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The St. Louis PDX (Performance Driving Experience) at Gateway is accepting registrations. I'm most likely going to be doing both of these. For more info check here: http://stlscca.org/Default.aspx?tabid=145.

If you've ever wanted to pretend you were a racecar driver for a day yet were too unsure about the risk, this is your chance to do it. There are instructors for the novices (don't be afraid to admit it) and they can ride with you as often as you like helping you around the course. Last year I had Steve Burkett as an instructor and couldn't have had a better time... legally. Passing is not permitted except when waved by in particular zones. Novices only have one passing zone: the main straight. As you move up the skill level you are allowed additional parts on the track to pass.

The RX-8 is a great track car that holds its own against higher horsepower cars. What better way to make those V-8s jealous? If you want more info send me a PM.

terretsboy

I might do that this year. It all depends on how nice vegas is to me.

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The 2nd SCCA Solo race is this Sunday, May 13th. I hope to see some more rotaries being represented this time. If you've never been out there, now's your chance. For more info check http://www.stlsolo.org or just shoot me a PM.

Edit: I've corrected the date.

baseballgenius80

I'll be there and I'm preregistered.

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It looks like they've switched BS to the 2nd and 4th heats for the race tomorrow. So those that are coming to watch, you can sleep in a bit longer since we probably won't be driving until about 11:00 or so. Those that are driving you'll still need to get there early so you can work in either the 1st or 3rd heats.

baseballgenius80

Thanks for the info. I wonder why they changed it?

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They swapped it to be fair to those that get stuck in the rain or on cold tires. Before if it rained in the morning and dried up in the afternoon and you happened to be one of the unlucky ones to run in the rain you still have a chance to compete over the course of the season and within the later heats. That's the main reason why we're running all cars of the same class in the same heats and we each get to drive in two of them. Nobody gets an advantage due to weather. Of course if you drive an Evo or STi you don't have to worry about it.

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Another great autocross this past weekend. The weather was beautiful, the course rewarded smooth drivers, and there were 4 RX-8s representing B-stock. I was the only RX-8 on R-compounds that could take full advantage of the warmer weather but the street tire clad 8s definitely held their own. I'd love to see what these guys can do with some sticky tires.

But most importantly, I sent an overly ego'ed STi-driving rival home crying about how poor he did. Honestly I'm not sure if I'm the reason he's so upset, but let's just say that he's got well over 100hp/tq over me, stage 2 turbo map, fully setup suspension, stickers aplenty (they make you go faster), and he still couldn't beat me in raw time (he barely got me in the overly generous STU index).

Yes boys and girls, you heard it right. A stock RX-8 beat a highly prepped Subaru STi. I'll admit, most of this can be attributed to the fact that the course didn't have many spots where raw acceleration had a large advantage like it usually does. While walking the course in the morning I told baseballgenius that it was going to be a close one with the higher-horsepowered cars. The margin ended up being only 0.2 seconds ahead of said arrogant wonder, and I only finished 0.02 seconds ahead of his co-driver who is an autocross legend. But a win is a win.

So far I'm happy with the way the car is hooking up this year. There's a bit more work to do with the idiot behind the wheel, but I'm improving. I've looked at the in-car videos and can definitely tell I need some work on hitting good lines consecutively as I'm getting faster. I'll try to post a couple videos later this evening showing what I mean by that as well as the G-tech data logs (for Richard) showing the two runs for comparison.

The next race is on Memorial Day. Get all your BBQs out of the way on Saturday and Sunday so you guys can join me in laying the smack down on Monday!

baseballgenius80

I am happy to say I dropped a good 3 seconds off my time over the day. Shaving ever closer.

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Yep, all it takes is time and patience. It's super easy to over drive when autocrossing. Finding the line between all out and grace is the key to going fast.

It sounds silly, but the best way to learn that without being in the car is to drive a fully tuned muscle car in a driving game (Forza Motorsport or Gran Turismo)and turning off traction control. I prefer Forza because it promotes good lines and penalizes you for hitting things. You can even do it in your car since you've got the three screens and a PS2.

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Here's the in-car videos from this past weekend. As you can tell I still have some work to do on the camera mount to absorb some of the vibrations. The noise you hear clunking around is my medication bottle rolling around in the compartment right underneath the camera. Amazing how you don't hear such things when you're driving like a bat out of hell!

Run 1 @ 45.797: (43.1MB) http://www.landsharktech.com/rx8/05132007/heat4run1.mov
Run 2 @ 45.176 (with baseballgenius riding shotgun): (50.2MB) http://www.landsharktech.com/rx8/05132007/heat4run2.mov
Run 3 @ 45.176: (52.4MB)http://www.landsharktech.com/rx8/05132007/heat4run3.mov

baseballgenius80

Yeah, I didn't hear that either when I was riding with someone driving like a bat out of hell...you, by the way - lol.

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Reminder... Autocross at Gateway on Memorial Day (Monday). Make sure you sign up early and save $5 plus it saves you waiting in line at the event.

terretsboy

what time should I get there? I am pre-registered and am in TBS.

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I'll be getting there at 7:30AM. This will give me enough time to change tires, check-in for work assignment, and walk the course a few times. I don't have to tech since I was able to get an annual tech.

Since this is your first race of the year you don't have a permanent work assignment and you want to beat the huge line in grid that usually shows up at 8:15ish. So I'd show up right about the same time as me or a just a little bit later so you'll have plenty of time to walk the course a few times. Plus if you get done with everything early then you can help me with my car setup.

baseballgenius80

I usually get there about 7:30 myself. Gives me enough time to help Bill out.

terretsboy

If that keeps up we'll need some t-shirts that say "Bill's Bitches" . J/K I signed up online for a work position, does that count?

baseballgenius80

The online work position should count....that's how I have done mine so far.

baseballgenius80

Good turn out yesterday at Gateway. I believe we had a total of five 8's racing along with two or three in addition as spectators that I saw.

fisherdn

Yeah we had all colors of the spectrum except blue, well and the purple Shinka (Lenell we need you!)

Anyone who didn't race I highly recommend that you do. Everyone will agree that it is a blast.

terretsboy

I think everyone improved a lot from last summer. Fisher, those shocks seem like they are doing great, we need to get you some tires so you can start tearing up STU. Water whoomped (its a legal term) his class by 2 seconds, going down to b-stock seemed like the way to go. BBall is getting control of his heavy back end and closing in on me quickly. I might have to take you out soon, you're becoming a threat (I didn't forget about my "excess baggage", I brought it to make a point). Overall I think everyone is doing great and I can't wait till the next one. This time I'm not going to hit that damn cone!

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terrets... I think the key to your success would be to put both hands on the wheel. There's no points for style in autocross! Next thing you know the mirror wll be tilted sideways, you'll be looking thru the steering wheel, and you'll have a helmet made to look like a sideways ballcap!

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I know maskedferret rode along with us several times yesterday, and as a result he's already hooked. Enter one more RX-8 in BS!! Sizzlin8 got to ride with Dave once and loved it. Enter one more RX-8 in BS!!

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Hey guys... I just noticed one of the guys in the club posted a bunch of pics from yesterdays' race. There's a lot of good RX-8 photos in there.

Edit: Might help if I add the link: http://flickr.com/photos/xjdano2/set...7600279870380/

baseballgenius80

You know he has to keep that other hand free so he can tune the radio and play DJ. Don't let your big clock necklace get in the way when shifting.....YEAH BOOOOYYYYYYYYY!!!!!