Speed TV is airing the Grand Am Cup race from Phoenix -- it's on right now. Started at 12 noon Eastern. Four 8's in the race, along with Lexi, Acuras, BMWs, etc.... the #70 RX-8 is currently a close second behind a beemer. Go watch! (Don't know if its live or tape, though.)

 

Kind of makes me wish I had TV.

 

20 seconds left and in first place. You have to love the RX-8. Think this will bring more tuners into the picture??

 

Woo-Hoo!! 1st win in NA!!

 

First, fifth, seventh, AND eighth! Mazda sorta dominated the top ten, y'think? Woo hoo!

 

it wasnt live that race was last weekend. It is the same for all the motorcycle races. Did you notice it was a three hour race that they ran in 1.

 

Ah geee darn! Missed it. (don't have cable or satelite anyway.)

How many cars were in the race? 30? 40?

 

I was watching it... Until I got a knock on the door from someone who wanted to talk to me about the back RX-8 in my driveway. I didn't get to see the end... but isn't that ironic?

It only took 3 races to get an 8 onto the podium!

 

If the BMW crew hadalso changed 2 tires instead of 4 like the Rx8 crew I wonder if the Rx8 would have still won.

 

lets not over analyze... they won!
enjoy it!

 

http://www.grandamerican.com/news/news1097.html

 

Im not really overanalyzing anything. The Rx8 was in 2nd behind the BMW for almost the entire race andthen thanks to their very quick pit stop they got ahead. I know races like these are all about strategy but Im just saying I havedoubts that the Rx8 would have came in 1st if it werent for that perk theygot at the end. Dont get me wrongman I am thrilledthat they won. I just hope theycan pull it off again if the BMW crew were to do something similar in their pit stop strategy next time.

 

I disagree that it was just "luck", as you seem to be implying. It is a testament to the car's balance and handling that it was able to run with the BMW without tearing the hell out of the tires. Also, consider that the track was pretty slick due to sand and such, which is why everyone was driving so gingerly around the turns. This almost completely took away the RX-8's edge. When Sylvain hopped in the seat, he took some bigger risks and drove a bit hotter through the turns. I'm looking forward to see them on a track with some more grip.

 

Agreed,

I live in Phoenix and can't believe that I missed the race. It happend Easter Sunday, which may have something to do with it, but nonetheless, I would have loved to have been there to witness the first RX-8 "W."

The Turner BMW opened up a pretty large lead, but they had closed the gap after the first 20 laps or so. It was obvious that the 330i had an advantage in the straights, but the RX-8 really swallowed the gap once they got into the twisties. I drove that track with my Gen 3 last year, so it was really cool to watch the onboard cameras and be familiar with exactly where they were on the racetrack.

By chance did anyone tape the race? I watched it, and in hindsight wished I had taped it. I would be willing to pay for tape costs and postage if anyone could make a copy for me. Anyone????

 

Also, didn't the RX-8 start back in the pack and then come up. When the RX left the pits it was a good 30 seconds ahead of the Bimmer, did the other two tires take that long to put on?

 

here's a news item on it:

http://www.grandamerican.com/news/news1097.html

james

 

Um, that was posted exactly one day before you by Murray16.

So, how big was the field?

 

A racing series has to be set up to be competitive, so that one car can't dominate. They give each car slightly different mods in the name of parity. It's more about the driver than the car.

Funny that the 8 is in ST, while the Evo, WRX, 350Z, M3, 911 etc are all classed in GS...

john

 

na vs turbo perhaps? dunno...

 

Nope, coz the A4 1.8T, SRT4, MSP, Cooper S are all in Sport Touring...



john

 

So, nobody videotaped this race??

Please let me know if you have a copy! Thanks again!

 

I didn't tape it, sorry... but here's the schedule of the upcoming races. It seems SPEED airs them one week after they actually run, but check your local listings to be sure.

Anybody wanna go to the races at California Speedway? :D

2004 Grand-Am Cup Series

May 21-23_______________________ Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant___________________________ 250 Miles
June 18-20______________________ Watkins Glen International___________________________ 250 Miles
August 6-8_______________________ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course_________________________ 250 Miles
September 10-12_____________ Homestead-Miami Speedway_______________________ 250 Miles
October 1-3____________________ Virginia International Raceway_____________________ 250 Miles
October 8-10___________________ Barber Motorsports Park______________________________ 250 Miles
October 29-31_________________ California Speedway __________________________________ 250 Miles

 

Crap. No Road Atlanta.