Today we showed up at the track and I had some last minute stuff to do to the car before the tech Nazi would let us go out on track. Before we knew it, it was time to get the car to pre-grid for our first practice.

Rich, team owner and driver, took the car out first and after several hot laps turned the car over to hot shoe Ken Dobson while I made some tire pressure adjustments then we were off to some fast laps. While Ken was out lapping something caught my eye to the right and as I looked up I saw a black Pontiac going much faster than the pit lane speed limit, did I mention he was sliding sideways?!?! He slid into a GTI that had a mechanic adjusting tire pressures on the car and that mechanic looked as if he had just drank 3 Red Bulls as he soared through the air. Luckily he was fine and walked away, however the Pontiac was not ok. It had really bad damage. I’m not really sure how bad the GTI was but I think it went back out that session. Not long after that incident Ken radioed in that he thought we had an engine problem.
Continue reading →

Regular readers here in The Garage know that I’ve got a soft spot for the Nissan’s twisty warrior, the 350Z. In stock form it’s one of the best all around sports cars I’ve ever driven, besting many cars that cost more than double. This season, Nissan is upping the ante with a hi-po version that’s decked out with the full line of Nismo upgrades.

Beginning with the cosmetic stuff, there is a full aero package that was inspired by the factory Super GT Championship winning cars. This body kit doesn’t only look good though, as it provides additional downforce at high speeds that will be most welcome on lapping days.

One of the great things about 350Z owners is that many of them actually do take their cars to local track days. The Nismo is even better equipped for the track, with a tweaked suspension, free breathing exhaust and big Brembo brakes to slow things down. Horsepower is up to 306.

Read the full details from Nissan after the break
Continue reading →

Nissan Motorsports, otherwise known as NISMO has a stellar history in the Japanese Super GT Championship, having won 2 out of the last 3 years. For 2007 they have introduced a V8 powered Fairlady Z to the series. At the same time, they have ramped up their support for customer teams across the globe.

Today’s press release actually doesn’t give too much information about the actual car, other than the fact that the car is powered by a 4.5 liter V8. The sole picture released shows a complete carbon fiber body.

Nissan press release after the break
Continue reading →

Anybody who’s been around racing for a few decades will no doubt fondly recall a small bore, rear wheel drive Datsun of some sort or another. 510, B210, and later on the 200sx & the 240sx. They were cheap to run, reliable and a blast to drive. While Nissan has gotten it together with the 240/260/280’s spiritual successor, the 350Z, the car is still an expensive toy to run. What about the little guy?

Over at Autoblog, John Neff has reported that Nissan may be close to bringing a small, rear wheel drive car to life. Possibly based on the Foria Concept shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, the car would fulfil the cries of drifters and racers around the world.

I’ve got to admit, that I may not be the best person to review a sports cross over mini suv/sportscar like the 2007 Infininti FX 35. Why? Because I really don’t get the whole sport crossover suv market segment. As regular readers know, I’m a car racing fanatic. What only a few astute readers may have noticed (or cared, for that matter) is that I’ve also spent a bit of time on the trails as well. As much as I love fast cars, I also love trucks. In fact, for daily driving, I have come to prefer the utility of a truck based suv. If I want to win the stoplight grand prix or carve up a country road, I’ll drive a sports car. If there is a bit of dirt, or kids to haul to hockey a funky box on wheels like an Xterra is my choice. What do we accomplish with a sports crossover? A sports car that is heavy and slow, or a truck that hauls butt, but can’t go off road.
Continue reading →

Not content to build a 350Z GTS, Nissan may be planning an all out assault on the sports car world with a V8 powered monster rebadged as the 450Z. Pulling a 4.5 liter V8 from the Infiniti stable, this beast could produce 400 hp. There is even talk of 4 wheel drive! Presumably this car would slot in somewhere between the 350Z and the GTR.
Story from Autocar

pic from Turboblog

Over at World Car Fans, they are reporting that Nissan’s unoffical Skunkworks have been hard at work preparing a 350Z GT-S concept for the Goodwood Festival of Speed next weekend. Visit WCF for the full story, but the highlights include 380 supercharged horsepower, more agressive exhaust note and retuned suspension to handle the additional power. The goal has been to shave a full second off the already quick (5.8 seconds) 0-60 mph times and a full 2.5 seconds off the 0-100 time.

Engineers have been hoping to build a true clubman’s car, that can be raced on the weekend & then driven to the office, so the maintaining streetability has been a priority. While Nissan has not said anything officially about the car’s future, it seems promising that they are showing the car at Goodwood. Maybe one of the best sportscars on the market might just get even better soon.

I’m on a road test today in a mildly modified 350Z, with the customer in the passenger seat when he says “so….what kind of racing do you do?” I was a bit taken aback and said I hadn’t raced in years, but had driven a performance rally car and solo 1. Why do you ask? How do you know I raced? His reply: “because I’ve never driven with anyone who shifts so smoothly when driving fast”.

I think I’ll take that as a compliment.