View Full Version : Unfortunately Our RX-8 is not that fast on track cf other makes
takahashi 11-16-2004, 03:58 AM Just have another track day at Sandown today.
Beautiful spring day and I had A LOT of fun
Atridge came along as well... he will provide a lot of pics I am sure. :p
ypwpat (Yun) and Nismo350Z (richie) was there too!
The good news is I am much faster than the 350Z :D :D and on the straight the RX-8 is on par. I am much faster most cars depends on the driver behind the wheel (Yun was much faster thans Richie ;))- I am tailgating a 996 Porsche Carrera that it is not funny. :p I am MUCH MUCH faster than the Ford FPV (I think it was the driver)
But I am still doing 1'35.9" and consistantly doing low 36s. Although it is a second faster than I have ever done, it is still 4 seconds from my friends in Boxster S, and unbelievely 2 seconds slower than my best friend in the DC5R tuned to ~170kW with Hondata tuning. :o
What is going on??
I think I need some semi slicks to keep up with the guys. What else I could do? Suspension and slicks ,,,, and what else
I KNOW I NEED HYMEE SUPERCHARGE!
RXE16T 11-16-2004, 04:01 AM Greddy turbo kit?
takahashi 11-16-2004, 04:03 AM nothing is shown reliability though... I don't want to go home in a back of the truck yet! :D
I had a lot of fun, and I drove very well... just ask Matt Coleman. hehe
Lock & Load 11-16-2004, 04:06 AM Taka
REDUCING WEIGHT WILL CERTAINLY IMPROVE YOUR TIMES , maybe a few less YUM -CHAS will help reduce your weight . :D ;)
cheers
michael
rpm_pwr 11-16-2004, 04:28 AM Tyres tyres and tyres. They are the single best investment in terms of lap times. They can polish the proverbial turd.
Gomez 11-16-2004, 04:29 AM Greddy turbo kit?
nojooc (no juice) : to exert pure dominance of the road and most importantly, your competition, without the aid of performance enhancing substances from the house of Garrett, IHI, KKK, Eaton, Vortex and Nos
What, now you're advocating the use of a turbo! :D
Tyres tyres and tyres. They are the single best investment in terms of lap times. They can polish the proverbial turd.
have to agree there, gave me 3 seconds per lap at Mallala, add to that a real good set of brake pads you should get 4-5 seconds.
Also play around with your tyre pressures a bit to find te sweet spot which suits your driving style and track temp.
RXE16T 11-16-2004, 06:16 AM What, now you're advocating the use of a turbo! :D
Yes indeed..... I'll be the first to jump ship from the NA brigade if the price is right.
Yes indeed..... I'll be the first to jump ship from the NA brigade if the price is right.
couldnt agree with you more paul...... i so need a turbo fix :( i missed my turbocharged cars :o
ypwpat 11-16-2004, 07:07 AM well Taka The good thing is i'm still a Newbie on the Track and it was my First time ever to be on the track :)
But i guess one day i can fully use the full potential of the car ;) atm i just couldn't to get a proper line most of the time yet. :) but anyway i'll practice more ;)
Been great to meet you guys :)
Cheers
Yun
PS: When i go home i'll try on our RX8 on the Track :p :D
stasis1 11-16-2004, 02:57 PM oohh no u dont,
gonna keep the keys:) its my women:)
NickG 11-16-2004, 03:58 PM That's interesting what you say about the Z Taka. I would have thought it would have better in gear acceleration than the RX-8. Not totally surprised about the Boxter S though. With a chassis that is probably better still than the RX8 and significantly higher power to weight ratio, it's easy to see why a lot of people regard this as one of the best Porsches ever. The standard Boxter would I guess be a much closer thing though....
takahashi 11-16-2004, 04:11 PM Interestingly enough there was a normal Boxster there and the accleration was not that great. The guys is a newcomer so he still has to learn but I think even WOT vs WOT My 8 is gaining on it.
Yun was new on the track so they have not discover there beast yet. I was tempted to race Matt Coleman in their Zs.
AMG and rpm_pwr = yes I will go for tyres and suspension next. Semislick I will go (Sport Cup or Potenza RE 55?) and the Michellin guys were there as a support crew and will continue to check tyre pressure (certainly will go to them more often). Suspension I have to wait - still cannot lower my car yet.
Maybe upgrade with brake pads and rotor (I am happy with MS brake pads at present).
ypwpat 11-16-2004, 04:14 PM i have asked the Michellin guys the cost for the Semislick (used on M3 CSL) for 18" is about $600 for the front and $650 for the rear each.
What do you guys think?
Btw Taka Rich car got some problem on his Linkage so he is not faster than me, He is taking easy on his car :)
Cheers
Lock & Load 11-16-2004, 04:24 PM i have asked the Michellin guys the cost for the Semislick (used on M3 CSL) for 18" is about $600 for the front and $650 for the rear each.
What do you guys think?
ypwpat
I personally would firstly invest my money on getting extra tuition on driving on the track no offense ment , all the best equipment will not make anyone a good driver without the right skills .
cheers
michael
takahashi 11-16-2004, 04:33 PM That is what we went for...
There is only so much to learn from one driver and I do have special person I go to. But mainly is lap time - practice make perfect. Did I made you guys to go to the track all the times yesterday, rather than just sitting around?
Yun your tyre is fine and hardly peeling - you aint drive hard enough on the S-03s yet
ypwpat 11-16-2004, 04:33 PM sure i'm also thinking to either get a Steel brake hose or good Brake pads first. But i'm just worried about using the road Tyres. Yesterday my Right Front Tyres is quiet bad feathering already.
But we'll see how it goes :)
takahashi 11-16-2004, 04:36 PM The feathering will go away - your tyre still have so much thread left!
Don't worry - the best rubber is still to come on your tyres! ;)
Brake pads will drive longer - not necessary better.
ypwpat 11-16-2004, 04:36 PM That is what we went for...
There is only so much to learn from one driver and I do have special person I go to. But mainly is lap time - practice make perfect. Did I made you guys to go to the track all the times yesterday, rather than just sitting around?
Yun your tyre is fine and hardly peeling - you aint drive hard enough on the S-03s yet
Yes you did hahaha, but i think it's a great fun and i wanna go again :p, I'm always worried when i braking into Corner, the Brake kinda Slipping, I don't know if that is Brake fade or ABS interfering.
So that's why i'm kind off worried.
nismo350Z 11-16-2004, 04:40 PM yeah...... Yun was faster than me because I didn't really push the car that hard at all, plus that was the first time I was learning the racing route (same as Yun).... as I told Yun that there is a rear arm linkage problem at my car and Nissan will need to look into that and replace the parts (Seems to be a common problem for all the Zeds).... when I was driving at high speed, the rear axle was actually screaming badly...
Also the reason I took it easy because I was not covered by the stupid GIO insurance... just cannot get over that after seeing morgan and the GT3 bumped into the walls....
But it was a really great day... thanks to Taka!!! :)
cheers,
richie
ypwpat
I personally would firstly invest my money on getting extra tuition on driving on the track no offense ment , all the best equipment will not make anyone a good driver without the right skills .
cheers
michael
However tyres will considerably reduce lap times of an average untrained driver.
Brake pads will drive longer - not necessary better.
taka good brake pads will stop better, need to get the right heat range.
takahashi 11-16-2004, 04:44 PM However tyres will considerably reduce lap times of an average untrained driver.
Like me... :D
Richie, there are so many average driver in Porsches yesterday it is unbelievable. The GT3 driver is just doing 110% in the wrong places, that is why he is on the wall at turn 3. You saw A LOT of V8 driver oversteer at turn 3 at Sandown and you are thinking: Why are they pushing so hard for 50meters.... hehe coz they are racing - not on a drive day me thinks ;)
takahashi 11-16-2004, 04:51 PM taka good brake pads will stop better, need to get the right heat range.
Yes for the 8 the MazdaSpeed brake pad is great 0-650 degree C...
No fade what so ever...!
But the stopping distance is still just about 10m deeper. The stock brake was really really good I think. The better rotor or even caliper will make a lot more difference. But I am brake as close to the Lotus already - so I was not expecting more
Gibbo 11-16-2004, 06:56 PM I have done quite a few track days etc etc and I have found that the times will not improve as much as you think with better brakes and semi slick tyres.
The 8's lack of speed means that corner speed is critical, whilst tyres will make a difference I am a firm beleiver in picking a better line through corners and getting all your braking done in the shortest period of time. Too many drivers brake soft and long before corners. If you want to improve your times forget about extra accessories, simply practice picking your lines on corners, practice hard braking (not soft long breaks that start 100m before corners) and invest in a set of sway bars for front and back.
The 8 is a great car because it is very forgiving so make sure you learn to drive it before getting more expensive options. This is not a criticism of people's driving it is merely a note to point out that you will be beaten 9 times out of 10 by a driver that knows how to drive rather than by a car with more go fast options.
RXE16T 11-16-2004, 07:02 PM This is not a criticism of people's driving it is merely a note to point out that you will be beaten 9 times out of 10 by a driver that knows how to drive rather than by a car with more go fast options.
So Schumacher driving your RX8 will be faster than you in a 360 Modena?
takahashi 11-16-2004, 07:09 PM Gibbo a 190kmh at the end of main straight of Sandown need a bit of braking distance going to turn 1 which dips down to the right. And I am using the ABS with the tail wiggling before turning in at 3rd gear.
I am braking nice and deep, my instructor Matt is saying. I am power sliding slightly and correctly with DSC off (not totally off since I still want my EBD for some strange reason - my braking still not perfect).
I am sure semi slick will give more grip for back end but it is not going to do more if you have not learnt to drive first.... After 4 track day and 1000km on the track. I think I should upgrade myself to a semi slick.
Schume will be drifiting my car and may be a second or 2 quicker - sure!
rpm_pwr 11-16-2004, 07:15 PM What tyres does the DC5 run? You really shouldn't be 2 secs slower than him unless he's on some damn good rubber. Then again I'm pretty skeptical of this "170kw" ;)
So maybe Gibbo has a point. At first the big gains are made in the driver. I've seen exactly the same car back-to-back have a 7 second/lap difference just by changing drivers. Once you get up to a decent level the gains are much smaller. That's where tyres make a bigger difference.
The semi-slicks you're looking at are brilliant tyres. Watch the Michelins though, the M3 CSLs tear through them VERY quickly.
takahashi 11-16-2004, 07:26 PM It is S-02... he tuned his car with Hondata and getting 170kW+ though (128 at the wheels).
They tune iVTEC as well as the open loop fuel map. It was the 5th car they tuned.
Gibbo has a big point. I first did a 1"39 in my first track day
The 8's lack of speed means that corner speed is critical, whilst tyres will make a difference I am a firm beleiver in picking a better line through corners and getting all your braking done in the shortest period of time. Too many drivers brake soft and long before corners. If you want to improve your times forget about extra accessories, simply practice picking your lines on corners, practice hard braking (not soft long breaks that start 100m before corners) and invest in a set of sway bars for front and back.
The 8 is a great car because it is very forgiving so make sure you learn to drive it before getting more expensive options. This is not a criticism of people's driving it is merely a note to point out that you will be beaten 9 times out of 10 by a driver that knows how to drive rather than by a car with more go fast options.
Gibbo, tyres ensure you stick to your chosen line, that's where the times improve. If you choose to use average tyres than you'll be sliding all over the place. Tyres also ensure that your braking systems are working to their optimum.
We have experienced 1 second lap time improvements just by getting tyre pressures jaut right when I was trying different tyre compounds on my racer.
A better cornering/braking car will often outlap a faster car.
rpm_pwr 11-16-2004, 08:04 PM ...128 at the wheels....
Now that I believe :)
Now go get those tyres!
timbo 11-16-2004, 08:18 PM Sounds like a great day ;) Personally, I reckon the 8 is great, straight out of the box :D -- maybe another set of tyres and better brakes if you are going to do more than, say, 3 track days a year. If you are going to do more track work than that, then personally I'd be looking at another car to do track work with. There are too many compromises in trying to make your daily drive competitive -- plus the risk you might have to bring it back one day on the back of a truck.
The 8 has copped a bit of stick for not being a 'sports' car. But, in my opinion, it is exactly that; great for a day's spirited track driving, then perfectly comfortable to drive home afterwards.....
...... wonder when the next Wakefield Track Day is coming up :p
timbo 11-16-2004, 08:20 PM BTW, on the subject of brake upgrades, Jon Waterhouse at Reliance ROtary here in Canberra told me a month or so ago he was going to be working on a Brembo upgrade for the 8's brakes. Must find out where he's up to...
atridge 11-16-2004, 08:36 PM This was my second track day so I am still a newbie and I changed to S03's for it. I did notice improvements in lap times but that could also be because I am gaining some more experience on the track. On my first track day I was lapping at about 1.41 and this time it was low 1.38. I felt a lot more comfortable with these tyres compared to the RE040. I didn't really have the guts to turn off the DSC but I might give it a go next time.
takahashi 11-16-2004, 08:53 PM DSC all off I would say. If I had semislick I will. hehe
Talking about tyre pressure AMG. The michellin guy told me that if the air temp in the low 20s should run 43psi (when hot) but if you like some margin of error drop it down to 40psi. What do you think? I found I am more on the limit of the RE040 if I run at 43psi (hot - like at the end of 5 laps).
Gibbo 11-16-2004, 09:00 PM Gibbo, tyres ensure you stick to your chosen line, that's where the times improve. If you choose to use average tyres than you'll be sliding all over the place. Tyres also ensure that your braking systems are working to their optimum.
We have experienced 1 second lap time improvements just by getting tyre pressures jaut right when I was trying different tyre compounds on my racer.
A better cornering/braking car will often outlap a faster car.
Whilst I understand what you are saying and agree, what you are missing is that if your tyres are sliding then you need to ask youself why? Basically you have over cooked the corner or are breaking to hard or accelerating to hard. You have to find the limit with your current setup and perfect it, if you get slicks or semi slicks then you will find the same problem in that you will eventually get past the grip point and start sliding again.
Don't get me wrong I am all for improvements in grip, speed and performance, however I see and hear so often of people that have a car that will perform at a high level but their own true ability is so far below that that they try to compensate by adding or blaming things when really they haven't rung the neck of what they have.
I don't want this to sound like I have reached the limits of the Rx-8 because I haven't, I have a lot of improvement to go however I understand my most significant gains have come through technique and not through modification.
takahashi 11-16-2004, 09:52 PM Yes there are 3 sayings that I live by:
Practice makes perfect
Learn and remember your mistakes
To do a job properly you first acquire proper tool
RXE16T 11-16-2004, 09:55 PM Practice makes perfect
Practice does not make you perfect, it just makes you better than the competition. :)
fatmarco 11-16-2004, 09:56 PM i agree with gibbo,
and in fact if you were more inclined to switch off the dsc with semi slicks think about this. You probably be going faster and be more out of control when you start to slide/spin... So in fact maybe the dsc would be better off on the standard tyres and maybe on with the semi-slicks. It is what many people comment on with the m3csl/michelin semi-slicks.
fatmarco :)
If I were to do performance modifications to improve track times (without FI), it will be in the following order:
1. Springs/shocks/sway bars
2. Tyres
3. Brakes
oops, forgot, hymee exhaust is number 1.
takahashi 11-16-2004, 10:08 PM ...
oops, forgot, hymee exhaust is number 1.
Yes Hymee exhaust can produce sounds waves that propagate you forward... or can push the car behind you further back :p
You probably be going faster and be more out of control when you start to slide/spin... So in fact maybe the dsc would be better off on the standard tyres and maybe on with the semi-slicks. It is what many people comment on with the m3csl/michelin semi-slicks.
True and true... so you need to practise on the drift don't you. I found the DSC fully on is too restricted when powering up the car... but DSC all off I will shit my pants off if I went in to a corner too quickly and I have the light brake at mid corner. But you can control the drift with confident - and only by that stage you switch DSC totally off. I am only half off by pushing it once to keep the EBD running.
I think the tyre pressure is vital(no matter you're on semi slick or OEM tyres). There are some OEM tyres that are not forgiving, that the skid is on/off thing. Which some driver on the day from DC5R and WRX commented RE040 as such tyres.
AMG is that right and which tyre do you think worth as a semi slick for instance?
Lock & Load 11-16-2004, 10:29 PM So Schumacher driving your RX8 will be faster than you in a 360 Modena?
I would say that my money would still be on Schuey :cool: , as he would know how to drive the RX8 at its full limit whilst most drivers couldnt even drive the ferrari at sixtenths of its limit .
No offence to any of the budding racing drivers out there , however overestimating your abilities on the track is not a wise move .
Gibbo i agree 100% driver ability is upmost for best result , tyres brakes whilst important you have to have the ability to know when and how to use them .
cheers
michael
Yes Hymee exhaust can produce sounds waves that propagate you forward... or can push the car behind you further back :p
LOL!, kinda like jet propulsion
but DSC all off I will shit my pants off if I went in to a corner too quickly and I have the light brake at mid corner.
you'll find that a decent suspension set up will help you out heaps here and also a touch of left foot braking.
AMG is that right and which tyre do you think worth as a semi slick for instance?
tyre pressures are very subjective. I run my road tyres to 40psi. On my racer we ranged the pressures between 25-28psi depending on track and ambient temp.
Semi slicks.....Dunlop D98J!
rpm_pwr 11-16-2004, 11:12 PM I find all this talk of 'drifting' round corners deeply disturbing.
takahashi 11-16-2004, 11:19 PM I find all this talk of 'drifting' round corners deeply disturbing.
Why have you been scarred?
Drifting is ok on the track and skid pad.... :D
Gibbo 11-17-2004, 12:14 AM I have owned many cars in my life but I can safely say that the RX-8 is the only car I have ever owned that has made me want to be come a better driver. I want to know it limits, I want to know my limits and then I want to build on them.
I have added the sports exhaust and the piggy back ecu in anticipation of FI, however my next spend will be sway bars and adjustable suspension. I will go semi slicks on my stock mags when the current tyres pack it in and then I will get new mags for everyday driving, however I want to leave my car as standard as I can till I get better so that I know when my times improve it is because I am driving better and learning the car better rather than the cars performance being the only factor.
My comments are not for everyone, and some people do want to improve their lap times any way they can, however my feeling is that I want to do it one step at a time and for it to be a real measurable improvement that I can replicate in any car not just in a car that runs slicks , sway bars, FI, lowered suspension etc etc.
RXP33D 11-17-2004, 12:40 AM Well put gibbo...
Respect!!
rotarenvy 11-17-2004, 01:03 AM I have owned many cars in my life but I can safely say that the RX-8 is the only car I have ever owned that has made me want to be come a better driver. I want to know it limits, I want to know my limits and then I want to build on them.
I have added the sports exhaust and the piggy back ecu in anticipation of FI, however my next spend will be sway bars and adjustable suspension. I will go semi slicks on my stock mags when the current tyres pack it in and then I will get new mags for everyday driving, however I want to leave my car as standard as I can till I get better so that I know when my times improve it is because I am driving better and learning the car better rather than the cars performance being the only factor.
My comments are not for everyone, and some people do want to improve their lap times any way they can, however my feeling is that I want to do it one step at a time and for it to be a real measurable improvement that I can replicate in any car not just in a car that runs slicks , sway bars, FI, lowered suspension etc etc.
I agree the 8 really requires some technique to get the most out of it. At the track day the thing I noticed the most (when I got the chance to look down briefly) was the DSC light flickering on. on the street the DSC is very unobtrusive and only kicks in when you get out of line which makes me think my driving on the track was far from smooth or the right line.
I'm dieing to go back to the track but the hero factor on the day was way to high for me considering damage was at the grace of the insurance company and I don't reckon they would be inclined to pay out.
takahashi 11-17-2004, 02:14 AM Well put gibbo...
Respect!!
Yeah... I think so too. I was telling my friend not to do all the mods prior to yesterday's track day. Do a pre and post evaulation. And ask yourself what you want for the next track day.
1st time I did it stock
2nd time I add sway and strut and brake pads
3rd time I add exhaust, air filter, oil filter, racing brake fluids.
4th time I add piggyback.
so I guess tyre and extra set of wheel is next...
Yes insurance will not pay out accident on the track... it is a shame really, and the racing insurance is so expensive.
Consider that track day is not race day and you should be only doing 9/10th not 110%,... it is still controlled driving. It is way better than doing it on the road.
You know that insurance will not pay if you are booked speeding in an accident. So where are you going to enjoy 180kmh - yes on the track.
rotarenvy 11-17-2004, 02:25 AM Yes insurance will not pay out accident on the track... it is a shame really, and the racing insurance is so expensive.
Consider that track day is not race day and you should be only doing 9/10th not 110%,... it is still controlled driving. It is way better than doing it on the road.
You know that insurance will not pay if you are booked speeding in an accident. So where are you going to enjoy 180kmh - yes on the track.
it is a shame realy the insurance companies would probably pay out less if you did controled sprints at the track But their policies encourage you to do spirited driving on the public roads.
I'd like to do more sprint days but 8 or 9 cars on the track at once the risk factor is too high. I'd prefer them to do 2-3 cars for 5 laps on 5 laps off.
it is a shame realy the insurance companies would probably pay out less if you did controled sprints at the track But their policies encourage you to do spirited driving on the public roads.
I'd like to do more sprint days but 8 or 9 cars on the track at once the risk factor is too high. I'd prefer them to do 2-3 cars for 5 laps on 5 laps off.
shannons insurance actually do want you to participate in motorsport events such as track days and circuit racing etc.
takahashi 11-17-2004, 03:02 AM shannons insurance actually do want you to participate in motorsport events such as track days and circuit racing etc.
Really :eek:
Some people do understand the importance of learning car control! :)
I'd like to do more sprint days but 8 or 9 cars on the track at once the risk factor is too high. I'd prefer them to do 2-3 cars for 5 laps on 5 laps off.
You can find one that have this format and allows me to run 50-60 laps a day... please let me know. (Think again :rolleyes: : If we have 5 laps on and 5 laps off for 2-3 cars =? a 6 car track day? ie. = a $1200/head track day? ok thx :p )
I love Event ONeill as it is well organised and well controlled even though it is an open format. There are times on the track there were only 3 cars running dispite there were 35 cars there. At about 4pm, I had the track to myself! :p I know if it gets as big as Burrow drive day then there will be less fun. Luke said he will run more track days rather than having more people in one.
Good thing is we are all good friends now. My friend's GTR got stuck in the kitty litter at the first turn of Sandown and I am sure in a normal club day people will just leave and go home. But NOT US - about 20 people, digged and pushed the car for many times before a tractor was organised to rescue the Gorzilla. :p
rotarenvy 11-17-2004, 03:28 AM [
You can find one that have this format and allows me to run 50-60 laps a day... please let me know. (Think again :rolleyes: : If we have 5 laps on and 5 laps off for 2-3 cars =? a 6 car track day? ie. = a $1200/head track day? ok thx :p )
[/QUOTE]
why dose it have to cost that much? you don't need to limit it to 6 cars and in a day 50 laps wouldn't be impossible. I don't know about you but it is quite exhausting driving at or over your skill level so after 10-12 laps I was getting bored and pitted or started to fool around with the cars handling.
if you group and stager the cars properly you would have a better experiance IMO. on the mazda day we had 5 cars on the same corner two slow ones in the lead one following waiting patiently to go by and 2 heros in the rear overtaking under brakes like it was a race.
if it was well spaced and controled there should be clear track 90% of the time so you 'can' tell if you are doing better, you 'don't' have to slow down for cars in front and you don't have to worry about some risky overtaking manuver from the guy behind.
Hymee 11-17-2004, 04:26 AM Glad to see you are having fun, Taka et. al.
And also the little things you are experimenting with to help with the lap times.
I went from the 225/45x18 RE040 to Yoko 245/40x18 and it didn't bring my lap times down. But I think the tyres were a bit green, and I didn't have the pressures right. I feel it really does have more grip.
The RX-8 requires finess through the corners so you don't wash off speed unnecessarily. Ric Shaw was a very good demonstrator of this skill. I guess it was also more important at Wakefield than at QR.
Cheers,
Hymee.
takahashi 11-17-2004, 04:29 AM Well you want to run 2-3 car in a lap for 5 laps on and 5 laps off... that means 3x2 sets of car = 6. :p Hiring out a track day is about $5000 with track fee, CAMS license and instructors etc etc... that is what Mazda needs to pay for our RX-8 drive day.
In a better track day, you need to let people pass even they are gaining on you, and let him through in the straight and then follow him. That is the main rule of the day. AND NEVER pass in a corner - that is where accident occurs. No one yesterday torrelarate this kind of behaviour and the offender will be sin binned in our track day for sure. Mazda day in Victoria is not well organized in the track part of the day - no instruction of the track, no teaching for the new comers on racng lines, gear choice, etc. The main attitude in a track day is tolerance, have fun and pay respect for another people on the track.
Atridge, ypmwat and Nismo350Z did the best on that. He even let me though! :D What do you think of the quality of the people there?
We do 7 laps in a set (one warm up and one cool down) - go in the track as you like - but when too many people on the track, some guys volunteer to sit out in the pit lane. I did 3 sets in the morning and 4 sets in the afternoon. That is 50 laps... I think I get about 35+ clear laps with either a much faster car in front (like a Porsche or the 360 Modena) or no cars at all.
The RX-8 requires finess through the corners so you don't wash off speed unnecessarily. Ric Shaw was a very good demonstrator of this skill. I guess it was also more important at Wakefield than at QR.
I love racing drivers to drive my car with me in the passenger seat... I learnt SOOOO much - then you go behind the wheels for a few laps with them in the passenger seat. They will probably shitting their pants when I was driving :p but at least they will point out what you can do to improve your time :D
If I had such opportunity I will have Ric in my car.... but I doubt I would like Greg Murphy in mine though :rolleyes: hehe :p
So I think track day is no good if there is not such a pro to teach you. :cool:
rotarenvy 11-17-2004, 04:43 AM Well you want to run 2-3 car in a lap for 5 laps on and 5 laps off... that means 3x2 sets of car = 6. :p Hiring out a track day is about $5000 with track fee, CAMS license and instructors etc etc... that is what Mazda needs to pay for our RX-8 drive day.
In a better track day, you need to let people pass even they are gaining on you, and let him through in the straight and then follow him. That is the main rule of the day. AND NEVER pass in a corner - that is where accident occurs. No one yesterday torrelarate this kind of behaviour and the offender will be sin binned in our track day for sure. Mazda day in Victoria is not well organized in the track part of the day - no instruction of the track, no teaching for the new comers on racng lines, gear choice, etc. The main attitude in a track day is tolerance, have fun and pay respect for another people on the track.
Atridge, ypmwat and Nismo350Z did the best on that. He even let me though! :D What do you think guys of the people there guys?
We do 7 laps in a set (one warm up and one cool down) - go in the track as you like - but when too many people on the track, some guys volunteer to sit out in the pit lane. I did 3 sets in the morning and 4 sets in the afternoon. That is 50 laps... I think I get about 35+ clear laps with either a much faster car in front (like a Porsche or the 360 Modena) or no cars at all.
5 on 5 off was an example taka.
your sprint day sounds just like I was describing! 5 laps compaired to your 7 wow taka a whole 2 laps :rolleyes: .
and it also sounds like your mazda organised day was like the one I attended. buy anyway it sounds like some of these events are controled to some degree I might have to try another.
atridge 11-17-2004, 04:42 PM Atridge, ypmwat and Nismo350Z did the best on that. He even let me though! :D What do you think of the quality of the people there?
Event O'Neill is very well organised and everyone was fair. If there is a slower car in front nobody tried to pass aggressively, mostly I felt that I had clear track and I really only noticed other cars on the straights.
ypwpat 11-19-2004, 10:24 PM Taka do you know where i can get the Piccies from the track day?
takahashi 11-20-2004, 03:37 PM Luke Oneill will send us emails when ready, end of next week.
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