[NJTCOMET]

Interesting idea but the Z will probably have a much higher track driving learning curve due to having almost double power. I also wonder what the percentage of 1st gen BRZ/86 owners really tracked the car after they brought it brand new off the showroom floor. I guess it’s a nice gesture but even if it was offered I personally wouldn’t be taking my pristine new Z to the track, not for awhile atleast.

 

[MCN1SMO]

A few years ago I helped Nissan do something on a whole different level than just giving a NASA membership. It was called the NISMO Performance Academy. If you were a Z or GTR owner you could sign up to participate in these track events with instruction from the Skip Barber guys. It was very well put on and nissan put a ton of money into it. they had a fleet of Z GTR and NISMO Jukes you could drive and even your own car. They had full on tracks like COTA Laguna Seca PBIR Monticello in NY and a few others. At the event they had slalom courses AutoX events and then full on track laps. It was an amazing experience you got free gopro camera and thet even gave out custom helmets at some of the events. I worked closely with Nissan to get many of the participants all signed up and organized. I would love to see this come back with the debut of the new Z. seems like a perfect time but I just dont see the budget for this to happen again anytime soon. It was all the brain child of the Z and GTR product planner at the time and he has moved on to a different department.


here is a video we did in 2014

Another thing Nissan tried was when they were sponsor for Virginia International Raceway and they came up with this program where if you purchased a GTR anywhere in the US you could get a free track day at VIR with an instructor. I was friends with the PR guy from VIR and we did some promotion to try to get this really hyped up but the offer lasted maybe a year or something and we had a handful of people do it but it wasnt overly successful just because how low quantities the GTR sold.

 

[THaskins]

So I saw today with the US debut of the GR86 that Toyota is going to give owners a NASA membership.

I think it's a great way to get people into the sport. Also great that it comes with a HPD event entry. I'm curious if that comes with instruction as well.

Should Nissan do something similar for Z owners? Free high performance driving course? Or SCCA membership, etc?


Complimentary 1-year NASA Membership
Every 2022 GR 86 comes with a complimentary one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). As part of this membership, GR 86 owners will enjoy a host of benefits, including one free High Performance Driving Event (HPDE) and discounted admission to NASA-sanctioned events.

I hope Nissan does something like this or what @MCN1SMO helped them do in 2014. Especially if this is the last ICE Z car. Seems like more companies are adding these event experiences to sell and promote cars.

Ford just opened registration up for an off-road school for anyone that's ordered a Bronco.

Yeehaw! Ford Opens Registration for Bronco Off-Roadeo Driving School

New off-road school shows off Bronco brand lifestyle while teaching owners the ins and outs of their rigs.

www.motortrend.com

 

[THaskins]

Interesting idea but the Z will probably have a much higher track driving learning curve due to having almost double power. I also wonder what the percentage of 1st gen BRZ/86 owners really tracked the car after they brought it brand new off the showroom floor. I guess it’s a nice gesture but even if it was offered I personally wouldn’t be taking my pristine new Z to the track, not for awhile atleast.

Welcome @NJTCOMET! I'd be curious to know that as well and whether that number goes up because of this from Nissan. It would get me more interested in taking my car on a track day.

Have you tacked any Z's or other cars?

 

[Major11]

Interesting idea but the Z will probably have a much higher track driving learning curve due to having almost double power. I also wonder what the percentage of 1st gen BRZ/86 owners really tracked the car after they brought it brand new off the showroom floor. I guess it’s a nice gesture but even if it was offered I personally wouldn’t be taking my pristine new Z to the track, not for awhile atleast.

Personally, I feel much more comfortable pushing my z on the track than spirited driving on public roads. Tracks are built for safety. Public roads on the other hand have oncoming traffic, pedestrians, cops, bicyclists, animals, etc.

 

[St00k]

Personally, I feel much more comfortable pushing my z on the track than spirited driving on public roads. Tracks are built for safety. Public roads on the other hand have oncoming traffic, pedestrians, cops, bicyclists, animals, etc.

You can definitely push on the track MUCH harder than on the street and MUCH safer. The only down side is you better be willing to buy new brakes and tires a lot more often.

 

[S30R32]

Mine will be tracked right after the break-in period, that's my goal and purpose, what these Zs work best at. As others mentioned, it's the safest environment vs any street scenarios to push your cars, stock or modified. Just make sure you sign up with proven safety-conscious track organizers. Out here on the west coast I track mostly with Speed Ventures www.speedventures.com and some NASA. Know that most track events have several levels of classes, from drive-and-follow novices to 'red' open passing groups. Try one.

Another safer lower speed events are autocross, this is nationwide also. See SCCA local chapters.

I doubt Nissan will offer any free performance perks but any discounts help. BMW still has their Performance Centers to cater to new M owners. I was at the Greer location when had my M3. Great program.

 

[NJTCOMET]

Personally, I feel much more comfortable pushing my z on the track than spirited driving on public roads. Tracks are built for safety. Public roads on the other hand have oncoming traffic, pedestrians, cops, bicyclists, animals, etc.

If you’re driving over the speed limit then sure it’s much safer on track but I don’t take any uneeded extra risks on the public road, none that would put myself or anyone else in any danger. I’ve been t boned at 50MPH at an intersection while stationary so anytime you pull the car out of the driveway you are taking risks. What I mean is tracking a brand new vehicle presents some issues that for me would be unttractive within the first months of ownership. Unless you spend money on taking proper precautions the paint will likely get chipped and battered from debris on the track/other participants, wearing in the brand new brakes right off the bat would be a shame, throwing the tires away, plus all the extra care that track days take. I’d rather spend the money making small tweaks and adjustments and enjoy the car on the road for awhile rather then rush to the track, but that’s just my personal preference.

 

[THaskins]

If you’re driving over the speed limit then sure it’s much safer on track but I don’t take any uneeded extra risks on the public road, none that would put myself or anyone else in any danger. I’ve been t boned at 50MPH at an intersection while stationary so anytime you pull the car out of the driveway you are taking risks. What I mean is tracking a brand new vehicle presents some issues that for me would be unttractive within the first months of ownership. Unless you spend money on taking proper precautions the paint will likely get chipped and battered from debris on the track/other participants, wearing in the brand new brakes right off the bat would be a shame, throwing the tires away, plus all the extra care that track days take. I’d rather spend the money making small tweaks and adjustments and enjoy the car on the road for awhile rather then rush to the track, but that’s just my personal preference.

I think that's pretty fair, get used to the car first as a regular road car before you start thrashing it around a track and/or modifying the bejesus out of it.

 

[TroublesomeIconoclast]

The appeal of a sports car, is that you can enjoy the journeys you are already taking, by using the car on public roads, and within* the legal limits.

(* or at least adjacent to)

A race car, or even a sports car modified to favor the track over the road, is a destination activity, not a journey activity, and more often tends to get left behind at other times that aren't dedicated trips to the track for that sole purpose.

There are other ways I would spend 35-45K for a track toy specifically, and that opens up a lot more margin for performance if street legality, longevity, federalized crash standards, fuel economy regulations, warranty coverage, and all sorts of other baked in costs are not a factor.

For a new street car... it should be something that allows you to enjoy the route from point A to point B, or to want to take some detours... There may be people who use it as a track-toy basis... but that is a pretty small minority.

This is one of the reasons why I don't quite see the point of expensive street-legal "supercars" and "hypercars" as track day toys... they make little sense to risk on the track, and they make little sense to use safely on the road, and they generally end up being financial vehicles more than mobility vehicles, for speculation and bragging rights.

A car with limits SO high that they can't be explored on a public road both safely and enjoyably, and risking it to a traffic accident is a major financial consideration to future speculative value and cost of restoration, seems problematic. Cars with limits that high tend to also be numb and uninvolved at lower speeds and in lower gears due to the engineering to make them capable of such high limits.

A car with performance that can only be explored on a track is hindered by many of the compromises for regulation and practicality that a federalized road car has to have... or the car that can do both is more expensive, where a race car that isn't intended for the street can be a lot less compromised, while possibly being simpler, and less expensive... but not versatile.

I am hoping that the Z35 is a car that has a good mix of thrills, but not asleep at legal speeds, with affordability, and comfort and amenities enough to handle a track day, a curvy back road, or an interstate slog to get to a track day, curvy back road, a modest shopping trip, or any other destination of choice, without breaking the bank.

Then hopefully people who don't need more than 2 seats, nor acres of interior room, will buy it, and use it, and not just leave it in the garage in favor of their other more practical car.

 

[Tud]

So I saw today with the US debut of the GR86 that Toyota is going to give owners a NASA membership.

I think it's a great way to get people into the sport. Also great that it comes with a HPD event entry. I'm curious if that comes with instruction as well.

Should Nissan do something similar for Z owners? Free high performance driving course? Or SCCA membership, etc?


Complimentary 1-year NASA Membership
Every 2022 GR 86 comes with a complimentary one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). As part of this membership, GR 86 owners will enjoy a host of benefits, including one free High Performance Driving Event (HPDE) and discounted admission to NASA-sanctioned events.

Who cares.....Build the car!

 

[Rusty]

Who cares.....Build the car!

Hey @Tud, welcome to the forum! From everything that's out so far what do you think of the new Z?

 

[Tud]

Hey @Tud, welcome to the forum! From everything that's out so far what do you think of the new Z?

Thanks for the welcome.I like the new Z. I am trying to get on a list to reserve one. one of the dealers I contacted had no idea what I was talking about..LOL I bought a 280zx brand new in 79. That was a great car.

 

[zenki]

Thanks for the welcome.I like the new Z. I am trying to get on a list to reserve one. one of the dealers I contacted had no idea what I was talking about..LOL I bought a 280zx brand new in 79. That was a great car.

Welcome @Tud

We'll have to keep on waiting for the official reservation process to open. It shouldn't be too much longer now with retooling of the Z plant for the new model underway.

How are you hoping to spec the new Z?

 

[Tud]

Welcome @Tud

We'll have to keep on waiting for the official reservation process to open. It shouldn't be too much longer now with retooling of the Z plant for the new model underway.

How are you hoping to spec the new Z?

Manual trans, Not sure of color. But NOT silver. Just not a sport car color to me. Both S&T upgrade pkgs. I am planning on this being my last hotrod. Please let me know if you hear of a order date. I have heard Nov 15. But not holding my breath

 

[THaskins]

Manual trans, Not sure of color. But NOT silver. Just not a sport car color to me. Both S&T upgrade pkgs. I am planning on this being my last hotrod. Please let me know if you hear of a order date. I have heard Nov 15. But not holding my breath

We should hear something about when orders open when the Z gets revealed on August 17. @DAN_PASSE might be able to help when the time is right as well.

BREAKING: Nissan Z to Debut August 17th in NYC

EXCITING! On August 17, 2021, Nissan will reveal in New York City what's "NEXT" – the all-new Z. The legend continues.

www.newnissanz.com