Z4 DOMINATES SCCA Runoffs

[Kirby]

Just to show that the Z4 is a premier performance roadster, take a look at the 2005 SCCA Runoff results for Showroom Stock B class:

Pos/ No./ Driver / Make / Model / Fast Lap Time
1 2 Toby Grahovec 03 BMW Z4 1:45.769
2 09 Jack Tippens 04 BMW Z4 1:45.720
3 92 Harry Manning 99 Mazda Miata 1:45.935
4 04 David Nielsen 03 BMW Z4 1:45.838
5 66 Ken Simonson 99 Mazda Miata 1:46.508
6 4 Jeff Jensen 05 Acura RSX 1:46.707
7 40 Kevin N.C Chen 03 BMW Z4 1:46.234
8 22 Laura Olson 99 Mazda Miata 1:47.348
9 01 Jonathan Boxwell Miata 99 Mazda Miata 1:47.208
10 87 Joe Ebben 02 Acura RSX 1:46.702

Harry Manning, Third place Mazda:

"The four BMWs were faster by far than the rest of us. But they had to keep them on the track to beat us, and not all of them did! I was able to gain on Jack in the fast left hander at turn 13, but my car failed me on the last lap."

 

[IslandDawgZ4]

Great road results,but...

Now if SCCA would class the Z4 in B Stock in autocross, we could get the samekind of results!

 

[Kirby]

Yeah, how 'bout that? It makes no sense that the Z4 is in the same autocross class as an E46 M3.

If I remember correctly, there was a formal request by members to move the Z4 to B Stock in Solo II/Time Trials, but SCCA shot it down....

 

[bmw046series]

In a one-on-one shoot out, the 3 liter BMW Z4 can take the Boxter S, Fifth Gear has proven it and I've seen it done, no wait I've done it, it deserves it because it can do it with the proper driver.

 

[Kirby]

SCCA testing and handicaping doesn't agree with that. The Boxster S was moved to Super Stock from A Stock for 2005, in the company of C6 vette, Lotus Elise, Viper, 911, etc. For autocross, they feel that the Boxster S out performs Z4, M3, S2000, etc.

 

[bmw046series]

If the Z4 Coupe makes production what do you think they will do with it?

 

[Kirby]

I was thinking about that, my guess is still A Stock with the 3.0 engine. But if/when the M Roadster / M Coupe arrive, they will almost have to be in Super Stock, which is also where I thing the E90 M3 will land.

 

[IslandDawgZ4]

It just doesn't add up

I was thinking about that, my guess is still A Stock with the 3.0 engine. But if/when the M Roadster / M Coupe arrive, they will almost have to be in Super Stock, which is also where I thing the E90 M3 will land.

Well, I've tried SCCA again and they said it would considered, i.e., moving the Z4, 3.0 or 2.5, to B Stock. How many Z4s ran in the SCCA Solo II runoffs? Zero, none. The power to weight ratio is completely out of wack with a 2900 lb. S2000 with 240 hp. The comparisons with Boxsters is worse. And two weeks a ago I had to run against a 996 Carrera S in A Stock. Even the RX-8 at 3100 lbs is rated at 238 hp and runs in B Stock. But then there is close relationship between SCCA and Mazda! Everything that was beating the RX-8 was moved up in class. Go figger? A hundred lbs makes a big difference in Solo II. That's why Miatas and Elises do so well in their respective classes. As for the guy who thinks a well-driven Z4 3.0 can outrun a Boxster S, equally well driven, he knows not of what he writes. Maybe in a drag race if the Boxster is an auto? Obviously he has little or no experience in Solo II.

 

[Kirby]

Yup, you are absolutely right. There are a lot of SCCA classing "oddities" in Solo II. Another one that gets me is the Scooby WRX (not STi) in D Stock. Just about every other car in D Stock is 2 WD, even with lower HP the Scooby's AWD is a decided advantage, especially on tight, technical courses. When I see a WRX at an event that is tight, I know who is going to take D Stock before the first run even starts.

 

[IslandDawgZ4]

Solo II competitiveness

Just to reinforce the point about power/weight, in my section the usual FTDs occur among three excellent drivers, one who is a former Nat'l Champion in E Stock. That guy now drives an STS2 '92 Miata (CAI, header, Konis and Azenies). If he doesn't get FTD (including PAX), the next one drives a '72 911T in B Stock; and last by .001 might be the '94 SM2 Miata. Anyone of these three guys show and they win. That means the usual Elise loses as does the Noble GTR, any 'Vettes, the Carrera 911 GT3 that shows up from time to time. Notice a pattern here? Weight is big factor, then skill, then tires. And the STS2 Miata is driven to the track! The others are trailered or re-tired at the track.
SCCA gets the results so you'd think they would get the message after a while. I don't think the Buccaneer Region is that different than eslewhere in the universe.
Oh, and you are so right about the Subies, too