[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by pinski

I'm sure you'll be racing on both an actual drag strip and track, so we can have this discussion.

At the strip, you'll lose pretty handily - he'd have to miss a shift or two for you to win. The VQ is a stout engine, despite the Z's heft.

On the track, it depends a lot more on the driver and the type of track you're running. If it's like VIR Full and has two very long straights, he'd probably beat you even if you were a significantly better driver. If it's a short technical course, you'll stand a much better change and can probably win if you're the superior driver.

Our cars are great at punching above their weight class in sections that are technical, but when you come to a straightaway or any other horsepower-loving section, other cars are much quicker.

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

In a straight line, the 350z would win even if he missed a shift or two. [For reference I used to own a 350z (vq35hr, 6mt) and test-drove an automatic FR-S at Scion's first drive event. It's a big difference between the two.]

On a track, tires and driver will be the deciding factor. If those are equal, the 350z will win again unless it's a very tight technical track.

Very true statements if we consider the Z as a tip top condition perfectly running car. The fact that it is 13 years old and has probably had a hard life (I can make assumptions as well) may play into this particular bench racing scenario. It would only take a bit of carbon, some burnt valves, a worn clutch, or a multitude of other possibilities to even the playing field with a much newer BRZ. It would probably still beat it in the straight line but it could be a lot closer that we would guess and even a minor error could close the gap and give a surprise win.