172.9 MPH in a Datsun 240Z!!

[Carl Beck]

Burton Brown has sat a new Bonneville Record in his 1972 Datsun 240Z - 172.9 mph in Class F/GT. This has to be a stock bodied 240Z running between 2001cc and less than 3000cc displacement on gasoline.

Burton ran his L6 on Carb's - beating the old record of 168.7 mph set by a 308 QV Ferrari running F.I.. Which in turn had beat the previous record of 161 mph, set in 1985 by... another Z.

Burton said he would let me know when he has video's ready - watch the Z Car Home Page - I'll be putting hyper-links there when ready.

WAY TO GOOOOO Burton!

FWIW,
Carl B.

[cygnusx1]

Wow, I need to see what "stock bodied" looks like. I suppose at least an air dam and substantial rear spoiler is needed for that speed on salt. Congrats Burton!

[sblake01]

Wow, I need to see what "stock bodied" looks like. I suppose at least an air dam and substantial rear spoiler is needed for that speed on salt. Congrats Burton!

From HybridZ:

To All,

Here is a pic of our car at the USFRA event last week. Many thanks to all who helped, Dave and the guys at Rebello and John at Beta Motorsports. Could not have done it without you guys and my crew, Arron, Creston, Jeff, Rick and of course, my wife Tiffany. She does alot of things that go unrecognized.
I don't have the dyno sheets for this rebuild but it was over 360HP on SK carbs. I do think the car is capable of 180-185 with a few more tweeks. Not time for it this year though, have to work at the "real" job now. We are talking about doing some changes and breaking the F/GT record again and then possibly an E engine for the 200mph club?????? You will have to wait and see.

On another note, Nobody said anything about our tip-ups????

Thanks
Douglas "Burton" Brown
Victory Motorsports

[twsutt]

What keeps that thing on the ground? I used to have a much heavier '77 280z 2+2 that got so squirrelly at 125 (on the z's speedo) that I immediately backed off - afraid that a crosswind would blow me off the road. This was only attempted once.

[Gary in NJ]

What keeps that thing on the ground?

It's obvious. The headlight covers.

[cygnusx1]

I bet they run ballast and I notice a degree or two of forward rake.

[IM4A2Z]

Great job, Congrats!

[Mike B]

Which in turn had beat the previous record of 161 mph, set in 1985 by... another Z.

Are you thinking of the 166 mph record set by a 240Z with a gnose in 1976, or was there another record in a different class set in 1985?

-Mike

[JTZ23]

That my friends is seriously impressive!!! My hats off to you Burton and your crew. Also, this is another testament to the amazing power Dave Rebello can build. Going on 40 and still breaking records, long live the Z

JT

[gnosez]

Nice going!!! We're working on finding the last bits of the Nissan Comp dog ring tranny that will let you select a better 4th gear to overcome the drag effect. I hope to have Bob Sharp sign the case since it was his tranny we have in hand.

Of course a gnose and a few other aero bits might make a bigger impact but if the tranny helps in some small way we're happy to be a part of your adventure.

I've hit just over 140 with my Rebello 3.2L on my gnose 240 but it was real flighty. Not even sure what 150 let alone 170 would be like (can you say airborne?).

In talking with Dave, he hinted you have a bit more HP than my street engine and I'm sure some ITBs would help some.

[Carl Beck]

Are you thinking of the 166 mph record set by a 240Z with a gnose in 1976, or was there another record in a different class set in 1985?

-Mike

Hi Mike:
No - I was going by the article about the Ferrari... didn't check the figures... it was the old F/GT record. Haven't found an "offical" source to check.
http://www.bobnorwood.com/Ferrari%20...the%20salt.htm

Andy Flagg's 2003 F/Production record still stands at 167.158 mph with his 2+2. But the reported records online are only the current or standing records.

FWIW,
Carl B.