New to IT

[Cruez]

Hello all,

I have watched some SCCA events, had a little taste of drag racing...on a track of course http://Forum.ImprovedTouring.com/it/smile.gif... now I am set on doing some road racing.

I have owned and built a few Datsun Z cars over the past 10 years or so and I have one that I want to use as a SCCA car.

I figured this is the best place to get pointers on getting the wheels rolling...literally.

I have a '77 280Z that will be used. What are some of the first things I need to do???

Thanks..

[manny]

go with all of your safety reguirements and then go to a scca school then get as much seat time as you can. you can develope the car as you go.

[Knestis]

Your Z is listed - I'm pretty sure, anyway - as an Improved Touring S (ITS) car. You'll need to join SCCA, download a copy of the GCR (the General Class Rules) and ITCS (IT Category Specs), read them, and don't do anything until you do.

It would be a very good idea to find someone to mentor you as you get started - preferably with the same kind of car. This forum is a great way to make those connections and you will do yourself nothing but good by spending some time close to a car and driver before spending a bunch of money.

Finally, it is almost ALWAYS less expensive to buy a car rather than build one but the final decision is up to you, obviously.

K

[gsbaker]

You are in the right place, and will find some excellent advice here.

Before you spend a lot of time and money, I suggest you find some way to try it first. This way you can avoid spending two years and 3X the anticipated budget building a car only to find out you don't like road racing as much as drag racing. (I've done both and love both, but they are very different animals.)

The best approach, IMHO, is to first do a HPDE to learn to drive a car on a road course then the SCCA school to learn racing--for you, preferrably in a rented Z. Skip the HPDE if you are comfortable moving the car around.

Regardless, welcome.

Gregg

[Despr8dave]

I fully agree with the mentor deal if you can find one. For me, I was lucky enough to meet someone with a great deal of experience and knowledge. He saved me alot of time in learning the track and car set up. He was renting his car for school and he came with it! Helped me in finding a car of my own and has been a great friend for the last 15 years since. Have even shared enduro rides over the years. Good luck and by all means pay attention to this forum and what the guys above have said, all good advice IMHO.......

David

[racer_tim]

Cruez, not to piss on the parade, but the 280Z wasn't the best Z car for ITS. The 240Z was much better (power/weight) and misc go-fast parts are more plentiful for the 240Z than the 280Z with Fuel Injection.

I echo what everybody has said before. What part of the country are you in? Go to your local SCCA Regional event, check out what cars are in what run group, ask questions at the track, of both officials, and drivers. Rent a car to go through drivers school so you can concentrate on learning the line, flags, etc. and let somebody else worry about prepping the car.

Welcome. There is TON's of information from all of us on this site, and others. (Production is the next step up in prep levels, and that's where some have migrated to)



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Tim Linerud
San Francisco Region SCCA
#95 GP Wabbit
http://linerud.myvnc.com/racing/index.html

[Richy Gonzalez]

I agree with what everyone has said. Before I even started, I went to 6 events to watch, learn, ask lots of questions, and meet a lot of racers and crew people. Also during that time, I did 2 track days with www.ChinMotorsports.com (http://www.ChinMotorsports.com). Then I began to build a car. For me, I wanted to race in IT and about 4 years ago, a cheap car was over 10k. So, building was a good alternative. Now, if you are not racing Spec Miata, cars which cost 15 to 40k thousands if it carries a SpeedSource or BimmerWorld logo can be bought for between 10 to 25. Sometimes even below 10k.

Whichever route you decide to take (build/buy), if the car you own hasn’t gone through its teething stage don't take the car to your school. You cannot worry about the car. All you time has to be spent on driving and learning every session out. Renting from a good race shop would be money well spent.


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Richy Gonzalez
GB Racing<A HREF="http://groups.msn.com/TheGonzalezFamilyRichySheilaandNyah/projectitacrx.msnw" TARGET=_blank>
#24 ITA CRX For Sale $7500.00 FIRM + $1000.00 with Trailer</A>
LAMIN-X Protective Films (http://www.lamin-x.com)


[This message has been edited by Richy Gonzalez (edited December 29, 2004).]

[Cruez]

Thanks for all of the responses...

I am located near Charlotte, NC.

I know the 240 Z has more hipo parts available, but I have a bounty of 280 Z stuff on hand. Engines, FI parts and the like... Plus, I don't know a whole lots about carb setups. I know FI almost like the back of my hand. My driver N/A 280 Z has a standalone FI setup (because the stock system couldn't handle the mods) But I can guarantee that it wouldn't be legal to race.

I think I'll take the suggestions and look for someone around here with a car where I can get some track time in. Any leads would be appreciated.

I have seen a couple of ITS Z's for sale, I may go that route. Depends on the funds I have when I decide whether to buy or build.

Again, thanks for all the info.. I hope to see some of you on the track.....

[bobpink]

The one huge problem with the 280Z for ITS is brakes. I've seen a couple of great drivers race this car and have never known them to have anything of a brake pedal left towards the end of a sprint race.

Although a couple of guys here in the Southeast have figured out how to keep brakes under a 240Z, the brakes are still pretty marginal and with the 280Z you need to weigh 300 lbs. more.

This is too bad as the good parts of the 280Z are the fuel injection, more torque and a better gearbox to deal with. If anybody really wants one of these cars I still know where to find one that has everything needed except the installation of a cage and a lot of assembly.

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Bob Pinkowski
Atlanta Region SCCA
ITS Honda Prelude

[JeffYoung]

Jay Miller in Wendell, NC races one of these (a 77-78 280z) pretty successfully in ITS in the SEDiv. He'd probably be a good person to talk too. Unfortunately, I don't have contact information for him.....anyone?

[Ron Earp]

Stand alone FI huh? Good! - if you can fit that in the stock box you'll be good to go and solve one of the problems with the early Z injeciton not having much support. Legal for BMWs, should be legal for you.

I've got a friend with a 280z sitting and doing nothing, as it has for the last 10 years. Trying to convince him to run SCCA with it, maybe if he sees you on the track he'l be motivated. I'm located in the Raleigh area as is he, so maybe we'll see you in the SE.

Ron

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Ron
http://www.gt40s.com
Lotus Turbo Esprit
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
Jensen-Healey ITS
My electrons don't care if they flow through OEM wires, do yours?

[This message has been edited by rlearp (edited December 30, 2004).]

[x-ring]

Think seriously about buying instead of building. This coming from someone who built instead of bought. I passed on at least 3 completed 240's thinking that it would be easier to dribble the money out. Well, problem is that everything costs more than you think it will, and takes more time than you think it will. Also, you won't think of everything when you are estimating time and money.

There's a 71 240 on the classifieds page of this site right now, with an extra motor and three sets of tires for around $7K. Trust me, you won't build for that.

Not that building isn't very rewarding, but it took me close to a year to get my car together. I didn't keep track of the money; I just didn't want to know.


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Ty Till
#16 ITS
Rocky Mountain Division

[bobpink]

A friend of mine built a competitive ITS 240Z about four years ago and the cost was estimated at $23,000. Of course, the labor costs are not figured in and his co-driver was a well-known Z car engine builder here in the Southeast which saved some money there.

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Bob Pinkowski
Atlanta Region SCCA
ITS Honda Prelude

[This message has been edited by bobpink (edited December 30, 2004).]

[ITANorm]

I'll second the buy instead of build theory. I've probably got over $25K in my MR2 - which I bought with a then-current logbook for $3500; and its twin (less the trick suspension and uber-cool cage, but including a $6K engine from the same builder) is available in NJ for $7K.

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Norm - #55 ITA, '86 MR2. [email protected]
http://home.alltel.net/jberry/img107.jpg
Website: home.alltel.net/jberry (http://home.alltel.net/jberry)

[Tom Donnelly]

If I added up all I've spent on my car...never mind, I don't want to know.

If I had built a car, it would have been 2-3 times as much.

Tom Donnelly
ITS 240z

[Knestis]

Consider the Tarheel Sports Car Club for low-drag options to get on the track. They actually co-sanction track days with the Z club, I think.

http://www.thscc.com/timetrial/index.html

K

[pgipson]

I told you there would be plenty of advice on this forum.

In addition, I spotted a 260Z racecar for sale in the Atlanta area. This is the link


260Z (http://www.sccaforums.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/46/825)

[Cruez]

Looks like I came to the right place for advice...

The anticipation of road racing is making me antsy already.

After reading all of the posts... I will probably buy my first one. I can get another 280Z and have all of my existing parts when I need them. Not to mention the time involved in building.I would also be able to start quicker by buying.

I hope to get started as soon as I get a couple more much needed projects completed around the house..

Is it true I can use an aftermarket FI system??? Even when the wiring is going to be altered? It also controls the ignition system..

[Geo]

Originally posted by Cruez:
Is it true I can use an aftermarket FI system??? Even when the wiring is going to be altered? It also controls the ignition system..

You cannot alter the OEM wiring harness. It must remain as stock. You can however install an aftermarket ECU if you can fit it in the stock ECU box and wire it up to the stock connector. You cannot add wiring or sensors.


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George Roffe
Houston, TX
84 944 ITS car under construction
92 ITS Sentra SE-R occasionally borrowed
http://www.nissport.com

[gsbaker]

Originally posted by Cruez:
I would also be able to start quicker by buying.

And you can start quickest by renting. I know it can sound like a waste of money if you intend to buy, but if it's your car for your first school you will find yourself short on time as you futz with the car.

I decided on a Tuesday to try road racing. Four days later I was at school in an arrive-and-drive rental.

Gregg

[Cruez]

Anyone have any leads to some rentals? in the Charlotte area... ??

[manny]

hey cruez, i live in south east charlotte in indian trail. i run in the ITB class of the scca and if any help is needed just ask. i'm in the process of building an FP class ford escort gt.