Guys,

I just spent the last three days at PMP in my 07' Touring. The only thing I've changed so far is the tires, ran Potenza RE-01R's (and LOVED them).

My lap times were in the low 1:50's, with my best being a 1:52. I was there with the BMW club so I didn't have any other Z's to compare my times to so I came looking here to see what others have turned. So anyone else care to share?

After 15 sessions in 3 days I totally and completely cooked my brakes. Went through 2 sets of front and rear pads and probably will have to replace the rotors. I see a big brake kit in my future... Hell even with my stock brakes I was eating M3's for lunch (which I have to say was a blast given I had just about the only non-German car on the track that day!)

-Ross

 

My best time at PMP this year in a Z is a 1:46.6. Glad you had a good time with yours and now that you know the course, consider coming out to the July NASA event at PMP. Rather than spending good money after bad to fix your OEM brakes, just use it on a BBK. Lots of Z pilots on this forum have and can attest that it's a good investment!

 

1:46.6 is pretty damn fast there man, well done. What mods have you made (you've got the Brembo's don't you?). I'm totally doing a BBK just as soon as I can afford it.

Where can I get some details on the NASA event, I'd love to get out again. That is after I get my brakes situated...

-Ross

 

His mods are that he is a damn fast driver. Seriously, David is a very good driver, and it shows. The rest of us mere mortals runs in the low 1:50's. This includes me, with my twin turbo G35 (which also weighs 3950 lbs!!!). My best is 152.50 or so. Joel (jgray) has broken into the 1:40's, I think, and he is also quite fast, in his base model 2003, and gary (GaryM05), who has since succumbed to 944 Spec racing, has also broken into the 1:40's, I think. I'll let them tell their own stories, though.

1:52 is good time, by the way.

 

My best time was 1:48.6 posted last March. I'm averaging 1:52s but the March event was cooler and I think that helped me with some added HP (and I prefer the cooler track surface - I think it somehow supports my driving style). If you're doing 1:52 with the new surfacing at T10 and stock brakes then I'd say you're doing quite well. Get involved with some of the NASA events to satisfy your 'itch'. http://www.nasarockymountain.com/

Joel

 

My best was roughly a 1:50 flat. I average roughly what everyone else runs which is a 1:52 or so.

 

My best time there is a mid-1:49, though that doesn’t happen very often. I’m usually in the 1:52’s, though a lot depends on track and air conditions.

Like others have said (or at least implied), dkmura’s biggest ‘mod’ is his 25+ years of experience as an SCCA National racer, with multiple divisional titles to his credit. Comparing times with him can be somewhat futile, but fortunately he’s happy to share his secrets with anyone. However, actually duplicating what he can do with that knowledge is another matter, entirely!

You should definitely come out to a NASA event sometime. We have a good group of Z (and non-Z) folks that show up to those events, and you’re practically guaranteed to have a great time. And yes, a good BBK will more than pay for itself if you find yourself going to the track more than once or twice a year, and it will make those events much more enjoyable. My Stoptech 13” kit is by far the best mod I’ve done to my Z, though there are lots of other good brake options out there.

 

On my very first time I ran 1:10. Here's the secret, at any turn, go into the grass and don't stop, keeping shooting for that finish line even when spectators are diving behind barriers. I saw it on Speed Channel during the BAJA challenge. I took my lesson to PMP and so far I'm the record holder. Sweeeet...

 

As a bit of random trivia, the lowest recorded lap-time at Pueblo is about 2 seconds, which happened when a racecar crossed over the timing loop in mid-spin, over-corrected while trying to save the spin, and spun back over it again. Obviously, the Timing and Scoring personnel corrected the error in the results, but it was recorded by the timing system as a sub-2-second lap! Beat that, Muramoto!!!

 

Heh!!!

 

Oh great Gary, give Muramoto some wild-eyed ideas about doing donuts on the front straight. Nice one.

 

Ummmm...donuts....

 

if you guys EVER see a 350Roadster at a NASA event, please let me know. Right now, the colorado rules guys won't let me run because of the "roll cage" issues. But, if you see one sneak through, that may be my window in (or that guy's window out...).

 

I guess there is still room for him to beat 2 sec.

 

So Ross... Are you gonna buck up and have some fun in Pueblo next month or what?! I need another car to compete with in my time trials class - are you up for it? I'll even relinquish all my current points so we can start accumulating them at the same time! Let me know if you're interested and I can help expedite your move up through the NASA ranks (assuming our assessment of your experience and knowledge is on target).

Joel

edit: Actually - to be realistic about TT - there's probably time for you to get your TT license within the next two events which would have you ready for the start of next season. Let's get you up to speed now so we can start talking smack about next year! Any other takers?!

 

Yeah – you should definitely come out and play, Ross. We need more Z pilots at these events!

Joel – depending on the status of fixing the motor in the race car, I might be running my Z in TT. So, hopefully a little more competition (i.e. people for you to stomp) in TTC will make it a more enjoyable weekend for all.

 

YESSSSS! I mean, I hope you can fix your 944, but if not... It would be great to see you in TT!

 

Guys I'm totally in for the NASA event on the 12th, will be coming down with a few other friends (a couple of Audis, a S4 and a new R8). I will definitely find you guys and say hi!

As its our first NASA event we're driving in HPDE #3 for this one but I definitely want to get into the TT stuff. Yesterday I ordered a Wilwood 6 piston Stage II BBK and a HKS exhaust with high flow cats. Also ordered the drop in air filters for my HR motor and may look at getting some new rims and suspension before July.

Either way I'll be there with bells on and will look forward to the day we're all starting fresh - am curious how well I'll be able to hang with you guys (and what I can learn too!)

See you guys soon. Oh and if anyone is ever heading down for a Friday open track day let me know I'd probably join ya!

-Ross

 

Crap! He's starting the spending war already!

Keep an eye on the NASA classification for you car. The Z is based in the TTC category , but your mods might bump you into the next class. Just a precaution.

I'm scheduled for the next event in Pueblo as well as Hastings in August. I've heard rumors that they may add an event in Pueblo (in October) if High Plains Raceway doesn't get completed in time. Keep an eye on the NASA forums about that.

Looking forward to meeting you Ross and I'll let you know about Friday Test & Tune. If work is slow then I just might go down early for that.

Joel

 

Awesome – it’ll be great to see you out there!

What sort of suspension upgrades are you looking to make? I ask because I’ll soon be parting out my Z’s suspension and putting it all back to stock. The 350Evo sway bars have already gone to dkmura’s T2 race car, but I’ll be pulling off the Koni Yellows, Eibach springs, and SPL control arms later this summer, and will also be selling my previous suspension setup (Nismo S-tune springs and shocks).

Not trying to push these or anything - just mentioning that, depending on what suspension setup you’re looking to do, we might be able to work something out (or not). No pressure intended, and you won’t hurt my feelings if you tell me you’re going in a different direction, or don’t want to buy used stuff.

And like Joel, I might head down for the Friday open day before the event, depending on what sort of testing I find myself needing to do. Also, it’s a good point he made to look at NASA’s mod points for TT, just to have an idea of where you might land with your planned upgrades. It won’t matter if you’re not modding your car specifically for TT, but a lot of guys put a ton of mods on their car and then come out to run TT and are disappointed to find that they’ve modded their car into a class where they can’t be competitive. Which totally doesn’t matter if you’re just doing it for fun (which most of us are), but a few people take it extremely seriously (and personally) if their car can’t run in a class where it can be competitive.