BRYAN SETTLE’S 350Z SHINES AT Z NATIONALS
Z CAR CLUB MAGAZINE
N O V / D E C 2 0 1 7 • I S S U E 3.1 1 /3.1 2
ZCARCLUBMAG.COM
Contents
zcarclubmag.com • november/december 2017 • issue 3.11/3.12
Features
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16 Old School Rocks SEMA It was a nice surprise to see some old school import cars have a solid showing at this years SEMA event. Everything from Datsun S30’s to 510’s, Nissan GTR’s and 240SX’s and a sprinkling of Mazda’s, Toyota’s, and BMW’s made this years show worth attending.
Departments 5 7 8 24
From the Editor Moving Parts Events Around the Curve
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publisher: Nelson Ackerman, nlackerman1@aol.com editor-in-chief: Art Singer, arts.zccm@gmail.com managing editor: Keelan Murphy, keelan.zccm@gmail.com advertising: call 505.835.9170 for a media kit operations: Printing: Short Run Printing Ltd, distribution: Lita Singer
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FROM THE EDITOR • The new year starts another round of Z events. By: Art Singer, EIC (ZCCM), Albuquerque Z Car Club It’s never to early to start marking your calendar for 2018 Z Events. This year starts off with the 3rd Annual Mr K Fun Run in Laughlin, NV on February 16th through the 19th. I missed the first year but made it to last years event and had a blast. Kenny Ueda and his mother Johnnie Gable (my car show mom) do a great job setting up the event and making it a blast for everyone that attends. They have some fun things lined up for this year including a run to Hoover Dam for some photo ops and right after, a drive to Henderson, NV to meet with Peter and Gayle Brock at BRE. Meeting the Brock’s at BRE is a lot different then seeing Peter Brock at a car show. Here you have a chance to talk one on one and not just being another person waiting on line to get an autograph. Add to that, a chance to buy BRE memorabilia at a discounted rate autographed by Peter on the spot. There is also a run to Oatman, AZ (on old Route 66 - the road Mr K loved so much) coming in through Kingman, AZ. The portion of Route 66 that leads into Oatman is one of the funest, twistiest and dangerous roads you will ever drive on. It’s amazing how no guardrails (there are some, but I’m not sure you can call them guardrails) and many blind turns will mess with your mind. Add to that, seeing a crushed car at the bottom of the ravine and you will see why I think this is one of the craziest runs in the southwest. I almost forgot the loose gravel and occasional mules wondering on the road add to the fun.
I hope that some of you will decide to make the trip this year. You won’t regret it. To find out more, email Kenny Ueda at uedakj@verizon.net. There have still been quite a few readers wanting to send in articles on their Zs. The problem (if you want to call it that) is, they are mostly coming from the S30 crowd. I would love to see some later model Z owners (280ZX, 300ZX, 350Z and 370Z) get involved and start submitting some articles on their cars. As much as I love the S30, I would like to see more variety, including the newer models in the pages of ZCCM. A few good pictures and a good story behind the car is all it takes to make it happen. Even the 510 and Roadster owners are welcome to submit an article. ZCCM is still in search of Z-cars for the "Behind the Wheel" section of the magazine. If you own a nice Z and would like to see your car gracing the pages of the magazine and don't mind writing about it then send me an email at arts.zccm@gmail.com to get the ball rolling. Who knows, it might turn into a feature (see above) if there is a really good story behind it! Most BTW's only need between 400 to 700 words and about 5 to 8 hi-res images. This is your chance to see your car in print and it also looks nice displayed in the rear hatch area of your Z at your local car show. So get out from behind the wheel and show the world what you got.
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MOVING PARTS ZCCM’s Moving Parts column digs up the latest and greatest parts and accessories for your Nissan, Infiniti, or Datsun. Know of a product that should be featured? E-mail details to arts.zccm@gmail.com. Nitro Tape (also known as Tommy Tape) Nitro Tape was one of the many products that caught my eye at SEMA. I was able to see up close how well this product adheres to all kinds of surfaces including wire harnesses and hoses. I even tried to make the ends fray and curl up but was unsuccessful which was impressive. But what I liked most was how easy the tape could be removed. Just by making a small slice in the tape, it would come off easily with no sticky residue left behind. Nitro Tape is a self-fusing silicone tape dedicated to insulating, protecting, and repairing anything you can wrap. It can stop leaks long enough until you can get your car to a place where you can fix it properly. It comes in many colors and is also good for plumbing repairs, used as wraps on tools for a better grip and sealing electrical connections. You can find this product in most retail stores as well as online. Details: midsunsp.com
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EVENTS • Z Nationals 2017 - Atlanta, GA By: Art Singer, Albuquerque Z Car Club If this years Z Nationals is any indicator
One Z on display that garnered a lot of atten-
of what Z enthusiasts can expect to see at ZCON
tion was Bryan Settle’s V8 powered 350Z. Bryan
2018, then you won’t be disappointed.
is the organizer for ZDayZ (Tail of the Dragon), an
The track event (at Road Atlanta), the car show
annual event at Fontana Village in the western
venue and the host hotel will be the same locations
mountains of North Carolina. This latest undertak-
for this years ZCON. Along with the locations, the
ing from Bryan was about five years in the mak-
time of year will be the same so this was a sort of
ing. Lots of weekends were spent building this
trial run for ZCON organizers for parts of this
monster. I’m pretty sure this was the first time that
years upcoming event hosted by the Georgia Z
this car was shown to the public (other than social
Club, the Fairlady Alliance Of Atlanta and Z1
media) and I would expect that you will see it at a
Motorsports.
lot of Z events on the east coast in 2018.
As expected, Z1 put on another great show.
This was also a good test run for me since I
Road Atlanta on its own makes a great event even
plan on driving to ZCON this year. One thing is
better. There were a couple of hundred cars at the
for sure, I won’t be taking the northern route (I-40
car show with the Z32’s and newer Z’s dominating
to Memphis, then south to Burmingham). I’ll be tak-
the event. It was also nice to see a decent amount
ing the southern route (I-20 through Dallas). It’s
of early Z’s in attendance, probably three times
easier going through Lubbock then it is driving in
more since my last visit to Z1’s show.
Memphis.
Nissan Motorsports had a big presence with a
One of my top ZCON’s was at the 1995 con-
couple of booths and a nice display of Nissan
vention in Atlanta. I can’t wait to see what the sec-
race cars both present and past. My guess is, you
ond time around has to offer. I’m guessing it will
can expect to see the same at ZCON 2018.
be one to remember.
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SETTLED
BRYAN SETTLE’S 350Z WAS ONE OF MANY CROWD PLEASERS AT THIS YEARS Z NATIONALS
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Z Nationals 2017 - cont’d
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Z Nationals 2017 - cont’d
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DATSUN/NISSAN MAKES A BIT OF A COMEBACK 2017 sure went fast. It felt like SEMA 2016 was just a few months ago. Last years event, mixed with Halloween was just plain crazy. This year, it was just exhausting. I think I logged 30 miles of walking in all four days of the event. Thank goodness I flew into Vegas this time. I was surprised this year to see as many Datsun’s and Nissan’s on display. I think last year there were maybe four or five Z’s and 510’s combined in the entire show. Along with more Z’s and 510’s this year, there was a handful of 240SX’s, a couple of Datsun pickups, a beautiful early 70’s Skyline and the normal saturation of newer GTR’s. Add to the list, a number of other manufacturers on hand that included Toyota, Mazda, Ford (70’s Ford Bronco), Chevy and BMW with some really nice “old school” cars on display proved that 30 and 40 year old cars and trucks can still be relevant at a show like SEMA. And with that comes the opportunity for companies to get back to manufacturing more new parts for cars like the Z and 510 along with all the newer generations. It was nice to see a lot more companies making new parts (especially for the import market). In the next few issues, I will be highlighting quite a few of them in the “Moving Parts” section of the magazine. It’s about time “old school” made a comeback.
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AROUND THE CURVE ZCCM is for car clubs and their members. We encourage you to join your local club or consider starting one of your own— it’s a great way to grow the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun community. If you already belong to a club and you don’t see it listed contact Art Singer at arts.zccm@gmail.com or 505-835-9170 for more information on how your club can become a partner.
• Partner Club Directory Arizona Desert Z Association Location: Phoenix, AZ Contact: Jim Ault Email: dza@desertzassocation.com Website: desertzassociation.com California Group Z Sports Car Club Location: Southern California Contact: Ian Stewart - President Email: ian@groupz.com Website: groupz.com Z Club of San Diego Location: San Diego, CA Contact: Chuck Golden Email: chucksbarandgrill@cox.net Website: zcsd.org Z Owners of Northern California Location: Northern California Contact: Jason Green - President Email/: zoncpres@gmail.com Phone: 707-681-8717 Website: zonc.org Colorado Z Car Club of Colorado Location: Denver & surrounding area Contact: Ira Sanders Email: zroadrunner14@gmail.com Website: zccc.org
Indiana Indy Z Club Location: Indianapolis, IN Contact: Scott Caylor - President Email: IZCC@indyzcarclub.org Phone: 317-698-8144 Website: indyzcarclub.org Kentucky Bluegrass Z Car Club Location: Louisville, KY Contact: Bill Edens - President Email: bzcc@bellsouth.net Phone: 502-241-3812 Website: bluegrasszcarclub.com Maryland Maryland Z Club Location: Finksburg, MD Contacts: Mark Lambert - President JoAnne Gardner - VP Email: mdzclub@mdzclub.org Phone: 410-857-4320 Website: mdzclub.org Missouri Ozarks Z Club Location: Springfield, MO Contacts: Josh Lyman - President Email: Ozarkszclubprez@gmail.com Phone: 417-597-0872 Facebook.com/groups/ozarkszclub
Connecticut Connecticut Z Car Club Location: Connecticut & surrounding area Contact: Ross Williams Email: officers@ctzcc.com Website: ctzcc.com
New Hampshire Z Car Club of New England Location: New Hampshire Contact: John Jeffries - President Email: john@baddogparts.com Phone: 617-510-2694 Website: zccne.org
Illinois Windy City Z Club Location: Chicago Metro Area Contact: Ty Ozgen Email: tyozgen@gmail.com Phone: 630-910-3616 Website: windycityzclub.com
New Mexico Albuquerque Z Car Club Location: Albuquerque Metro Area Contact: Nelson Ackerman Email: nlackerman1@aol.com Phone: 505-239-6833 Facebook: Albuquerque Z Car Club
New York Z Association of New York Location: Upstate New York Contact: Mike Roth Email: rothm@srgarch.com Phone: 518-857-5026 Website: zanyz.com North Carolina Triad Z Club Location: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point Contact: Matthew Ragan - President Email: president@triadzclub.com Phone: 336-399-0961 Website: triadzclub.com Triangle Z Club Location: Raleigh, NC Contact: Bud Hansen - President Email: budhansenus@hotmail.com Phone: 919-215-2698 Website: trianglezclub.com Ohio Cleveland Z Club Location: Northern Ohio Contact: Brent Heath Email: Zaddict96@gmail.com Phone: 216-408-0105 Website: Clevelandzclub.com Z Car and Roadster Owners Club Location: Central Ohio Contact: Tom Marshall Email: tommarshall1@twc.com Phone: 614-451-1890 Website: zroc.org Oklahoma Oklahoma Z car Club Location: Tulsa and Oklahoma City Contact: Pete Pitchford Email: petepitchford@gmail.com Phone: 405-612-1146 Website: okzcc.com South Carolina Upstate Z Club Location: South Carolina Contact: Greg Groppe - President Email: bluez280@afo.net Phone: 864-884-7001 Website: upstatezclub.com Tennessee Middle Tennessee Z Club Location: Central Tennessee Contact: Robert McGehee Email: rmcgehee22@gmail.com or mtzclub@gmail.com Phone: 615-361-4574 Website: middletennesseezclub.com
Smokey Mountain Z Car Club Location: Eastern Tennessee Contact: Tony Price Email: tonyprice1@yahoo.com Phone: 865-681-7986 Website: smokymountainzcarclub.com Texas Cowtown Z Club Location: Ft Worth and Arlington Area Contact: Mike Brunner Email: mtbrunner14@hotmail.com Phone: 817-441-6471 Website: cowtownzclub.com Z Club of Texas Location: Dallas Metro Area Contact: “Mad” Mike Taylor Email: zmadmike@airmail.net Phone: 214-533-0922 Website: zcluboftexas.org Virginia Tidewater Z Car Club Location: Eastern Virginia Contact: Todd Wagner Email: zfixers@cox.net Phone: 757-851-8098 Website: tzccva.org Z Car Association of Richmond Location: Richmond, VA Contact: Chris Grigg Email: President@richmondzcar.com Phone: 804-467-5067 Website: richmondzcar.com And we're on Facebook! Z Car Club of Northern Virginia Location: Tysons Corner Contact: Bernie Bilski Email: yugobernie@cox.net Website: zcarclubnova.org Washington Z Car Club of Washington Location: Washington State Contact: Marty Molloy Email: twin.turbos@yahoo.com Phone: 425-367-9065 Facebook: facebook.com/DatsunClub Web Based Z Car Clubs Classic Zcar Club Location: Internet Contact: Mike Gholson Website: classiczcars.com
UPCOMING EVENTS 3rd Annual Mr K Fun Run Date: February 16-19, 2018 Location: Riverside Resort - Laughlin, NV Details: Email Kenny Ueda at uedakj@verizon.net
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