dunker

As mentioned, standard for Rays on a GT were 225 front and 245 rear. The smaller number, and 45 in the case of Rays, reflects the tyres profile......smaller = low profile. Obviously the R is the wheel size, and again 18 for both front and rear and then of course you have the speed ratings...which are letters up to Z... You can run smaller/larger tyres/wheels but may need to fit spacers etc.

Well had my Advanced Driving day yesterday at Snetterton with the team from Motorsport Vision. The day consisted of a morning of track and classroom sessions utilising their VX220 Turbos, followed by afternoon sessions in your own car....in my case a MY56 GT. The overall presentation was OK, with only 5 students on the course so a great student instructor ratio. After initial signing on and bacon butty we went on track as a passenger to see the line....and not for the instructor to "show you how its done". Throughout the day I never felt once that they thought themselves some sort of God, in fact quite the opposite. Following the track famil it was out for a 10 lap assesment. The course was running alongside an open pit lane track day so pros for were lack of novice track drivers, cons were the odd Caterham driver with no patience!! Following the assesment we had a series of lessons covering weight transfer, braking techniques and breaking down the circuit corner by corner. Each of these lessons were followed by a chance for you to apply the lessons learnt and get some track time. This was normally 10 to 15 minutes which is by far enough both for the car and yourself! This gave a total 4 sessions in the morning. A break for lunch was followed by a final assesment in the VX and then a session in your own car with the instructor alongside to point out differences in techniques depending on your drive. We were then free to lap as often as we wished which was about 2 1/2 hours worth. At the end of the day you were given a written assesment of your perfomance on the day with areas to work on for the future. Facilities at Snetterton are good and you even have your own dedicated garage with direct track access at the end of the pit lane. If you don't feel brave enough to take your own car you can rent one of their VX220s for the afternoon session, but have to have an instructor with you, which probably isn't such a bad thing. On the day there was only 3 red flags that closed sessions, each of which was almost cleared by the time you had returned to the pits and were then ready to go again. Snetterton has potential for some nasty run offs due to the high speed entries into corners, but if you listen well and apply the correct techniques then the worst that can happen is a run off into grass. Cost for this package was £399 with £299 for car hire in the afternoon as an option. I would def reccomend the day and use your own car. Don't expect a standard Zed to be any where near as fast as some of the dedicated track cars, but you will def learn somehting about the Zeds traits....both good and bad!! For information... I was running the car as standard on new Falkens. With mechanical sympathy and correct technique expect some wear but not trashing them as some may suggest! Obviously check all levels and car security. Car stayed nice and cool all day, uhlike the TT that was running alongside. Also expect to get alot of attention. Any modern Zed seems to get it now and people must expect all Nissan sports models to perfom like the gtr! Noise levels for those with addons is set at 105db, my 56 on OEM exhaust ran in at 87db. Hope this helps in some way to people considering venturing onto the track.

Well trackday complete on new set of Falkens....and car still in one piece. Firstly the noise levels are noticably lower over the Potenzas, and overall wear was good. Fronts definitely worn more than rear but thats probably because I was at Snetterton where you have a blindingly quick circuit. That leads to heavy weight transfer and loading onto fronts as you turn in. Compound seemed to warm very quickly - 4-5 laps in - and as mentioned moreso on front. Even with correct pressures I also noticed it meant that with a 45 profile I was able to mark the rims on both fronts!! Guess thats what happens on trackdays when you kiss the apex! Now as for handling, not sure wether it was because they needed scrubbing more but alot...alot...of tyre squeal. For those of you who know Sear corner at Snett, I had to really brake hard and allow understeer to avoid the tyres screeching. Wasn't really sure if she was clawing for grip or just the sheer weight of the damn thing. At the end of the day though, still plenty of tread and that was after a good 40 laps over 3 hours or so. Just to add.....the best feature of the Zed had to be the Brembos.....just blinding!!!

Summertime special??? Its' in the middle of October??? anyway...... +1 hopefully from the East Anglia Brigade.... 1.H5 2.Chesterfield 3.Dunker 4.

Just had 4 Falkens fitted this weekend. Searched all over the net for best prices and Camskill were by far the best. They delivered to my local Nissan dealer, who by the way are the only ones I would trust in removing/fitting to Rays. Heard some real horror stories about trashed wheels, young fitters racing etc etc. They fitted them for £90 which ate into most of the savings I made by going to Camskill. My fronts on the OEM Potenzas still had plenty of tread and my dealer has offered to store them for me in the workshop in case I should need them refitting, which I thought was excellent service. Track day tomorrow, so will report back on handling at speed.

Well to add to the topic. I took a semi-auto for a test drive as I was more than happy with Nissan's record for great manual systems. I found the paddle shift fairly simple, or the alternate sequential shift. Didn't really notice the rev synchro as much with the auto though. As with all other reviews though, I was left feeling disappointed with the exhaust note. In the past the majority of heads have turned at the sound first, and then left an admiring glance when seeing the Nissan's curves. This time however, you could quite stealthily sneak up on someone before they would notice you. What was still evident though was the amount of noise generated by the Potenzas, although they are now running the RE050) now (as seen on the Mercs). That said, on the last round about at the completion of my test drive, I did have another driver pull up along side and shout nice looking motor. I guess that is where we need the thumbs up approval. True, on returning to the 350 it did feel somewhat dated, but I truly believe it still gives me the sensation of driving a high performance car which the 370 seems to miss. I think to truly see the difference you would need to track the car, where as the 350 can give you the "rush" as a daily drive. Interior wise I was extremely disappointed with the roller cover and strange looking alloy bar across the centre frame. Sure there was some compromise on space with the 350 bar, but asthetically it looked great displaying the Z logo in the rear window, and combined with a tonneau cover it was an ideal parcel shelf, which the 370 no longer has. (No where for the wifey's cardigan, hat,gloves,handbag etc etc etc. Would I order a 370? I really am not sure. I love its' more aggressive look and I am sure over time the refinements will show. Just wish they had released it with a European market exhaust as opposed to the Californian imposed muffler system!!

Will be attending the ATDC run by Motorsportvision at Snetterton this Tuesday. Extremely competitive price for a fantastic day of instruction and driving.....will post pics and reviews next week. http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk

Well I will be test driving the 370Z this Friday, so watch out for the review. I have opted to try out the semi auto with paddle shift and Rev synchro. Wanted to see how it faired with other similar gearboxes out there, ala Maserati. Pretty sure the manual will be as sweet as previous Nissan sports models. Think the review will have far more credibility coming from a Nissan owner, although I may find it hard to be impartial.

Mine is my military call sign..... comes from many trips to the Dunker...AKA Underwater Escape Trainer......

Raccoon have franchises across the country, my local one being at Woolpit just outside Bury St Edmunds. They had the contract for the UK Gumball rally so look at some of the work on display tere for an idea of their capabilities and creativity. I looked at having a full car wrap for a number of reasons. Firstly I was going to be out nof the country for a number of months and felt it woulf protect the paintwork while I was away. Secondly to hide and protect from further stone chips on the front end, and finaly as a cool design for JAE last Summer. They have a host of designers at hand and will come up with original designs. Alternatively if you have your own design, as long as the resolution is fine enough they can transpose it to the wrap. I was looking at either a Manga inspired design or a copy of te Forza 2 350Z. The vinyl is not cheap, coming in at £50 per metre and a Zed needs aprox 15m to cover entirely. You then have to add labour and design costs. Overall budget for about £1000 - £1200. I had a deal to do it at cost as a kind of mobile advert for the Suffolk franchise. I think that wraps could be te next big thing in personalisation and your car is only off the road for one day..... http://www.raccoon.co.uk/homepage.php

There is an air man at Odiham who owns a Zed, I believe he is a member of the forum too.

Yeah, I think we have passed each other a few times that end of town! need to get to some more meets before i trade up.....or it may end up being a Masser!!

I've had mine for just over 2 years and now contemplating a move for a 370. I normally park in the wide spaces at Buttermarket as I hate getting parking rash on the car!! GM GT with VRN ends FRR...... Just love the Z and use it as a daily drive to and from work out near Bildeston.....

Hi all from sunny south Afghanistan. 3 months out here without so much as even a rev of my baby!!! I hope my girlfriend is looking after her well!!! Anyway, just a quick note to say merry Xmas to all members, hopefully catch up with you all in the New Year!

Went to Glynn Hopkin of ipswich 2 weeks ago. They took a photo of the bubbling, which was very minor, and yesterday heard that they would replace all 4 under warranty, new Rays on order!!