Matt RX8

Is there an RX8 club in Chicago that runs autocrosses?

I know the Windy City Miata club runs about 10 events per year but what about RX8s?

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The Rotory Car Club of Chicago seems to be more of a social club. There is talk of setting up a track day at Gingerman Raceway, but that isn't set yet.
The best bet is the Chicago SCCA - http://www.scca-chicago.com/
I used to autocross with them before I went road racing with the RX7. Now that I have the 8, I may start again.

flip

I would be interested too...

keynote22

I own all the autocross gear..since we use it at the Revolution. I'd be happy to assist with an autocross but getting a spot to do it at can be a pain.

Matt RX8

I actually don't own an RX8 but I was just curious as I'm thinking of buying one. In fact, I test drove one today for the first time. I thought it handled great and the power was delevery was smooth. I think it would be a blast to autocross. In fact, I think the car could be an autocross beast. Although if I buy one, it might be without the sun roof as I think the headroom is a bit tight with my helmet on. I checked this out today.

I currently own BMWs and autocross with the Windy City BMW club. Unfortunately, you have to be a member to autocross a non BMW at their autocrosses. All non BMWs compete in the same class so you'd be running against Porsches and Vipers and whoever shows up that day.

Another good autocross group is the Audi Club Chicagoland club. They run great events and you usually get a lot of runs (9-12) compared to the BMW club (6 runs). Non members are welcome but non Audi's compete in the open class (basically anything non-audi/VW). They charge non-members $10 more so it's actually cost effective to join if you are going to do more than 4 events since the membership is only $40. (i'm an audi club member). you can also do DEs with audi club if you are a member.

Both the BMW club and Audi club will run the majority of their events at Maywood Park, a horseracing track south of O'hare airport a little bit. They also run at least one event at the Tirerack in South Bend.

Other local groups are the
Joliet Sports Car Club
Salt Creek Sports Car Club
Wisconsin Autocross Inc.

I've never run with the last three but I might check out the Wisconsin group, they run at Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers Stadium) which is only an hour from me since I in the northern burbs.

Perhaps the RX-8 people could get with miata people to allow an RX-8 class at the Miata club events. I think it would be awesome to see a group of RX-8s competing at an autocross.

Matt RX8

looks like the windy city miata club has a class for non miatas with < 2.5 L engines. I think the RX8 could own that class.

G8rboy

I ran with the WMC last year for an event... I had a blast, but the fact they lumped all non-Miatas together soured the competition side of things for me. If they start breaking that up I might do some more events with them next year, or look into running at one of the SCCA events.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The Chicago Region SCCA always has a booth setup at the Chicago Auto Show. If you are interested in autocrossing, the people at the booth can give you more information.
I've been a member for 25 years.

Matt RX8

So you ran in the class with all non-miatas with less than 2.5l engines?

How did you do? I would think the RX8 would do very well in that class since the engine power is quite good compared to displacement. Although cars like the S2000 could make things difficult.

G8rboy

I was at the first meet of the year, so I guess they hadn't separated the non-miatas yet... I finished behind a corvette and a 427 Cobra replica I think. It was also my first autocross with the '8, so after owning a Miata for 5 years I was mistakenly trying to drive it like one (on a track laid out my Miata guys for Miatas), so it took several runs for me to get the hang of the extra weight, less nimble and softer suspension in the '8. I had 8 way adjustable KYB AGX shocks in my old Miata along with sways, so I was used to incredible handling... and the RX let me down a bit. I'm planning onbuying RB sway bars in the spring, and eventually getting some better shocks so I can be more competitive in the SCCA classes. I also hate the Potenzas - they suck for auto-x... and it took me a couple runs to learn how to use that 6sp gearbox and super tall RPM band to my advantage.

hillman

Hi, I'm new here, hope you don't mind if I dredge up an old thread right off the bat.

In case you missed the show, I was one of those 'people at the booth', so feel free to ask any questions.

I don't have an RX-8, and am not considering buying one... so what the hell am I doing here? Very good question.

Last year, B Stock was the biggest stock class around here, with 8 or more drivers at each event. Not only that, but it was arguably the toughest Regional class in the country. The competition was fierce and we had a great time... but now, all those S2000s and Boxsters have been moved to A Stock. That leaves me and my MR2 Turbo all alone in B.

So, I'm looking for some competition. Consider this an engraved invitation to come out to a Chicago Region SCCA or Tri-State Sports Car Club event, especially if you're going to run B Stock.

Hope to see you out there. ( 2 RX-8s are already signed up for the SCCA's Learning Curve Solo school in April. )

-David

Matt RX8

Hi David,

Do you know Bill Nealis or Dave "The Pirate" De Bord? Those guys were also working the booth.


Forgive my questions because I'm a SCCA newbie.

B stock is the class that a Stock RX-8 would run in? Are any mods allowed? What about tires? Do those have to be stock as well? What is a PAX/RTP index?
It looks like a correction factor to compare times between classes.


I found a weblink and I'm downloading the rules.

Those guys also mentioned an SCCA class called the Solo experience. Do you know anything about that? How much seat time can I expect? Another guy I know from SCCA said it was mostly classroom stuff and not so much driving.

Thanks, and I hope to see you in B stock at one of the events. That sounds much better than competing with Porsche and Vipers in my local BMW club chapter.

hillman

Yes, in fact, I worked with Bill one day. I didn't realize anyone called Dave "The Pirate"... but I can understand why they would. I'll have to make sure to get that information to the announcers at our events.

That's what I'm here for.

Yes, yes, no, yes, yes.

The RX-8 is in B Stock, with the MR2, 350Z, most front-engined Porsches and older 911s, and a selection of BMWs ( E30 & E36 M3, M Roadster, M Coupe ).

In Stock, you can make the following modifications; any DOT-approved tires ( this includes "race compound" tires like Hoosiers and Victoracers, but not real slicks ), shocks with up to 2 adjustments, any front anti-sway bar, any brake pads, any cat-back exhaust, any air filter element, and you can add some safety gear, like harnesses or a rollbar, if you want. The tires are the big one, because a) they make a big difference and b) you have to keep buying them, as opposed to just once for everything else. I get about a season-and-a-half from a set of race tires, but that's higher than average.

We do have a Street Tire class, for those who prefer to own just one set of tires.

Yes, the PAX index is a correction factor. A guy in a Yugo isn't supposed to beat a guy in Corvette... but if he gets close enough, he 'wins'.

The SCCA Solo School is actually called the "Learning Curve". I'm biased, since I've been instructing at it for the past few years, but it is the most schooling you will find for $100 anywhere. The school is two days, and the classroom session is only about the first 2 hours or so on Saturday morning. You should get 6-10 runs on each of two small courses on Saturday afternoon, with your instructor, and other 6 or so on the full course Sunday, again with your instructor riding. Also, on Sunday, instructors and other workers drive their own cars, so you can generally go for a number of educational ride-alongs.

Registration is open at http://register.scca-chicago.com/

The bigger events like SCCA and TSSCC tend to have a few points in their favor... more drivers, which creates much tougher competition and also means more money to rent bigger lots, which means longer, faster courses.

Matt RX8

Thanks for all of the info.

If I'm competing in Street Tire class, where would I be and who would I compete with. I don't plan to buy any autocross tires right away so I'll run on my street tires. I've only done 4 events so far and I've heard it's best to learn on street tires and then switch later.

I just downloaded the 312 2005 manual PDF file, so feel free to point me to the right page # for the street tire stuff if that is easier.

hillman

It is best to learn on street tires. Most people should run street tires for at least 1 season.

You won't find the Street Tire class in the national rulebook, because it's a regional class. As such, it's run differently everywhere you go. For example, Milwaukee and Chicago do it differently.

At SCCA Chicago and Tri-State events, it's pretty simple. Any driver in any car can elect to run "Street Tire" instead of their usual class. This creates one giant class of 40 to 50 drivers, at a typical event. The aforementioned PAX index is used to determine the standings within that class.

For example, if you show up in your ( let's say it's still stock ) RX-8 and run street tire, you will run with the B Stock index of .821. Also in street tire will be my friend with his '02 Corvette, which is a Super Stock car, so he runs on a .837 index. You run a best time of 60 seconds, while he runs a 59.

You win! ( 60 * .821 < 59 * .837 )

Street tire is a great class, because it's so huge, there's also someone to compete against. There are guys down in 35th or 40th place battling it out just like the guys at the top. Over time, those guys move up until they're winning.

Matt RX8

Thanks again. If I show up with street tires, I assume that I could choose to compete in B stock if I wanted to.

Matt RX8

By the way, did you work with Bill on Saturday Feb 12th, like around 2pm in the afternoon? There was a guy with Bill, perhaps a little older, mustache maybe, I can't remember. Just wondering if I met you.

I was there with my wife (who is a kinda tall Japanese woman) and a blonde haired dude. Bill and I were talking about the last BMW event we both ran where he finished 4th in the open class and I finished 1st in the C class. It was a funny day and it was pouring rain.

hillman

Yes, you could ( run BS on street tires ). Nope, that's not me. I worked the 11th, 15th, and 19th. If you saw the in-car video that was playing in front of the rescue truck, that was me, though.

Matt RX8

The only problem is, the season doesn't start for another month. If we were somewhere else in the country we'd be racing this weekend.

Oh well, I guess I have time to read the "Secrets of Solo Racing" again before the season starts.

G8rboy

Yeah, I do miss Florida for that reason (and that's about it).

Good book, too...

Matt RX8

So who is autocrossing in the Chicago area this season:

Should we do a little RX8 club competition?

Adamrotor

Sure I am in first timer and season.

Matt RX8

That's two.

1. Machan
2. Adamrotor
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

flip

You know i'd be down for this... but won't be in Chicago for long. Have fun though!

G8rboy

I'm going to try to make a couple events this season... we just had a baby though, so now with 3 kids life is going to be pretty busy

I also want to do at least one track event this season... either RoadAmerica or Gingerman with the RX7 club.