Auto X ?
 

I just sold my 96 300ZX NA and am considering a 3rd gen for it's replacement. The question I have is how well can this car hold up against the vettes in the SS class? Part of the reason that I sold my Z is that it was not very competitive against the Z-28s and Mustangs in FS, even though I loved that car :)

I have always loved the body lines on the FDs but it wouldn't hurt for it to be competitive. From what I have heard there are only 8 RX-7s here in Tucson and I have not seen them race. Any insight would be greatly appreciated :bigthumb:

The FD is no match for a well driven Z06 in SS. I've been competing with mine for 5 seasons now and if the vette driver is at least as good as I he will beat me every time.

That said the FD is a lot of fun to autox and I still enjoy it.

RX-7 use to rule in SS untill the C5 came out.

Go to the SCCA website, I'm sure they have past champions somewhere, I know it is in the back of the rule book. The Rx-7 won many SS and ASP titles in the 90's before the C5.

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately there are about 25 vettes (mostly C5 and 1 C6) that compete out here. I don't know if it will make me not get the FD, but I do have another question since most of the vettes are stock how competitive has the FD been in ASP? I can mod the car or keep it stock it really doesn't matter to me and if they do well in ASP which mods(by brand) have given the most bang for the buck w/o going into a fully prepared category?

The Corvettes are faster than the FD in ASP as well. The Corvette still has the same advantages in ASP that it has in SS, namely grunt from low speed. Buy what car is the most fun for you to drive, not the one you think can win the most trophies.

I am competitive in local events and have either outright won or trophied in my class every season but it depends on the other drivers too. No doubt the Z06 is a stronger car in SS but only if driven properly. It's not uncommon locally for the entire SS class to outrun all the SM2 cars even though we should be slower. The driver makes the car go fast; the car doesn't do it by itself...

Damon, what class does FD have a chance at podium finish @ Nationals?

There is a real quick one in socal in a Prep class.

IMO SM2 is the only class the FD has a real chance in, and even then it would have to be a very well prepared and well driven FD to compete at the national level.

SM2. Sports car picked Andy Mckee to win in that class again this year at nationals.
That may even prove difficult knowing some of the power the Vettes are bringing to the table this year. Beyond that it is an uphill battle.


just looked at the nationals registration and there is 1 FD in SS, 2 in ASP and I think there will be 5 or so in SM2. Should be fun to see how they fair.

thanks damon. anyone know how the rx8 is doing in autox? and what classes it can excel in?

B stock. I have heard it is doing well now that the top S2000 guys moved up to A stock.

there are 18 RX-8s registered for nationals in BS

I could not re-edit my last post but there are 2 guys in an FD in B Prepared also

The ones I've seen are very strong in BS, much more so than the 350Z. Watch for Mark Sipe at nats in his RX-8.

Can't forget the 1rst gens at Nats. CSP and EM respectively.

There is still time to sign up anyone who is on the fence about going to Nationals in Topeka KS the week of Sept. 12-16. SCCA.com

Thanks for the info so far, I know the driver wins the race not the car(completely) that is why I asked how competitive it was. The reason I asked about ASP is that all of the vettes here at least don't mod. I will race a car for fun (ie my Z for 2 years of a$$ beatings) but it is nice to win once and a while :) I will be new to the car for a while so I don't have overdrawn expectations. Thanks for what you have sent along so far and look forward to any other advice you all can send along!

Get a 2nd gen, and go BP ;)

F Prepared looks like it needs some N/A RX-7s also.