WaterLogged

BBG... you might wanna pull out some of that weight in the trunk.

terretsboy

I need to bracket my subs down. They've been sliding around in my trunk for about 6 months now.

I go out to Harrahs all the time to play poker I'll try to post next time I go. Most likely I'll be going out on monday. Last night sucked -$200. Still up $400. I'm trying to make some money to blow on my trip to vegas on the 30th.

baseballgenius80

Thanks for the reminder there WaterLogged. I had a hard time sliding around the tight corners last time.

WaterLogged

Another reminder to those that are driving Sunday... Turn off your DSC completely BEFORE you get up to the line. Nothing more fun than reaching for the button while flying around an autocross or road course.

chico elder

Hey, can one of you guys remember to bring a camara tomorrow? Also is it $30 a run or does that allow you do it more than once?

WaterLogged

I'll see if I can remember my camera. It's $30 for the day (potentially 3 or 4 runs).

chico elder

Hey waterlogged .........that name held true on Sunday....ha ha nothing like working the race course in the rain. Can you please please post the information on the next event. The guy who was racing in the "evil black" RX8 is also going to check out the site for the info. Also I have to see if I can do as well as terretsboy did on Sunday. By the way did your time hold up??

terretsboy

Auto-cross was awesome. If you didn't show up you missed out on a great day! *cough*baseballgenius*cough* Probably the most fun I've ever had in 54.6 seconds except that one time in college with that cheerleader (I swear that's never happened before!). If anyone has ever gotten the urge to e-brake uturn in the middle of the road this type of event is for you.
Apparently there is another one in mid-july whoever knows about the please post the info. Good seeing everyone!

WaterLogged

Well, there's actually three events in July. One is an SCCA event like this past weekend, the second is sponsored by the Corvette club, and the third is another SCCA event. The first is July 9th at Gateway, the second is July 16th at the GM plant in Wentzville, the third is the 23rd at Gateway again.

As far as results go... I ended up 2nd in class behind an STi who knocked an entire second off his last run and ended up beating me by 0.3 seconds. BASTARD! Overall I ended up 25th in the index out of 119 drivers. I guess I should be happy with that, but I know I had a lot more to give but just didn't find it on that last run. I'm just glad I can give the STis a run for their money being 100+ HP under them.

WaterLogged

Oh, I almost forgot... Here's the link to the STL Region of the SCCA's solo site... http://www.stlsolo.org

terretsboy

very nice!

terretsboy

Also, for anyone who is interested, there is a poker tournament tonight and every monday night. $20 buy in. PM me to let me know if you are interested. I usually is pretty big so the pot is well worth it.

chico elder

I agree anyone who missed it missed a good time. So I will see you guys for sure on July 9th at the next event. Thanks for the link. We have to see if we can all get in the same run next time. Waterlogged how far did you get before you filled your tank?

WaterLogged

I only needed to make it across the street. That morning I put in 7 gallons after the light came on. Ended up being the perfect amount of fuel for the day.

terretsboy

I think that the whole time I was racing I was running on regular unleaded. I had about a 1/4 tank left of unleaded and put premium on top of that and I don't think I made it to the premium gas until last night after a trip to the casino. Either that or I knocked something loose and the engine is putting out more power. Is that possible?

WaterLogged

Most likely you altered your long-term fuel trim in the ECU by running it hard yesterday. Essentially the ECU said "hey, you like to drive hard. I'll give you the fuel needed to allow that." The RX-8 is smarter than the average bear... which is unfortunate when trying to tune it.

terretsboy

That's awesome. How hard is autocrossing on the 8? Is it built to take it or is it going to wear it down real quick?

baseballgenius80

I hang my head as I post this comment. Sorry I didn't show guys. That's the last time I listen to the weather report. Night before they said thunderstorms all day. I figured no way the race would go on. I should have known better, how often is the weather report right anyway. Next time....sun shining or river flooding, I hope to be there.

WaterLogged

Autocrossing in the 8 is a LOT less torture than it was on my '97 Hyundai Tiburon. The Tibby was always bouncing off the rev limiter and balancing on 3 wheels. I still have that car and it's happily running along at 150,000 miles and was only recently needing a new front axle. That's $70 for the part and free labor since I had them replace a transmission gasket at the same time. Not too shabby for 5 years of hard racing. Seriously, anyone wanting a less-expensive car that'll run for a long time... Hyundai is the way to go. Granted the interior and external looks might be what you're looking for, but they make a much better car than they did 15 years ago.

The rotary was meant to be revved (even though on an autocross course in 2nd gear we rarely get to really rev it) and since the car was designed to be driven as a sports car, the small abuse that the suspension takes is nothing compared to daily driving on St. Louis roads. Just make sure to keep oil in the engine and the lug nuts tight and you shouldn't have any trouble.

WaterLogged

if not... do we get to... ?

terretsboy

Wait wait wait.... I need to put oil in this thing?!? J/K that's good to know.

baseballgenius80

I guess I owe you guys that much, huh Waterlogged? I am SOOO kicking myself right now for not going. I was really looking forward to it. Guess I'll have to settle for racing on July 9th. It is going to be so $*%@ing hot that day!!! Help keep those tires sticky I guess.

By the way, Terrets...did the 8 handle the E-Brake slide good? I've always wanted to try it but been scared as to what it might do to the car.

terretsboy

I didn't e-brake it on the track although there were some good spots to try it (turn 2). I have done it on the road before and I can't say that it is very good for the back tires. I think that kind of force hitting the tires perpendicular to the normal direction tends to pu ta lot of stress on the wheels and other parts because it lets out a big groan (maybe thats just the rubber?). Maybe if I tried it faster it would be better. You can for sure do it when its rainy out without any problems.
I mentioned the e-brake turn because that is what it feels like you are doing the entire race. It's a lot like drifting. Pretty f-in sweet.

baseballgenius80

I've found doing about 80 in 6th gear on the interstate and then down shifting to 3rd gear is a need little affect. Kind of reminds me of when you are landing in a commercial jet right when the wheels touch down (same sound and feeling).

WaterLogged

I forgot exactly what Skip Barber claims... 8 or so degrees of oversteer is supposed to be the fastest line through a turn. Although not necessarily the best for longevity of tires. I think we got ol' terretsboy dialed in nicely with tire pressures to where he had just enough oversteer (when needed) to go fast and not get in over his head. :P