I don't think I'll be there.

 

I haven't registered, so I guess I wont. IT'll be cold. I may do a wax on my car if it warms enough, I just bought the zaino complete show car polish kit, can't wait!

 

Just need to say that the test and tune went phenomenal! I think I got the car (and myself) dialed in pretty well. I continued to get faster with almost every run even though the tires never really got up to optimal temperature. I thought originally I would hate running a stock car, but the addition of R compound tires and a well thought-out alignment takes all that away!

I was turning in faster times than most people over the course of the day and still a little more to give. Yes, I was even running faster than the STis in STU class. Of course they were on "street" tires and have a slightly better index multiplier when it comes to race day, so I need to remain ahead of them.

The other RX-8s that were there are most likely going to be running in the new street tire class this year, TBS. They were putting in some decent times and should do well this year against the other street tire classes.

This is going to be an RX-8 season... I can feel it!!

 

I'm jealous. I have to miss next week too since I'm out of town.

Glad to hear its the year of the rx8! You know we're counting on you Bill to make us look respectable!

 

Here's another bit of fun facts that might help you all make up your minds on whether or not to come to the races. I did some data acquisition at the test session yesterday and was able to get 1.29 lateral g's, 0.94 braking g's, and 0.56 accelerating g's (at the top end of 1st gear. All other readings were roughly 0.4g in 2nd). All of this on semi-cold tires! I'm looking forward to what warm tires will get me. I'm thinking I can potentially get upwards of 1.5g.

For comparison: Motor Trend in '04 says the 8 gets: 0.92g lateral, 0.92g braking, and 0.31g accelerating.

 

Did you get lightweight wheels??

 

Nah, I talked myself out of it for a while. I figured I should probably see how things go on the extra OEM rims I have and revisit the idea later in the season when I decide which (if any) National tour events I want to hit.

 

So who is all going this Sunday the 15th? I assume it is at Gateway, is that correct Waterlogged?

 

Yep, it's at Gateway. If you're going to come, make sure you get there by about 7:30 or so. This year things are going to be run a little differently and it couldn't hurt to get there a bit early to make sure all is well. Plus an extra set of hands to work on my car are always appreciated.

 

Make sure you take some pictures to post! I still have those from last year Bill they are waiting to be posted. There's one of you where you can actually see your face up pretty close... before I got yelled at.

 

Haha... I forgot about that. I'll PM you with a place to upload the pictures tomorrow and I'll post links here for everyone. I'm off tomorrow so I can enjoy my one day of relaxation before all hell breaks loose this weekend. I still have a couple things on Saturday to do to convert the car back to "stock". Something makes me feel that I'm doing my modding in the wrong direction. Crazy.

 

Hey terrets, what ever happened to that video your girl took at Gateway when we were all racing? Is that uploaded anywhere?

Also, if I get there around 7:30 Sunday, does anyone want to meet at the Burger King across the street for breakfast? I can get there earlier if necessary.

 

I'm probably going to be dragging *** as it is. It's a bit further drive for me. I'll be lucky to be there on time. I'll definitely have to load the car up on Saturday night.

 

We had a great turnout of RX-8s at the autocross this past Sunday. A certain red RX-8 won the class ahead of a 350z. Another red RX-8 was close behind him to take 3rd. Just proves my point that red is faster! A yellow and black one had a bit of a subwoofer/ballast issue but managed to crank out a respectable time by the end of the day. A black one ended up being in STU. I didn't get a chance to talk to him to ask why he decided to do that when he's stock. Hmmm...

This was a great start to the 07 season. The next race is on Mother's Day. How many of you are going to be like me and say "mom, can I swing by on Saturday instead of Sunday?"

See you all there!

 

Who was the 2nd red one?

Congrats on the victory

Like I said we rely on you to make us look good!

I'll be in Lake Tahoe on mother's day, so I'll miss the next one too... Why are there 4 weeks until the next event?

 

Way to go Bill. I am really excited to do it this year. I ready to crack some skulls in the street tire class. How many runs did you guys get?

 

We were supposed to have six runs, until a Miata spun out across the finish line and came to a stop against and atop a chain link fence. So we were cut short to five runs. See the excitement all you guys are missing.

 

Someone actually wrecked in autoX?? It seemed so fool proof to me...

 

Yeah, I called it that morning during the course walkthrough. There was a nasty finish that combined an off-camber turn right near the end that had a bit of water on it. To top things off it was on that blacktop surface. Needless to say it was EXTREMELY slick right near the end of the course where people are being the most aggressive to make up time. The miata got a smacked up fender but continued to run throughout the day and a Mini ended up almost in the same position.

The main problem was people not being smart and just giving it up when the car started to get out of control at the end of the run. Both major incidents happened AFTER the finish lights.

Hopefully everyone has learned a lesson and won't setup another course that was so obviously risky... especially when it's the ONLY spot on the course that is wet. It's easy to prepare for a slide when the whole thing is wet. But when it's one spot it can potentially catch you off-guard.

 

It caugh me off guard, even after the miata and mini incidents. However, I was prepared for it if it were to happen. My second to last run, I came to a spinning stop just across the finish line. Once I felt it go, I just locked it up and stopped it before it got way out of control. Made for a dramatic cross of the finish line though.

 

Maybe some of the "slick finishes" the other day could have taken some advice from the guys on this video. Nice RX8 video from some of the guys on here over in Europe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUcQiyf6pvw

 

Bill-

Did you have to remove your emanage for bs? Have you been keeping an eye on this Cobb Accessport? I think I may be picking one up when it is released.

 

Heard a rumor from Auffenberg yesterday that next year Mazda will be putting out a turbo-charged Mazda Speed 8. However, they were also trying to get me to come in and trade in my car. Not sure how much truth or sales pitch is behind it all. I will personally just wait and see.

 

I'm sure if that were true, this site would be lit up like christmas. Soooooo... I'm going to have to call BS on that.

 

I had to remove it. I've pretty much given up on engine management minus possibly getting the Racing Beat map. But even then the cost to hp isn't really much of anything. Plus I believe I'd be bumped into a street prepared class.

Of course when I finally decide to go forced induction I'll have to go with some additional tuning. Then I can also put the suspension goodies back on that I had to take off this year. Street mod here I come!