I'm kind of new here but I've been learning so much from the threads that all you guys post. You guys are awesome. The Rx8 is awesome. Anyhow, do any of you guys know where I can test out the 8 and push it to the limit here in Columbus, Ohio. Are there any cop-free roads/highways that you recommend. Thanks in advance :)

I've found the Ohio State Police to be brutal in the way they enforce the speed limits in your state. The interstates, during the day, are too congested. I have driven some lovely rural state highways in Ohio that are lightly traveled, but it wouldn't be safe to carry too much speed. The closing speed on farm implements can be extreme. How do I know this. My travels to Mid-Ohio, Nelson Ledges, Cedar Point, Air Force Musieum and the list goes on.

I lived in Columbus (Dublin) for about 15 years before moving to TSUN. Here are a couple of roads that have some decent twisties:

Riverside Dr north of Powell Rd
SR-315 north of Powell Rd

The best times would be very early in the morning or late at night since these are 2-lane roads and you're likely to get stuck behind a "slower" driver. I don't see cops on these roads very often, but I'm not going to make any guarantees. Be careful because both of these roads are right along rivers in some spots, and there is the occasional stop sign.

There ARE none! I've had my RX8 since Oct. '04 and have 5 tix. I live in Worthington but drive my car to the east and west sides also. I look everywhere for great drives and when I find one, low and behold so do the coppers. Maybe it's because the car is yellow, who knows. Maybe the south side down by Grove City would have some open, non threatening areas. You can really open it up on 270 N where there are four lanes but be careful because there are plenty of police officers to ruin your day.

There ARE none!
Hey, I don't want to hear any complaining about Columbus roads :). Try living in southeast Michigan where the roads are all laid out in a giant grid. I have to drive at least 30 miles to the Brighton area to get to some nice twisty roads. Apparently, this is where a lot of manufacturers and auto mags do dynamics evaluations.

I didn't think there were any fast roads in Columbas. Everytime I try to drive through there, I end up getting off the interstate. I'm not trying to get off the interstate, it just happens, then I have to drive around for a while trying to get back on the interstate.

Welcome, it's nice to see some more people from C-Bus

i havent found any great ones either, just small stretches here and there. ive heard hocking hills is a drivers paradise, but its not exactly close and there are apparently lots of cops.

anyone have a black 8 w/an appearance package near dublin? whose wife drives it sometimes (today?)

Take it to Jewett Road. There is a long strip of road that Cop cars should potentiall not be at since it's private property, but if he is coming head on, you're screwed. Then you gotta be careful of the Deer.

wheres the private property on jewett? im right at sawmill and hard, so jewitt is a stonesthrow away

well straightdown jewett from the railroad tracks, the property down that whole strip is private property. As long as you dont have anyone ahead or behind, its a great place to come to a full stop (after the tracks) and gun it. Just watch out for critters or oncoming cops. I woudlnt suggest continuing at a fast pace around the corner, not only cause its dangerous, but cause there are developments where sometimes cop hide. You'll know what I mean if you see it.

(i could be wrong about the property being private, but i've never had a probem yet).

Sounds like we are getting to a critical mass. Maybe we need a track day at Mid-Ohio when the weather improves?

Huhwha

I saw a TiGrey 8 driving around by polaris. Any takers? he/she (didnt see the driver) was zoom'n off, unfortuantely I was driving my dad's towncar. i have yet to meet in person another 8 owner, let alone an 8 owner in ohio. wait... I take that back, the guy I work with has one:-)

track event sounds excellent!

As previously mentioned 270 where it is 4 lanes west of 23 is a pretty good spot for going fast. You do have to be wary of cops though. If you know the stretch of road there are some parts where its pretty safe to make short runs at high speeds. As far as curves Riverside Drive is my favorite. I spent the first few weekends I had the 8 driving around up there for fun.

i had to take my roomate to the airport at 4am this morning. got back to 270 and sawmill in 16 minutes :)

you could try over at Toyota West. I think its called that, the one on the west side, with the subaru dealer off of... dangit what road is it. It's the only toyota dealer on the west side of 270... here we go
http://www.toyotawestohio.com/frameset1.asp?LINK=Information&MAIN=directions

its off georgesville rd. they have this area off the side where people can usually test drive the cars. its like a mini roundabout. i doubt they'd be happy with random people zooming down it, but hey, at least you know there wont be any cops. I am not sure if you can imagine what I am talking about, but if you seen it, you know what I mean:-)

I personally prefer SR315 jsut north of powell, i take that all the way up to delaware usually at nite, ive never seen a cop there. it gets busy during the rush hours though so be careful, but its a fun road.

Riverside drive is also fun but ive noticed some cops like to perch around upper arlington.



Im originally from london ohio, about 20 minutes west of columbus, there are lots of country roads out there that are cop free. if you have a nav system jstu drive west out on the country roads , get lost and nav ur way back, thats what i do even tho i still know most roads out there. my favorite is route 187 (freaky number), it have a great double 90 degree switchback.

i remember taking a turn past avery road and heading west and it was pretty nice at nite, i cant remember the name of it tho, im sure there are a few like that, but you have to be careful about the road quality in some areas.

where in columbus are u from? Im im grandview, i go to OSU dental... someone by the name of Ti left a note on my car in the parking garage telling me about this site incase i didnt know of it, havent noticed a member on here by that name tho but i do see a silver 8 in the garage along with a red one.

You're thinking of Hayden Run Rd, westbound. Take it all the way to the end (past Madison County line), then turn right. At the stop turn right and follow to Cosgray. Turn right on Cosgray and take it back to Hayden Run. It's a fun little loop with progressively tighter turns. Watch for loose gravel in the summer though!

Huhwha

I am a grad student at OSU MSE (mat sci engineering), i drive a sunlight silver 8 and usually park in the Arps garage, along with the other guy in my group who has a Tit Grey. I think a friend of mine will be getting one soon too:) I've seen two 8's parked in the parking garage next to the pharmacy building. Today I saw a red 8 at the new italian (i think it is italian) rest over on bethel where the old jewlry store was.

I have a black RX-8 that's sits in the Arps Garage Monday - Friday :-)

thats odd, I dont remember seeing a black one in there. I usually come in later so I end up either on the 5th or roof.

I'm the Titanium 8 that posted the note on your windshield. OSU Dental too! I usually park in the 11th st. lot. Avoid 12th street garage...I got a tiny door ding there. Do you guys have any parking tips or bad experiences in any of the lots around the 12th-Neil area?

rider - tip #1: two words - public transit

You are on campus and it's only a matter of time before some moron hits your car. I'm surprised you only have one tiny ding at this point. Parking garage or not, people on campus are completely careless.

Yeah, I was going to mention all of my bad vehicular experiences at OSU. I couldn't imagine parking my RX-8 on any of the campus lots or garages. Too many inconsiderate people. Your car is sure to get dinged multiple times.

What's worse is people who live off campus east of High St and park their nice cars in the street or in some dumpy lot. Thieves broke into my '90 Integra in broad daylight, and some girl rammed her Jeep Grand Cherokee into the side of my '92 3000GT while trying to park. I was living on 15th Ave between 4th St and Summit that year. It was definitely not safe for a nice new car. Good luck to you!

Sounds like we are getting to a critical mass. Maybe we need a track day at Mid-Ohio when the weather improves?

Check out www.racenasa.com. This is an organization the runs track days at area tracks... twice (last year) at Mid Ohio. I have done this once and it was very well run and I never felt unsafe. You can progress to different levels. IIRC level one only allows passing after getting a "point by" on 2 long straight sections of the track and you have an instructor. Higher levels allow solo driving and less restrictive passing zones. Well worth the money to safely and legally see what your car can do. The 2005 schedule isn't up yet.

is anyone driving their 8 in the snow lately? if so are you concerned at all about the snow scrapping the bottom or the body of the car?

Yeah I have been driving my 8 in the snow the last few days. At first I was a bit concerned by all the noise the snow was making scraping b/c of the low clearance. Then I figured it can't be really doing any damage (I hope).

Hey Buckeye3d! Are you also an OSU 8er?

Nope...went to U. of Dayton. Lived in Columbus my whole life and am a huge Ohio State fan though.

really, i went to ud too! graduated in 02 w/bs in premed, how about you?

and yes, ive been driving it in the snow (the lm22's rock, as long as its not packed ice) but figure the snow at slow speeds cant damage too much, and nothing important.

Cool...class of 96 here. Go Flyers! :D

so any red 8's today go to Giant Eagle off of highstreet in deleware county today? well yesterday now (thursday)

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/find_a_road_mw.shtml

got this on a motorcycle site.

You should try tracking it. It's a new animal on a track. There are several clubs that track at Midohio for a reasonable rate. Autocross is nice but I like the track better...more chance to see what the car can really do.

The Revo's driver school is very reasonable (the cheapest in the midwest to my knowledge)...it's at IRP. There's autocross there too at the same time.

there's also putnam, blackhawk, and one in southern michgan but the name escapes me.

Well, I must say the fastest road in the C-Bus has to be the 270 north outerbelt. I say this because I now have a new top speed of 137ish to record to you all. I say -ish because that was the last I looked at the speedo. Worthington to Easton happened in about 4 mins. I have only had my 8 out twice in the last month and half and I must say that I've been going through withdraw. I simply wanted to open her up and let her breath for a little bit when I come up to a Neon SRT that decides to tag along for the ride. My 85 turned into 135+ in no time. I must say that the SRT stayed with me the whole time. We did no lane changing. Just a straight shot in the left lane for 7 miles or so. I have never had anyone stay with me that long. Usually at 110 or so people bug out. Anywho, that kind of speed is dangerous and I don't suggest for people to try it. Just a story that I'd thought I'd share. Be careful out there.

awsesome! i hit 135ish on my trip to va this spring but i dont think i could hold it for 7 mins! although i was in broad daylight and traffic would have been a factor

Well, I must say the fastest road in the C-Bus has to be the 270 north outerbelt. I say this because I now have a new top speed of 137ish to record to you all. I say -ish because that was the last I looked at the speedo. Worthington to Easton happened in about 4 mins. I have only had my 8 out twice in the last month and half and I must say that I've been going through withdraw. I simply wanted to open her up and let her breath for a little bit when I come up to a Neon SRT that decides to tag along for the ride. My 85 turned into 135+ in no time. I must say that the SRT stayed with me the whole time. We did no lane changing. Just a straight shot in the left lane for 7 miles or so. I have never had anyone stay with me that long. Usually at 110 or so people bug out. Anywho, that kind of speed is dangerous and I don't suggest for people to try it. Just a story that I'd thought I'd share. Be careful out there.


Well your speedo says 137ish but you have to take into effect the speedo error that is inherent in all cars/bikes. I think the error at 60mph is 57, so you have to go by percentage of error which would be about 130mph....but who cares LOL...

I'm planning on this spring (once the roads dry out) doing the triple nickle out of Zanesville. It's supposed to be a fairly great riding road, I know alot of bikers have been using it (I'm a biker as well). But they put that gravel coating on it and you have to wait till late spring early summer for the gravel to dissappear, it won't be as hazardus for a car though.