http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00658.jpg

If you have two choices, either drive 300km+ to Buffalo with two young ladies in a nice cozy Rx-8 to shop (http://www.fashionoutletsniagara.com/), or sit 300km+ on the way to Shannonville track and stuck with a “Theif (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=158099)”, which one would you pick?

The answer is obvious. Based on my "No one rides for free, gas, grass or ass (http://www.zazzle.com/gas_grass_or_ass_no_one_rides_for_free_shirt-235287331670903742)" policy, both ladies failed to meet my expectation.

Contract was not signed, hence here I am, stuck in the middle of 401 inside a lightning gay, I mean lightning yellow, Mazdaspeed Rx8.

EVERY single kids passing by us on the way open their mouth in awe. This is one handsome car.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC_4780.jpg

I am not going to waste your time on how cool looking Thief ‘s car is. Lets get to the action.

The weather was nice. We were only 5 minutes late from the scheduled 7am departure time. My car with BFGoodrich (http://www.bfgoodrichtires.ca/bfg/index.jsp) g-Force R1 on Scarboro Mazda (http://www.scarboromazda.ca/en/index.spy) racing trailer, Thief with his BFGoodrich (http://www.bfgoodrichtires.ca/bfg/index.jsp) T/A TDW, with Nate the crazy brother with his sinister black Rx8 with Falken 255 width tires cruised to the track without any drama.

However, there was a small problem. We were supposed to get some Sunnco 94 gas from a gas station close to the track. However, we discovered the gas station was demolished to the ground.

Luckily, the Oh-shxt moment only last for 5minutes. We found another small gas station with “regular” and “premium” gas on the opposite way further down the track. With full service it only cost 1 buck / L. I have no idea what was being put in the tank…

Regardless, we arrived at around 9:30am.

Weather. Clear with a little bit of cloud. A warm breeze with a touch of cold. Excellent time to drive.

We met Al’s (#84Racing from rx8club, GM of Scarboro Mazda (http://www.scarboromazda.ca/en/index.spy), Ontario GT Sprint race driver, bad ass Tofu shop owner) fellow friend, a star Ferrari salesman driving a Mustang race car. That thing was loud, same as the man in person…

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00578.jpg

Albert from rx8club joined as at the track as well. After 5min of registration and tire check, off we go.

There were some new Civic Si sedan around the track. A 300ZX twin turbo, 911 porsches (1/2), and fortunately no douche bag in the Gayman S this time. The crazy Japanese gentleman with his 506hp Z06 is always here as usual though. That thing can fly.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC_4897.jpg

Al drove Theif’s yellow rx8 around the track, and I can still hear him screaming at the turns of the LONG TRACK, which consists of a few 2nd gera tight turns and 3rd gear mid-long sweeping bends.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00593.jpg

Its my second time in the track, so I just go on my own.

My god what a difference a race tire made. It eats up my error, stick like no tomorrow, and best of all, no screaming noise of complain like street tires.

After a few laps, I did a cool down lap and slow into the pit to take some camera action. crazy Nate , true to his reputation, was crazy enough to drift into the back straight. He also took over tons of cars as well, including a IS350 which supposingly should be like M3 fast. Oh well, that thing is a log on the bends…haha

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00689.jpg

Meanwhile, we saw a R32 GTR, looking hardcore and stuff, being overtaken by a PINK Rx7 FB.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00628.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC_4843.jpg

As a newbie on 1st track day, Thief held on his own. His line was pretty good, and I have to give him that.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC_4848.jpg

However, my stick tires make up a lot in the bends, so he have a lot of time checking out my flames between drifts, which EVERYONE on the track saw it EXCEPT ME since I was driving the damn car. $%&#$%&

The Mustang gave me a drift show around noon, drifting in front of me like crazy…damn Italians with American muscles!
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00626.jpg

Chris (faded) joined us on his way back from Ottawa, and was having fun riding in MY car with Al on the wheels...Al's comment: "What a difference 100lbs of meat made..."
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC_4793.jpg

Chris humping Theif:
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00654.jpg

Al provided a lot of valuable lessons and advices on how not to suck and spun while driving fast AND smooth at the same time. The way he just turn a little bit and the whole car just flow without drama yet catching up all kind of cars in YOUR OWN Rx8 is just shows how much experience, skills, talent a race car driver has over normal driver. And we all think we are hardcore…

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00637.jpg

Well, we are hardcore with "Theif" as da boss blocking the track lolz

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00715.jpg

The organizer allow us to do slow down on the straight so we can take pics. I have my youtube video of the drive by which will post later today…the sounds of Rx-8s roaring over the backstraight just makes me hard…

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00717.jpg

All in all, a great track day indeed. To all who came, you are all winners. To those who would love to come but can’t, make sure you have time allocated next season so we can have fun!

Mazda Canada should definitely have more driving events like these for all their lineups…this works much better than TV ads!

I am a true believer. Now let me go check my oil level…and back to boring work. Especially, thanks Al from Scarboro Mazda (http://www.scarboromazda.ca/en/index.spy) for giving us such a great time. Lets hope Mazda Canada gave you the Rx-8 R3 for the Charity event this coming Saturday at Mosport. I am sure people will reconsider the Rx-8 after a ride in the car…

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/DSC00614.jpg

PHOTOBUCKET:
Best of the 360pics+ (http://s302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2008_09_Shannonville/?start=all)

Hrmmm.. no mention of our lil' detour off the 401 on the way back home? I thought that was a fun lil' drive :p

In the future if we're doing mini-cruises I saw we let the Megellin choose the route for us. That least used motorways option is fun :D

Oh yeah...I fall asleep most of the time thats why lol

Faded and Thief, write up your version man! :)

Nice write up Kafka! Wish I was there.

Oh and by the way....ThIef's name is spelled wrong a couple of times :lol2: poor ThIef

Oh yeah...I fall asleep most of the time thats why lol

Faded and Thief, write up your version man! :)

hahah.. I would.. but I was too busy driving to take any pics :p

I've determined that I can't drive on the 401 with that car for long distances... it's just too boring. Ahem for back roads!

Sounds like you guys had a great time. It's always good to know the limits of your car and yourself.
Now lets see you guys step up to Mosport. :)

I hope the weather holds for the charity event this weekend.
Hope to see some of you guys there.

For the rookies or people who have only been to the track once or twice DONT LISTEN TO NEO! Mosport is a bad idea until you have lots of time at a track like Shannonville. If you make a mistake at Shannonville we all get a laugh about it, the same mistake at Mosport = heavy damage.

Oh, no doubt. Make sure you're comfortable with where you're at. Shannonville is perfect for learning the limits of yourself and the car. Try to get as much seat time as you can.

I hope my post didn't imply you go to Mosport right away. You have to take baby steps. Unless of course you want to go and ruin a perfectly good car.

Once you're comfortable with your self and the car, then you can attempt something a bit faster and alot more fun.

Regardless of how much you practice at Shannonville, it'll never compare to Mosport. And the biggest mistake I tend to notice is how hard people try on their first time out on a track they barely know.
As Al said, at Shannonville if you push too hard the most that can happen is you'll get grass in the wheel wells. The same cannot be said with Mosport. Lose control at Mosport and rest assure the repair bill (if it can be repaired!) will be high!

either way.. I can't wait to try out both tracks next year :D

I made newbie mistakes in Shannonville, eg, turn traction control off.

I ate grass.

If I made the same mistake in Mosport, I will eat concrete.

Fortunately, I have my DCS on...and the race tire helps too.

Otherwise turn 4 @ Mosport will be a spin all the way to turn 5 + wall + other cars...

Like I said to the guys at the track, there is no reason to turn off your controls. If you get into them you would be sliding anyways, and sliding makes you slow. This ain't drifting peeps!

But the rustang I mean mustang was drifting like a madman and its cool I swear.... :P

Youtube footage of the pass... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3SCpTMYEUU)

Youtube footage of the pass... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3SCpTMYEUU)

damnit Josh! I thought I made myself clear! Don't post up video's of my ass on youtube!

wheres your asss???

wheres your asss???

Im guessing its that denim blurr when the camera pans across to the end of the straight.

Greg

hey.. don't you go start lookin' now as well!

Damn u guys! wish I was there!!

Organizing a lapping day = Headache
Loading up a trailer with Kafka 8 = pain in the ass
Driving to Shannonville = $30 in gas
Lapping with a bunch of 8's = priceless

Next year more of this!!

Thief luv the block on the black 8 behind you haha...no way he was gonna pass you :) nice job!

it's a lapping day there was no blocking of any sorts going on. we just cruised around very slowly keeping all together for those photos

it's a lapping day there was no blocking of any sorts going on. we just cruised around very slowly keeping all together for those photos

Dude watch the video it looks like he was blocking that 8. Maybe not intentional, but still funny.

I was just going to say the same thing... so jokes!

alright i suppose after re watching the video but you have to realize we were doing about half the speed we usually do on the front straight for the photo op. next time i refuse to be the tail end of it lol

Its a photo ops noob. When we are going all out on the track, theres no way in hell with three cars abreast at the same time since 1)not allowed 2)too dangerous 3)Theif is too slow to keep up :P

you can also tell theres a huge difference between the speed the 8s are going entering the turn at the end of the straight and the cars that caught up. i thought something looked fishy, then i read through the first post again which explained it.

Greg

Its a photo ops noob. When we are going all out on the track, theres no way in hell with three cars abreast at the same time since 1)not allowed 2)too dangerous 3)Theif is too slow to keep up :P

Gimme your stickies then you slut whore.

hahah nah nah nah nah nah

3)Theif is too slow to keep up :P

BAAAHHAHAAAA...Thief's 8 does look really slow in that video, lucky he has an excuse now.

Dudes, anyone can say what they want about Thief but at least he WAS AT THE TRACK!

True that...Alright theif, next time I will let you pass on the straight :P

Mad props for you to join us though...really like the look of lightning yellow mazdaspeed rx8 in action...

Dudes, anyone can say what they want about Thief but at least he WAS AT THE TRACK!

:lol2: I'm just fukin with him, he knows that! I would have been if I could have been.