. It is cool to see he is able to branch out and do his own somewhat large scale project now. Best of luck to him and hopefully it spawns some nice parts for the 370Z crowd.
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by idrive_MD
I am pretty sure they meant BOAST not BOOST. Forced Induction would not be allowed on a car that doesnt have it from the factory in the Grand-Am series.

Also I might suspect that the 3rd car might be a spare. Two drivers is usually enough for most teams and three seems like a bit much for a start up team.

Good for them, I have seen/met Brian Lock at a redline TA event and I am pretty sure he podium'd that day too with his 370Z. It is cool to see he is able to branch out and do his own somewhat large scale project now. Best of luck to him and hopefully it spawns some nice parts for the 370Z crowd.
They will only ever run 1 car at a time with just 2 drivers. The second and third are probably backups as you indicated.
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 03:28 PM
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are those 3 370z's on the A.M. Performance facebook the 3 cars there talking about?? I thought nismos had different wheels and kit
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by juicenigk
are those 3 370z's on the A.M. Performance facebook the 3 cars there talking about?? I thought nismos had different wheels and kit
They are base model 370Z's . bought from Fontana Nissan. Ethan ran one of them at the final time attack
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 04:05 PM
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Great news that the Zed is getting back into Grand-am!
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 04:16 PM
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Cheers!
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 08:20 PM
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Glad to hear this, good luck!
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Old Jan 13, 2011 | 10:31 AM
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oooh ooh they are right in my backyard! Gotta go there and check this out! I didnt realize I had a Z track tuner so close to me!
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Old Jan 13, 2011 | 11:57 AM
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FTW!

Did you guys buy a dollar car from Nissan?
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 10:14 PM
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I was at Daytona? Where were you? Had to oggle the 300ZTT from 92!!!!!

Looking forward to it, hope to see you guys on track soon...keep me posted, I am at most events!
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Old Jan 31, 2011 | 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Stock2Autocrozz
I was at Daytona? Where were you? Had to oggle the 300ZTT from 92!!!!!

Looking forward to it, hope to see you guys on track soon...keep me posted, I am at most events!
Chad and Ethan were both there, check out the AM performance facebook page for more details on the cars build.
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