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      05-23-2017, 08:08 PM   #1
frenzy757
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Z4R for track duty?

I am looking at the roadster for the great CA weather - and it is significantly cheaper to get a Z4R than a Z4C. I searched and couldn't find much information to whether the roadster can be good on the track. I assume maybe 10+ events a year.

I also haven't seen anyone able to put in a roll bar without gutting the entire car.

Anyone have any information to that and have any thoughts to tracking the roadster?

Thanks all. I couldn't find much searching forums/google etc.
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      05-24-2017, 09:00 AM   #2
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There's nothing wrong with tracking the Z4 roadster, except a lot of organizations won't allow it due to the fear and liability inherent in an open top car in the event of an incident involving a roll over. TC Kline used to race a pair of Z4 Roadsters with a full cage and was moderately competitive in class.

Check with the organizations you will be participating with to see what their rules are in regards to roadsters and convertibles.
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      05-24-2017, 11:33 AM   #3
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I tracked a Z3MR for a few years when I started this crazy hobby. I had the HMS rollbar, Racetech seats, Schroth six points. I found most in my area would allow it, but it was always a bit of a pain getting approval. Ironically, my home BMW chapter wouldn't allow it. Mostly I ran with PCA as they were more liberal on this requirement.

If no one currently makes a plug and play rollbar, your savings over a coupe will erode.

My advice: get a coupe. Best bang for the buck: E36M3
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      05-24-2017, 06:56 PM   #4
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Does anyone have any pictuers of rollbars for the Z4R? I can't find anything online so it seems the Z4R isn't too popular of a platform with a good community for support.
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      05-24-2017, 11:12 PM   #5
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      05-25-2017, 06:47 AM   #6
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If I was adding a roll bar to a street car I would make sure there wasn't a chance my head would hit the bar if the car is hit from behind. Someone hits you from behind and you aren't wearing a helmet and it is like getting hit in the back of the head with a baseball bat. Add foam around the bar and it is like getting hit with a baseball bat wrapped in foam. I also think my chances of getting rear ended are far greater than rolling over.

If you want the roadster with a roll bar because you want a convertible and want track ability it might make sense, if it is to save money I don't see coming out ahead long term. Buy the roadster and go through the cost/process of adding the bar (including modifications to the interior to put it in) which then reduces the resale value and the end result is unlikely to save you money long term (also considering resale).
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      05-25-2017, 08:53 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frenzy757 View Post
I am looking at the roadster for the great CA weather - and it is significantly cheaper to get a Z4R than a Z4C. I searched and couldn't find much information to whether the roadster can be good on the track. I assume maybe 10+ events a year.

I also haven't seen anyone able to put in a roll bar without gutting the entire car.

Anyone have any information to that and have any thoughts to tracking the roadster?

Thanks all. I couldn't find much searching forums/google etc.
I think I've seen you driving around the Inner Richmond and FiDi. How many AW 1Ms can there be in SF?

I've gone on track at Sonoma without a rollbar before in my M Roadster.
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      05-25-2017, 03:11 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
There's nothing wrong with tracking the Z4 roadster, except a lot of organizations won't allow it due to the fear and liability inherent in an open top car in the event of an incident involving a roll over. TC Kline used to race a pair of Z4 Roadsters with a full cage and was moderately competitive in class.

Check with the organizations you will be participating with to see what their rules are in regards to roadsters and convertibles.
SCCA allows the Z4 in their PDX events and their Track Night in America Events, NASA allows them in their HPDE events (I believe you have to be on street tires), and some PCA chapters allow them because of their "Boxster rule". (The Boxster rollover hoops are very similar to the Z4). I've been looking on and off for quite a while for a "bolt in" roll bar set up for the Z4R and haven't found anything. Everything's been custom and I've only seen one to date on a UK Z4 that didn't require really chopping up the interior panels. If you can find a Z4C 3.0si with a manual tranny that's probably your best economical choice. It'll have enough power to be fun on the track, and you won't get hit with the Z4MC price premium.

Quote:
Originally Posted by frenzy757 View Post
Does anyone have any pictures of rollbars for the Z4R? I can't find anything online so it seems the Z4R isn't too popular of a platform with a good community for support.
The Z4 is a bit of an orphan with respect to W2W racing. You can have a lot of fun with it on the track if you're looking at your own lap times or in a PDX/HPDE environment, but if you want to move up to TT or even W2W it's not the platform just simply because there aren't enough owner's looking to do that with their Z4 so there's no class for it per se.
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      05-25-2017, 04:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redacre View Post
I think I've seen you driving around the Inner Richmond and FiDi. How many AW 1Ms can there be in SF?

I've gone on track at Sonoma without a rollbar before in my M Roadster.
I sold my car earlier this year, so it might have been me, but if it was recently sadly it wasn't =(

Had to buy a home but not that that is out of the way I can get a fun car, albeit has to be cheaper now.



Thanks dc_wright for the info. I wasn't planning on a full cage, more of a harness bar behind the seats - similar to what Miatas and S2000s frequently run. I am not planning on any W2W and if I did, I would be going with a much cheaper car!

However, TTs are not out of the question but nothing in the immediate feature.

Right now I am focusd on HPDEs and was wondering if the roadster for the Z4 would present issues.
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      05-25-2017, 08:06 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frenzy757 View Post
I sold my car earlier this year, so it might have been me, but if it was recently sadly it wasn't =(

Had to buy a home but not that that is out of the way I can get a fun car, albeit has to be cheaper now.



Thanks dc_wright for the info. I wasn't planning on a full cage, more of a harness bar behind the seats - similar to what Miatas and S2000s frequently run. I am not planning on any W2W and if I did, I would be going with a much cheaper car!

However, TTs are not out of the question but nothing in the immediate feature.

Right now I am focusd on HPDEs and was wondering if the roadster for the Z4 would present issues.
I've been looking for a harness bar too, and looks like I'll either have to fab something or adapt a generic one.
I've run the Z4R for about 3 years now in PDX's and HPDE's with the groups I listed with no issues. As Hack indicated check the groups in your area, but you shouldn't have any issues getting on track.
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      05-26-2017, 03:19 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_wright View Post
I've been looking for a harness bar too, and looks like I'll either have to fab something or adapt a generic one.
I've run the Z4R for about 3 years now in PDX's and HPDE's with the groups I listed with no issues. As Hack indicated check the groups in your area, but you shouldn't have any issues getting on track.
Good to know!
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      05-26-2017, 05:32 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frenzy757 View Post
Good to know!
Looks like there's an SCCA Track Night in America (TNiA) event coming your way at Thunderhill on July 20th. 4 x 20 minute sessions for $125 is a pretty good deal!

https://www.tracknightinamerica.com/...fornia-july-20
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      06-13-2017, 10:01 AM   #13
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Had mine at Laguna last week through SpeedSF, they're ok with the factory roll hoops as long as your helmet clears the 'broomstick test'
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      07-07-2017, 11:34 AM   #14
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NASA allows the Z4R in all HPDE classes including time trial. I track mine regularly in time trial with stock "rollover protection".
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      07-11-2017, 04:18 PM   #15
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NASA allows the Z4R in all HPDE classes including time trial. I track mine regularly in time trial with stock "rollover protection".
Curious how competitive the Z is in your region and class? Are you in TTD or TTC?
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      07-15-2017, 02:42 PM   #16
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TTD Car is competitive with the right driver. My son won NASA national TTD title with this car at Miller in 2009. I'm an old fart. Not sure what the story will be in TT5 next year but it doesn't make much difference to me as long as I'm having fun.
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