Club President, Preston Pratt, is invited back every year, by the owners of MotorSport Auto, to be one of the Auto Cross instructors - here he is instructing his students on the proper line through the Auto Cross course. He and his students are "walking the course", which is strongly recommended to become familiar with the course layout.
By luck or circumstance, Chris McIntyre, Desert Z Association, was one of Preston's students - here he is running his 280ZX. Although Chris had some previous Auto Crossing experience, he was having difficulty with some of the course transitions and could not seem to break out of the high 60's running a 66.183 second time through the course. Preston asked if he could be of assistance after watching Chris. In Preston's first run with Chris's 280ZX, Preston ran the car 10 seconds faster. He and Chris then spent some time together "out on the back 40" away from the track working to improve Chris's natural driving skills. Preston showed Chris a number of racer "tricks" that allowed Chris to dramatically improve his lap times throughout the day. By day's end Chris was running with the best of them, pulling in some good times with a 57.071 being the best that we captured. Also by day's end Chris, his father and Preston, Rosie and Dave Oviedo were new found friends.
This is Dave Oviedo in his very impressive 240. Preston and Dave worked hard to prepare this car for this event, and it certainly shows! Dave did much of work including the suspension improvements and Preston did the super tuning, tweeking, SU carb rebuilding, distributor reworking, precise timing settings and other special 240Z secrets. Dave had the fastest car at the track that day. Check below for track times.
Preston assists another one of his students in tuning his car to run properly. MotorSport Auto Officials remarked how it must be nice to have both personal instruction and a personal mechanic and super tuner all wrapped up in one-- Preston. Both Dave Oviedo and Preston have reptutations for being willing to help others if asked nicely. Ken Nord is a nice guy and Preston worked hard in the sun for quite a while to resolve the problem.
All lined up to race. Notice Chris McIntyre's blue 280 in the foreground. Armed with the new skills, Preston taught him and had him practice over and over, Chris was able to steadily improve throughout the day. Chris did a great job! Both Chris and his father expressed their appreciation for Preston's efforts.
Preston's still working on that car.. working up quite a sweat, but he got it and the car ran well giving Ken Nord some good times.
Here is Dave preparing for the green flag. It is a very mental moment, requiring concentration and exact timing and reactions.
...And Dave on course. Notice there is no body roll on this car...it had been well prepared for racing.
Here again. The photographer really liked this car. By the way, this car took more runs that day than any other car at the event. It had several drivers, including Preston Pratt and Sam Williamson from Motorsport, the local "hot shoe". Their times are all listed below.
This was with Preston driving. He ran the fastest time at 46.0 even.
Preston ran our "baby", a 2000 Z3 roadster, Z CAR. He had to put it away as it was making the other Z Cars look a bit slow. Besides, their is no rest for a good instructor.
Dave yet again. He would not stop until they told him to. (I think he was trying to break the car. Didn't work. It still runs great).
At the banquet. Seated from left to right are: Dave Oviedo, Arizona Z Club Vice-President, Preston Pratt, Club President, Rosemarie Pratt, Club Treasurer, Webmaster, Donna Dever, from "Sunset Z" in California, Charlie Dever, Owner, Operator for Sunset Z and Kathy and Dean Tilton
Our table centerpiece!
At the show. This is the Sunset Z Booth showing Donna in the background.
Preston and Charlie Dever fooling around.
This was Rosie's favorite car of the show. A limited edition Yutaka Katayama 300ZX Twin Turbo.
Lots and lots of cars...
Charlie with his raffle prize...
Chris McIntyre (showing tremendous improvement):
Preston Pratt:
Sam Williamson (MotorSport Auto):
Preston and Rosie, afterwards, in Malibu.
LAP TIMES - IN ORDER OF RUN
Dave Oviedo (showing some very consistent times):
57
54.490 +1
53.169 +1
52.420 +1
54.192
57.241
52.120
50.851
50.993
52.770
52.845
51.525
50.910
49.912
49
66.183
60.977
61.135
57.071
56.481 (In Chris's car)
55.005 (In Ken Nord's car)
54.052 (In Dave's car)
51.939 (In Dave's car)
55.328 (BMW)
54.697 (BMW)
54.024 (In Dave's car)
51.041 (In Dave's car)
46.0 (In Dave's car)
54.47 (In Dave's car)
53.50 (In Dave's car)
51.917 (In Dave's car)
49.93 (In Dave's car)
47.921 (In Dave's car)
APRIL 1st, 2000, SHOW AT SCOTTSDALE PAVILIONS
Rosie finally got into a picture. She is in the midst of a bunch of nice Z Cars. This beautiful silver 300ZX belongs to Jasper Jackson, this month's featured car.
The Gathering: Everyone there had a real good time, and we generated a lot of interest, as well as got some new members! Preston is pointing out how clean Harry's engine is, and Harry is giving the "thumbs up"! Alex is next to Harry, with Will Sanders and his lovely wife looking on. Will has a beautiful 30th Anniversay 300ZX. Ryan and family are discussing where to eat while Ryan keeps one eye on the Z Cars! Rosie is of course taking the photos!
Doesn't Ryan have a great idea? How Creative!! Molly thinks her Dad is really smart! It is hard to disagree! A work in progress that is coming along!
This is Preston and Rosie's OTHER Z car. They are thinking about trading it in June for 8 to 10 nice Z Cars, or 40 ($1000) Z Cars. They won it last year at the MotorSport Auto Event during lunch time, when they went over to the BMW event to see what was going on. They unfortunately caught a temporary case of "noses in the air", after test driving a BMW M3, M5 and Z3 3.2 liter coupe. Fortunately, it only lasted about an hour, and ended as soon as they Auto Crossed another Z Car. Close call for both of them!! However, they did come back with this! Tough break!!
What a nice 10th Anniversay 1980 280ZX, one of 2500. It is hard to tell whether Harry is coming or going. It doesn't matter because he is riding in style.
