"katman" supplied that quote for the 240Z/300ZX comparison article I wrote in GRM some years ago already. He didn't originate it, but it sure does apply to the 300ZX. Keith was also a great help in helping with tech info. We did the back-to-back comparison at Road Atlanta with drivers Grayson Upchurch, John Williams, Paul Reckert and Tom Horan all of whom had a lot of experience and just a few wins to their name.
The guys who normally drove a 240Z were genuinely surprised at how fast and how easy the 300ZX was to drive. The 300ZX has a very linear torque curve, 5-speed and great brakes. The downside is power steering the doesn't provide a lot of feedback and it is easy to lock up the tires under braking because of the lack of feel in the brake pedal.
Just the other night I was up at the E. Radatz Motorsports shop and discussion about the 300ZX came up. Eddie acknowledged that there was the "Grayson factor" in the 1995 ARRC win, but he thinks the car can still be competitive. Grayson has still run well in the ERM 300ZX since considering there has been no development done on the car since the ARRC win and it has gotten pretty beat up since then too.
About a year ago Mike Fitzgerald had his ITS 300ZX for sale, but don't know if it is still available. Car was at Ponder Racing Services. Well done car originally built by ERM for Larry Stepp with little expense spared.
Bob Pinkowski
Atlanta Region SCCA
OPM Motorsports
ITS Honda Prelude