Nissan Project Zed to race at Santa Pod, goes from 0 to 60 mph in 1.2 seconds

Nissan Project Zed

The Nissan Project Zed dragster will race for the first time ever in Europe at the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod held next month.

Power for the Project Zed comes from Nissan 350Z’s 3.5L V6 engine tuned to produce nearly 1,900-hp. Not only does the Project Zed go from 0-60 mph in only 1.2 seconds, but 0-168 mph takes just 4.1 seconds.

Owner and driver John Bradshaw will race the car at the famous Santa Pod Raceway. The hand-built dragster will be the only Japanese engined car to compete against American V8 machinery in the Mainstream drag racing category this year. To show support, Nissan will be on hand displaying the Nissan GT-R and 370Z alongside the Project Zed.

Click through for the press release.

Nissan Project Zed:

Nissan Project Zed Nissan Project Zed Nissan Project Zed

Press Release:

0-60MPH IN 1.2 SECONDS – ‘NOUGH ZED

– Nissan 350Z’s straight line speed stretched to the limit in stunning drag-strip monster, Project Zed
– Created by owner and driver John Bradshaw, Project Zed is a full Pro Class drag car packing almost 1,900bhp
– Amazing dragster will perform at the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod, September 10th to 13th 2009
– In support of the track star, Nissan will have a stand at the show displaying its latest road-going sports cars, the GT-R and 370Z

A very special Nissan Z-Car is ready to rumble at Santa Pod! Built to break multiple European records, the hand built dragster will be the only Japanese engined car competing against more traditional American V8 machinery in Mainstream drag racing this year.

The lovingly prepared Project Zed is powered by a Nissan 350Z 3.5-litre V6 engine producing nearly 1,900bhp. Owner and driver John Bradshaw is thrilled to be taking his mighty machine to the famous Santa Pod Raceway, Northants. John comments: “It’s incredible to finally have the car ready to test now and we are all very excited by its potential. It really is a car that is capable of setting records around the world and just shows what a Nissan engine is capable of producing.”

Project Zed is the first ever Pro Class 350Z to be seen in Europe and has been eagerly awaited by drag fans all over Europe. It’s no surprise to find that predicted acceleration times are breathtaking. Not only is 0-60mph expected to take only 1.2 seconds, but 0-168mph will arrive in just 4.1 seconds.

The team are no strangers to success having set the fastest quarter mile time in the world for a Nissan Skyline (7.68 seconds @ 177mph) with their other car, Project GTST, which is a 1997 Nissan Skyline RWD GTST. Producing over 1,150bhp at the wheels, the car holds the record for the fastest Japanese car in Europe for 2008 and retains that title to date in 2009.

Throughout the rest of the year Project Zed will run in various classes including Super Pro ET, Competitor Eliminator and HKS Series – Pro Class.

Performance figures for Project Zed are expected as follows:

* 0-60 mph – 1.2 second
* 0-168 mph – 4.1 seconds
* 0-215+ mph – 6.6 seconds

– By: Omar Rana