Canada will get only the "sports" suspension, with beefier settings, stiffer anti-roll bars and 18-inch wheels. The U.S. and other markets will offer a softer base set-up.

The track cars all had the optional directional stability control (DSC), which we were required to leave active, as this is a very fast car in a very unforgiving venue.

But the DSC only kicks in when you get it terribly wrong, and as soon as the intervention has brought you back to safety, it returns control to the driver.

Exactly how this should be done.

The most amazing aspect of the car is the rear seat. Adults really can be comfortable back there, provided your friends are not NBA stars, and the front seat spaces aren't too stingy with available legroom.

Mazda Canada will announce prices at the Toronto auto show in mid-February.

But based on the already-announced American price structure, some hints from Mazda Canada officials and a bit of guesswork, it looks like the 210-hp automatic RX-8 will list somewhere between $35,000 and $36,000 (which should put the fear of God into those responsible for selling the Acura RS-X Type S), while the six-speed manual 250-horse range-topper will come in under $40,000 (which should worry Nissan 350Z's marketers)....
There will be a scant 700 RX-8s available in Canada for the 2003 model year, so if you're in the market for any of the above, you had better call your Mazda dealer well before early May, when the cars start arriving in showrooms.

You say you prefer tail-happy oversteer? Andy, another Barber instructor, gave an amazing demonstration of how to keep a car at a 30-degree sideways angle almost all the way around the autocross circuit.

The high-power unit has two additional intake ports (a total of six) plus a variable intake tract system that allows better breathing at high rpm.

One of the track cars had pooched second-gear synchronizers.

Maybe (gasp) even a Porsche Boxster and an in-ground swimming pool?