Nismo RC (race car) #001 on track with Doran racing

Dwnshift

Hey guys sorry for the late update...but I have just been flat out bummed.
We fought some major running issues on the test day...which was the FIRST time the car had hit the track.
We managed about 5 laps total besides in and outs ...developing a pretty signifigant missfire.
The crew changed out plugs and coilpacks and combed through the data and mapping....never really seeing any redflags.
The next day (Thursday) was our first real go at it...and there was no mis....so Bryan and myself were finally able to get our first laps in anger and start on chassis setup.
For the most part the rest of the 76 car field behaved on through the practice session.
We fought some pretty evil handling and made some major setup changes to the platform...but still were not feeling great about what was underneath us going into qualifying.
After the last practice session...and a debrief with Kevin Doran...we took another stab at it and made a couple adjustments. The next thing we really looked at was how many laps we had on the tires...in addition to the runs on the chassis dyno the car had.....and the additional ABS braking test that we did back at the shop.
Bottom line....the tires were junk.
The next issue was qualifying in which the car received 4 brand new Conti tires....man what a flippin relief...and HUGE difference.
It goes back to one of the OLDEST SAYINGS IN RACING.......the are the only 4 things that touch the ground.
Anywho..... out of the box for quali I couldnt believe the difference and how hooked up we were....the bad issue was...traffic.
My 2 lap..I found myseld realling in one of the Turner M3's...but headed into the S on the back stretch...we had the APR Audi (whom just flew off track) jump right in front of us..and we had to slam on the binders hard.... that lap was junked.
Next lap go around the Turner M3 into one...but again..we ran into traffic headed into the corkskrew. I backed off and took another shot...this time...I gave myself 20 car lengths to a pack of Mustangs. I had a solid run through 1...2 and 3 the car was hooked up...headed into the hairpin I was able to go to the 2 marker for the brakes....but ended up right on the heels of the Mustang pack...JUNK.
With 4 minutes remaining...I backed way of and tried to find one last little gap...and ended up turning a 1:37.9 and the team was P11. For sure if I would have had better timing at the begining of the session we woulda started inside the top 10.
For our first outting out of the box with the new car...we were thrilled.
Now comes the quick depressing part.
The race started...and we were P10 going into 1....I got a little tap from behind by the 00 Camaro but no biggie....I had space in front...and space to my outside to the Roush Mustang...we all went down to the apex and picked up throttle.
The next thing I knew...we were in the sand trap outside of one and the car was smoking. THe crew radioed me to ask what happened...and my response in my head...I was helping you could tell me.
There are conflicting reports of how what and why...but the bottom line...a lot of cars got thrashed in the first corner...of the first lap...of a 2 1/2 race.
As the car tracked away from the apex.....behind me...a Mustang 3 rows back made a bold dash to the inside...in doing so...his inside tires went into the wet grass...the car didnt turn...and it didnt stop.....thats where Nismo RC chassis 001 A pillar came into play.
The Mustant hit square on the A pilar/ left front wheel area....of which I can say our upper control arms didnt break
That hit sent the car to the outside where it quickly closed that "gap" to the Roush car...hitting them square and me spinning in front of the 65 other cars.
Those 2 hits were plenty and our day was done.
So...we will be def missing round 3 of the series in Homestead and look to be finalizing the rest of our 2012 schedule in the next few weeks.
The good news is that we were able to get a great direction and progress has already been made towards our next level with this car.
As of Tuesday the chassis was already stripped and been taken to the frame rack.
I can say this......Ive been doing this for awhile...and this one was just flat out depressing.
I want to thank all the Nissan supporters and owners that we meet over the weekend...and the guys at Z1....when they saw we had their engine mounts they were completly stoked.
As always ....stay "tunned" for details
Cheers
Dwnshift

takjak2

Still want. PM me

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Dwnshift

Takjak
Our front upper control arms just went out to get anodized.
When they return.. I will get some pictures.
Im pretty sure they will be available through Nissan Motorsports Parts dept...but not sure on pricing yet.
Thats a TBD.
Dwnshift

ChrisSlicks

Looking forward to these. Will be replacing the ball joints in my SPC's this weekend, these look to be a much higher quality.

Anyone want some slightly used SPC's with fresh ball joints?

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms