Posted May 17, 200024 yr comment_640 Sunday, Phoenix International Raceway - the third of a three day NASAAdvanced Performance Driving School (called that for insurance reasons).I'm in a four car pack consisting of a RT/10 Viper on Hoosiers (firstin the pack), a Baby Grand (Yamaha powered 1,200 lb mini-stock car on racingslicks), a E30 M3 (chipped and on Kumhos), and me in a Solo2 BSP 1970 240Z.At the start of the session I spent a couple laps getting past the BMW and three more getting past the Baby Grand. Both are really quick in theinfield. I was able to stay with them in turns 2 thru 9 and then power pastthem on the oval. But the Viper is a different story.I was able to go deeper into turns 1 and 2 than the Viper and I could reallypush him hard through the rest of the infield. He could out accelerate meso I had to get my speed coming out of the corners and out brake him at theend of the oval and the short straight between 7 and 9. So that was mystrategy for 6 laps. I never could quite get by him but I got my noseinside of him in a number of turns. I was definitely worrying him and hedid almost spin coming out of 3. That was my chance but I hesitated 'cuz Ididn't know where he would end up. He caught it and continued on.I got pinched behind a Pro7 Rx7 and the Baby Grand got by me. The Viperpulled out a couple car lengths. Onto the oval I passed the Baby Grand. Atthe end of the front straight I was about 110 - 115 mph.(BTW1... The entry to Turn 1 is tricky because you are coming down off thebanking into the infield part of the road course. There's a pavementtransition that unsettles the car so you have to go through there straightand on the throttle. After that transition you brake hard, downshift, andset up for Turn 2, which is a decreasing radius.)So... I brake checked at the end of the front straight and went through Turn1 at about 105 - 110. Squeezed on the brakes hard after the car settledand... Uh Oh! (you Z racers know the feeling)(BTW2... my car is setup for autocross so I'm not allowed, per the StreetPrepared rules, to run brake cooling ducts. I do bleed and adjust the brakesafter each session but they only last so long when the outside temp is 104degrees and you're chasing a 400hp Viper.)The car is pushing out (my tires were pretty hot at this point too) and Idownshifted and braked with all I had. I was able to turn in a bit for Turn2 but I was way wide and the back end was starting to come around. I easedup on the brakes and added some throttle to settle the car but by then I wasin the marbles. The car slid off the track and went through about 20' ofdirt before bumping, completely sideways, into the tire wall at about 10mph.Go into the accident routine: Shut the car off, look around inside and outfor smoke/fire. Nothing. Give the corner worker a thumbs up. Start thecar and check the gauges. Everything's OK. Point at the corner worker andhe signals when its safe to go. Pull out and head back into the paddock.Well... the car is covered in dirt and every body panel on the right side isdented and scraped. It was a really nice, straight, and clean 1970 240Z.But, no real structural damage: door opens and closes fine, hood, door, andhatch gaps are the same, crossmembers are square, check camber and toe andthey are OK, not a mark on the wheels or the bumpers, and the side markerlights are intact. I got off lucky. Maybe $1,000 worth of body and paintrepair.So, I clean the car up, bleed and adjust the brakes, and run the nextsession without a problem. I did stay away from the Viper though...----------------------------John Coffeyjohncof@veriomail.com Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/308-pir-a-viper-and-the-turn-2-tire-wall/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 17, 200024 yr comment_641 Nice story (very well put together)!Too bad about the car. I'm sure you'll come up with something to make her look great again.I'm happy to see that the Z was able to keep up with the Viper. Now, that's a hell of a story.------------------Mike Gholson1971 240z, Mikuni Carbs, Tokico 5-way Adjustable Struts, Ferarri Yellow, Stock Engine, 15x9 wheels w/50 series Falken tires, Currently being restored. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/308-pir-a-viper-and-the-turn-2-tire-wall/#findComment-641 Share on other sites More sharing options...
May 17, 200024 yr comment_642 John: I enjoyed your story, but too bad about the Z. It must take BALLS to put a 70Z "on the line" in a track situation. Glad you and it came out more or less OK. I would love to have seen you climbing all over the rear of the Viper! OLD SCHOOL!------------------Carl Stahlnecker72 240Z HLS30-55703 MFG 11/71All original except Bambi's Fender, Bumper, & Hood Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/308-pir-a-viper-and-the-turn-2-tire-wall/#findComment-642 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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