SCCA Solo Nationals F Prepared Z has Still Got It!

[jmortensen]

The Production class in road racing is not even close to stock, ITS is a lot closer, and even it isn't very stock. The stock class in autox is pretty damn close to bone stock. Comparing E Production to ES is pretty useless. Download the rulebook and read it and you'll see what I mean.

[TomoHawk]

I was referring to SCCA Solo II AutoX, where a stock Z could probably meet the basic requirements for both stock or Prepared class, depending on how you outfit the car. If you go t othe limit the rules allow, then there is lot of difference.

[jmortensen]

I'm a bit confused. What is your point? Is it that you can register for a class where you can get your arse handed to you? I was running my Z in FP and I had a full interior and wasn't built anywhere near the limit of the rules. I did it basically because I had a hook up for the slicks and slicks aren't allowed in Street Prepared, but I wasn't competitive at all when a "real" FP car showed up. So yes, it is true that they won't prevent you from running an underprepared car in a given class.

You originally called FP a "production" class. FP is a Prepared class, Production is a road racing class. The stock class in autox is nothing like either the Prepared or Production classes for racing. That is MY point.

[JTZ23]

Tom, that was a painful reminder of where the checking account went to, but pretty darn accurate. Still a hell of a lot cheaper than a GT3 but then again we don't have air conditioning.

I hope all is well out in Texas, I sent you and Richard a link to a couple of Z's that are in the UK. Great videos.

Looks like Richard is going XP with a 350Z motor. Sounded like he was going to need some major mods to get it in.

JT

[zguitar71]

I was running my Z in FP and I had a full interior and wasn't built anywhere near the limit of the rules. I did it basically because I had a hook up for the slicks and slicks aren't allowed in Street Prepared, but I wasn't competitive at all when a "real" FP car showed up.

That is where I was with my Z for 2 years. This last year I raced a 240 in EM (stroker 3.1) but I am finally getting a real FP car together. I have it stripped and all the good pieces to put in it (suspension, motor, ect..), just gotta get the cage welded in. My racing buddy and I cannot decide between XP or FP, we could take the stroker out and put it in the car we are building and run XP but we could never get the weight down to the minimum for that class (17 or 1800 with a 3.1 I think), but then we could rice it up with a gigantic wing!

I am buying a `73 F250 and a trailer for the haulin' of the race car. It has been a long time coming but there is always the chance this next season will be status quo, race cars do require $ and unfortunately Montana's climate does not support the growth of money trees.

[tholt29]

Hey John! Good to see you lurking around here! The financial shock hit you harder because you completely rebuilt you car over a couple of years. I've been draggin mine out for over a decade! It's a lot easier on the wallet that way!

I'll have to drop Richard a note and see how it's going. Sounds like a fun project, although I hate to see him move out of FP.

Tom

[JTZ23]

Yep, just got back on the site after way to long. I don't think you got the videos I sent, they were probably to large. Don't know if you have seen these before but check out the youtube link http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=janspeed&search=Search

If it does not work, go to youtube.com and type in Janspeed in the search. The Z on there is pretty awesome. Has to be the quickest Z I have ever seen.

So what do you know about slide plate intakes?

JT

[jmark]

Tom, that was a painful reminder of where the checking account went to, but pretty darn accurate. Still a hell of a lot cheaper than a GT3 but then again we don't have air conditioning.

I hope all is well out in Texas, I sent you and Richard a link to a couple of Z's that are in the UK. Great videos.

Looks like Richard is going XP with a 350Z motor. Sounded like he was going to need some major mods to get it in.

JT

Congrats on the win this year!

[JTZ23]

Thanks Mark, The Z's made a good showing this year but if they keep that GT3 in the class then we are going to have to step it up a notch.

I think we have to focus on suspension as the surface is Topeka is not a friend to HP.

JT

[fp280z]

I think we have to focus on suspension as the surface is Topeka is not a friend to HP.

JT

I fully agree with this one and while everyone was complaining in Topeka this year I was more than happy to realize that I could go another year without having to build a real motor. I was in a borrowed car this year in A Stock but I'm looking forward to showing up next year in FP again. Hopefully, we can fill all of the FP trophy spots with old Z cars!

Back to the original cost question, I'm right around $10k with my build-up over the last 5 years. I've got most of everything on Tom's list except the race motor and pricey shocks and the car has shown to be competitive with his car with the right co-driver (someone faster than me). Again, much cheaper and arguably more fun than a new flavor of the month car!

Details:

http://www.typeischeap.com

-Rick

[jmark]

Nice car Rick. I can't get over a 35 year old car still kicking butt! I love watching the EP & ITS 240Z's run competitively in the SCCA.

[cking769]

I am amazed to see how active this board is! The Zs really seem like great machines and anytime that something that costs less than $50k to prepare can beat a GT3, that's real bang/buck performance!

Thanks for all the info everyone. I am looking to build a Z car to replace my subaru. Hope to be able to get into something that will let me race cheaply and reliably at a high performance level.

Steve