RL vs. 350Z and then Camaro SS

[SLSduke82]

Praise heaven above. Two good races on the way into work this morning. I've noticed something on my way in and way out of work along the road I usually take--after 6pm or so, the ricers come out in their civics. Makes sense; school's out, they're awake, whatever.

But before 8:30am? Guys my age and then some, in nicer cars. Working world, I guess. Also makes sense. But there's always too much traffic to play around.

Not so this morning. Traffic was light, I'd just left my house and was on the 4-lane highway heading the 8 miles to downtown. Saw a silver 350Z in the left lane, riding someone's ass...a guy in a minivan doing like 25 in a 40. The Z gets an open lane, scoots up ahead aggressively. I punch it and catch up.

He notices me (and looks right below the Saturn logo-- SUPERCHARGED...I love those badges already) and we play tag for a little bit.

After about three miles of this, he's in left lane, I'm in right. We're not egging each other on, but...oh my, yellow light ahead, no traffic in front of us, light goes red.

THANK YOU.

So we're at the light. Younger guy, maybe 25 or 26. Doesn't make eye contact, watching the light. Revs a little. I don't rev, but get ready. I've been working on my launches, not going WOT right away, using the clutch, all that. Heart gets pumping.

Green! And what do you know, he knows how to launch, too. So we both jump off the line, modulating our clutches to avoid wheel spin. I can hear his exhaust doing the same as mine, up, down, up--GO! That Z's engine...still love the sound.

By the end of first, I was on his bumper. Would've probably been nose to nose, but I did get SOME wheelspin. I had to shift at thirty, and sounds like he did the same, or maybe a half second later, as he pulls ahead a few feet.

Second gear.

Okay--here's where I get iffy. We get into second. Perfect gear change for me, right at redline, little wheelspin. The half-length he has on me disappeared. Suddenly, by 60, I have a car and a half, two cars maybe, or so on him. Into third, to 80. He neither pulls nor falls back. Iffy cause I really pulled on him, quickly, down low. I know our 2nd gear is pretty damn strong. How is the bottom of the Z's 2nd? They a high-winding mill? I figured they had a pretty flat power curve, but I jumped fast. Maybe he missed a shift? Didn't hear his engine spike. Dunno.

Then we both shut down. Double speed limit that early, nah.

AND he won't come up beside me. Just gets behind me and we play follow the leader toward town. As we near town, he's back in the left lane, spares the Saturn a single, almost digusted glance, and turns to get gas. Not a "God your car sucks" look, but a "what the f*** was that" look.

Next race--about a half mile later. Traffic's still light. Doesn't get gridlocked for another mile or so. I'm in the right lane, and come up on a bright red Camaro SS. That car sounds MEAN. He's got the corvette-like quad exhaust under the license plate but, otherwise, car looks clean. Older guy.

I scoot up next to him. No traffic ahead. He glances over. Glances at the Saturn logo--Supercharged. (Did I mention I love these badges?)

Well, this one was no contest. I'm still wiping the dust from my teeth. From 40, I dropped into second and punched it. Pulled, I dunno, maybe 2 feet on him. Then I hear HIM downshift and, holy shit, time got warped, I think. I dunno if he was a stocker, or he had engine work, but by the time I shifted into 3rd at 60, he had 5 or 6 lengths on me, if not more, proally going 80 or 90, and was really putting on the steam. Amazing car.

Ahead, where traffic gets backed up, I give the guy a nod. He shrugs as if to say "Had to show you" and we both smile.

Awesome morning!

Couple notes: races like the one against the Z make me wish GM had tuned our first gear to take us to 40, or raise our rev limiter. It'd be like driving a different car. 1st is nearly useless if you don't launch right. If you do, it slams you in the seat, but sheesh.

Two, I can't believe how dumb I've been. I've had my Recaro seat jacked WAY up, as I'm about 5'8" and that's how I always rode in my Grand Prix. Got it into my head three days ago--hey, i don't have gauges in front of me. Can lower the wheel. I did so, and lowered the seat to near bottom. Wierd sitting way down low like that, but I'm already used to it, and the seat back grips better. And, imagine this, the car's 100% easier to drive. My launches have been perfect. Figures. But least I discovered it now haha.

[redlinebrian]

Nice kill on the z man. Before i traded in my RL my buddy with a z kept wanting to race me. We never got the chance though. i guess that how it might have went. But now i got a Z28 though. Ive been looking for a RL to race. I recently raced a Stage 1 SRT-4. man it feels good to whip one of those things into shape. but hey i still love those redlines.

[connermt]

[handyjoe]

The engine specs on the z are kinda ridiculous. I mean, they're nice and all, but peak torque comes well over 4000 rpm, you really have to get into them to get them moving.

[kazkillinger]

The engine specs on the z are kinda ridiculous. I mean, they're nice and all, but peak torque comes well over 4000 rpm, you really have to get into them to get them moving.

well they are french engines.

[jonnybredline]

My father in law has an 02 ss with a different cam and some other minor things and pushs a little under 400 horses. Bad car, I've tried messing with him and all I can say is feed the mouse in the glove box some more cheese please. Oh not cheese crack.

[Freakazoid]

nice kill man, way to destroy the 350z! I'm feeling a bit better now I think I might have to take a stroll down rt 51 and see if that RL is still down there later once I'm fully recouped. Damn cold weather...

[Horvat26]

That's some good driving. I always thought those cars had the edge on us (mag numbers), but it's good to know that it can be a drivers race.

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by Horvat26

That's some good driving. I always thought those cars had the edge on us (mag numbers), but it's good to know that it can be a drivers race.

Yup I was suprised, too. Mag racing'll do that. Remembering how the car looked, I think it was a totally stock '03...and not a "special edition" or anything. So we have similar 0-60s and 1/4 mi times. He might've missed a quick grab at 2nd, as I pulled pretty strong. But a win's a win.

But that Camaro on the other hand...