May/June - Z Club of Texas

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May / June 2012
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Visit our website at
MAY / JUNE 2012
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zcluboftexas.org
for details
Muenster Center Cafe
P.O. Box 2766, Grapevine, TX 76099-2766
Texas Tour
Wo r kb en ch
President’s Column
by Jonathan Maddox
Greetings! May 2012
Customers have very recently (within the last couple of weeks) begun to take the first
deliveries of a brand new sports car platform that, if successful, could begin a new wave of
more-affordable sports cars. The new platform doesn’t have huge power, but it does appear to have huge fun potential, and seems to be about as basic/simple as possible for
something brand-new in 2012.
I’m referring to the all-new “Toyobaru” triplets: the Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, and Japanese-market Toyota FT86. These cars combine small size, rear wheel drive, 2 doors, and 2
liters of boxer engine to form affordable lightweight track tools with an ultra-low center of
mass. 1980sThey are essentially a Mazda Miata alternative, which is not a bad thing to be
considering the humble Miata is the best-selling sports car ever, worldwide.
Every review I’ve read says these new cars really do deliver on everything Toyota/Subaru
said they would be. They won’t be overwhelming anyone with power output, but like the
Miata they are very well-sorted and fun to drive with easily-approached limits, and will
reward driver skill while helping to develop it.
You’re probably wondering, why am I talking so much about a non-Nissan product? The
simple fact is, developing this new platform is a huge gamble by Toyota and Subaru. If successful, the other manufacturers will most definitely take notice. There isn’t much going on
in the small, affordable, RWD market currently:
Nissan doesn’t currently build a sporty car below the $30K+ 370Z, GM killed the Pontiac
Solstice/Saturn Sky years ago, Chrysler’s Challenger is more cruiser than sports car, Honda killed its last sports car a couple of years ago (the S2000), and it always seems 50/50
whether Mitsubishi will continue to survive in the US market, and they haven’t made a
RWD performance platform in ages (the 3000GT/Stealth). The only real players in the
“cheap RWD sports car” market are the V6 Chevy Camaro, V6 Ford Mustang (a vastly more
respectable performance car than it used to be), and Mazda with the Miata (the RX-8 is
no more).
Competition between manufacturers ultimately benefits the consumer, and if the new
FR-S and BRZ do well, we might very well see some vehicles in this niche from other
manufacturers, including Nissan. Might the FR-S/BRZ lead to a modern version of the
well-liked Nissan 240SX? Time will tell.
Jonathan Maddox
President – Z Club of Texas
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PRESIDENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . VICE PRESIDENT. . . . . . . . SECRETARY. . . . . . . . . . . . TREASURER. . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Maddox. . . . . H
Mike Blanco. . . . . . . . . . H
Lance Reedy. . . . . . . . . H
Kay Newton. . . . . . . . . . H
* * * * * * * * * * * Z-EXTRA * * * * * * * * * * *
972.971.8657
214.924.1658
214.934.0408
817.421.0139
* * * * * * * * * * COMMITTEES * * * * * * * * * *
EDITOR . . . . Mike Taylor . . . H 817.329.1641
[ zmadmike@airmail.net ]
Advertising
Matthew Young
H 817.993.9770
Appraisals
Steve Ham
H 214.674.3368
Feature Editors:
Member Profiles. . Edward Cheung
Texas Tours. . . . . . Katy Taylor, Kay Newton
Front Covers . . . . . Dave Olson
Production Staff. . Lois Liconte, Kay Newton
. . . . . . . and Dave Olson
******************************************
Z-EXTRA Online
[via the World Wide Web]
http://www.zcluboftexas.org
Webmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lois Liconte
webmaster@zcluboftexas.org
******************************************
If you wish to write an article, express an
opinion, etc., please send to:
Archives/Files Bob Bosse
H 972.317.7363
Boutique
Nancy Quan
H 972.772.3359
Car Shows
Warren Kline
H 972.429.6332
Car Shows
‘Wild’ Bill Hayden H 972.394.8829
Comm. Svc.
Katy Taylor
Xmas Party
Pam & Steve Ruzic H 972.530.0307
Guest Spkers Matthew Young
Membership
Z EXTRA
PO Box 2766
Grapevine, Texas 76099-2766
Deadline: FOURTH FRIDAY of each month
H 817.329.1641
H 817.993.9770
‘Mad’ Mike Taylor H 817.329.1641
Memb. ProfilesEdward Cheung
H 972.442.7599
Motorsports
H 972.966.0125
Renee Hayden
Tech Sessions Edward Cheung
H 972.442.7599
Texas Tours
Katy Taylor
H 817.329.1641
Texas Tours
Kay Newton
H 817.421.0139
Webmaster
Lois Liconte
H 972.517.4580
ZCCA DelegateJonathan Maddox H 972.971.8657
BIRTHDAYS & NEW MEMBERS
MAY / JUNE
GREG BAISLEY
ED BENSON
SUE BRUNNER
ANDREW CALVERT
MATT FENTON
MARY FOSTER
ROLAND GASMENA
NECHELLE HARRIS
BILL HAYDEN
MARY HORN
AMY JOHNSON
JEFFREY A. KUNKLE
AUSTIN LAMPE, JR.
JAE LEE
JONITA LEVERTON
JONATHON MADDOX
CORY MARTIN
MOREY MAST
MELISSA MONK
WILLIE NEVILLES
VICKY ORTOLANI
RICHARD PECK
MIKE ‘CHINA CLIPPER’ QUAN
JAMES QUIROGA
JOEL ROPER
DAMON SERKLAND
DON SMOTHERS
LISA STONG
DOUG TALLER
JOHN TRAUTSCHOLD
BEVERLY TRAUTSCHOLD
MARK TURNBULL
CARY WIGINGTON
SHERYL WILSON
MATT YOUNG
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New Members - May-June
JOHN SKINNER
DENTON
YU CAO
DALLAS
Welcome Back:
TURK AKTURK
CARROLLTON
Meeting Minutes
by Lance Reedy
The April 19th meeting of the Z Club of Texas began at 7:32 at the New New Chinese Buffet
in Addison Texas. President Jonathan Maddox introduced the other officers: Vice President Mike Blanco, Treasurer Kay Newton, and Secretary Lance Reedy.
Treasurers Report (Kay Newton) All Club bills are paid.
P.O. Box 2766
Grapevine, TX 76099-2766
Boutique (Nancy Quan) The Club Boutique was open for business.
Car Shows (Bill Hayden, Warren Kline, Jonathan Maddox) Nismo Fiesta was a hit, fun was
had by all attendees. Branson Z Fest is still planned for the end of May, a group of Club
members will be heading up, stay tuned for details. The North Texas Mustang Club has
invited the ZCoT to join them at one of their monthly car shows, Bill Hayden is coordinating
the details.
Community Service (Katy Taylor) The next Center of Hope is planned for May 6th.
TX Tours (Katy Taylor) The 3/31 trip to Clark’s BBQ and the Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch was
good, Clark’s didn’t disappoint. A weekend trip to Fredericksburg is being planned for April
21-22. Please note the weekend part of this Tour. Preferred Hotel details will be posted in
the forums soon.
Motorsports: (Renee Hayden) The Driver’s Edge event at Motorsports Ranch in Cresson on
May 19 & 20 is filling up rapidly, register soon if you wish to attend! There is also a Driver’s
Edge event planned at Texas World Speedway in College Station on October 13 & 14 that a
number of Club members will be attending. Close attention is being paid to the new Forumula 1 track being built in Austin. Warren Kline gave some details about the TX2K12 event
in Houston, both drag racing and a road course were well enjoyed.
ZCCA Update & Local Dealerships (Mike Taylor) Registration is open for ZCon in Phoenix,
Self
Family
Associate
(non-Z car owner)
$36.00
$41.00
$25.00
Track Events
the hotel is almost full so register now! 2013 will be in New Hampshire in Fall, and 2014
will be in San Diego.
New Item: Z Club Car of the Month (Matt Young) Matt will be running a monthly event in
the Club forums where the Club members can enter their car’s photo and vote on the entries. Details are in the Forums, the winning entry will be highlighted on the forums and/
or the Club website.
50/50: (Mike Quan): $136 was collected, $68 were donated to the Club treasury, and Able
Rovira won the remainder.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25
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S po n so r s
Underlined SPONSORS are paid ADVERTISERS
Key Dates
Center of Hope Cooking
JUNE (cont’d)
17
Father’s Day
Monthly Meeting
Z-EXTRA Articles Due
Texas Tour - Muenster
21
21-22
22
JUNE
1-3
Branson Z Fest
JULY
4
9
Tech Session
19
MAY
6
17
25
26
Monthly Meeting
Fredericksburg
Z-EXTRA Articles Due
Independence Day
Monthly Meeting
http://www.zcluboftexas.org
Shift .......
Nancy Quan
ZCOTBoutique@aol.com
[H] 972-772-3359
Parts
Service
Other
Wholesale Price to Members
All ‘Z’ Car Specialist 817-483-0383
5101 Mosson Rd, Ft Worth - Jerry DiBenedetto
Special consideration to Members
BANKSTON NISSAN - IRVING 1500 Airport Freeway, Irving
972-438-4848
20% off Parts 10% off Service
Bankston Nissan - Lewisville
1601 South Stemmons, Lewisville
972-353-0270
20% off Parts 10% off Service
BLACK DRAGON AUTOMOTIVE
1-888-789-3746
Special consideration to Members
[formerly Victoria British, Ltd.]
Visit our website or forum for any changes in schedules
Z BOUTIQUE
Discounts Offered to Club Members in GOOD STANDING:
ALL IMPORT AUTO PARTS 214-349-3300
1277 East NW Hwy. – 3068 Forest Ln 972-481-7757
Jim Cook Racing
1-800-JCR-1440
5450 Katella Ave #107 Los Alamitos, CA
10% off Parts
Jotech Motorsports Inc
3513 Dividend Drive, Garland, TX
Special consideration to Members
972-494-2100
COURTESY NISSAN
972-644-3942
1777 North Central Expwy, Richardson, TX
20% off Parts
Grubbs Nissan - Buckley Shegitz Parts Mgr 817-282-3698
Airport Freeway @Norwood, Bedford
25% Parts
Steve Millen Sportscars - Adam Hume 1-800-576-2134 x138 Special consideration to Members
3176 Airway Ave., Costa Mesa CA 92626
(Please call BEFORE 9 pm)
New Shirts!
All 100% Cotton
Motorsport Industries Inc.
714-639-2620
1139 W. Collins Ave, Orange CA 92667 800-633-6331
For Men
Ash Polos w/Embroidered Logo:
S,M,L,XL: $20; 2XL,3XL: $25
Deep Royal Blue Long-sleeved Tees:
S,M,L,XL: $15; 2XL,3XL: $18
For Women
Ash Polos w/Embroidered Logo:
S,M,L,XL: $20; 2XL,3XL: $25
Royal Blue Long-sleeved Tees:
S,M,L,XL: $12; 2XL: $15
For YOUTH
Royal Blue Long-sleeved Tees:
S,M,L,XL: $15
Also Available
Neifach & Associates - CPA’s
4800 Preston Pk, STE 8303, Plano
972-867-4749
Special consideration to Members
Nissan of McKinney
3800 S Central, McKinney, TX 75069
214-491-6565
25% off Parts
North Texas Nissan
I35E at Shady Shores Exit
817-267-6411
10% off Parts 10% off Service
PALCO Industries [Full Dash Covers]
5980 Alpha Avenue, Reno NV 89506
800-349-3274
Call for list of distributors
RISING SUN PERFORMANCE
817-731-6092
7600 Benbrook Pkwy, Suite #2, Benbrook, TX 76126
Special consideration to Members
SMITH INSURANCE
972-424-5541
520 Central Expressway, Suite 102, Plano
Special consideration to Members
INNOVATOR Z PARTS
Special consideration to Members
1-586-293-8623
TOP SPEED AUTO ACCESSORIES, INC. 972-233-0888
4109 Billy Mitchell Drive, Addison, TX 75001
• “Classic” Logo Tees: $12
• 240Z Restoration Guide: $10
• New Patches, 2 styles: $3
• Lapel Pins: $2 • Logo Pens: $3
“Z” Jewelry: email for prices
10% [Selected Parts]
PLEASE USE 800 # FOR ORDERS ONLY
Special consideration to Members
www.topspeedauto.com
THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE FOR ADVERTISING
The Z Club is always looking for good, reputable Sponsors and Advertisers.
If you know of any firms that qualify, please contact ‘Mad’ Mike Taylor
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02.09.2012
Nissan Facebook Fans Invited to Participate in “Project 370Z,” Helping Define the
Ultimate Enthusiastsʼ Z® Car
– Social Media-Directed Modifications Focus on Powertrain, Exterior and Interior; Finished Project
Planned for Reveal at Annual “ZDayZ” Gathering in May –
CHICAGO -
Monday, Sept. 17th
Early Registration & Z Store
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Suds-n-Shine
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Parking Lot - Pool Area
Tuesday, Sept. 18th
Registration & Z Store
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Sponsored Product Demo.
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Suds-n-Shine
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Parking Lot - Pool Area
Opening Reception
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Acacia Rm.
Texas Chilly Pow Wow
8:30 PM - 11:00 PM Wild Horse Pass - Pool Area
Guided Tour to Sedona
TBD
TBD
Wednesday, Sept. 19th
Registration & Z Store
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Sponsored Product Demo.
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Apache Trail Jeep Tour
7:45 AM
Wild Horse Pass - Parking Area
ZCCA Business Meeting 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Acacia Rm.
Judges Meeting
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Acacia Rm.
Don Rice Charity Hypnosis Show 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Acacia Rm.
Guided Tour to Tortilla Flat
TBD
TBD
Thursday, Sept. 20th
Registration & Z Store
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Sponsored Product Demo.
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Judged & Spec. Interest Car Show 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Riverview Center
Rawhide Dinner
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Rawhide Western Town
Friday, Sept. 21st
Registration & Z Store
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Sponsored Product Demo.
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wild Horse Pass - Ocotillo Rm.
Track Day at
Firebird International Raceway
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Firebird Raceway
Guided Tour to Tucson
TBD
TBD
Saturday, Sept. 22nd
Nissan Test Facility
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Stanfield, AZ
Autocross ( Nissan Test Facility ) 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Stanfield, AZ
Closing Awards Banquet Dinner
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Wild Horse Pass - Theater
Sunday, Sept. 23rd
TimeLocation
Z Ya Later
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM Wild Horse Pass - Acacia Rm.
For more up to date information go to:
http://www.zccazconvention.com/conventions/2012/
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Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today launched a social media-directed Nissan 370Z build-up
called “Project 370Z” at the Chicago Auto Show – where the upcoming 2013 Nissan 370Z is also
being previewed. The goal of the project is to utilize the passion and knowledge of Nissan Z® fans
online to help direct the creation of a unique, one-off Nissan 370Z utilizing readily available
aftermarket parts and accessories. Fans will vote on potential modifications and follow along with the
progress online through facebook.com/nissanperformance.
“Car companies build project vehicles all the time, but we thought itʼd be interesting to harness the
power of social media to reach out to Z® enthusiasts – the people who are doing this to their own cars
everyday,” said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Nissan Marketing, NNA. “Together weʼll create a
vehicle that expands on the already outstanding performance and style of the Nissan 370Z with a
balance of street and track ready modifications. Then weʼll share the finished project at upcoming Z®
car enthusiast gatherings around the country.”
Project 370Z will be built in several phases – power, handling/brakes, interior and exterior. Fan Likes,
Comments and Wall Posts will be reviewed over the course of each voting session and the part or
accessory with the most fan support will be chosen for the build. For example, in the initial Power
Phase, fans might vote between a turbocharger or supercharger for the factory 3.7-liter V6. Phase 2
may include suspension and braking system, since the finished vehicle is expected to see substantial
track time. Fans will take part and share in every aspect right up until the final design is revealed at its
planned debut set for late May at the annual “ZDayZ” event.
ZDayZ is an annual Z® car enthusiast gathering that takes place in the Great Smoky Mountains of
North Carolina and Tennessee. Each year the event draws hundreds of Nissan Z®, GT-R and other
Nissan performance car enthusiasts from all over North America. This year's ZDayZ will be held on
May 17-20. Attendees will participate in a car show, exhaust sound-off, dyno competition, group
dinners and multiple group drives – including runs on ”The Tail of the Dragon,” which has 318 curves
over an 11-mile stretch of scenic Tennessee mountain highway.
“Weʼre excited to see how this group-sourced Z® will come out and how it will perform on both the
street and track,” said Brancheau. “Social media has become a powerful communications tool and a
great way for us to stay connected with our tremendous fan base. Immediacy, like social media itself,
is another benefit of Project 370Z – which will be built from start to finish in less than four months.”
In addition to its debut at ZDayZ, Project 370Z will be shown at other enthusiast events such as
ZCON 2012 and the 2012 SEMA show. The finished 370Z will also be made available for testing by
leading enthusiast publications, forums and blogs.
The 2013 Nissan 370Z, which goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in June 2012, features a
number of enhancements – including a revised front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and
corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to
improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a
2010 and 2011 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.
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