Does anyone here compete in drift competitions with the RX-8?

I'm thinking of checking out some local drift compeitions and seeing if it is something I'd like to do, possibly with an RX-8.

I've done some autocrosses and a few HPDE days and now I'm looking for some more fun/challenge with cars.


So anyone compete with their RX-8? Anyone ever seen the RX-8 in a local competition? Not talking about the big dollar D! events but just some local stuff?


Anyone care to speculate on whether the RX-8 would be a decent platform for a streetable drift car? Any set-up changes, etc...

It would be a good platform if you add a bunch of horsepower. With stock horsepower you're going to have a tough time breaking the wheels loose as much as most drift cars.

It would be a good platform if you add a bunch of horsepower. With stock horsepower you're going to have a tough time breaking the wheels loose as much as most drift cars.
i saw a video of an 86 toyota celica with 180hp outdrifting evo's and rx7's down a mountain in japan.

i saw a video of an 86 toyota celica with 180hp outdrifting evo's and rx7's down a mountain in japan.

I think you might be a bit confused, it was most likely an AE86 Corolla and if it's 180whp with how light those cars are that would be plenty.

I think you might be a bit confused, it was most likely an AE86 Corolla and if it's 180whp with how light those cars are that would be plenty.
that was an initial D reference btw.

I've seen 8's drift from BMI videos around a track. It has the perfect setup with enough whp to pull it off. I can't speak from experience because i don't have the kinda money to dish out on spare tires. I have done snow and rain drifts though, at low speeds and its actually a lot of fun and I'm not talking about doing donuts or any of that crap, but actual twisties. The car is easy to regain control after a fishtail. Again, It's all at pretty low speeds 30-45mph under wet/slippery conditions with snow tires, can't really tell you how it'll do on dry pavement at high speeds with the right tire setup because i'm not that BIG of a nut but, I've only seen videos of an 8 drifting.

Be careful in what you say here...
"Big Brother" (Mazda) is watching and if they get drift (no pun intended) of who you are,
they may void your warranty.
They've done it before to other members here for much less....

Ike's right except technically they are called Sprinter Trueno's in Japan if they had the 4A-GE engine. They also have a version called the Levin(usually with lesser engine). The USA equivalent would be the Corolla GTS, with the SR5 being similar to the Levin. The Trueno does look a little bit like the early 80s RWD celica but the celica had a bigger displacement but less powerful engine. The 86 has been immortilized in the manga/anime Initial D and also in video games like Gran Turismo 3 and 4 and Forza Motorsport.

Regarding power requirements, a stock 86 (hachi roku) has about 127 hp and about 107 ft lbs of torque. The car weighs 1700 lbs or so. A stock RX-8 base/sport weights has 2** hp, 159 ft lbs of torque and weighs about 2800 lbs...
Now 86s are legendary drift cars and a stock one could probably drift pretty good.

The thing is, I live near Chicago and the local drift events that are held in Illinois and Wisconsin are usually held in smaller go-kart like tracks so the cars aren't going that fast while drifting. Maybe 50 mph max and some drifts at 25-30 mph.

I don't think it would be hard to get an RX-8 into a controlled drift at slower speeds. I've autocrossed a few times and ended up drifting through turns except in autocross it's not called drifting, it's called driving with the car sideways without spinning :) . Definitely not the faster way around the track but sometimes you end up overstepping the limits of adhesion in the heat of competition. I've also accidentally drifted a bit around the slower corners at some local tracks (turn2 @ Gingerman and turn 10 at Grattan, turn 5 at Road America (in the snow/sleet), etc...).

Anyway, I end up have used tires from track/autocross and I thought drifting might be a fun way to use up some of the left unfinished rubber.

Ike's right except technically they are called Sprinter Trueno's in Japan if they had the 4A-GE engine. They also have a version called the Levin(usually with lesser engine). The USA equivalent would be the Corolla GTS, with the SR5 being similar to the Levin. The Trueno does look a little bit like the early 80s RWD celica but the celica had a bigger displacement but less powerful engine. The 86 has been immortilized in the manga/anime Initial D and also in video games like Gran Turismo 3 and 4 and Forza Motorsport.

Regarding power requirements, a stock 86 (hachi roku) has about 127 hp and about 107 ft lbs of torque. The car weighs 1700 lbs or so. A stock RX-8 base/sport weights has 2** hp, 159 ft lbs of torque and weighs about 2800 lbs...
Now 86s are legendary drift cars and a stock one could probably drift pretty good.

The thing is, I live near Chicago and the local drift events that are held in Illinois and Wisconsin are usually held in smaller go-kart like tracks so the cars aren't going that fast while drifting. Maybe 50 mph max and some drifts at 25-30 mph.

I don't think it would be hard to get an RX-8 into a controlled drift at slower speeds. I've autocrossed a few times and ended up drifting through turns except in autocross it's not called drifting, it's called driving with the car sideways without spinning :) . Definitely not the faster way around the track but sometimes you end up overstepping the limits of adhesion in the heat of competition. I've also accidentally drifted a bit around the slower corners at some local tracks (turn2 @ Gingerman and turn 10 at Grattan, turn 5 at Road America (in the snow/sleet), etc...).

Anyway, I end up have used tires from track/autocross and I thought drifting might be a fun way to use up some of the left unfinished rubber.

I think at low speeds like that you're looking at the car just being a little tail happy rather than having an actual controlled drift. Also if there is an legitimacy to the safe mode and mythical front wheel sensors that tie in to the ECU you would go into safe mode if you managed to get a decently long drift. However something tells me it won't be an issue ;) Give it a shot and let us know how it goes, even if you can't drift like a true drift car then you'll still have fun :)

What kind of tires are people using? I am thinking cheap low grip tires that last a while would be the way to go but finding cheap tires for the stock rims is a challenge in itself.

When it rains here I often drift unexpectedly.