The Madison Sports Car Club is putting on a lapping day at Blackhawk Farms Raceway Friday April 20th. Cost is only $160. I know there were a few RX-8s there last year for the same event. www.madisonsportscarclub.com/trackday

I may be interested

Sweet! Thats about 15 minutes from home!

I could be down for this...

I'll be at Road America the weekend prior but this isn't to far from Madison so there is a chance I will make it. Just need to see how the funds will hold up since I'm planning on attending many events this summer. I'll save on hotel since I can just drive there and back. I'll know more by next week.

ehutch91 are you going? If so we could probably cruise up there together.

I'll be at the Friday, April 20th Blackhawk lapping day. I'm pretty much the guy in charge so I'll be there bright and early in the morning. Most lapping days at Blackhawk are around $200 so the lower price of $160 might be able to offset the cost of a hotel if you decide to stay over.

I'll be at the Friday, April 20th Blackhawk lapping day. I'm pretty much the guy in charge so I'll be there bright and early in the morning. Most lapping days at Blackhawk are around $200 so the lower price of $160 might be able to offset the cost of a hotel if you decide to stay over.
I'm planning on driving out in the AM and driving back afterwords. In reading the site it says the sessions are 20min each but how many sessions do you get? On a side not I need to have my MS springs and shocks installed, do you know any good suspension shops?

I haven't worked out the schedule for the day yet. I just heard back from the track for how long the lunch break needs for the workers and some things like that. Total everybody should get 1.5-2.0 hours of track time. I can usually get to Blackhawk in about an hour from my house and I live on the west side of Madison. Its a pretty quick drive.

Off hand I don't know of any shops around Madison that are better than any others for installing the suspension. I'm sure the dealer would be able to do it but I don't know how much they would charge.

I haven't worked out the schedule for the day yet. I just heard back from the track for how long the lunch break needs for the workers and some things like that. Total everybody should get 1.5-2.0 hours of track time. I can usually get to Blackhawk in about an hour from my house and I live on the west side of Madison. Its a pretty quick drive.

Off hand I don't know of any shops around Madison that are better than any others for installing the suspension. I'm sure the dealer would be able to do it but I don't know how much they would charge.
Their charging $600 with alignment. I got a local shop quote me $690. I guess I'll go the dealer since I get a 3 year warrenty for the MS parts if they are installed by a Mazda dealer.

If you plan on doing a lot of track days you might as well have them align it with as much front negative camber as possible.

If you plan on doing a lot of track days you might as well have them align it with as much front negative camber as possible.
I'm asking for the following settings:

Front Camber= -1.3
Front Castor = Max after Camber
Front Total Toe in= 0

Rear Camber= -1.8
Rear Total Toe in= 1/12

Their charging $600 with alignment. I got a local shop quote me $690. I guess I'll go the dealer since I get a 3 year warrenty for the MS parts if they are installed by a Mazda dealer.

That's ridiculous, and installing shocks/springs is easy on the RX-8.

I agree with Red Devil. $600 is outragous for the 2hours of labor it would take an experiencd mechanic to do the change and then an hour for the alignment.

devildog, you have a PM.

The only reason I want the dealer to do it is that if a Mazda dealer does the install the parts are warranted for the life of the new vehicle warranty. Thats 3 yrs./36K. If not you only get 12 months or 12K. That way anything goes wrong with them(except normal wear and tear) it's covered. I'm one of those suckers that likes the peace of mind. I left them a message this morning. We'll see, if they don't go down I'll take you up on your offer.

I agree with Red Devil. $600 is outragous for the 2hours of labor it would take an experiencd mechanic to do the change and then an hour for the alignment.

devildog, you have a PM.
Sent you a PM

Who's going to this? Red Devil? Reedy?

ehutch91, is this free for spectators?

Everything is up in the air with me right now. Only thing that I am sure of is that I will be at Road America - as a spectator the 14th & 15th

Everything is up in the air with me right now. Only thing that I am sure of is that I will be at Road America - as a spectator the 14th & 15th
Cool see you then

We are not allowed to have spectators per the insurance. If you are a member of a crew for someone then you can get in. No charge for that. More of a technicality than anything else. :scratchhe

We are not allowed to have spectators per the insurance. If you are a member of a crew for someone then you can get in. No charge for that. More of a technicality than anything else. :scratchhe
Great thanks.

More Revs,

Just found out that no passengers are allowed. You still interested?

yea, I know. I signed up to drive already.

I'll sign up later today, I PM'd you my #. I think we need to bring our own numbers to this one?

ehutch91,

Do they give us numbers to place on our cars or do they just give us the # and we have to make our own?

Yes you need to bring your own numbers. Just pick a number when you register. Theres no specific rule on what size they need to be but we need to be able to see them from the corner stations when you're ripping by. Obviously contrasting colors to the car. We're going to close the registration very soon. Maybe later today. We are pretty much full for the street cars.

I'm out on this one. Can't take the vacation day, unfortunately.

I'm out on this one. Can't take the vacation day, unfortunately.
OK, see you next event then.

Yes you need to bring your own numbers. Just pick a number when you register. Theres no specific rule on what size they need to be but we need to be able to see them from the corner stations when you're ripping by. Obviously contrasting colors to the car. We're going to close the registration very soon. Maybe later today. We are pretty much full for the street cars.
I just opened an account, waiting for the e-mail to sign up.

I guess I will just have to see if this is still open later in the week. I can't justify signing up yet since I don't have a car.

I guess I will just have to see if this is still open later in the week. I can't justify signing up yet since I don't have a car.
That's true. I'll stop by my dealer later today and let you know if they have any deals.

Just signed up and ready to go :rock:

Is it Friday yet?

Is it Friday yet?
Unfortunately not. I just bought some new pads seeing that my stock ones started to fail on me towards the end on Sunday. Carbotech XP8 front and Bobcats rear.

youll be happy with those. did you get fluid too?

youll be happy with those. did you get fluid too?
No, because I just swaped it out in January to the Motul stuff.

oh, ok. i didn't know you already swapped out to good fluid. That will probably be good for the rest of this season.

oh, ok. i didn't know you already swapped out to good fluid. That will probably be good for the rest of this season.
Yea, I think I'm set now for the rest of the season.

Unfortunately not. I just bought some new pads seeing that my stock ones started to fail on me towards the end on Sunday. Carbotech XP8 front and Bobcats rear.

You'll definitely like that combo. A lot of guys on here are using it and I haven't seen anyone yet complain of fade issues.

You'll definitely like that combo. A lot of guys on here are using it and I haven't seen anyone yet complain of fade issues.
Good, can't wait to test them out this Friday. OH I PM'd and e-mailed you know who about the problem I had, still no responce.

Good, can't wait to test them out this Friday. OH I PM'd and e-mailed you know who about the problem I had, still no responce.

You pm'd me??? I don't have one in my inbox and it has space.

You pm'd me??? I don't have one in my inbox and it has space.
No not you the guy who's product broke on my first run of the day.

No not you the guy who's product broke on my first run of the day.

D'oh...yeah I completely misread what you wrote. I saw that elsewhere on the forum. Curious to know how that turns out.

Speaking of strange occurances...threw on my summer tires last night. The rear left endlink was disconnected at the roll bar and the nut was just gone. Have no clue how long it's been like that...since it's been winter and I was on the snow tires I really wasn't coming close to ever pushing the car. Can't imagine how it could have worked itself off given the design of the OEM endlinks.

D'oh...yeah I completely misread what you wrote. I saw that elsewhere on the forum. Curious to know how that turns out.

Speaking of strange occurances...threw on my summer tires last night. The rear left endlink was disconnected at the roll bar and the nut was just gone. Have no clue how long it's been like that...since it's been winter and I was on the snow tires I really wasn't coming close to ever pushing the car. Can't imagine how it could have worked itself off given the design of the OEM endlinks.
Damn that is weird

just like me losing my caliper bolt at speed :uhh:

Must be something with all Evolv members right now that track their cars...going to Gingerman today, btw, if I get all my work done in the next two hours...

Must be something with all Evolv members right now that track their cars...going to Gingerman today, btw, if I get all my work done in the next two hours...
Cool good luck

It's just work, it'll still be here waiting when you come back.

It's just work, it'll still be here waiting when you come back.

Don't think the bosses would appreciate if I overlooked $8 million in revenue bills that are due to be reported today per monthly federal acconting deadlines.

Don't think the bosses would appreciate if I overlooked $8 million in revenue bills that are due to be reported today per monthly federal acconting deadlines.


Most of them have their heads so far up the new GM's ass I doubt many would even notice until their checks bounced.

Don't think the bosses would appreciate if I overlooked $8 million in revenue bills that are due to be reported today per monthly federal acconting deadlines.
bah only 8 mil

Well, my rear pads were getting pretty low anyway, but I glazed my Bobcats last night. I got out half the first session, glazed them then spent the next two sessions sanding the rotors and trying to work off the glaze with my OEM rear pads that I had with me. Eventually it worked, I got out for one full session. And completely wussed it up out there. I think I only heard the tires groan once or twice and just a little. I was taking most turns at the speeds I was last summer, but the Tein Coilovers seem to have really raised the bar for how the car can perform.

Well, my rear pads were getting pretty low anyway, but I glazed my Bobcats last night. I got out half the first session, glazed them then spent the next two sessions sanding the rotors and trying to work off the glaze with my OEM rear pads that I had with me. Eventually it worked, I got out for one full session. And completely wussed it up out there. I think I only heard the tires groan once or twice and just a little. I was taking most turns at the speeds I was last summer, but the Tein Coilovers seem to have really raised the bar for how the car can perform.
The 8 with an upgraded suspension can deffinitly be driven further past the stock limits. At RA i felt as though the car was planted firmly to the ground. Nice to here you had a good time.

The 8 with an upgraded suspension can deffinitly be driven further past the stock limits. At RA i felt as though the car was planted firmly to the ground. Nice to here you had a good time.

oh yes. I knew you have upgraded suspension after the first turn. It felt good. Stock is a little soft. How dare you tempt me out of B Stock!

Waiting a call to see if I can get my alignment done today or tomorrow. Hopefully he can squeeze it in. I need more than 0 camber in front.

What specs are you asking for?

I'll see if I can at least put 1.5 deg camber in front and 0 toe. about the same camber for the rear (maybe a little less) and 1/8 in toe in. As it is now, the back will rotate under power, but it under steers during turn in.

I'll see if I can at least put 1.5 deg camber in front and 0 toe. about the same camber for the rear (maybe a little less) and 1/8 in toe in. As it is now, the back will rotate under power, but it under steers during turn in.
What i got was

Front
Camber -1.5 both side
Caster 6.8
Toe- 0

Rear
Camber -1.9
Total Toe in 1/8

How do you like the rear? I know everybody's doing it, but I don't quite get why more camber in the rear than the front? I'd think the car will still understeer. I can see that being as added safety though.

How do you like the rear? I know everybody's doing it, but I don't quite get why more camber in the rear than the front? I'd think the car will still understeer. I can see that being as added safety though.
You felt the car at the track, it feels fine for me. But I'm no expert by any means.

Me no expert either...your car felt great. It did felt to me like it was understeering a little at turn 12 toward the end, but that's probably the tires. I wasn't the one driving, so I don't know.

Sounds like the guy might be able to squeeze it in for me tomorrow, so I'll see what I can get.

How do you like the rear? I know everybody's doing it, but I don't quite get why more camber in the rear than the front? I'd think the car will still understeer. I can see that being as added safety though.


people are doing that to try to bring the car back to neutral feeling based on their spring rates.


you need to factor in your spring rates and how you personally like the car to drive to pick a good alignment setup for you.

everything else being equal less static negative camber in the rear would cause more oversteer/less understeer.

Just finished bedding in ther xp8's and bobcats man are those xp8's noisy and dusty. There is no way I can drive those around for more than a day. Stopping power is excellent though. Thanks for the info guys.

Its hilarious to drive them on the street and piss everyone off.


oh yea and when you get them warmed up the noise will go away. That is actually pretty much how you know they are warmed up - they are quite and grippy.

Its hilarious to drive them on the street and piss everyone off.


oh yea and when you get them warmed up the noise will go away. That is actually pretty much how you know they are warmed up - they are quite and grippy.
People were looking at me as if my car was going to blow up.

give them the finger and drive off.

I may use those pads on the street just to discourage those around me from yacking away on their cell phones while driving.

I may use those pads on the street just to discourage those around me from yacking away on their cell phones while driving.
:rofl:

Just finished bedding in ther xp8's and bobcats man are those xp8's noisy and dusty. There is no way I can drive those around for more than a day. Stopping power is excellent though. Thanks for the info guys.
if you really want to see dust check out the Hawk HP+

those are RIDICULOUS

I may use those pads on the street just to discourage those around me from yacking away on their cell phones while driving.
I use my spinners for that :lol:

Just got back, nice track not as fast as RA but it does have a nice technical area with about 4 turns back to back that I found hard finding the proper line to take. By the third session I had though. 5 sessions for $160 definitely worth it. By the way I locked up the brakes in the first turn of the first session. Damn those xp8 bite hard. It requires much less pressure than stock.

Thanks for coming out and having fun. The day went really well and the weather was perfect. There was hardly anybody in the last couple sessions. Most people were worn out by then. We're doing another lapping day on Friday, June 22nd. Same price 2 hours for $160. :)

Thanks for coming out and having fun. The day went really well and the weather was perfect. There was hardly anybody in the last couple sessions. Most people were worn out by then. We're doing another lapping day on Friday, June 22nd. Same price 2 hours for $160. :)
You can count me in, and the weather was absolutly perfect. I may try and make some of events that ther Madison club holds. I actually have a question, 3rd gear grinds but only when i shift above 6500 rpm :dunno: When I shift bellow 6500 its smooth.

how far is blackhawk from madison?

I would assume its a synchro thats getting worn out. Higher rpms means the gears are spinning faster and the synchro can't do its job of slowing things down. But thats just a guess. Blackhawk is right around an hour from Madison. Maybe less if you live on the east side.

so its about a 2 hr drive for me :(

so its about a 2 hr drive for me :(
Here is the address if you want to mapquest it 15538 Prairie Rd, South Beloit, IL 61080, Must admit it was a nice track, some nice turn combos. $160 for almost 2 hrs of track time :rock: By the way the inside of my tires are wearing way faster than the outsides :mad: I guess its expected, I forsee new tires after the summer or even sooner.

I would assume its a synchro thats getting worn out. Higher rpms means the gears are spinning faster and the synchro can't do its job of slowing things down. But thats just a guess. Blackhawk is right around an hour from Madison. Maybe less if you live on the east side.
Great thanks for the info, i was confused as how that could be, but what you said makes sense. Off to Don Miller on Monday, hope warrenty covers it. Do you take your 8 to Don Miller?

I drove 2 1/2 there and back today....it's isn't that bad. Actually, getting up at 3:30 was pretty bad...

It was a lot of fun. Could use better pads though, the OEM pads only last a few laps before they starts to fade. Don't think I can do enough track days to get track pads, but will definitely need something better soon.

I drove 2 1/2 there and back today....it's isn't that bad. Actually, getting up at 3:30 was pretty bad...

It was a lot of fun. Could use better pads though, the OEM pads only last a few laps before they starts to fade. Don't think I can do enough track days to get track pads, but will definitely need something better soon.
I guess you need to do more track days then :)

that's for sure. I'm planning to go to Black Hawk Farm again later in the year, and also RA.

Yes I take my car to Don Miller. Actually its there right now getting the transmission output seal replaced under warranty. I've only had it there for warranty work. Blackhawk is particularly hard on brake cooling. Theres a lot of corners you string together so you build some decent speed and then have to brake really hard for a tighter turn. Not much time to cool off the brakes at that track which is why I usually do a couple laps fast then a couple slow. Keeps things from getting too hot.

that's for sure. I'm planning to go to Black Hawk Farm again later in the year, and also RA.
+1

Not saying you have to sign up today for the next Blackhawk event but we did end registration a couple days early for the last one since it sold out. The next might sell out sooner. Registrationhttp://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=6660&psrnd=.83821622665360550237677173322863923788

Not saying you have to sign up today for the next Blackhawk event but we did end registration a couple days early for the last one since it sold out. The next might sell out sooner. Registrationhttp://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=6660&psrnd=.83821622665360550237677173322863923788
Thanks, I will as soon as I get all my other plans down for the summer.