Ebized

So did I. If a Scando rally driver got to that angle he was going to spin - you dont invoke that drift angle outside of drift competitions. Sorry, but I get sick of hearing "We were doing this in Escort/Capris/Morris Minors before you were born sonny" or "Rally Drivers do that with their eyes closed" Drifting is having the car sideways before you enter a corner, and maintaining the maximum angle of attack whilst staying on line and hitting the apex, then keeping the car sideways for as long as possible on the exit. Any fool with RWD can do a powerslide, but its balancing the car before reaching the corner and then maintaining it thats the art. Quite aside from that, Kawabata was doing close on 100mph in 4th for that corner, didnt drop much speed through the corner but then kept the car on the lockstops slowing back down to 30 odd mph for the next corner. You dont do that in a Cortina. That is little different to what the top rally drivers have been doing for years - the only difference is that if the road straightens after the corner they control the slide to get maximum forward momentum. If it s a series of 'S' bends then the drifting, or power sliding motion is little different. But always willing to learn, I checked out Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drifting_(motorsport) that reveals just how long the Japanese have perfecting the drifting art. The following quote caught my eye: Note that the actual scandinavian flick maneuver in rally driving is more complex than feint drifting. In scandinavian flick the tires are intentionally locked by braking hard right after turning a little away from the corner. While the wheels are locked, the driver applies steering input into the corner, adds throttle while still braking and then rapidly releases the brake pedal. This causes the car to slingshot itself through the corner. Having seen some impossible angles achieved by top rallying exponents, on loose and on tarmac and hitting corners at well into 3 figures, I think it is a little unfair to imply that drifting has more skill to it than what top-line rally drivers do, and have done over many decades. Where drifting scores is that it is specifically aimed at crowd pleasing (and usually in a competition environment), whereas in rallying it is all about what is perceived to be the fastest way round to the next piece of road and the sharpness of the bend/surface condition will dictate the angle of attack. In other words, they each have their skills that are very similar, and what I have just learnt from Wikipedia is that art of 'drifting' goes back a lot longer than I had appreciated

Tut tut, done the edit for you Mike, and after all the thousands of those posts by Sarnie too I somehow think the 370 will only look the full part with some styling mods we are beginning to see emerge - for me the base shape just dosen't work 'out of the box' as well as the 350

Stan You forgot the most important The Minister for trains I can see a ban coming on - nice knowing you Stan

You 'lost'? Have you checked behind the radiator, fridge, etc? looked in the cat?

Should that bit read 296? It does now

A nice write-up and pics Steve - looking forward to the next opportunity to give you some support

I'm here....... On the road I certainly 'feel' that the mid-range the torque characteristics of the rev-up engine are, if anything and in the twisty bits, slightly worse than the 276. But I have noticed on 'spirited' road driving that the extra revs on 296 does come into its own at the top end. That is not the case when up against the 309 engine - it can easily stay with me when the 276's start to (very marginally) fall away. Overall, I would say that the 276 is more suited to the ZED for road use but on track the 296 (and 309) would come into their own. I always remember Big Phil (ESR) telling me that he found the best engines were those made in 2002-2003 and I have to say that in over 4 years of ZED ownership those engines do seem to hold up well. No doubt some 'mods' might have an effect and with the ECU piggybacks and the likes that will corrupt impressions. But then again some of the modded air intakes are also known to reduce power over standard, although they might sound nice. Hope that helps

Scandinavians having been doing that before that guy was born

I'm down for 11.15 Friday Thursday 1. JAK 11ish 2. Sunset350z 12.40 3. 4. Friday 1. H5 11.15 2. Rich5259 12.00 3. Mazzaman 12.00 4. Rawbhp 8.20 5. CS 1:30 6. introspect 2.30 7. paul "first thing" - perhaps he means 8.20 with rawbhp 8. ebized (Colin) 11.15

Welcome along I've had a couple of Scoobys in the past and I think its fair to say the running costs are going to be about the same with a ZED. I thoroughly enjoyed the Scoobys but now having had two ZEDs I have to say the driving experience is so more rewarding - lets face it the 4-wheel drive does so much for you whereas planting 300bhp out through just the rear wheels takes more driver driver involvement but once you get the feel of the car's limits the factor means you just want to go out and enjoy it all the time. But do be wary in the wet after the Scooby and the Civic until you know the limits - but I promise you, you will not be disappointed

Here's a pic of an MY06 There are (illuminated) drink holders at the front of each door armrest that you cannot see in th pic and the single dash drink holder has been converted to a credit sized card coin holder. (Brodit o2 orbit phone holder/charger and curly wire serving the snooper is my addition )

Is your car a UK right-hand drive supplied or a left hooker as the photos show? If it is a left hooker I'm not sure the aftermarket bluetooth set-up will work but here is a useful guide otherwise .pdf]

Yep - looks like a good few true enthusiasts from 350z-uk will be there

Maybe so, but my pestering got me an invite last week

Anyone hoping to get in for Thursday (29th) check this thread out viewtopic.php?f=70&t=29092

and note what VBH says about the roads where she was testing that ZED - many that we used earlier this month on our drive out -great fun, even when wet

Careful Stan - showing your age there - I think the steering wheel bit will go over most members heads on here

Looks a great buy and no doubt you have confirmed it is not an import from the V5 or a repair job using UK parts? Unless someone has gone to an awful lot of trouble, including fitting the headlight washers and new rear bumper apart from all the interior bits, then I have little doubt it is a genuine UK car and you have got yourself a good buy - with s/h prices on the rise. Enjoy

Yes and no I did not get paid the extra hour but to be fair i did not work it either. slept it I bet gambled it, I bet

Got to see Mr Lizard (Steve) experiencing Brands for the first time - in the wet and just his second race outing in the ZED - and he did bloody well. Good to meet Steve and his crew (keeping us fed )for the first time and seeing how the car is coming along for racing. Darren, (my other toy is a 255bhp supercharged jet ski -did I hear that power ouput right ) and his mate Alex who now both have MX's for track playtime and Mark from Abbey Motorsport who had come along to offer some help and advice to Steve, it was a really great day out and the damp conditions pailed into insignificance. From 19th on the grid in his first race, having understandably been tentitive in qualifying in the first early wet session that morning and for the first time using 888's that had just had grooves cut and still had the gel coat on them, Steve finshed a very creditable 10th overall and third in Class. When you consider most the cars in front were Scoobys/Evos and Tegs in the hands of people who have probably been doing the series all year and have been racing a lot longer than Steve - I call that a very impressive. His second race meant he started 10th on the grid, a place he held to the end having been passed by a few (who had had 'moments' in the first race) but also passing others in the process. He kept THAT green Teg with whom he had a great battle at the previous race at Mallory behind him, and again with some great driving did he did the same again - in the wet this time. We all know how you have to treat the ZEDS with respect in the wet which is why his results against much lighter cars and 4 x 4 is such a great outcome given that he has no fancy suspension or diff set-ups to help. Yes the car has been lightened - to an extent, but there is much to be done yet compared to those currently finishing ahead of him. I am sure that with the help of Abbey and others (and a better dry weather tyre choice for the series next year that suits the ZED )that will improve the results next year. I know everyone on here will want to wish you well for next season Steve to get that in your Class Just a few pics/short vids on the day: Start of the first race going into Paddock Hill (felt sorry for the 200SX that had to pull at the start but at least he got a better run in the second race) Making a pass under braking into Paddock Being passed by a Scooby that won both races by miles - jeeeeesus that was quick Returning to and in the paddock after the first race Not quite the usual interior ina ZED This Swift was unbeliveably quick - it so light (400kilgos???0 and the engine sounds like it is screaming to get out but hats off to the driver in the way he was literally throwing it into Paddock Hill. Fortunately not in the same Class as Steve The start of Steve's second race - the Pink Scooby had jumped the lights but the 10 second penalty made no difference to the race winning margin he built up And here's Steve keeping that green TEG at bay and finally, just an example of the track conditions on the day - and every time Steve took the infamous Padock Hill Bend Steve had it fully under control Well done mate.

Off m8 - the misses would kill me otherwise Yep, hope to get along so I do hope you're racing Steve

nah - he's just hiding his brown trouser moment

You take action to avoid someone else's stupid driving and come out the loser while they drive off - I hate those .....ards Any decent CCTV in the location to help idenify the culprit - not stopping after being responsible for a accident is hopefuly an offence the police may look into

hey, get in the queue you - age before.......