| Message |
The body is stiffer, the car is lighter, no S.T.U.P.I.D. HICAS, and plenty of bottom end get up and go. Local SCCA events I have placed very well, 2 1sts and one 3rd (out of 24 people) out of a total 4 races. The last race I was the only in my class(ESP), so I got bumped up to the BSP class, and times there were obviously quicker. I dont know what to think about the statement about the Z being a handful to keep control of at the limit. I find the Z to be one of the most predictable and easily controlled sports cars I have driven. I guess those people making the judgement calls just didn't know the Z that well and were probably expecting it do behave differently that it was. Some times people just dont know a good thing even if it flies right up and kicks em in the ass. LOL : I've been reading some of the old car mag comparisons of the Z32 TT vs a Vette, VR4, Supra TT, RX-7 TT, etc. While almost invariably the authors pick the Z32 over the others as the car they would want to own, they also rate it poorly on the racetrack. : It seems the Z32 is a handful to keep under control at the limit - whereas the others mentioned above are more predictable and just generally behave better at that 90-99% handling limit race drivers are always talking about. I know the Nissan engineers spared no expense and cut no corners when they designed the Z32 suspension and steering, and HICAS is an exanmple of that. I remember reading a quote from one of the designers that they thought that they had achieved "the best in the world" in high speed handling. At 70-80% of the limit that is true. No other car matches the confidence inspiring feel of the Z at speed, and it has remarkably quick and precise turn in and balance. It is very fast through a slalom, for instance. : So what went wrong? While the others mentioned above are within .10 seconds or so of each other in lap times - the Z was over a full second behind the pack. I'm starting to participate in track driving schools in my 240 and possibly time trials. I'm considering a TT, where I'll be competing against (you guessed it) the type of cars mentioned above. : Does anyone know if there is a simple fix (shocks, tires, swaybars, etc.) that will make a big difference? Keep in mind if I do anything more radical I'll bump myself out of stock class into a class where I'll have to spend REAL serious money to be competitive. : Any thoughts? Anybody know anyone who races Z32s? Especialy stock ones? : Thanks, : Alan
My CarPuter Headquarters:
[ ashleypowers.terrashare.com ]
agpowers@bellsouth.net |
 |
17:52:57 08/09/01
