| Run 1 | Run 2 | Run 3 | Run 4 | Run 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reaction | 0.399 | 0.489 | 0.228 | 0.316 | 1.308* |
| 60 ft. | 2.618 | 2.529 | 2.429 | 2.375 | 2.364 |
| 660 ft. | 10.685 | 10.636 | 10.446 | 10.350 | 10.330 |
| E.T. | 16.387 | 16.381 | 16.175 | 16.120 | 16.105 |
| MPH | 86.646 | 85.631 | 85.826 | 85.030 | 85.110 |
*They surprised me with a "pro" starting light sequence on my last run: all three yellow at once, then the green. Normal starts progressed evenly through yellow, yellow, yellow, green. But all of my reaction times were bad.
This was my first time ever at a drag race. Of course, the Z3 is meant for road racing and autocross, not drag racing. But it was still fun to get some time slips, and I got a lot of positive attention with my unusual car at the track. I want to get under 16 sec. I think I can do it by shedding some excess weight - less gas in the tank, lose the spare tire, lose 20 lbs myself, etc. Plus I was using lower grade fuel than I should.
This drag strip is in Albuquerque, NM at over 5,000 feet above sea level. These runs were from 6pm to midnight in the middle of the summer. My Z3 has the 2.8L inline-6-cyl and is bone stock.
8 Jul 2000
I checked out the Sandia Motorsports Speedway today and got in a few runs. This is a new track, and my first time on it. After several warm up laps, I clocked two consecutive runs at 1:51.97 and 1:49.35.
Just like at Arroyo Seco, I tried various lines through the coarse, but felt I was always limited by the tires, no matter what I did. At 36,000 miles, the car still has the original Michelen Pilots, but they need to be replaced (especially now). They are fantastic street tires, lasted a long time, and are quiet, but they can not match competition tires like the BFG R1, Yoko A032R, etc.
Unfortunately, the bills are piling up and it's time to sell this outstanding automobile. I will probably put on Yoko A520's, since they are 1/2 the price of the Michelens. I will buy a cheap commuter car until things settle down and I can afford another performance car. At that time, I may consider the Porsche Boxster just for something different, although I have had zero complaints with the Z3.
I have track times from two trips down to Arroyo Seco somewhere, but haven't posted them here, yet. I believe 1:29.50 was one of my better runs, but maybe I got further under 1:30. Even with the crappy tires, there's one corner on that track I never mastered, and could easily shave off another second with more practice. Someday.