Well we are pretty bummed around here. We had the Z HOOKEDUP.COM
Druing the test day on thurday and in practice on Friday we where up top in the GS2 times. I believe in the second practice on Friday we where third at worst.
I was able to get down to a 1:39 and some change on old tires.
Qualiffying was a nightmare.
Michiel ended up be stuck beind a "Firechicken" and could seem to find a clean lap.
We called him in to get some space......only then for two cars to wreck havick and bring out the black flag ending the session.
The race started out ok and Michiel really began to pick up his pace. The lead cars where lapping at around mid 1 :42 to 1 43's.
Michiel quickly was catching up to 4th and 5th place. The 5th place (firechicken) car tried to out brake the 4th car(porsche)
and they hit eachother allowing Michiel to duck under for 4th place.
The Firebird had knocked it steering rack funny and with the 450+ lbs of torque closed in quickly on our Z to the next turn.The Firebird tried to outbrake our Z but lost cotrol when the left front wheel strated flopping and with not left front wheel to steer he couldnt make the right hander.............instead hitting us in the right rear wheel.
It demoslished our wheel (still held air but its toast) and snapped the rightrear axle. (looks like a hackswa was taken to it)
Our 350EVo lower camber amrs and traction arsm where unscathed which is a testiment to their strength!
The crew did a great job repairing the car new axle but it cost us 5 laps in the pits.
Michiel then turned the wheel over to me and I was able to run with Borcheler and the Nonamker Porsche and followed them up throught the field.. For awhile we had the fastest race lap with the rear end ascewed.
The crew def deserves a strong win...........and when we get a little more power ........
Off to Fontana in two weeks..........
here is a picture of the aftermath...............ouch!
It was a very hard hit.

 

BJ,

Sorry to hear about the wreck. I was following it on the Zippo T & S and Michiel seemed to be running one of his best races. Moving up and keeping a good pace. Any word on your T2 effort yet? Have you guys had a chance to do any 350Z hats or shirts etc yet? Good luck at Fontana. I hope to see you run at VIR. Should be a great track for the Z.

 

Thanks for the continuing support.
I have no idea what we are going to do.......I know we have two months off from the grand Am cup. I think we are working on something esle with the 350Z well just have to see what we do!

Fontana should be interesting to say the least.
Yes Michiel was having his best race ever. I think he has turned it up a notch.
The picture really doenst show the damage that well.....
From what we looked at today back in the shop the frame wasnt bent......whew!!!!!!
Next two weeks should be flat out once again...........
the saga continues!!!!!

 

That sux that the car was damaged. I was wondering what happened. Are you headed to Road Atlanta w/ Acemco in June? I am thinking about heading down there. I will definetly see the 350 at VIR.

 

Long story very short..........I am no longer with the ACEMCO team. I ll leave it at that.

 

BJ,

The GA Cup GS II is very competitive and the faster MS gets the better chance you have in bringing the Z home with a win. I had seen the AMECO news and was wondering about your status. Heck just order a couple of NISMO Z motors and build a full fledge ALMS GT car!

 

hmmmmm a 350Z GT car.................hmmmmmmm

 

That would be sweet. It is the only thing the ALMS is missing. It will eventually be cool to see Zs back in IMSA racing. Good luck...

 

I agree. I think it will eventually happen either by the factory or a private effort. Love to see a Z win GT class at Lemans!

 

Sound like you guys are heading in the right direction.

When you guys head up to mont tremblant. If you need some pit-crew people, I would be interested.

I pitcrewed for the HRP motorsports (nonamaker family) team last year.

email me at sobarian@videotron.ca

Good luck and kick some butt.

 

Hey BJZ, when exactly is the Fontana race. I would be interested in checking it out and maybe getting a bunch of us So. Cal. Zs to show up in support.

 

The Grand Am Cup race for Gs1 and Gs2 cars is on Sat. the 7th......practice is on Friday the 6th.

 

Never had a chance to talk about Rolex race in Phoenix...

You guys did great there too! It was amazing to see that with all that competition of higher class cars, Z stayed 13th or 14th most of the second part of the race.

It sucks that speedtv concentrated on first 5 cars, so I saw Z in a frame only 3 or 4 times... Even after finish they managed to show only top 10 places table and then commercial cut in, so I'm not sure what was the final result for Z. TV translation was so unprofessional I couldn't belive it... At least they was kind enought to give us time/places all the time.

 

I made myself a wallpaper out of that shot. See if you'll like it:
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=30188