CAR & DRIVER 350Z KONI RACE at DAYTONA.

[PerfectApex]

Just got back from the 24 hour Rolex Grand Am and Koni race at Daytona. The white with blue Car & Driver 350Z you often see in ads did well in the Koni race on Friday. It was 2 hours and 45 minutes long. Not a win but they did well. I spoke with two of the drivers after the race while drueling over the much battered car. They informed me it weighs only 2700 lbs. and puts out about 350 hp. but with 400 ft. lbs. of torque!!!!! This is actually a street car (not a tube frame race car) and converted to Koni race specs. The interior is completely stripped out and a roll cage and fire suppression system is added, etc. I noticed the NISMO wing and asked why they did not have a real down force wing installed and they reminded me you have to have a true street appearance in this series! This car hauled *** and was very impressive.

[GrandAm350Z]

Hey PerfectApex,

Thanks for the compliments! We take a lot of pride in this car, and we've put lots of hours into it.

Please let me know which crew guy gave you those stats on the car because they were WAY off! We're a bit overweight at 2970, dry, and the car's only at 330 hp. We've got a way to go on getting up the the BMW and Porsche's (not to mention the Mustangs!). We had a great time at Daytona and we'll be faster at Lime Rock. We only had a half day test session prior to this, and we've now got 3 months before our next race, so pleanty of time to get the car faster.

We're working with the NICO Club and will have some video of the qualifying lap to put up soon. Stop by and say hi next time. We always love to show the car off the fellow enthusiasts!

-Rich

[rn79870]

GrandAm350Z congrats and best of luck with the season.

You corrected some of the values stated for weight and HP, but not the torque. Does the engine put out 400 lb/ft of torque, (if so) what did you do to get that?

[PerfectApex]

Hey Richard, thanks for the reply. Right after the race I spoke with two of your drivers but did not get their names. One was tall and thin, late twenties, and the other was an oriental guy. Both were very nice to talk too but I guess their platform stats were off a tad. I was hopeing to get a ride this year for the 24 hour but no luck. This year I was there to give support to TRG (the racers group) as a couple of Viper drivers I know bought in to run some Porsches. Best of luck for the remainder of the year and maybe I will run into you (badly worded) next year at Daytona. Mark.

[GrandAm350Z]

GrandAm350Z congrats and best of luck with the season.

You corrected some of the values stated for weight and HP, but not the torque. Does the engine put out 400 lb/ft of torque, (if so) what did you do to get that?

We're closer to 300 ft lbs, but it's a pretty flat curve. The ECU we're using, the Bosch MS 4.3 wasn't talking to the cam controlers at the right frequency, so we've got to go back and fix that. Once we do, we should see some more power out of the motor. We're running a stock motor with Nismo cams and header. That's it.

-Rich

[rn79870]

There is 90,000 of us here pulling for you guys. Best of luck.

[AZhitman]

Mark -

I know of a couple GT cars sitting in a garage waiting for a driver and some support... Check out http://www.G35GT.com to see them.

[PerfectApex]

Thanks tons Greg for posting this info. I somehow already had it in my files after the 24 hour. I am looking at several venues and possibilities for next year. Certainly appreciate this.