ggarrard

Mark - Of course EP...I'm getting the solo classes and Road racing classes mixed up....(another white hair lapse) Greg's up in the next hour ... I'll keep checking Thanks for straightening me out GWGarrard

Mark - The live timing link has me confused.... Did Greg not make the most recent FP session?? He's not listed with a time. Thanks GWGarrard

Darrel is correct - The 2001 national convention was hosted by the Thousand Island Zed Car Club (TIZCC) in Kingston, Ontario, Canada... www.tizcc.ca GWGarrard Pres- TIZCC

Julio, Ttiger and Steve....Much as I like to dream - I do know the rules of life, and although I'll never admit it, my wife will likely get "her" garage space back... at least for the winter months. My garage isn't insulated, so the likelhood of me doing any work is pretty slim...(see I've justified it already!!) GWGarrard

My wife's point is the project (the '76) seems to be occupying "her" space... I thought it was ALL mine?? :nervous: Right now the Odyssey, Altima and Protege 5 share the driveway.... I do need to reduce the non-Z fleet...maybe... GWGarrard

Currently in the garage is the '76 280Z (on jack stands), and the '83 280ZXT 2+2. The 72 resides at the family farm. My wife is beginning to make comments about wanting "her" garage space back for the winter although I try to point out that I'm the one who gets to go out and start the DD every morning... (haven't won that one yet...) GWGarrard Ottawa, ON

Tom - The Thousand Island Zed Car Club hosts an annual lapping day where we follow the basic principle of 3 classes (novice, intermediate, and fast) based on driver abilities and car capabilities. As Darrel notes, no passing is allowed except on the straights (front and back), and only after a point-by. Passing is to be completed before the final braking point to enter the corner (i.e. no last minute dives into the corner under braking). Drivers are to respect the flags, and report to the pits if they put more than 2 wheels into the dirt (we just check to make sure they don't have dirt lodged in the tire bead etc...) Darrel's final point about driving sensibly is important. No restrictions regarding tires - if you want to run R compound in the novice class that's your problem.. you still have to follow the rules... We set the rules for the day as the club is hosting the event...not the track. Good luck.. GWGarrard President TIZCC

Mark - the conventions traditionally alternate east/west but I haven't heard as yet who will be hosting the 2009 event. Late September/early October is a bad time of year for me as it is prime-time for work-related meetings. Tomohawk: There are a few TIZCC members planning to attend....One specifically wants to play at Mid-Ohio and the autocross (think 450Z)... the others will be in the show... Best of luck from the Thousand Island Zed Car Club - host of the 2001 Convention in Kingston, Ontario... GWGarrard prez TIZCC

Paul - Well done...and congratulations... I'm jealous. A fellow in our village has one, along with a 240Z, a couple of 510s and a Triumph GT6 race car. I stop by his place monthly to get my fill of diversity...:-) GWGarrard Osgoode ON

Rick - someone invested in a very nice pair of custom leather seats for that particular 240Z... Not stock, or factory option...but very well done. GWGarrard

The poker-run for the '01 Kingston convention was set up to allow participants to get out and see some of the local scenery, so it daudled (?) along good secondary roads. The mid-point was the village of Merrickville which is known for it's artisan community. No high speed or rally type sections. Part of the Poker Run material included a map of Eastern Ontario, just in case someone got lost. As you said "relax and enjoy the ride" is the intent. GWGarrard

Check you tire pressures too... often overlooked, but if the left front tire's pressure is lower that the right, it will pull to that side. Sometimes a couple pounds pressure is all it takes. GWGarrard

Rick - I hear you...and so does my son... GWGarrard

Carl - Found the following after some digging... http://video.cardomain.com/Clip.aspx?key=CED0AF42DA20BD82 http://video.cardomain.com/Clip.aspx?key=E082D677011B0735 GWGarrard

I distinctly remember my Dad handing me the car keys for the first time and telling me "If you put a scratch on my car I tear up your license"... I never marked his cars - (the first couple I owned were a different story..) My son has a while to go before he drives on the road (he's 11) - but he is already talking about his first car/truck (he wants a big 4x4!!)... The "fear of Dad" is always a good incentive.... GWGarrard

I suggest that the left caliper MIGHT be dragging ever so slightly...not enough to feel under normal conditions but aggravated under heavy braking. The over-heated (blued) rotor is an indication of drag...check and clean the caliper slides and ensure the piston moves freely. Easy way to compare is to raise both front wheels - which wheel spins easier by hand?? GWGarrard

Paul - Take your digital camera and offer to post the cars on "an internationally recognised z web site" (read here) on their behalf... GWGarrard

Andy - When I put my Zs and ZX away for winter storage, I make sure the tank is full & put in some gas treatment like stabil, make sure the tires are properly inflated, disconnect the battery, put the car cover on, and walk away for 6 months. My cars are stored in a metal barn with a concrete floor (amongst a dozen other cars, and probably 2 dozen boats). I have a friend who swears by starting his car monthly over the winter...He's replaced his exhaust system twice...so unless you are willing to run it 'til everything is properly warmed up, it might be better to just leave it. GWGarrard 72 240Z, 77 280z, 83 280ZXT 2+2

Hoping that I can get mine out of storage this weekend. The weather forecast is promising (sunny and 18 deg C), but first I have to switch the snows off the daily driver(s) and clean the garage... Spring is here!!! Three cheers... GWGarrard

I have to agree with Ttiger that the 280ZXT is a more "refined" car in the sense that the luxury items make it more liveable in traffic and on the highway. My first impression of the ZXT was driving the one I bought home 2 hours on the highway. Setting the cruise button, and turning on the A/C was/is definitely nice. My '77 is now reserved for play, and the ZXT is the "family Zed" (83 ZXT 2+2) GWGarrard

Jared - You are not alone....many of us only have pictures of our Zeds to remind us of the good days ahead... Sit back, crank the volume (to drown out the whine of the snow tires on your DD) and think of warm temperatures, sunshine, and cruising....It's closer than you think. (At least that's what I tell myself...) GWGarrard Osgoode, ON

Replacing the 2.4 litre with a 2.8 in a 240Z is often just to gain the increased low-end torque the 2.8 offers. Switching from carbs to FI is a bonus that some think is worth the effort. Unless the 240Z has the original matching number engine it is difficult at first glance to tell the engines have been swapped unless it's a botch job. Some even consider removing the FI for carbs in a 280Z for "improved response", but again it is a personal choice. Because it's a straight swap between 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8 L8 engines, it should not be an issue when deciding to buy...unless you are seeking originality. GWGarrard

I can confirm that Charlie of ZeddFinding is on vacation...and probably at the 19th hole of whatever golf course at about this time of day. There is another fellow just outside of Montreal who sells used z parts http://www.smokin-geez.com/ I have no idea if he might have a hatch valence panel, and I have not purchased anything from him to date. GWGarrard

Zak - that's why straws were invented... And yes - if and when I get to cut the grass, I'll think of this thread. It usually takes me 90 minutes with a lawn tractor. And I'm not complaining... GGarrard

Arne - Given the choice - I prefer snow blowing to lawn mowing... there's less area that has to be cleaned, the -15C temperatures tend to clean your sinuses more quickly and the beer stays colder:classic: Zak - replied to your pm GWGarrard