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This thread documents my seasons of HPDE and Time Attack with various groups around the New England area.
Modifications:
Suspension
Koni yellow sport shocks / hotchkis sport springs
hotchkis sway bars / whiteline adjustable end links
SPL adjustable front control arms / Z1 rear camber arms
Wheels / Brakes
Akebono calipers / carbotech xp10/8 pads F/R
Z1 2-piece rotors
Z1 SS brake lines
Motul RBF660
Enkei SBC RPF01 18x10.5 +15 / 285/35/18 RE71s
Engine / Drivetrain
UpRev tuned @ Z1 motorsports
JWT filter / stillen intake box
Invidia Gemini Catback
Topspeed resonated test pipes
Z1 plenum spacer
JWT lightweight clutch / flywheel combo
CSF radiator
Others:
Kirk Racing weld in 4 point roll bar
Corbeau FX1 pro seat / Buddy Club rails
Schroth 6 point harness / Schroth neck restraint system
Various poly bushings on the suspension
AC system removed
Nismo V2 front bumper / Nismo V2 side skirts
Trackspec hood vents
saikou michi oil catch can
Highlights
Z purchased in 2013 and used as daily street driven car for next 5 years.
In 2017, attended first autocross with the car and it was the first time I was able to push the car to the best of my abilities in a safe environment
In search of finding the limits, attended first HPDE in 2018 and was hooked; the Z was retired of DD duties and was focused on becoming dedicated track car. Wanted to be able to drive to and from track events
2019 season consisted of running 10+ HPDE, modifying the car as I found weak points
2020 season was still running HPDE but attended first Time Trial event with SCCA @ NJMP lightning course; HOOKED
2021 season included more Time Trial events with HPDE
Time Trial Event @ ViR (SCCA) and Palmer motorsports park (Global Time Attack/SCCA)
2021 season start total weight with driver (150 lbs and full tank of gas): 3375 lbs
@dkmura yes that is important to list out!
Currently building the car for SCCA Time Trials (Tuner 3 class). I tend to do those events the most in addition to HPDE. There is another T/A organization here in NE called C.A.R.T (Connecticut Autocross and Rally Team) that run with SCCA classing system. Last season I did an event with Global Time Attack (GTA) and was hoping to enter as Enthusiast Class but ended up being in Limited. GTA will be back next season to the east coast and I will have bits put back together (radio, trim pieces) to get it classed in enthusiast. Main goal is build it out for SCCA Tuner 3 class but run with other organizations next year (GTA and Gridlife mainly).
SCCA TT requires no modifications after the throttle body, which means I have to eliminate my plenum spacer for the next TT event with them.
This past season, some of the major upgrades I did included the kirk roll bar, welded in and painted by a local track buddy!
Did some research between the kirk/autopower roll bar vs a cage. Ended up going the kirk roll bar in terms of cost, but now looking back I could of doubled down and gotten a proper roll cage built. Oh well, the Kirk bar does its job in providing rollover safety and also a place to mount my harnesses. Overall I like this bar, I'm 5''7 (31x30), approx 150 lbs and this bar does sit forward a bit; meaning a taller driver might have issues with seating comfortably.
Also ordered the Z1 2 piece rotors to save some unsprung weight! While waiting on the rotors, I capped the brake lines and ended up rebuilding the caliper seals. They looked fine after 2 seasons of track use however the dust boots were torn/disintegrated.
Had a fellow Z track buddy with 3D printer help me 3D print this. The 2 gauges are oil temp and oil pressure. I installed the Greddy extended baffled oil pan for the DE engine after swapping it out with the Z1 oil pan spacer. For those debating between the extended oil pan vs the spacer...go with the extended oil pan! The Greddy is baffled slightly and there is only 1 mating surface you need to worry about leaking. The spacer you have 2 surfaces to worry about sealing properly. I ended up having leaks with the spacer and swapped it out altogether.
Earlier this year I was able to get a weight measurement! Approx. 3375 lbs with me (~150 lbs) and full tank of gas. Not bad!
-radio/audio system removed
-various panels in the rear removed
-lightweight fixed back seats
-AC system removed
This picture was taken earlier in the year after SCCA TT @ VIR. Love that track! First time there and ended with 2:19.1xx towards the end of the weekend. Super fun track!
Pic taken end of 2020 season with some fellow track Z friends at local HPDE (Thompson Speedway in CT)
Not sure what the placeholders are for, but whatever. To make your list more complete, list the sanctioning body(s), class(s) and finish(s) you've had in 2021. Also, what tracks besides NJMP have you competed at in TT?
nice! Did you have to modify your setup to fit the 285s? I have the akebono calipers as well and want to run the widest setup possible, 285 square would be sick
OP seems to have left this thread, but let's see if we can light a fire to get him back. I can guess where he's run (besides NJMP) those 10+ HPDE or TT at:
-New Hampshire Motorsports Park
-Lime Rock
-Pocono road course
-Summit Point Raceway
-Watkins Glen
nice! Did you have to modify your setup to fit the 285s? I have the akebono calipers as well and want to run the widest setup possible, 285 square would be sick
@Escobar ! Currently wheel/tire spec is 285/35/18 RE71s on 18x10.5 +15 RPF01s with no spacers. I am lowered on hotchkis lowering springs and have approx 3-4 finger gap in the wheel-well area. I run -3.3 deg of camber in the front to help with the understeer and it clears the tires. I do tear the crap out of fender liners multiple times a season depending on the track I am running. The fender itself does not bite into the tires but the fender liners do get torn up.
OP seems to have left this thread, but let's see if we can light a fire to get him back. I can guess where he's run (besides NJMP) those 10+ HPDE or TT at:
-New Hampshire Motorsports Park
-Lime Rock
-Pocono road course
-Summit Point Raceway
-Watkins Glen
Am I right? Come back, Bak3rme!
You got 1/5 correct! I've been at New hampshire motorspeedway for HPDE. Lime Rock and WGi are both close to me however I have not made it out there (yes, both historical tracks also!)
HPDE is currently @ Thompson speedway (CT), Palmer Motorsports Park (MA)
I've been to NJMP (love it there!) and also ViR for Time Trial events.
Dang- I thought VIR might be too far south to attract you, but it is a great track. Surprised you haven't made it to Lime Rock or Watkins Glen yet. I started my Time Trial career with EMRA (Eastern Motor Racing Association) and finished with two SCCA Solo I National Championships (precursor to the TT program). Since then, it's been almost exclusively road racing with SCCA and NASA, but I still remember my time out east fondly.
Dang- I thought VIR might be too far south to attract you, but it is a great track. Surprised you haven't made it to Lime Rock or Watkins Glen yet. I started my Time Trial career with EMRA (Eastern Motor Racing Association) and finished with two SCCA Solo I National Championships (precursor to the TT program). Since then, it's been almost exclusively road racing with SCCA and NASA, but I still remember my time out east fondly.
Whoa, that's pretty cool you were here on the east coast at one point. Where were you exactly when u were here? Palmer opened up within the past decade I believe as well as Thompson Speedway. Both are nice HPDE tracks to get your feet wet into driving. I know of EMRA but have not been able to get out with them yet.
@Escobar ! Currently wheel/tire spec is 285/35/18 RE71s on 18x10.5 +15 RPF01s with no spacers. I am lowered on hotchkis lowering springs and have approx 3-4 finger gap in the wheel-well area. I run -3.3 deg of camber in the front to help with the understeer and it clears the tires. I do tear the crap out of fender liners multiple times a season depending on the track I am running. The fender itself does not bite into the tires but the fender liners do get torn up.
awesome, 285 square is alot of rubber! Im not overly concerned with the fender liners. thanks for the info bro
Whoa, that's pretty cool you were here on the east coast at one point. Where were you exactly when u were here? Palmer opened up within the past decade I believe as well as Thompson Speedway. Both are nice HPDE tracks to get your feet wet into driving. I know of EMRA but have not been able to get out with them yet.
I worked in Washington, DC and lived in Fairfax Co back in the mid-80's. I can't claim it was my introduction to motorsports, though. I started with autocross over a decade earlier, but had no money to go any further until later in life. One story: I drove to Lime Rock in the fall of '85 and found the EMRA paddock full of Ferraris as the Ferrari club was looking for cheap track time. After practice, the skies opened up and all those tractor trailers filled up and filed out of the track! I did well in the wet, and found I enjoyed learning to drive in it.
im sure driving in the wet is definitely a interesting experience. I have yet to try it, i spun on my out lap with cold tires and that was embarrassing enough!
seasons coming up! first even will be with SCDA here in NE region @ lime rock park for a car control clinic.
Price of tires has gone up significantly in which I decided to go with the Kumho Ecsta V730 in square set up (275/35/18). The RE71Rs will be saved for TA events.
I liked the Kumho V700s in years past. Cheap, decent traction and good breakaway characteristics. Kumho once had a decent contingency program for SCCA racing. I sure wish SCCA allowed us to use the 275-35-18s in Touring 3, but moving to that size would move my Z33 one class up.
Some photos from the Lime Rock Car Control Clinic. Unfortunately temps were a bit too cold overnight for the sprinkler system to be turned on in time for morning wet skidpad. We ended up doing 2 separate autocross courses then combined both in the afternoon. Really nice autox course that allows for learning how to initiate oversteer and control the process. Had fun leaving traction off (trying to be more confident when the car breaks loose!)
Pictures are from: Super Ride Media
Website: www.superridemedia.com
Photographer is: Steven Klucik
seasons coming up! first even will be with SCDA here in NE region @ lime rock park for a car control clinic.
Price of tires has gone up significantly in which I decided to go with the Kumho Ecsta V730 in square set up (275/35/18). The RE71Rs will be saved for TA events.
Let us know what you think of the V730s. I’m on 660s for the second season now, but I’m always looking for a backup set of something.
Track Build - Bak3rme
