2hit6

Again...a great event... Thank you to Al for organizing the event and giving some of us an opportunity to run our 8s on the Mosport Track...truly awesome!!!

Thanks to Footman for rounding up the club members for breakfast and taking us on some windy roads to Mosport!!!!

All in all....great times!!! I've got some pictures, I'll upload them once I get a chance...
________
Wellbutrin Pregnancy

Neo

MyRxBad,

Great to hear you made it out!
There's a reason why the elite hardcore canuck squad leave lots of space in between cars.

Can't wait to see the vid!

nate340

someone spun? wow that's got to be embarrassing.

nvx

video would be interesting and most appreciated since i was the guy in front of you i think... too bad you didn't catch my spectacular move on video



thanks for pointing that out nate

rotarygreg

yes, please youtube the videos!

nate340

lol come on i had to. reminds me of the old days when josh was a noob and everyone was terrified being anywhere near him on the track. i

t has to shut everyone up that thinks parade laps are boring and are way to slow and all that crap if you managed to spin. as long as none of the officals were pissed its all good

Footman

iTrader: (2)

they were pissed

01Racing

Yes I am very embarrassed that we had 2 people off the track. Like I said in the drivers meeting, we always have people complain that the pace isnt fast enough to have fun, yet we managed to spread 20 or so cars from turn 9 all the way back to turn 4 in 3 laps! Following that I hear on the radio that a car is off in 5 then a lap later (after we had slowed down) a car is off in 2. If we are going to do something like that again at Mosport we have to come up with a better system.
BTW: DONT TURN YOUR TRACTION/STABILITY CONTROL OFF AT MOSPORT!

Footman

iTrader: (2)

I also feel bad for the guy with the Mazda 6 that showed up with his girlfriend at like 1pm and asked when the pace lap starts.....

RXeckless

iTrader: (5)

Found this especially for newbie to mosport like me.
A Hot Lap of Mosport
TRACK WALK GUIDELINES
A LAP AT MOSPORT INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
Exiting the Pits
Wait for pit marshal to direct you that it is safe to enter the track.
Observe pit lane speed limit when exiting the pits; the decreasing radius pit exit narrows into Turn 1.
Watch for faster cars approaching on track through Turn 1 (driver's left).
Accelerate onto track keeping right to avoid any traffic. DO NOT cross over YELLOW BLEND/BLEED LINE.
Pick up the consensus or driving line for the first Turn 2 apex as soon as you are able.
You should aim to be in the middle of the track by the crest of the hill approaching turn two.

Turn 2 (High speed, downhill double-apex left hander)
As you exit Turn 1, head diagonally across the track (directly to the Turn 2 Marshall Stand). Use the dried concrete stains on the pavement (driver's right) as your Turn 2 brake marker. Brake in a straight line BEFORE YOU CREST THE HILL. You MUST BRAKE (hard) BEFORE you crest the hill at the top of Turn 2!
As you crest the hill, start turning into the first apex cone; you should be in the middle of the track at this point. (Use the white track edge line as a guide for wheel placement).
Let the car drift out slightly between apex 1 and apex 2, holding a constant left turn on the steering wheel. You will have to tighten your line slightly to clip the second apex (apex 2), which is actually the stretch of pavement that starts at the Apex cone.
The key to Turn 2 is actually getting the middle of the corner right, (between the two apexes). Get it WRONG and you could be off on the grass at the exit of the turn.
NOTE: Note the rough pavement and concrete patches which arc through the corner (driver's right). Try to describe this arc using your right side tires. This will be the consensus line through the corner.
Hold your vehicle on this trajectory until you track out at the bottom of the hill.
You do not need to track out to the Exit Cone (driver's right).
As you carry more speed through here, centrifugal force will actually force the car towards that Exit Cone. If you habituate yourself to driving out to the Exit Cone, as your driving improves and you begin to carry more speed through here, you WILL find yourself exiting Turn 2 on the grass if you are not careful.
Avoid the temptation to brake too little or too late at the top of Turn 2.
Again, you MUST BRAKE (hard) BEFORE you crest the hill at the top of Turn 2!

Turn 3 (Medium to High speed uphill, then downhill right hander)
The vehicle should be at approximately the mid-point of the track width at the turn-in point. (It is not critical for entrance to Turn 3, as you can enter the Turn from either the extreme left or extreme right side of the track; under most school circumstances you will enter either from the extreme left or slightly left of track centre).
Note a faint, dark perpendicular line running across the track between Turns 2 and 3. Use this as a safe braking point for Turn 3. You can also downshift to 3rd gear if you wish; it is not required since the important thing is to carry momentum through the turn.
BE PATIENT ON TURN IT! The Turn 3 apex is extremely late. BE PATIENT AND WAIT FOR IT!
Also, note that the apex curbing comes to a point at the apex. (If you ride up on the curbing at the apex, you WILL launch the car on to two wheels)!
Hold a constant right turn on the steering wheel to achieve a very late clipping point near the end of the right side curbing.
After clipping the apex, continue to hold a constant steering input and track out to exit curbing (Note where Exit Cone is). If you relax your steering input too soon, you will exit on the grass BEFORE the exit curbing.
From the apex of Turn 3 to the entrance of Turn 4, you are actually climbing a slight hill. Aim for the first "N" in the second CONTINENTAL name on the pedestrian overpass as your turn-in point.

TURN 3/4 STRAIGHT PASSING ZONE
We generally advise that you stay on the left side of the track, unless you are passing slower traffic.
For cars being PASSED, when exiting Turn 3, track-out to the exit cone (driver's left) and stay on the left side of the track. LIFT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, give signal, and allow faster cars to pass.
For PASSING cars, maintain a tighter line on exiting Turn 3, staying to the centre of the track or right of centre. Make sure you complete your passes WELL BEFORE the GREEN NO PASSING CONES.
Remember, this is the shortest passing zone on the track. Be prepared to WAVE OFF late passing signals and wait until the BACK STRAIGHT PASSING ZONE.
Again, NOTE position of the GREEN NO PASSING CONES just before the "Continental Tire" Pedestrian Bridge (at the top of the Turn 4 hill), and complete your passes before this point. DO NOT RISK A LATE PASS HERE!

Turn 4 (High speed, downhill left hander)
This is the one of the fastest corners on the track and is responsible for some of the worst accidents, SO UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF THE CORNER.
You can safely enter the corner from the extreme left side of the track to slightly right of centre, (say 2/3 of the way over from the left). A good choice would be to enter at about the first "N" in the second "CONTINENTAL" name on the pedestrian overpass.
NOTE THE POSITION OF THE TURN-IN CONE.
Again, with Turn 4, BE EXTREMELY PATIENT! It is an extremely long-radius corner, and most drivers have the tendency to turn in way too soon. Turn in should be very gradual, (with a smooth trajectory) such that you exit the corner, on the left side of the track.
There is also a slight crown in the road here. YOU DO NOT WANT TO ENTER THE CORNER ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRACK. If you do, in all likelihood you will run out of track on the right side grass verge.
Remember, as with Turn 2, any braking must be done BEFORE cresting the hill to avoid losing the back end of the car.

Turn 5A (Medium speed, uphill right hander)
Run down the edge of the left side curbing for the entrance to Turn 5A.
This corner requires HARD BRAKING prior to turn-in. Look out for the square rectangular cut in the pavement. You can generally start braking from this point on since the car should be in a straight line. Remember, this is perhaps the hardest braking zone on the track, so brake early and downshift to 3rd gear.
Again it is important to brake enough for Turn 5A prior to the turn-in point so as not to overshoot.
Turn-in and run up the hill PAST the Turn 5A apex (driver's right). Track out (to driver's left) right over the crest of the hill. You can line up the car on the curbing (driver's left), and brake hard & quickly for Turn 5B. This will settle the front of the car for good bite on turn-in to Turn 5B.
You may choose to downshift to 2nd gear hear to achieve more torque for your run at the uphill back straight.
If you take too much speed through Turn 4, you can actually drive diagonally across the track and BRAKE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE Turn 5A apex, thus extending your braking zone. (This is actually an alternate line into the corner if you are carrying a lot of speed through Turn 4; you may want to discuss this further with your in-car instructor).

Turn 5B (Slow speed right hander)
You should try to turn into Turn 5B quickly once you brake at the top of Turn 5. Run out right PAST the apex of Turn 5B, and exit on the left side of the track. As you increase the throttle here on corner exit, try to unwind the steering wheel. (This will prevent any potential oversteer and stabilize the car on exit).
Passing is not allowed until past Turn 5C/6 (note the Turn 5B/6 Marshall Stand on driver's left).
Ideally, you can basically track out along the curbing (on driver's left) all the way up through Turn 5C/6.

Turn 5C (Medium to High speed left hander)
You can either stay on the left side of the track through Turn 5C for the entrance to the back straight, or you can exit Turn 5C and track diagonally across the track. It does not much matter. Suffice to say that it will depend on faster traffic behind you.
Generally, you will stay to the left side on the back straight unless you are passing.
The passing rule is that the slower car is expected to stay to the left and signal (faster) traffic to pass on the right.
NOTE: A spring rises on the hill above Turn 5C, and water often runs across the track here; at the very least, the verge by the Marshall's stand is often muddy. It is one of the most treacherous places on the circuit in the wet!

BACK STRAIGHT PASSING ZONE
There is no one consensus line up the back straight. You can either run on the left, right or up the centre of the track. Staying to the right is actually the shortest distance along the back straight.
That said, we generally advise that you stay on the left side of the track, unless you are passing slower traffic. You can up-shift (from 2nd all the way to 4th or 5th here if necessary).
NOTE position of the GREEN NO PASSING CONES (at the top of the hill), and complete your passes by this point.
If you complete a late pass, DO NOT move back over to the left side of the track (and risk cutting off the slower car that you just passed). Stay to right of the track. You can brake all the way down to the first apex curbing (driver's right), and effectively make Turn 8 a double apex corner. Pick up the consensus line through Turn 8 for the apex (or 2nd apex).

Turn 7 (Very High speed left hander)
More of a kink than a corner. The steep back straight levels out somewhat for Turn 7.
You can either stay on the left side of the track through Turn 7 (if you have faster traffic passing you), or pick up the Turn 7 apex, (on the right side of the track). Should you pick up the apex, you really drive straight past and track out to the left side of the track for the entrance to Turn 8 at the crest of the hill; this marks the end of the back straight.
Again, the passing rule is that the slower car is expected to stay to the left and signal (faster) traffic to pass on the right. Make sure that all passing is completed BEFORE you pass the GREEN NO PASSING CONES at the top of the hill.

Turn 8 (High speed right hander)
Since you will end up taking a lot of speed up the back straight, it is of the utmost importance that you let the car settle (after cresting the hill) before braking HEAVILY for Turn 8.
Turn 8 is unique in that it is a decreasing-radius corner that DOES NOT lead onto a subsequent straight. Instead, it leads right into Turn 9, which quickly leads into Turn 10. For that reason this area of the track is often termed "The Esses".
Brake heavily at the end of the back straight. Turn in for Turn 8 starts out gradually enough, but quickly tightens, and the Turn 8 apex is right at the end of the turtles on the driver's right. The turn-in is started quite wide from the right side curbing. Continuously bring the vehicle closer to the curbing through the turn until the clip point, which is very late. The last 3 meters (10ft) of the curbing will appear to be straight, and it is this straight curbing section that is the clip point.

(Entering the Pits)
Be prepared to signal your intention through Turn 8. Reduce your speed.
Indicate your intention by holding your LEFT FIST up through the driver's window.
Approach the Turn 8 apex and stay to the extreme right of the track.
Reduce speed further and drive into the Pits, making sure that you stay within inside the YELLOW BLEND/BLEED LINE.

Turn 9 (Medium to High speed left hander)
Be prepared to BRAKE QUICKLY, downshift to 3rd gear and immediately turn in to Turn 9.
Alternatively, you can increase your braking zone dramatically by driving diagonally from the Turn 8 apex (driver's right) over to the Turn 9 apex (driver's left). Again, be prepared to BRAKE HARDER using this alternate line, as you cannot take quite as much speed through the corner using this line!
Also remember that there are a lot of concrete patches laid down in this corner and it can become quite slippery, so EXERCISE CAUTION until you have become familiar with the track.
Alternatively, you can turn in later (by staying on the right side of the track between the two (2) marker cones.
Which ever line you choose through the corner, make sure that you brake HARD and QUICKLY
Again, a quick, hard braking here will settle the front of the car for good bite on turn-in to Turn 10, and exit onto the front straight.

Turn 10 (Medium to High speed right hander)
The vehicle should be over on the left side of the track at the turn-in point. Brake quickly. Brake HARD!
Turn in and take car right to the apex curbing in Turn 10 (driver's right).
NOTE: The front straight flattens out quite quickly, giving the impression that this corner is an off-camber turn. Be aware of it and adjust for the sensation. Allow car to completely track out to driver's left (note position of the exit cone).
Resist the temptation to track out too early, as you will run over the exit curbing and off the track.
If you are planning to pass a slower car here, you will probably need to tighten your Turn so that you exit mid-track. Remember, exercise patience and DO NOT ACCELERATE until the car is straight; you are making a much tighter corner, which at the speed you entered, will not allow for the added stress of acceleration.

FRONT STRAIGHT PASSING ZONE
Stay on the left side of the track, unless you are passing slower traffic. You can up-shift (3rd to 4th) here.
NOTE position of GREEN NO PASSING CONES (under bridge), and complete your passes by this point.
If you complete a late pass, DO NOT move back over to the left side of the track (and risk cutting off the slower car that you just passed). Stay to right of the track (or right of centre), BRAKE HARDER AND LONGER into Turn 1, and gradually pick up the consensus line through Turn 1.

Turn 1 (High speed, downhill right hander)
Brake just past the bridge on the front straight (note turn-in cone on driver's left). The turn-in here is gradual. Use the rough pavement and concrete patches as a guide for your loaded (left) wheels. LIFT UP YOUR EYES and LOOK AHEAD into the corner; this will help you pick up the Consensus Line through here.
Again, this is another long-radius corner, and the (blind) Turn 1 apex is very, very late, but you MUST maintain steering input to the apex and BEYOND to the track-out cone (driver's left).
Unwinding the steering wheel too quickly will result in you leaving the track on driver's left.
NOTE: Take a trajectory of the rough pavement and concrete patches in Turn 1, and extrapolate them back to the edge of the track on the front straight. (Do this on the track walk, or walk down the pit lane walkway into turn 1 to get a better look). This will give you a better appreciation on where the turn-in point for Turn 1 should be.
Track-out and head diagonally across the track toward the Turn 2 Marshall Stand to set up your approach for Turn 2.

nate340

Alan I’m sure we aren’t the first club to do this can you talk to your track buddies and ask them for some advice about how these issues have been handled in the past?

This upsets me that this event is getting worse instead of better. People need to stop and think and realize just how much is at stake it’s very easy to hit something at mosport can you afford to buy a new car? Insurance won’t cover you for any damage on a track. I remind myself of this before ever track day before every session and it seems to work since I’ve never spun my rx8 even on soaking wet track.


We have rx8’s with traction control we should not be spinning off. Its really fucked up to think of the problems we are having people are going to slow and yet spinning off? Wtf.

Danielson

Hello Everyone...First Thank to Al, YOU'RE THE MAN !! This first time experience at Mosport put a big smile on my face (can't believe it only cost $20.00) & most important, my girl did enjoy it too...Footman, you're right ! We did arrive on time but you have to understand my Army side, I am always on time (that's mean 5 to 10 minutes aheard of schedule), not waiting at the very last minute to put gas in my car...Enough said.

It was a real pleasure to see so many RX8 together (not really when taking 3 lines wide on Hwy 401), new faces & some old one (Darkbrew), just can't believe how much was in your trunk, you must only manage less than 300km per tank, LOL...Can't wait for the next meeting to discuss about all of what happened, BTW, someone has it on tape (spin-out) because I saw it on video...

Again, many thanks to all involved with this nice day...Hat OFF to your guy's !!

Danielson

BTW, not all RX8 have traction control...My GS don't..But in my case it make it more fun to drive...LOL

01Racing

OMG I cant imagine how much thought went into this! BTW, its telling you the "school" lines and ways around Mosport, if you follow this you will get passed very quickly racing! lol. I have never put that much science into a lap anywhere, maybe if i did i would be a lot faster! lol

RXeckless

iTrader: (5)

^ This is one drivers opinion not mine. Everything helps I hope, If anyone can find a copy of Vintage Racer Vol.XXVI #3 there's a whole three pages on driving this track with elevations & tips. If I get a chance I'll scan it and post it as well.

rotarygreg

in my opinion, the problems stem from too much emphasis on speed. this is suposed to be a taste of mosport, not a virtually free 20 min lapping session at mosport.

I know opinions are like ******** and all that but maybe next time we could have 2 pace cars, one in the middle of the pack, everyone leave at the same time. the middle pace car would ensure the people in the back will keep up a little better and also the racing line might have a decent chance of trickling back there. my second time at mosport and i still have virtually no clue about line until i got in the speed6 with Al. which, under the circumstances, was as much fun as me driving it this time. I really learned a lot from those few minutes. I was so far off and as always, completely humbled seeing Al play at a pace i probably wont touch for years, if at all.

anyways, enough negativity. hopefully we'll be able to do this again. Thanks to Al and whoever else pitched in to help with organization and all that. Al, i really appreciate you acting like a taxi for me all day too. haha. I swear i was in the 6 as much as my 8 and i drove from guelph!! haha.

Kafka

Well at least you guys have fun! I have to escort my gf's brother driving his first manual car all the way from Toronto to Waterloo after I taught him 12 hours earlier on Saturday afternoon...

I have some posts about how to drive in Mosport from BMWCCA last year, but those are just references and its NOTHING compare to what Al will show you when he is driving with the racing line.

Mosport is not a joke. People died there before and will continue to do so. Fear and respect will get you a loooong way.

And nate you are right. I was a "terror" on the track last year - because I was not experienced enough to know how to response to experienced driver being an *** come up to my *** at the turns scenario - well at least that was what I WAS thinking, until this year at the same track, I became that *** by constantly going after other ppl's car(eg, Theif) and do not know how to pass properly, end up dive bombing him(bad!), went off track(worse!!) and force myself back in track(worst!!!) - a la "wtf are you doing moment".

That being said, I hope you all enjoy the parade lap, and sign up on more dedicated track days in the coming days / season.

For the price range in Canada, Rx8 is one of the best track car you can buy today. Please don't waste it...

Its all good.

Rotary Mike

One Lap Of Mosport – Life Experience #2



Got a Sports Car and Nowhere to Run it?

Michael Schlee

Any gearhead or car nut has dreamt of being a race car driver at some point in their life. The problem is, very few can afford to support their own racing endeavours and even fewer make it professionally.
Lapping Mosport



So, what do we common folk do to unleash our inner Michael Schumacher? Well, racing on the streets is not only dangerous but incredibly stupid and most of us do not own our own race track. So that leaves just one thing…..track days.


Most racetracks are looking to make extra money when they do not have scheduled racing events. One way they make some extra income is to rent their track out to car clubs for lapping days. Another is charity lapping days where for a smaller fee you get to follow a pace car around the track at a brisk pace.

This week I once again had the opportunity to do the latter through an event set up by the BEMC. Although slower and not as invigorating, charity lapping can give you the opportunity to drive your car around a racetrack that usually requires some sort of racing license. A track like Mosport International Raceway for example.

Seeing a storied racetrack like Mosport from the driver’s perspective while getting to stretch your car’s legs a bit cannot be beat. For anyone that has a sports car but no where to run it, I highly recommend inquiring about up coming lapping days at your local racetrack.

Below are two videos from the day’s events. The first video is from the charity lapping and gives you a (slow) tour of what the racetrack looks like. The second video is far more entertaining and features local racer Alan Balinksy taking my car around the track at a faster pace. Although Alan was taking it easy on my car, his speed, smoothness and correct driving lines are apparent.


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2hit6

Thanks Mike for uploading the video....its definitely a great reference for us noobs....with lines and even what gear to be in....its odd that I didn't have to heel & toe thru any of the turns...maybe its because I wasn't going fast enough.....lolz
________
OREGON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Thumper3322

Good job filming there Mike and staying on the 8's *** in front of you...as for some others, big spaces sneaked in there. Is your camera mounted?

As for an update on my car...it is still on my street being taken in tonight to Scarb Mazda but of course, hope to know more tomorrow. Hope Anthony has his day cleared lol.

AS for how to run this next time (if there is...hope to hell there is since I only got 1 1/2 laps), only thing I would suggest is 2 groups? Ppl that actually come out to track days and those that don't?! If ppl did what Al instructed and followed the 8 in front of you with a max of one car length between, following their line/speed, then no one should have gone off. Big gaps and trying to catch up or what have you seem to screw ppls driving up since we ALL don't know Mosport worth crap. And of course TCS ON for those of us that have it.

I apologize for my own embarrassing smokey moment :s FYI - the Marshals there are awesome and super nice! Hats off to them as they were really helpful when I got stuck.
Here is the post I put up to see what some others might have thought and some pics. Blown Belt

Still fun to see everyone, nice day for it!

01Racing

Who was that meatball driving your car Mike!?

Thief

Probably some doofus who thinks putting a V8 into an RX car is a good idea. :P

Thumper3322

^ya he was driving kinda slow and talking like he knew his **** or something

And I like the pic of Thief out front with a big gap behind him...lol...u just tooooooooooo fast Thief...Oh an happy Birthday old man!

01Racing

Hey Thief, you just gave me a great idea! I will get my stock car chassis with v/8 power and hang a RX8 body on it!

2hit6

Wait...let me wrap my head around this... a rx7 FC chassis with a V8 motor on a RX-8 body? That would be an interesting project...lolz
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Wellbutrin Lawsuites