If you are going to VIR, Please use this post as a sign up page, as we are in the process of building our registration page. We'll need your screen name, (real name), car you are driving and number of guests that you will be bringing. Also, please note this is for Mazda owners only, as Mazda's will be the only cars allowed in the Mazda Corrals.

Thanks guys!


1. msumlin (marlon) 2004 Mazda 6 Sport Wagon-1 guest

2. I8U (Nic) 2004 Mazda RX-8-1 guest

3. mrthundercleese (Bobby Williams) 2004 RX-8, 0 guests

4. WenkelRPMs (Pablo) 88 RX-7- 0 guests (NC Rotaries)

5. Jony Zoom (Jony Ligon), 10AE RX-7, 0 guests

6. midlifer - (Bob). 2005 RX-8 - 1 guest

7. Turbo II (Greg) 91 Turbo II RX-7 -0 guests NC Rotaries

8. Hotsauce (Lance) - Rx-8 1 guest - NC Rotaries

2. I8U (Nic) 2004 Mazda RX-8-1 guest

I wonder if one of the mods could make us a subforum in the event section since, the Grand-Am Experience will be for all season?

3. mrthundercleese (Bobby Williams) 2004 RX-8, 0 guests

4. midlifer - (Bob). 2005 RX-8 - 1 guest

2. I8U (Nic) 2004 Mazda RX-8-1 guest

I wonder if one of the mods could make us a subforum in the event section since, the Grand-Am Experience will be for all season?

That would be great, as we are looking to make this a big as possible for 2009, so we can do this in 2010 and beyond!!!!

Marlon, I messaged Zoom44 the info...waiting to here back from him.

Fantastic Idea guys! Great to see another National Mazda event:)

Thanks for your help zoom!

Marlon, I have someone elso from my group that would like to sign up but is not on the forum here:
WenkelRPMs (Pablo) 88 RX-7- 0 guests

Marlon, another from our group. Same scenario as Nic mentioned.

6. Jony Zoom (Jony Ligon), 10AE RX-7, 0 guests.

PatN217 (Pat Nolan) 2004 RX-8 - 1 Guest

Sorry I just realized I spelled Johny's name wrong. There should have been an H between the o and the n.

Johny Zoom (Johny Ligon), 10AE RX-7, 0 guests.

Damn, there's already 4 of us from NC Rotaries on the list! Nice work guys.

*edit* Make that 5 for my group, Marlon please add:

Turbo II (Greg) 91 Turbo II RX-7 -0 guests NC Rotaries

Damn, there's already 4 of us from NC Rotaries on the list! Nice work guys.

*edit* Make that 5 for my group, Marlon please add:

Turbo II (Greg) 91 Turbo II RX-7 -0 guests NC Rotaries


Updated, let me know how many on the 3 forums as well. I have several people on the Mazdaspeed forums that will be attending.

Please sign me up too

Hotsauce (Lance) - Rx-8 1 guest - NC Rotaries

So that make about 5 of us from NCR.

When is this event held?

Lance, this is for the Rolex race at VIR on Apr 24-25. Oh and you make 6 so far Lance...Johny counts too since been with group for a few years.

I might be going to this, however this Mazda experience could sway me. What are the perks at the VIR, any details? Other than the Mazda corral?

I'll bring in a list of people from the Central Virginia group. Not all of them are registered here so I'll use our forum screen names where needed.

To start:

1) 7andan8 (AKA...VR8) - RX-8
2) TaylorAnn (daughter/CVMC forum) - RX-7 vert
3) Fred114 (CVMC forum) - Speed3
4) michaelsk8er - RX-8 ... come Michael, you're gonna go!

Surely more to add later!

Man I'm supposed to go to Europe in May and I'm supposed to be saving up. I am really interested and trying to get someone to come with me, but if the meet goes good tomorrow I might be down. I know that if I don't go it will be amazing.

Way to go John! Bring 'em all...I'm looking forward to this. Hell, I may even be crewing this time around...I'm trying to get my foot in the door with one of the Ferrari teams. :)

I can't believe the timing; I'll be in California. The track resurfacing changed turns 1, 4, and 5. It's pretty sticky now, but coming out into 6 is the same old surface. I'll be curious how much it affects the race cars. Have fun guys!

i'll be underway :(

michaelsk8er - (Michael) - RX-8 - 1 guest - CVMC

Can we update the original post to show all the list?

I suppose we still need to purchase tickets for this event, or is there special tickets or passes that we get for the Mazda event?

darnellm (Mike Darnell) RX-8 1 guest MSCW

I suppose we still need to purchase tickets for this event, or is there special tickets or passes that we get for the Mazda event?

As of right now, the best deal you get on tickets is through VIR's e-Tix. A 3-day pass runs $50, if you would like to camp out at the track it will be an extra $35. There will be parking passes available once things get worked out with Grand-Am and VIR as far as where will be parking for the Mazda owners.

If anybody is familiar with VIR, there is one area I can think of where the Mazda corral/Grand-Am Experience would be located, The Gallery. It is a pretty spacious area with a covered garage area where VIR normally holds banquets and things like that. Once I here back from some of the coordinators I will post up more if they have not done so themselves.

-Nic

I'm working to get you guys something extra for VIR only.
I'm in talks with Star Mazda management and they have been very receptive to offering similar open door treatment with their teams. I think it would be a perfect fill-in for Koni Challenge not being there, and a special treat since they run the same Renesis motor we do.

Getting some more details from Marlon on who all has committed to going to VIR and what the VIR schedule is looking like so we can negotiate the details with Star. This is the only weekend Star Mazda has in conjunction with Grand-Am which is why it would be a special event.

Note: I won't be attending, can't make it, but doing my part to help the event be successful.

Awesome Mike! Star Mazda has always enjoyed the fans coming by and checking things out, especially us Rotards! Looking forward to hearing the news.


Here is a list update:

1. msumlin (marlon) 2004 Mazda 6 Sport Wagon-1 guest

2. I8U (Nic) 2004 Mazda RX-8 - 1 guest (NC Rotaries)

3. mrthundercleese (Bobby Williams) 2004 RX-8 - 0 guests (NC Rotaries)

4. WenkelRPMs (Pablo) 88 RX-7- 0 guests (NC Rotaries)

5. Jony Zoom (Jony Ligon), 10AE RX-7, 0 guests (NC Rotaries)

6. midlifer - (Bob). 2005 RX-8 - 1 guest

7. Turbo II (Greg) 91 Turbo II RX-7 -0 guests (NC Rotaries)

8. Hotsauce (Lance) Rx-8 - 1 guest (NC Rotaries)

9. 7andan8 (John) RX-8 (CVMC)

10. TaylorAnn (daughter/CVMC forum) RX-7 vert

11. Fred114 (CVMC forum) Speed3

12. michaelsk8er (Mike) RX-8

13. darnellm (Mike Darnell) RX-8 - 1 guest (MSCW)

A 3-day pass runs $50 and includes a free camping pass...


Hey! That's a bonus over last year's GT Live price! I just may have to break out the tent. Anyone else interested in freezing your rotors off in April? That sound of race cars warming up on the track at 7:00 am is exhilarating!

I was going to but I couldn't pass up a hotel room for 46 bucks a night. I'll be camping at LRP though.

Bob

EDIT to that free camping tease...damn you Nic. I just went through the ticket purchase process and it looks like camping is $35. Sure would like to get a secret code to eliminate that!

UPDATE

Sorry about the misinformation. Camping was to be included but they changed their minds. As for tickets, I say hold off on buying tickets right now. I should be receiving word next week about a Mazda owners discount on tickets! Also, as of right now we will have our own area of parking and will receive parade laps...just not sure on many laps yet. It also, now looks like I will be the contact person for the event as Mike (RXtreme8) and Marlon (msumlin) will not be attending. More news to come so, stay tuned!

I'm working to get you guys something extra for VIR only.
I'm in talks with Star Mazda management and they have been very receptive to offering similar open door treatment with their teams. I think it would be a perfect fill-in for Koni Challenge not being there, and a special treat since they run the same Renesis motor we do.

Getting some more details from Marlon on who all has committed to going to VIR and what the VIR schedule is looking like so we can negotiate the details with Star. This is the only weekend Star Mazda has in conjunction with Grand-Am which is why it would be a special event.

Note: I won't be attending, can't make it, but doing my part to help the event be successful.


Mike, go ahead and do what you do, as Steve and his staff are working on a ticket package right now. Also, I will be sending you some info on New Jersey real soon, unless James has forwarded it to you already. I will be in touch.

There is a shot I may be there, depends on my work load and other factors. I was in communication with Steve Focazio and his staff this morning and we are working on a ticket package for a small corral, about 40 cars.

There will be a parade lap(s) and a few other special treats that we are trying to firm up. So stay tuned guys and we have the info up as soon as we get the confirmation from the track.

Hey Marlon,

Here are the details on the Mazda corral at VIR.

1. VIR will offer a $35 weekend ticket for the Mazda club. Each member will need to purchase them in advance by visiting www.virclub.com and inputting MAGA09 when asked for a promotional code 2. VIR will offer parade laps on Sunday April 26th to all Mazda Club members in the corral
3. Piloti will come by the corral to do a tech talk on driving shoes and offer every member a 10% discount coupon on a pair of shoes.
4. Grand-Am will offer two certificates for a free pair of Piloti shoes to raffle off at the corral and some series flags
5. Grand-Am will give a tech talk to the club that will start at our transporter

Sean is still working on times for the Piloti and Grand-Am tech talks and will get back with you shortly on that. Please feel free to get this out to your members. Please call with any questions or comments.

Thanks Marlon. I just purchased mine and printed them out. Good to go!

Bob

Count me in. I'll probably be down on Saturday only though...

WE3RX7

Good work Marlon.

I can only make it Saturday. Will anything be going on then, other than the race?

I can only make it Saturday. Will anything be going on then, other than the race?

We'll have something going on for sure, I will have a schedule from Grand-Am later.

Very nice! Good news!

Here is a prelim schedule for the full weekend so far minus what will be going on for the Mazda group.

CLICK ME. (http://www.grand-am.com/assets/09VIRofficialsched.pdf)

Piloti looks forward to working with the Mazda owners at the Grand Am event at VIR. It looks like Kevin A. Beard (Founder and CEO of Piloti) will attend this tech talk with me and it will be informative and fun for everybody. We will bring some of our new footwear along with our driving boots so your group can see and feel the new products. I'll also see if I can get a few of our sponsored drivers over also. But that all depends on their commitments to the team, practice-qualifying schedules, etc... I will work on that when I get to the track that Thursday.

Regarding schedules, I will work with Grand Am (Steve and Sean) on lock the times down with them, but we are open to all idea's and suggestions as always. I do have one quick question?.... How many Mazda people from your group do you think might attend? If you can get me a rough estimate, that would be great. I'm trying to figure out how many coupons we need for this tech talk event. Thank you for understanding.

So far Marlon looks like we have about 20 people signed up here. Not sure to the total number of people planning on attending from out of state...I believe I read somewhere that kersh4w was gonna be making his way down from Maryland but not sure. I'm thinking maybe plan for 30-40 guests. Also, Marlon I really want to get my hands on one of those Grand-Am flags! I tried to get one all last season during the races I attended.

will we be doing the same thing for GT Live this year?

will we be doing the same thing for GT Live this year?

I'm sure we will be doing something like this for GT Live but let's get this round at VIR out of the way first.

We'll be working on future events, we have Lime Rock, NJ, Mid-Ohio, Laguna and lot s more

So far Marlon looks like we have about 20 people signed up here. Not sure to the total number of people planning on attending from out of state...I believe I read somewhere that kersh4w was gonna be making his way down from Maryland but not sure. I'm thinking maybe plan for 30-40 guests. Also, Marlon I really want to get my hands on one of those Grand-Am flags! I tried to get one all last season during the races I attended.

with guests, 50-55 people, 40 cars is the figure i have so far....

Yeah, that seems more accurate.

You can take my name off the list.

12. michaelsk8er (Mike) RX-8

I won't be able to attend. I've got some loose ends to tie up and things to do before I head to Europe the first of May.

I hope everyone will be buying their weekend passes soon. I'm looking forward to meeting all the new faces. I will be in the TiGray 8 with gunmetal wheels, I'll either be wearing a ROAR Racing or Dempsey Racing hat and a KONI Challenge shirt. I will be taking care of a few things Sat morning hopefully I can meet up with Marlon to go over some details before it gets too crazy.

Got mine a while ago and printed it online. I'll be there Friday morning with a VR 8 - Mass plates.

If you need any help with anything just let me know.

Bob

I will be there on friday, with a few of my Ohio boys intow, don't worry Vic, I will get Lauri to make you some brownies. I will post our schedule on the site early next week, so we keep things organized and running smoothly!

I don't know which car i will be driving, the wagon or the MSP, more than likely the Spicy Orange car. Looking forward to it guys.....

Great to see you're coming Marlon!

I will be there on friday, with a few of my Ohio boys intow, don't worry Nic, I will get Lauri to make you some brownies. I will post our schedule on the site early next week, so we keep things organized and running smoothly!

I don't know which car i will be driving, the wagon or the MSP, more than likely the Spicy Orange car. Looking forward to it guys.....

Sweet Marlon, thanks for the almost update! haha! Don't have Lauri make a special batch brownies just for me, I'm on a diet these days. :) See you all next weekend.

Marlon I will give you a call this weekend from VIR, I will be attending the SCCA races going on there on Saturday.

The CVMC tent should go up sometime Friday as well. We've got people coming and going all weekend. Work seems to screw with everyones plans.

Any more of you guys camping?

I will have our location map and schedule of events later and will post them up. Should be a great event, looking forward to it

Here is the schedule of events





Virginia International Raceway

Friday, April 24
8:15 AM 9:00 AM Practice – Skip Barber Series
9:00 AM 9:30 AM Practice – Rolex Series GT
9:30 AM 10:30 AM Practice – Rolex Series Combined
10:30 AM 11:00 AM Practice – Rolex Series DP
11:00 AM 11:30 AM Practice – Formula BMW
11:30 AM 12:00 PM Practice – VW Jetta TDI Series
12:00 PM 12:45 PM Practice – Star Mazda
12:45 PM 1:15 PM Qualifying – Skip Barber Race #1
1:15 PM 1:45 PM Qualifying – Formula BMW Race #1
1:45 PM 2:15 PM Qualifying – VW Jetta TDI Race #1
2:15 PM 2:55 PM Practice – Rolex Series Combined
3:05 PM 3:25 PM Practice – Rolex Trueman/Akin Award Participants Only
3:45 PM 4:00 PM Qualifying - Rolex Series DP
4:15 PM 4:30 PM Qualifying – Rolex Series GT
4:30 PM 5:00 PM Qualifying – VW Jetta TDI Race #2
5:00 PM 5:45 PM Practice – Star Mazda

Saturday, April 25
8:30 AM 8:45 AM Qualifying – Formula BMW Race #2
8:45 AM 9:30 AM Qualifying – Star Mazda
9:30 AM 10:00 AM Final Practice – Rolex Series Combined
10:00 AM 10:20 AM Tech Talk - Rolex Series Manager Gary Cummings (in paddock)
10:20 AM 10:45 AM Grand-Am and Toshiba Transporter Tours (in paddock)
10:00 AM 10:30 AM Race #1 – Skip Barber Series
10:30 AM 11:10 AM Race #1 – Formula BMW
11:10 AM 12:00 PM Race #1 – VW Jetta TDI
11:15 AM 12:00 PM Rolex Driver Autograph Session at Team Transporters
12:00 PM 2:00 PM On-Track Activities, Driver Intros, Fan Laps
12:30 PM 1:30 PM Prize drawings and appearances – Mazda teams, Piloti (at corral)
2:00 PM Pre Race and Recon Laps – Rolex Series
2:30 PM START – Bosch Engineering 250 for (2 ¾ hour time limit)



We are waiting on the confirmation of the locationof our corral, once I have it, I will post it up for you guys.

Thanks Marlon!

*edit*
What's the schedule looking like for those attending Sunday?

I am workingon the schedulwe for Sunday. I am working on something quite special w/Star Mazda, which has alot to do withthe schedule, so stay tuned. We should have some additional info up later today!

Thanks to Mike for the leg work on Star Mazda connection, this is going to be a great relationship for all Mazda owners.

Great work guys. We really appreciate it!

Bob

Looking forward to hear the finalized plans with Star Mazda. It is gonna be a great weekend!

Marlon, have the details been hammered out for where the parking area will be? I won't be bringing my 8 due to a fuel pump issue. I guess I'll be parking the wife's Si with the average folks. :)

StarMazda is totally on board with this. Spoke to their Communications Director last Saturday. As far as I know, they're planning to have a car on display and someone available to discuss anything and everything under the cowling.

Damn I wish i could be there.


Here's a StarMazda at VIR press kit.
http://www.grandamexperience.com/events/Star%20Mazda%20VIR%20print%20press%20kit.pdf


Have fun guys (and girls)!

Thanks again Mike...we'll be sure to post up pics!

Great job Mike! I sent an e-mail to Peter along with the Grand-Am schedule that has beenprepared for us. I am still waitingon the location map, but I know that the parade laps will be on Sunday and I guess we can let the Civic follow us on track!

Star Mazda will be a great addition to the event, We will have a few surprises for you guys with them, the weekend shoud be great for all of us. We'll see you guys soon.

Sorry it has taking me some time to get back, between work 12-14 hour days, these events and life in general........there uis not enough hours in the day.....

I here ya man, been working 12hr shifts myself. I'm just glad I get the weekend off.

You guys quitcher bitchin' and be glad you're working! I really have to sacrifice and take time off from the job hunt to come play at VIR this weekend. But I'll sacrifice. ;)

Looking forward to seeing ya John , it should be a great weekend.

Bob, please call me if you get a chance, I need you to meet with Peter of Star Mazda today!! 440-382-3636

To all attending:

Marlon will be on site around 7am to get things setup at the corral. I will be there by 830 and will be getting a hold of Star Mazda. I believe we need to meet at the Toshiba transporter around 9 or 10 so we can hand out the raffle tickets and go over some things with everyone.

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Nic

Very nice turn out today! Great to see the #70 take a podium finish and awesome that the #30 and #40 were able to stay in the top 10!!! Sorry I had to bounce before the race. I will try and be out there tomorrow morning for the days events...

Fantastic event today. The turnout was very impressive. Great stuff. Thanks to everyone who made it happen. Marlon, Piloti, Mazda, The race teams, anyone I may have forgotten because I'm kindof tired hahaha.

I have to work tomorrow so I will not make it back for Sunday's festivities.

Photos to come soon.

awww, i totally forgot about this. my schedule changed so i could have made it to this. well maybe GT Live.

See what you missed? Click for photo's as promised :) (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=172476)

Although HOT! That was a great weekend! Thanks for all of the organization. Please let us know how we can appropriately comment to the right people in order to get even more support from Mazda.

msumlin, you mentioned there was a good connection for me to try in order to get some Mazda feedback about our club here in Central Virginia. Any help is appreciated.

It was a great weekend. A big thanks to Marlon and Nic! It was nice to meet some new people and see some I haven't in a while. I'll try to post some pics soon.

Bob

No prob Bob....enjoy the new paper weight. :) Maybe you can make the drive out to Mid Ohio in June! Probably not though...I'll be there the whole weekend this time.

Thanks again to everyone who attended...huge thanks to Marlon and Grand-Am for everything!

That was one of the races I was planning on going to. My work decided to send me to NJ that week though. :( I have to move some things around to see what other race I'll go to. I will most likely hit Watkins Glen, just not sure which one yet.

No need to thank me, it was allof the people that came out that made this a successful event. It was a great turnout, the best so far and we are going to keep fine tuning the event.

If you guys liked what Grand-Am offered you, go to their website and send them some feedback on your experiences. I know tht VIR, the teams and Steve Focazio and his team in Marketing and Promotions were very pleased.

To all of the winners yesterday, i don't think we had any losers, enjoy your prizes and make sure you get more of your members to come out. To all of the CVMC, thanks for coming out, the NC Rotaries, and anybody I forgot, great job representing the flying M!

Hope to see you guys soon, maybe Barber?

So how was the 3rd stop of the Grand-Am Experience for Mazda Owners tour?

How was Star Mazda's hospitality?

God I wish I could have made the trip up.

So how was the 3rd stop of the Grand-Am Experience for Mazda Owners tour?

How was Star Mazda's hospitality?

God I wish I could have made the trip up.

Hospitality was great from Star Mazda, got alot of insight from Peter and his group. I know for a fact that VIR will be on the schedule for next year and we expect larger numbers as well. I can't say enough about Piloti, iRacing, Goshen Motorsports and every Mazda team at VIR.

Mike, it would have been well worth the drive! Well, I am off to NJ this weekend and will be looking forward to another great event. Don't know if NJ will fill like VIR, but we'll make the most of it.

After NJ, we'll have Mazda Raceway (Laguna Seca), Lime Rock Park, Mid-Ohio, so stay tuned, as we have lots more coming.