Historic Z racing....

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
I have come to an arrangement with a current Z racer to buy his second, newly finished car.

In the anticipation of back surgery during the dark months of winter, I'm expecting 2021 to be simply a series of track-days to run her (and me) in whilst getting practice hopefully as an invite (non-classed) in a couple of races whilst I get my racing licence.

Late next year, I hope to organise the necessary changes and improvements in order to obtain the cars' FIA GrpIV passport and become more competitive ready for a few serious races in 2022.

Well, that's the plan anyway....

".....life moves pretty fast, you don't stop and look around once in a while - you could miss it !"
 

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Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
Late next year, I hope to organise the necessary changes and improvements in order to obtain the cars' FIA GrpIV passport and become more competitive ready for a few serious races in 2022.

Looks more appropriate to an SCCA sanctioned series to me.
 

peter_s

Club Member
What's the model year of the car?

I think it's going to be difficult to make it comply with appendix K or J (wherever it might go) without pretty substantial alterations. I think all historic classes require the original dashboard for instance (although it was a while ago I read the app K document). And you can only use modifications on the car that the factory used. So there are a lot of homologated parts that needs to be on the car.

Which class has it been competing in now?
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Looks more appropriate to an SCCA sanctioned series to me.

As it is, yes Alan but please note these words :
.........the necessary changes..........obtain the cars' FIA GrpIV passport.........

I hope to organise the necessary changes and improvements in order to obtain the cars' FIA GrpIV passport and become more competitive

I've already been in contact with a couple of FIA racers and an FFSA/FIA commissar BEFORE indulging myself and actually buying it. I know what should be changed, what could (to be more competitive) and it's not 'that' much work - a LOT less than building one from scratch.
On circuits (I know ****-all about rallying), there are now only three FIA classes in which Zs can run :

Group N (formerly '1') which are saloon cars in which the 260Z and 280Z can run) - more or less stock.....;)
Group 3 (2+2s but which won't be a competitive as the 2x seaters because of their weight) and basically stock - I believe interior trim, panels etc must be present....even carpet one commissar insisted !
Group IV the majority in which Zs seem to run and not quite hopelessly against the competition but an RS2600 Capri with 400brake is a hard car to follow with an SOHC non-crossflow engine.
GroupV it seems remove the dahboard and your GrpIV becomes a GrpV !

For info, a fibreglass dash or even a full dash-cap ;)will suffice.

As it was in the USA.
 

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Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
As it is, yes Alan but please note these words :

've already been in contact with a couple of FIA racers and an FFSA/FIA commissar BEFORE indulging myself and actually buying it. I know what should be changed, what could (to be more competitive) and it's not 'that' much work - a LOT less than building one from scratch.

Maybe I'm behind the curve, but the last time I was involved with an FIA HTP application for Group 4 they would not allow the cage structure in the engine bay. They even rejected an alloy radiator, despite proof of correct period parts and use.

Good luck.
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Sean, I like that car and it could be good fun on track. However to race it will be expensive, frustrating, hard word and at your age not as rewarding as you might hope.

I thought about racing at one time but the difference between thrashing your car on a trackday and racing it is considerable. You have to have all the latest safety equipment, racing licence, your car has to comply with regs, have exactly the right tyres, tread depth etc etc.

I enjoyed just driving my car as fast as I wanted to on a specific day with what the car had on that day. To race it takes so much more.

Some people thrive on the competitive aspect of racing but if you were that kind of person you would have done it already. I've rallied as a driver and co-driver and it was great fun but hard work and 2/3 of the time we didn't finish through breakdowns or crashes. That was when I was in my 20s - I just wouldn't have the energy, ambition or desire to do it when 30+ years older.

So my point is think hard before spending time and money changing the car - just get in it and drive it on the racetracks in France with no pressure apart from achieving a PB lap time. You could have a great time.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Maybe I'm behind the curve, but the last time I was involved with an FIA HTP application for Group 4 they would not allow the cage structure in the engine bay. They even rejected an alloy radiator, despite proof of correct period parts and use.

Cutting out the bars in the engine bay and back into the boot will be one of the jobs.
Detaching the welded part of the cage from the transmission tunnel and replaced by bolts is another.
There will be plenty of other, smaller jobs to do too but it's not impossible.

Point taken Rob and whay next year (before any major changes) I will be track-daying it...we'll see.

There are plenty oif reasons why I didn't do this earlier but lack of motivation wasn't one of them - again, we'll see - it may end up as a 'mere' trackday car to save the white one for the road.......but I have a dream....one that's lasted +30years when I started spending weekends in HSCC paddocks.
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
..................There are plenty oif reasons why I didn't do this earlier but lack of motivation wasn't one of them - again, we'll see - it may end up as a 'mere' trackday car to save the white one for the road.......but I have a dream....one that's lasted +30years when I started spending weekends in HSCC paddocks.

Ok Sean it's your call obviously. 'DJ', 'Racer' and 'Zboyglos' are the best qualified to comment.
 

STEVE BURNS

Club Member
Hey Sean
If you want to try it and you are in a position to be able to Go for it as if you don't you will always regret it
Fair play to you is what I say
oh and by the way what is the best way of stopping having nightmares that I have been having for 26 years!!!
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Ok Sean it's your call obviously. 'DJ', 'Racer' and 'Zboyglos' are the best qualified to comment.

Thanks Rob, aside from Charles Barter, who of those (and others) are currently racing Zs in an historic series please - not mod-sports ?

oh and by the way what is the best way of stopping having nightmares that I have been having for 26 years!!!
Thanks Steve.

Answers :

Divorce (I'll have her)
Move over here (view from our gîte)
Lots of port
 

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