A 14-time Ward’s 10 Best Engines winner just got kicked out of one of Nebraska’s biggest car gatherings. The engine that put Nissan‘s sports car lineup on the map is now persona non grata at Supercar Saturday in Omaha — and the fallout is already loud.
At a glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Banned engine | Nissan VQ V6 platform (all variants) |
| Event | Supercar Saturday, Omaha, Nebraska |
| Models affected | 350Z, 370Z, G25, G35, G37, Q40, Q50, Q60 |
| VQ production start | 1994 (still in use in 2026) |
| Peak VQ output | 350 hp (Nismo 370Z) |
| Ward’s Best Engine wins | 14 times |
| Ban duration | At least all of 2026 |
Why banning Nissan’s most beloved engine feels personal
Supercar Saturday didn’t single out the VQ crowd on a whim. Organizers pointed to repeated complaints and safety incidents at previous shows, including at least one crash that went viral online. The statement was diplomatic but firm — this was about keeping the event alive, not punishing a fanbase.
I get the frustration from VQ owners. This is an engine family that earned its legendary status through 3 decades of production and more Ward’s trophies than any powerplant in history. But the reality is that a small percentage of owners doing rev-limiter bounces and parking lot heroics have poisoned the well for everyone. One viral crash clip can shut down a venue permanently, and organizers are tired of playing damage control.
The usual suspects got off easy this time
Here’s the catch — Ford Mustangs and Dodge Hellcats have been getting banned from meets across the country for years. “Mustang leaving car show” is practically its own genre on YouTube. But in Omaha, the VQ crowd apparently out-nuisanced both of them. That takes real commitment.
Local law enforcement will be present at 2026 events to handle anyone who gets too enthusiastic on the way out. The organizers left the door open for VQ owners to earn their way back in 2027, which suggests this is more of a timeout than a permanent exile. Whether the community takes that olive branch seriously will determine a lot about the future relationship.
Nissan is doubling down on V6 power anyway
The timing of this ban is almost poetic. Nissan just announced plans to build new V6 engines for upcoming vehicles, starting with the reborn Xterra SUV expected in 2028. The Frontier pickup is likely next in line, and the Pathfinder and several Infiniti models could follow. These new V6s will pair with hybrid systems, marking a fresh chapter for the platform.
In a market where nearly every manufacturer — Nissan included — shifted to turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, bringing back a naturally aspirated V6 family is a bold move. It carries a whiff of 1990s prestige, back when cylinder count actually meant something on a spec sheet. The real story is that Nissan clearly still believes the V6 has commercial pull, even as one car show just told its oldest fans to stay home.
What VQ owners aren’t saying about the culture problem
I’ve been to enough meets to see the pattern firsthand. A cluster of older G35s and 350Zs roll in, someone bounces off the rev limiter for 30 straight seconds, and suddenly the property manager is on the phone. It only takes one full-throttle exit gone wrong to lose a venue for every car community in the area. The VQ scene has a noise and behavior reputation that extends well beyond Nebraska.
That said, painting every VQ owner with the same brush isn’t fair either. Plenty of enthusiasts maintain these cars beautifully and drive them responsibly. The challenge is that the affordable entry price of older 350Zs and G35s attracts a younger crowd that sometimes prioritizes attention over etiquette. It’s the same dynamic that plagued Mustang meets for a decade.
How it stacks up
| Model | Engine | Peak HP | Meet ban frequency | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan 350Z/370Z | VQ35/VQ37 V6 | 332-350 hp | Rising fast | Iconic sound, affordable entry |
| Ford Mustang GT | Coyote 5.0 V8 | 480 hp | Highest nationwide | Raw power, RWD chaos |
| Dodge Challenger Hellcat | Supercharged 6.2 V8 | 717 hp | High | Brute force, collectible status |
| Subaru WRX STI | Boxer 4-cylinder turbo | 310 hp | Moderate | AWD grip, rally heritage |
Why this matters
- Affordable sports cars face growing exclusion from community events
- Nissan’s V6 revival could reshape its SUV and truck lineup
- Car meet culture is at a tipping point over liability concerns
The verdict
Supercar Saturday’s VQ ban is a symptom of a bigger problem — car meet culture is eating itself from the inside. Nissan’s legendary V6 deserves better than being remembered for parking lot antics, and the brand’s decision to revive the platform in trucks and SUVs might actually redirect the narrative. If VQ owners in Omaha want back in by 2027, the path is simple: show up, behave, and let the engine’s 3 decades of engineering speak for itself. The VQ earned 14 Ward’s trophies through excellence, not exhaust pops at idle.
If you’re a VQ owner in the Omaha area, keep an eye on Supercar Saturday’s announcements for 2027 reinstatement criteria. In the meantime, support local meets that still welcome you — and maybe keep the rev-limiter celebrations to the track where they belong.
