http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_5283.jpg


The last weekend was all about cars for me. I went to Mosport on Saturday (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=157997), and went out for a drive with the rx8club Canadian forum members on Sunday (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=156045&page=10). Both are good experience.

But here, I would like to share my experience in the Children's Make a Wish event at Mosport (http://web.mac.com/dave.lacey/ChildrensWish/Event_Overview.html).

Al from Scarboro Mazda called me up a week ago, asking me if I can help out in taking photos and helping out for the day.

I have no idea what Children's Make a Wish is, so I did some googling.

To tell you the truth, it was pretty depressing.

Basically, Children's Make a Wish is about "Granting wishes to children with high-risk life-threatening illnesses".
http://www.childrenswish.ca/index_2007.php/en/national/page/2

Yes, that means the kids I will be seeing on Saturday may not be able to be in the same event next year.

As racers, they have a choice to risk their lives on the race track.

As kids, they don't.

I found that ironic.

I woke up at 6am on a Saturday morning, promptly went to the ATM to get money and gas, then met up with Al along bloomington.

We arrived at the Mosport track close to 9am, and went to drivers briefing shortly. All drivers of that day have to "hold a valid ASN/FIA license and need to have documented experience at the Mosport road course for insurance purposes." Even though I have class A to C licenses in Grand Turismo 1/2/3/4/5 Prologue, I think they meant the real licenses...
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_4965.jpg

The event start around 10:30am. I am not going to post them on the internets, but I can tell you they are very happy and excited. All the drivers who were very competitive on the race day are all mellow and smiling to the kids...it was a very moving scene.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC00848.jpg

One by one, the race cars and fast cars came by and gave the kids a ride of the lives, some maybe last ride of their liives. Everything was running smoothly, until a Volkswagen, I mean Porsche GT3 oil line broke down and split all over turn 5 through turn 8...
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_5209.jpg

Al have to actually drive me around the track to "speedy drive" the sand away after they get rid of the oil...
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_5420.jpg

The rides were open to public in the afternoon. For 25 bucks donation, you can haz 2 laps in a race car / fast car driven by race car drivers. Some rx8club members (Footman, Neo, etc) joined as well, and I saw the grin on their faces after those rides in the GT3 RS...
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_4999.jpg

For me, I immediately hopped into Paul's Rx8 - the only Rx8 on the track that day. I wanted to learn his lines in the Rx8 since he is a fast driver like Al. And man, was it fast in the corners. So fast that the S6 signalled us to past them on the straight after Paul glued to its ass for all the corners (after we take over the Camero SS, the Cobalt supercharged, etc), but of course, that Gallardo engine in the S6 has way too much power for us to overcome...doh
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_5083.jpg

Next ride for me is a Audi A4 world challenge 1.8T, that has 350hp at ALL FOUR WHEELS. And god was that thing got torque. I used to have a Jetta 1.8T, and having a ride in a ex world challenge full blown 1.8T just makes me so damn excited. However, my eye sight was dead set on the Ferrari still...
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_5311.jpg

I eventually got a ride in the Ferrari 360 GT race car, which, brings a big grin to my face. It is just like what you saw in speed vision, except you are IN the car. This kid agrees:
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_5365.jpg'

There were rides in a chopper as well, but I will stick to the ground no thanks...
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_5326.jpg

All in all, its a great day for the kids. I hope they all be fine and see them next year...
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/DSC_5218.jpg

Thanks Al for asking me to go...it really opened my eyes.

Photobucket of the day (http://s302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/heartofkafka/2009_makeawish/?start=all)

Will post the lap with Paul's rx8...damn youtube blocked at work for the epic fail

Those are some great shots.
What kinda camera did you use?

You have to remember this event is for the kids.

It was the perfect day for them.

Thanks...

I was using my bro's Nikon D70 SLR.

I still suck at it...more like 50 pics / 1 good lolz.

Practice makes perfect though...

Will post the lap with Paul's rx8...damn youtube blocked at work for the epic fail

Nice!! work around those firewalls and proxies...I wanna see!

Youtube - The run with Paul...enjoy! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ4IEKTny0s)

I recorded 2 laps...and the one unrecorded was way too much G-force for me to hold the camera stright!!!

nice!! U gotta work on holding on to the 'holly shit' handle and record at the same time ;)

He was givin her good...looked like a fun ride!

Yeah...

We took over a Cobalt SS in the turns, then a Camero SS, then someother cars I forgot, and glued to the ass of an Audi S6 with the Gallardo engine ... he signalled us to pass him after turn 5 but then we got pwned by his torque and hp lolz

Yeah...

We took over a Cobalt SS in the turns, then a Camero SS, then someother cars I forgot, and glued to the ass of an Audi S6 with the Gallardo engine ... he signalled us to pass him after turn 5 but then we got pwned by his torque and hp lolz

That's awesome!! I luv hearing stories like that about the 8. Makes up for having little to no torque :)

The RX-8 is very much like the race car, a different ratio in the transmission would make a world of difference. I guess Mazda has to try and come up with ratios that best serve all purposes. If you had a real close ratio box on the street like the one in the race car you would be rowing gears all the time and the driveability would go for a shit, as well as fuel mileage. If you think about it, with a 4spd box we change gears 11 times in 2.58 miles, with a 5spd racing box that number goes to about 16! Driiving down Yonge street would become a physical work out!

Al: Any Rx-8 in Toronto tried the 09 gear in 04-08 model yet?