How much fun can you have with a racecar? Well...
05-30-2012, 04:37 PM
#1
How much fun can you have with a racecar? Well...
So I get asked quite often why put all this money into a car I can only use at the track, and is it fragile and require lots of repair etc, as arent RX-8's unreliable? In fact I was asked this very question today, so I thought about it and the short answer is I use the race cars all the time. In fact so far this season the cars have participated in:
3 Pro races with World Challenge TC
an SCCA Drivers School and race weekend
2 NASA weekends
a car show (won best racecar)
a couple of autocrosses
many trackdays and on-track instruction
and coming up-
possibly will compete in a hillclimb
will make a few passes at the drag strip
likely to compete in at least one Drift event
Additionally, The RX-8 has proven to be just about the most reliable race car I have ever owned. My list of failed/replaced parts over the past two seasons include
2 transmissions (reverse gear welded itself together and a shifter failure)
fuel pump (stupidly was using the OEM pump, have since gone to an aftermarket one which works flawlessly)
Swapped 1 (yes ONE) engine out prior to Miller this year because it has been in the car a LONG time, was still running fine and turbing competetive lap times, new engine also working flawlessly
Replaced one Mazdaspeed front shock due to suspected leaking, however that might have been oil transfer from another source
2 sets of front brake pads (Cobalt) each car since last season
one set rear brake pads (Cobalt) each car
one front bumper (impact)
one set of front plastic (same impact)
minor repair to radiator
two rear lower control arms (bent, impact)
1 windsheild ,cut out and given to Eric Meyer at Mid-Ohio last year
Not bad for as much tracktime as we have put on these things. Seriously, just a little care and these things are flawless. They do not have a lot of vibration so fasteners tend to stay put, which is important. They do use a fair amount of fuel, but not really that much more than similar cars under racing conditions.
So I guess my race cars get used on the regular, and I see no need for them to "just sit" in the shop. In between events they are maintained, repaired, upgraded and setup for the next event, be it a Pro race or a weekend attacking cones.
So dont let anyone tell you that because you have a "track only" car that it will just sit, there are tons of ways to get out and enjoy your car and it doesnt have to be expensive. My cars are even close enough to license plates that if pushed they could be used as a "weekend" car to tool around town and cause mischief.
3 Pro races with World Challenge TC
an SCCA Drivers School and race weekend
2 NASA weekends
a car show (won best racecar)
a couple of autocrosses
many trackdays and on-track instruction
and coming up-
possibly will compete in a hillclimb
will make a few passes at the drag strip
likely to compete in at least one Drift event
Additionally, The RX-8 has proven to be just about the most reliable race car I have ever owned. My list of failed/replaced parts over the past two seasons include
2 transmissions (reverse gear welded itself together and a shifter failure)
fuel pump (stupidly was using the OEM pump, have since gone to an aftermarket one which works flawlessly)
Swapped 1 (yes ONE) engine out prior to Miller this year because it has been in the car a LONG time, was still running fine and turbing competetive lap times, new engine also working flawlessly
Replaced one Mazdaspeed front shock due to suspected leaking, however that might have been oil transfer from another source
2 sets of front brake pads (Cobalt) each car since last season
one set rear brake pads (Cobalt) each car
one front bumper (impact)
one set of front plastic (same impact)
minor repair to radiator
two rear lower control arms (bent, impact)
1 windsheild ,cut out and given to Eric Meyer at Mid-Ohio last year
Not bad for as much tracktime as we have put on these things. Seriously, just a little care and these things are flawless. They do not have a lot of vibration so fasteners tend to stay put, which is important. They do use a fair amount of fuel, but not really that much more than similar cars under racing conditions.
So I guess my race cars get used on the regular, and I see no need for them to "just sit" in the shop. In between events they are maintained, repaired, upgraded and setup for the next event, be it a Pro race or a weekend attacking cones.
So dont let anyone tell you that because you have a "track only" car that it will just sit, there are tons of ways to get out and enjoy your car and it doesnt have to be expensive. My cars are even close enough to license plates that if pushed they could be used as a "weekend" car to tool around town and cause mischief.
06-07-2012, 05:32 PM
#8
06-08-2012, 09:32 AM
#9
My race cars weighs in at 2800lbs, driver up, and we could drop another 50 or so without much issue. Currently the cars are all metal and have all the OEM glass for windsheild, back glass, and quarters.
No need to put a crappy nissan motor in a RX8, just swap the rear end for a 5:12 R&P and you will be amazed at the difference in acceleration. Doing a motor swap will very often not be a good thing, as then you cant actually race the car and that gets old quickly. We built our car to a set of rules and have found that we can be competitive in many venues with the same car with only minor changes.
I can give other input on where to go building an RX8 track car, so feel free to contact me any time.
No need to put a crappy nissan motor in a RX8, just swap the rear end for a 5:12 R&P and you will be amazed at the difference in acceleration. Doing a motor swap will very often not be a good thing, as then you cant actually race the car and that gets old quickly. We built our car to a set of rules and have found that we can be competitive in many venues with the same car with only minor changes.
I can give other input on where to go building an RX8 track car, so feel free to contact me any time.
06-08-2012, 09:40 AM
#10
07-01-2012, 08:11 PM
#11
2 weeks, two racetracks-
Last week we were at the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car weekend at Mosport, Canada. three races total. Lost a motor(our first!) and broke a shift fork, but nothing really big. Did manage a 4th, 5th, and 6th place finishes with a couple other 7 and 8th place finishes thrown in there.
This week we were at the SCCA National race weekend at High Plains Raceway, but with just one renter. Two races, scored a 2nd and a 4th-could have had third but we were not in the season long points chase and did the right thing and allowed a competitor who was the podium position. Car ran perfectly all weekend as usual.
Next, NASA race weekend at Pueblo Motorsports Park next weekend, then prep for the World Challenge races at Mid-Ohio!
YES we RACE!
Last week we were at the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car weekend at Mosport, Canada. three races total. Lost a motor(our first!) and broke a shift fork, but nothing really big. Did manage a 4th, 5th, and 6th place finishes with a couple other 7 and 8th place finishes thrown in there.
This week we were at the SCCA National race weekend at High Plains Raceway, but with just one renter. Two races, scored a 2nd and a 4th-could have had third but we were not in the season long points chase and did the right thing and allowed a competitor who was the podium position. Car ran perfectly all weekend as usual.
Next, NASA race weekend at Pueblo Motorsports Park next weekend, then prep for the World Challenge races at Mid-Ohio!
YES we RACE!
Last edited by d walker; 07-01-2012 at 08:15 PM.
07-01-2012, 09:16 PM
#13
Thats because in auto cross you have no metric on how you did until the end of the run, on track its a little clearer
I personally consider it bad form to show up and screw up someone elses championship run, and typically will decline the win etc. when we show up with a Pro driver- at Road Atlanta last year Chip started 28th overall on the reversed grid and finished with the overall win. We proved the point and then declined the win. Those guys are running for contingency money, points, tires, etc. and it hurts them deeply if we come along on a flyer and take the position. In this case the driver in my car was friends with the other driver and could have passed pretty much at will, but more or less just hung out, so that driver got thier contingency money/tires/etc.
I personally consider it bad form to show up and screw up someone elses championship run, and typically will decline the win etc. when we show up with a Pro driver- at Road Atlanta last year Chip started 28th overall on the reversed grid and finished with the overall win. We proved the point and then declined the win. Those guys are running for contingency money, points, tires, etc. and it hurts them deeply if we come along on a flyer and take the position. In this case the driver in my car was friends with the other driver and could have passed pretty much at will, but more or less just hung out, so that driver got thier contingency money/tires/etc.
07-01-2012, 09:27 PM
#14
I understand it is generally accepted and done, but in reality nobody screwed up anyone short of crashing into them etc. You are essentially giving each other points and finishing positions not earned. Argue it any way you want, that fact is undeniable.
07-01-2012, 10:48 PM
#16
I was referring to Pro Solo, nobody gives anyone anything there, not some local ego massaging contest
so I'm curious, if someone is renting your car does that come with team orders to back off and let someone slower go by and get their points?
.
so I'm curious, if someone is renting your car does that come with team orders to back off and let someone slower go by and get their points?
.
07-01-2012, 11:33 PM
#17
Nope, thats a driver thing. Although as I said, I personally think it shows class to not interfere with someone elses season on a club level, I go to the track to win, not tool around. I was not particularly happy with the driver just hanging out behind his friend, but thats not really my call. IMHO you do the best you can, then if you feel like you want to be a good guy about it you decline the position, smile, and go on with life.
EDIT-
On a Pro weekend there is no mercy, but Club racing, much like Autocross, HPDE, etc. is just out there for amusement.
EDIT-
On a Pro weekend there is no mercy, but Club racing, much like Autocross, HPDE, etc. is just out there for amusement.
07-02-2012, 06:44 AM
#19
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dwalker: Just sent you a FB request. Would like to chat a bit. Friends with SBlethen and Meyer. We've had some similar experiences this year.
For those interested in caging their cars, there's a couple slideshows at: http://domomotorsports.com/about/about.html
For those interested in caging their cars, there's a couple slideshows at: http://domomotorsports.com/about/about.html
07-03-2012, 11:00 AM
#21
D Walker,
I think you are probably the guy or shop I got my used race motor from last year. I believe it came out of your wrecked PTD car. You saved my season since no parts where available to build a new motor due to the tsunami!
Motor is still running strong after MANY race weekends and even a 1000 mile rally race in Mexico.
Thanks,
John
I think you are probably the guy or shop I got my used race motor from last year. I believe it came out of your wrecked PTD car. You saved my season since no parts where available to build a new motor due to the tsunami!
Motor is still running strong after MANY race weekends and even a 1000 mile rally race in Mexico.
Thanks,
John
07-03-2012, 12:06 PM
#22
John I wish I could say it was me who helped in your time of need, because it surely would have beenlike me to help you, but I think it was someone else, probably Tom Neel, who is an all around great guy. If you ever do need anything, feel free to reach out and we will do whatever we can to help!
Don
Don