Me VS the 350Z
09-10-2002, 10:00 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Tonight the inevitable happened.
While cruising around with friends and getting into a race here or there, my friend called me and said he had a guy who wanted to race me.
I was supposed to meet at a place we occasionally run a race or two near the strip. I asked who or what it was, and he just said he ran into the guy at the gas station and they got to talking about cars and that I should just friggin come race the guy.
Okay okay, so I go meet up with them, and as I pull up to the race spot (where they are already waiting) I see what looks to be the new beast in town. Sure enough, there sitting off to the side... a brand new silver touring edition 350Z.
I hop out of the car and the guy who owned it said he'd heard alot about me from my loud mouthed friend, and how I am waiting to whup up on a new Z. I tell him that yes, I want to whup up on a new Z and wondering if he was volunteering. (this is all in good fun, he knows) He agrees to race. He already has 2100 miles on the car (he's been driving it non stop since he got it) so he can redline as much as he'd like.
We line up. Me on the right. Him on the left. I have the top up, the A/C off (lol) and about half a tank of gas. I have raced on this street before, and 7000rpm launches give me almost a perfect launch every time.
The starter (some other kid who I didn't know) comes and lines us up. Points to me, and I nod... points to the other driver who also nods. I rev the car up. 6000, 6500, 7000rpm.... hold it..... he raises and spins his hands.... DROP.
I dump the clutch and get probably the most beautiful launch I've ever had. It's slightly chilly out (since a cold front moved in tonight) and that can only help. My tires spin, the back end kicks just a bit. Just as the tires bite, BAM 6000rpm. Sweet, sweet VTEC. I outlaunched him by a full carlength. Maybe even 1 1/2.
My car is totally in tune with what's going on, and seems to anticipate my move as I have probably the quickest 1-2 shift I've ever had. I shift right before hitting the rev limiter, and the tires bark in acknowledgement of a good 1-2 shift. I am still 1 carlength ahead. My shift puts me back up to 1 1/2 carlength as I get a quicker shift mixed in with his shift during his redlining moment.
2nd gear redlines, and he once again has narrowed the lead back down to 1 carlength.... Well maybe 1 1/4... he didn't gain much.
I snap the shifter into 3rd as the F20C screams to 9000rpm. Flooring 3rd gear he's right there 1 carlength behind, but I'm slightly pulling and gain my 1/2 car length back to make me up by 1 1/2 car lengths. As I redline 3rd, my car is loving every minute of this and seems just as excited to get up to high speeds where it is more than comfortable to drive. I snap into 4th gear and wait for him to start to pull......
It doesn't happen. He gains maybe 2 inches as I hit 105mph and hit the hazards, letting off the throttle. My heart is pounding and my head is racing. This is probably the most exhilerating and most anticipated race I've ever had. My car slows down reluctantly, almost disappointed that it didn't get to play into the triple digits.
I flip a U-turn and sit for a moment as I watch the 350Z's tail lights head back toward the start. I get back, and the guy walks out of his car, walks up to me, and just has the biggest smile on his face. He said that was fun as hell and he wants to run again. He is impressed with how well I did and said he's already raced one S2000 that did no where near as well as me. He thought S2000's were much slower and I even pop my hood to show him I'm stock from front to back.
We run again, and this time I do not get as good a launch. By 100mph I have maybe 2 feet on him and we go to about 110mph before letting off. He didn't gain much from 100-110... maybe an inch. As we are slowing down, we see cherries lit up on a side road. Thinking it's a cop he shouts out the window and says hopefully he'll catch me at the street races some time. I give a thumbs up and he takes off. I take off, and call my friends to let them know they should get outta there.
So... the new 350Z. Wow. What a car.
While cruising around with friends and getting into a race here or there, my friend called me and said he had a guy who wanted to race me.
I was supposed to meet at a place we occasionally run a race or two near the strip. I asked who or what it was, and he just said he ran into the guy at the gas station and they got to talking about cars and that I should just friggin come race the guy.
Okay okay, so I go meet up with them, and as I pull up to the race spot (where they are already waiting) I see what looks to be the new beast in town. Sure enough, there sitting off to the side... a brand new silver touring edition 350Z.
I hop out of the car and the guy who owned it said he'd heard alot about me from my loud mouthed friend, and how I am waiting to whup up on a new Z. I tell him that yes, I want to whup up on a new Z and wondering if he was volunteering. (this is all in good fun, he knows) He agrees to race. He already has 2100 miles on the car (he's been driving it non stop since he got it) so he can redline as much as he'd like.
We line up. Me on the right. Him on the left. I have the top up, the A/C off (lol) and about half a tank of gas. I have raced on this street before, and 7000rpm launches give me almost a perfect launch every time.
The starter (some other kid who I didn't know) comes and lines us up. Points to me, and I nod... points to the other driver who also nods. I rev the car up. 6000, 6500, 7000rpm.... hold it..... he raises and spins his hands.... DROP.
I dump the clutch and get probably the most beautiful launch I've ever had. It's slightly chilly out (since a cold front moved in tonight) and that can only help. My tires spin, the back end kicks just a bit. Just as the tires bite, BAM 6000rpm. Sweet, sweet VTEC. I outlaunched him by a full carlength. Maybe even 1 1/2.
My car is totally in tune with what's going on, and seems to anticipate my move as I have probably the quickest 1-2 shift I've ever had. I shift right before hitting the rev limiter, and the tires bark in acknowledgement of a good 1-2 shift. I am still 1 carlength ahead. My shift puts me back up to 1 1/2 carlength as I get a quicker shift mixed in with his shift during his redlining moment.
2nd gear redlines, and he once again has narrowed the lead back down to 1 carlength.... Well maybe 1 1/4... he didn't gain much.
I snap the shifter into 3rd as the F20C screams to 9000rpm. Flooring 3rd gear he's right there 1 carlength behind, but I'm slightly pulling and gain my 1/2 car length back to make me up by 1 1/2 car lengths. As I redline 3rd, my car is loving every minute of this and seems just as excited to get up to high speeds where it is more than comfortable to drive. I snap into 4th gear and wait for him to start to pull......
It doesn't happen. He gains maybe 2 inches as I hit 105mph and hit the hazards, letting off the throttle. My heart is pounding and my head is racing. This is probably the most exhilerating and most anticipated race I've ever had. My car slows down reluctantly, almost disappointed that it didn't get to play into the triple digits.
I flip a U-turn and sit for a moment as I watch the 350Z's tail lights head back toward the start. I get back, and the guy walks out of his car, walks up to me, and just has the biggest smile on his face. He said that was fun as hell and he wants to run again. He is impressed with how well I did and said he's already raced one S2000 that did no where near as well as me. He thought S2000's were much slower and I even pop my hood to show him I'm stock from front to back.
We run again, and this time I do not get as good a launch. By 100mph I have maybe 2 feet on him and we go to about 110mph before letting off. He didn't gain much from 100-110... maybe an inch. As we are slowing down, we see cherries lit up on a side road. Thinking it's a cop he shouts out the window and says hopefully he'll catch me at the street races some time. I give a thumbs up and he takes off. I take off, and call my friends to let them know they should get outta there.
So... the new 350Z. Wow. What a car.
09-10-2002, 10:09 PM
#2
Nice! 
Sounds like both of you are real enthusiasts.
Sounds like both of you are real enthusiasts.
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09-10-2002, 11:35 PM
#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Actually, I had heard that the powerplant was very close to being maxed out N/A, much like our F20C. In fact, Nissan squeezed as much out as they could, it seems. (hence, the theory behind why the hp number is so odd... 287??) I think if that's the case, they will be in the same boat as us, and will need to go FI to really get more power.
09-11-2002, 03:33 AM
#9
Registered User
GREAT RACE!!!! Looks like the 350Z and the S2000 are VERY close in performace..okay S2000 drivers let's become better drivers b/c that is who will win these races...
