ragtop

Summary: rolling start, 35-90, Z won by 2 car lengths

Well, I finally got a chance to race someone last night while I was driving around. I was a little behind a turbo Z last night when he suddenly slowed down and was right beside me.

I was going about 40 at the time, 3rd gear, do I downshifed in preparation for any wrongdoing that might happen. We exchanged glances (and revs) and the race was on.

We had slowed a little, so the race started at about 35mph, so I was a few revs below 6K in 2nd and he got a QUICK jump on me -- 2 car lengths before I even knew what happened. After about 7500 RPM, I started to inch up on him, but then soon had to shift. We raced to 90MPH and shut down. I never caught him, but after his initial push he never really gained on me. Oh well, that's what I get for dropping below 6K before a race...

I put my top down at the next light as a consolation prize to myself, even though it was like 45 deg. out.

he: '91 300zx TT (targa top), no passenger
me: s2000 (2600 miles) no passenger

Wesmaster

I've gotten in the habit of knowing my speed, and optimal gear at all times. Especially when you scope out another car. Good run, there's nothing "wrong" with losing. I still have fun racing even when I lose.

Taijirock

ragtop,

Also, you have to remember.
You and I live in a high altitude region.
This affects N/A cars more dramatically than it does on the turbo's due to lack of oxygen in the air.

Drive your S2K down to sea level, and you'll see what I mean.

dean29

Thats a tough speed to start a race at. I would prefer from a roll in first or maybe going around 55 - 65 where you can throw it down into 2nd.

Sounds like it would have been even if you would have been in VTEC territory.

Don't be discouraged! Good try!

Dean

ragtop

Hmmm,

I've been reading some other posts about 300Z-TT versus the S2K, and it seems that most think they are about even (manual vs. manual). Given that I live at 5000 ft, I would have suspected he would have pulled on me pretty good. Maybe he had an auto.

Well, I know another guy with an old Z-TT, maybe I'll talk him into doing a quick race on the highway.

BTW, Saw a Porsche 968 on the highway just a few minutes ago, but he didn't want to play (must have been his g/f in the passenger seat). I wonder if I could have taken him? Anybody have an idea of the 968 performance?

xtc@9k

Hey Ragtop, you should of put in 1st and i think you would have had the 2 car advantage. You have to use your strong points and that's your revs so if you want to beat 300hp cars you have to do what it takes, and put back into 1st at 35mph.

dean29

It is 3.0L 236hp 4 banger. It weighs around 3300 pounds. You should be able to take a 968 easily especially since they are old.

Dean

xtc@9k

Yeah, the 968 should be no problem, just don't mess around in the wrong gear!!!

smccurry

Doesn't 300zx TT usually refer to the "twin turbo" and not "targa top"?
The convertible Z didn't come in twin turbo, did it? I guess he could always chop the top anyway...
If you only stayed even with a N/A convertible Z, that wasn't so great, if it was the twin turbo, not bad at all...
d

ragtop

smc,

You are correct. TT means twin-turbo. But he also had targa tops. The reason I put that in there is because in the prevoius sentence I mentioned that I put my top down as a consolation prize. (Also in the first sentence I mentioned it was a turbo)

And you are also correct in that no turbo convertible was offered, as far as I know.

If I would have got beaten (or failed to beat) a N/A 300z, I would not have posted it here at all, I'd be so ashamed