Well, I just got back from Topeka. This was my first time to nationals. I've done a handful of scca events and a dozen or so non-scca events. F stock was the first run group of the first heat. Word of advice to anyone planning on going in the future. Select a high car number. I picked 7 thinking I'd save on making additional magnetics but not knowing that they grid you based on your number. I ended up being the 2nd car on course on both days when it was cold and dirty. I was all over the place and hit 5 cones on the first run of the first day as a result. So, basically my first runs on both days were throw away runs. We ran on thurs and fri. Luckily, the weather had dried up and it was sunny throughout. I wish I had done more events leading up to nationals, especially with my new tires and sway bar which sat in my garage until the week before.

I ended up 17th out of 28 cars. The Shelby GT's really cleaned house winning 5 of the 8 trophies. Strano in his 1st place FS Shelby was faster than Isley in his 1st place BS RX8. Either the pax for FS is going way up or the Shelby's need to get reclassed. Anyway, I was hoping for a better finish of course. I met some great people though. The f stock guys were a great group and seemed excited to see how the G would do. I was the only non-mustang/non-fbody in the class. Several other folks walked up to ask what I thought about the car in FS stating that they either had access to one for autox or were thinking of buying one. I'd love to see more competitors out there. I think in capable hands the car is at least a trophy contender. I probably won't get to autox much if at all over the next 5 yrs, so those hands will have to be someone else's.

Results: http://scca.org/documents/resultfile...20-%20Res3.pdf

My setup:
weight at nationals 3425 lbs w/o driver
full tank
full oem exhaust
front camber left -1.2 right -0.8
front caster left 8 right 8.1
front toe 0.43 degrees out
rear camber left -1.5 right -1.5
rear toe 0.16 degrees in
tires Hoosier 275/35R18
wheels Enkei RP02 18x8/+30 (/w spacer) front 18x8/+35 rear
front tire pressure (cold) 36
rear tire pressure (cold) 34
OEM shocks
Hotchkis front sway bar set to +129%

 

I honestly think the G35 would be an excellent competitor with a capable driver, specifically the 06-07 because of the available options.

I've been catching up with the Kolzacs all year and if I had gotten AutoCross tires on the car I suspect I would have closed the gap to a narrow margin.

Unfortunately I've been on thin ice all year because I've taken some weight out of my car, and by next season I plan to have a few go fast parts installed so I'll end up in XP (or some other prepared class) where I'll have no chance to be competitive in National events.

I'd love to have another stock G just for autocross just to make these guys sweat a little over the thought that an import may take a trophy (in what is generally an 'American Muscle Car' class).

-G
__________________

 

Oh, by the way. I'm coming down to Texas (Glen Rose) on the 24th of this month! Perhaps we can get together and compare notes.

I'll be around for a month while I decide if I want to stay down there on a more more permanent basis (2+ years).

See you then!

-G
__________________

 

Was the '06-07 G35 available with 18x8's for the 6mt? R-comps for the 19's would be a huge PITA, and I'm not sure if you saw at RAL, but I had 285's and 295's on the stock 18x8's. Autocross wise, the different springs, lack of Brembos, and slightly higher hp/ redline are definitely a plus.

You kicked my *** at RAL, although I think I destroyed my tires during the JGC the day before (and using them on the track tour, and had dying shocks and a bunch of other excuses [albeit still just excuses] :P). I wouldn't be surprised if you were right with them on some R-comps, and better shocks. A front sway would help, too.

I was pretty close to Strano on day 2 of the Devens tour last year, and that was on OEM shocks, no front sway, and worn-out V710's. I'd imagine a better prepared G would definitely be in contention. Unfortunately, all my resources have been going to my SM car (240sx), although I did just get some Koni DA's for my G through TC Kline (they're on sale atm, got mine for $1000).

 

'07 6MT has 19's only. I can't say about the '06.

My competition didn't run R-Comps (i.e. Zack W.) so I wan't going to 'cheet' as we called it, at other clubs where the novices did run R-Comps (Lan-EVO that would best me by .1-.2 sec on PAX time).


Keith S. just forwarded me an email from you. I'll need to look into suspension. But I hear with the rear active steer my choices become very limited.

Next year my car is going to be in some strange stupid class because I want to get some work done to it over winter. I'll end up being non-competitive.

Would be nice if I had the money to get another 07' G35 and do everything to it allowed in Stock. I have no doubts it would do well at nationals and Topika. But alas, I don't have 50k sitting around to burn on a dedicated autox car

-G
__________________