Hi

[tmak26b]

Hi, newbie here. I am looking to join you guys on a limited basis next year, just want to see how things run here.

I drive a bone stock 04 350Z. I have done time trials at Pocono, LRP, NHIS and driving schools at VIR and Sebring. Total of about 30 track events, 18 in the Z. I enjoy time trials much more than HPDE, I hope to squeeze a few in with you guys when I have a chance. Lime Rock is my home track, I have over 1000 miles on it. My friend Luis in the C55 joined you guys in November, I didn't have a chance to go as I had to prepare for VIR on the day after. My goal is to have fun with you guys and get a few wins

So hello in advance!

[Abdi]

HI!

I'm a new guy to COM and track driving in general. With that said. Welcome to COM. It's been a really positive experience for me so far.

Abdias

[Shawn624]

You'll be with me and a few others in SSGT including another 350Z. I've been around COM for a couple of years, but haven't made many events. It's alot of fun every time. We'll see you out there.

[tmak26b]

How does the class work with you guys? In my club, we just switched to the autox classes to make it more simple. What should I expect to run with the pack leader?

[chaos4NH]

Check out the "Track Records" and some of the time trial results. You will see that a bone stock 350Z owns most of the records for its class and the driver (albeit he is damned good!!) was the overall club champion.

[mossaidis]

Welcome abroad guys.

How does the class work with you guys?

COM members correct me if I am wrong here. Four general car classes to consider:
Showroom stock
- minor bolt ons only (shocks, tires, pads, exhaust and I think air filter)
- almost like Auto-X SS class but no allowance for front swaybar changes
Street Touring
- most bolt ons and no internal engine mods/changes
- almost exactly like Auto-X ST classes with some added allowances from Auto-X SP class like larger radiator, brake ducts, r-compound tires, etc.
Street Prepared
- street legal and with many mods possible
- requires roll cage
- similiar to Auto-X SP and SM classes
Prepared
- free for all)
- requires roll cage
- almost like DP, EP, DM and EM Auto-X classes

In my club, we just switched to the autox classes to make it more simple.

I propsed the same idea when I first started with COM last year. I now understand why the classes are the way the are. I think the short of it is that having too many classes for track events does not make it very competitive, i.e. there would be two or three cars per class. Certainly would be the case if COM had all the inidividual classes the same as AutoX, AS, BS, etc. COM has 5 sub-classes each in SS and ST and then 3 each for SP and P. So, AutoX classes "generally" do map over to time trial class but there is big difference between auto-X and track performance in the same car. They are almost two different sports, plus they're increased safety considerations to make when you are driving a SM car at the Auto-X at 60 mph VS driving SM car on the track at 150 mph.

[tmak26b]

I have to agree with you that the extra classes make it very difficult to get a good class group going. It's almost pointless sometimes to be racing a stock car as no one has them.

From what it looks like, I guess I will be in SSGT? If I get to run with him, I will make sure to give him a good run for the money

[mossaidis]

Good luck...

SSGT:
• Audi V8 normally aspirated, S6, S4
• BMW E36 M3, E28, E34 M5; E39 540; M Coupe/Roadster S52
• Chevrolet Camaro SS Ram Air, 1LE, SLP, Corvette C4 1985-91 except ZR1
• Dodge Stealth Turbo,
• Ferrari 328
• Ford Mustang V8 NOC, 1993 Cobra R, F150 Lightning
• Lotus Esprit 4-cyl Turbo, Elise S2, Exige
• Lexus GS400
• Maserati, all models
• Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4 Turbo, Lancer Evolution
• Nissan 300ZX V6 Twin Turbo, 350Z
• Mazda RX7 Twin Turbo
• Pontiac Firebird Formula, Solstice Turbo
• Porsche 911 3.2L, 944 Turbo, Turbo S, Boxster S, 928 5.0L, Cayman S
• Saturn Sky Turbo
• Subaru WRX STi

[tmak26b]

That's going to be interesting, I wonder how the 350z race against the EVO and STI. It's hard to find two equal driver to compare, also are all EVO and STI modded? I think it is the law to mod it. The two EVOs I saw did 59 sec at LRP, but they were far from stock.

[mossaidis]

there is a similar discussion going on about STi, Evo and 350Z on the rules classification thread.

viewtopic.php?t=743&start=135

Here's a link to recent article about under $30K cars that did well in stock config, the 350Z did just fine:

Ok, all you STi haters, this new classification proposal for SSGT has by far very competative, if not, down right faster cars than the STi...

Hmmm...good point. For example, the 350Z did pretty well at Road & Track's Lightening Lap. And the Cayman S kicked serious butt!

350Z 3:12.5 at VIR
Evo MR 3.13.5 at VIR
no mention of the STi... I think.

[tmak26b]

Having driven and seen all three cars on the track, I think the result will be a toss up between the cars. The Z does have a stronger top end than the other two cars (taller gears), but the EVO and STI can run away from the Z through the tight sections. I havent been lucky enough to race with a fast stock EVO or STI, so let see what kind of times they can pull next year.

I did VIR last month, I can see why the Z is faster. The straights are crazy!