Just drove back into town after a week away at the California Speedway for the JGTC exhibition, which ran this past weekend. To those who are unfamiliar with the Japanese GT Championship cars, they are the most technically advanced production car race series in the world. Some of the drivers are from Europe and they confirmed that even the vaunted DTM (German Touring series) would be cannon fodder against these cars! To make the event more diverse, there were drifting, tuner car, show car and other motorsports competitions all around the sprawling CA Speedway complex.

Sport Z magazine plans to do several articles in the Spring '05 issue, so let me just say that my piece will center around what it's like to drive the 'roval' (infield road course combined with the high-speed oval) and how the production 350Z pales in comparison to its' JGTC counterpart. For the record, the JGTC cars were forced to employ a tire wall chicane just before they entered the banked turns. This was due to concerns by the tire companies that excessive heat and wear from the G-forces would compromise the race tires safety. So, the SpeedVentures group actually ran the high banks in a faster confguration!

Interestingly enough, the group I was placed with was mostly street tired cars with several G35s (some with twin turbos), WRXs, SS Cameros and Vettes. The twin turbo G35s would pull my Z off the chicane at the far end of the circuit, but I would catch and hold them through the banked turns #1 and #2 before closing on them on the back straight. Under braking, it was no contest and my Z was soon leaving them in the dust. The WRXs were a bit tougher, but the change in atmospheric pressure made a huge difference and my "pumped-up" Z caught and passed two of these as well. The SS Cameros would edge away and the C5 Vettes would simply walk me...

Just a quick word about the trip there and back. I took the summer route this time through (I-70 west to I-15 southwest) and barely squeezed through a narrow weather window. The Z averaged 28 MPG at 75-90 MPH and I really tempted fate by stretching my fuel stops on occasion. The Z came through the trip in shining fashion and proved once again to be an unmatched car for performance, durability, economy and comfort.

 

That's awesome Dave. I can't wait for the next update.

 

I can't wait till the next issue of SZM. I just sent my renewal yesterday! I hope you guys make it an especially thick issue with lots of pics and specs of the JGTC Z's.

 

When David's article is submitted, we will have all Spring 2005 articles in hand. Editing is nearly complete and Art begins layout next week (preliminary). Color correction begins shortly thereafter. Soon I'll take over the printing and away we go.

As it looks as of now, the spring issue will still be 64 pages, self cover. 64 pages plus cover (68 pages) will happen in the Summer 2005 issue if NAA has their 35th anniversary stuff ready to run.

BTW, thanks for your renewal. 2005 will be an exciting year for Sport Z; we have A LOT NEW STUFF IN THE WORKS.

The Spring 2005 issue will be in the mail just after Valentines Day.

Dk, I posted elsewhere in my350Z.com about you obeying speed limits. Glad to see you did us proud.

Welcome home David.

Bob

 

The event was unbelievably awesome! I am sure David has great writing and pictures for everyone who could not make it. I have a bazillion pictures, but no scanner. I will try the school's and see how they turn out, and if it works out well I'll post some of them here. The ability to walk the pits was too cool. I met several drivers and practiced my horrible Japanese while deciphering almost as bad English. It was great. They allowed people to take pictures next to the cars and look inside, I checked out and took some cool shots of the engine bays, brakes, suspension bits... everything I could. Race queens were everywhere for picture taking, and I got some of the crews all together for photos. As David said, there was a lot to do. Massive car shows and vendor displays handing out schwag (nothing makes a trip great like leaving with tons of cheap crap), parts for sale, drifting competitions, Karting laps to drive, autocross courses to drive, and wonderful people to talk hours on hours to about cars. The best for me though, was the open pits on Saturday. JGTC racing is the best road racing in the world and the chance to get a taste of the action behind the scenes up close was probably once in a lifetime outside of the biz. Again, I'll see if any good shots come out at school. If the JGTC schedules a race in the states again, it would be worth it to all car buffs of any degree to check it out, or at the very least read David's coverage cover to cover. I can't believe its over and I'm almost home (stopped to see in-laws in NM). David, Becckie and I saw your car in the parking lot but missed you. There were a lot of people from my350z there and it was good to see the Z with such a strong turnout. It seems there was a 350Z every ten feet in the parking lot alone much less the car clubs and shows. Can't wait to get back in mine and see you and everyone else at the track this spring!

 

Sorry I missed Will at the event, but his props are well stated. His excitment at the automotive smorgasborg that we witnessed comes through clearly! It was quite an event and I'll look forward to discussing it with everyone the next time we get together.

I'm also hoping that Will and Becckie made the trip home OK. The weather forcast for both the western and southern routes home were none too promising. If they took the Z we may not see them for awhile. Give us an update if you're able to, Will. Otherwise, we'll have to send out the dog teams to find you!

 

David, you're a classy guy. Thanks for the concern, Becckie and I made it home fine despite Raton pass recieving some nasty weather. We both enjoyed the trip together and are sad to have it over so soon. I hope to chat this trip up with you and everyone else that cares to listen at our next event. Merry Christmas everyone!
Will