Grey Weekend at Summit Point
09-11-2006, 11:57 AM
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Grey Weekend at Summit Point
Did the track weekend at Summit Point / Shenandoah Circuit on Sep 9-10 with Mazdadrivers.com. What an absolute freaking blast!
It was a grey weekend - Titanium Grey, thank you very much. My count from the drivers list is 10 RX-8’s – 7 greys.
Name Num Year Color
Mike A7 05 Grey
Don A23 04 Grey
Paul B8 05 Grey
Dave B14 04 Blue
Hank B15 04 Grey
Mike B25 04 Yellow
Craig B28 04 Grey
Bill C6 04 Grey
Mark C11 04 Grey
Don C14 04 Red
On Saturday’s first run I got stuck behind an 03 Mustang “Cobra” (oh puh-lease!) that wasn’t letting me by. Mike/Expo1 caught up to us, but we were stuck behind him. Eventually I gave Mike a wave-by, hoping he’d have better luck, but we hit the checkered flag just after that. The Mustang was much better at letting people by in later runs though.
Overall I think the run groups were pretty well matched. I didn’t do too much passing, and not too many people passed me. I was passing the Mustang pretty consistently, but not much else.
I managed to have one off-track excursion on run 4 on Saturday. In the Hook, my instructor kept telling me to go wider around Turn 4 before dropping into Turn 5. I was avoiding going too wide since I could see a 6-8 inch drop-off on the outside edge. So I took it wider and wider until... I hit the drop-off. I put two wheels off with a mighty bang, and instantly spun like a top. I think Craig (?) was behind me when I spun? Anyway, I’m now backwards inside Turn 5, sitting right on the Line, just past the crest of a blind drop-off – not a good place to be. Quickly I released the brakes, backed downhill and threw the wheel right to roll off into the grass. The engine was stalled and it took several tries to restart it, but at least I was off-track on the inside of the turn. I drove to the pits where we checked it out; no body damage (thank God). All I got was some mud and grass... and another grey hair or two. I had a CEL too, but that cleared after the third restart.
On Sunday morning talking to Dave, he gave me a better way to approach Turn 3 “straight in” that gave a better line through the Hook without getting anywhere’s near the drop-off. That worked great for the rest of the day. On one run on Sunday, we had a 3-car group of 8’s for a couple laps – Dave, Hank, then me. It was SO FREAKIN’ COOL having the three of us buzzing around all those turns in a tight group; the whole time I’m thinking “THIS is why I’m here!” The fun I had in just those couple laps was worth the price of the entire weekend. Also I saw that Dave and Hank were making an earlier turn-in to the Pit Straight, so I tried that and it seemed better.
I had a sudden group of CEL’s on the second run on Sunday. The CEL started blinking, then went solid. Thanks to Mike, who had his new reader with him, I found out they were:
P0302 – Cylinder 2 misfire
P0336 – Crankshaft Position Sensor A CKT Range/Perf
P0302 – Cylinder 2 misfire (pending)
(I wasn’t using premix; Shell 93, Castrol GTX 5W-30, no performance mods)
I was in a hurry to let Mike loose, so I cleared without checking the frame data first (D’oh!) No biggie. I suspected I was running close to redline for too long, mainly coming out of the Hammer, so for the last 2 runs I was careful to keep the RPM’s no higher than 8k for any longer than an instant. No more CEL’s after that. I need to get the three basic gauges for my A-pillar to get some better info from the engine.
Mod impressions:
Tokico D-Specs: These shocks rock! I had them set full stiff front & rear all weekend. No roll to speak of, crisper turn-in, and very steady at high speed, without being too harsh. I had much more confidence throwing the car into the twisties with these.
Hawk Performance Ceramics: Though these aren’t really track pads, I like them a lot as a good dual-use compromise. They don’t have that sudden “Slam your face into the windshield” bite like real track pads, but they still brake very well, are very predictable and didn’t fade once. (I noticed my instructor got thrown forward against the seatbelt a number of times, if that’s any indication.) They dust much less than stock pads, and I have yet to hear them squeal.
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-3: I finally figured out these tires! They stick best at a higher pressure than my OE Dunlops. Most tires are good at around 40 PSI hot; these are a little wimpy at 40, but did much better at 44 hot. They were more predictable and gave better feedback in both feel and sound. And they sounded SO friggin cool doing a 4-wheel slide coming out of the Pit Straight. On the Skid Pad, after forcing an oversteer, they snapped right back in line (after I figured out what I was doing, that is.) After doing VIR Grand, Shenandoah and a couple Autox’s, these guys still have plenty of tread left.
Zeta Knee Pads: At $20US each, these are one of the best investments I’ve ever made for track and Autox. No more bruised knees.
I have some pics - a little later on them...
ZOOM - FRIGGIN' - ZOOM!
It was a grey weekend - Titanium Grey, thank you very much. My count from the drivers list is 10 RX-8’s – 7 greys.
Name Num Year Color
Mike A7 05 Grey
Don A23 04 Grey
Paul B8 05 Grey
Dave B14 04 Blue
Hank B15 04 Grey
Mike B25 04 Yellow
Craig B28 04 Grey
Bill C6 04 Grey
Mark C11 04 Grey
Don C14 04 Red
On Saturday’s first run I got stuck behind an 03 Mustang “Cobra” (oh puh-lease!) that wasn’t letting me by. Mike/Expo1 caught up to us, but we were stuck behind him. Eventually I gave Mike a wave-by, hoping he’d have better luck, but we hit the checkered flag just after that. The Mustang was much better at letting people by in later runs though.
Overall I think the run groups were pretty well matched. I didn’t do too much passing, and not too many people passed me. I was passing the Mustang pretty consistently, but not much else.
I managed to have one off-track excursion on run 4 on Saturday. In the Hook, my instructor kept telling me to go wider around Turn 4 before dropping into Turn 5. I was avoiding going too wide since I could see a 6-8 inch drop-off on the outside edge. So I took it wider and wider until... I hit the drop-off. I put two wheels off with a mighty bang, and instantly spun like a top. I think Craig (?) was behind me when I spun? Anyway, I’m now backwards inside Turn 5, sitting right on the Line, just past the crest of a blind drop-off – not a good place to be. Quickly I released the brakes, backed downhill and threw the wheel right to roll off into the grass. The engine was stalled and it took several tries to restart it, but at least I was off-track on the inside of the turn. I drove to the pits where we checked it out; no body damage (thank God). All I got was some mud and grass... and another grey hair or two. I had a CEL too, but that cleared after the third restart.
On Sunday morning talking to Dave, he gave me a better way to approach Turn 3 “straight in” that gave a better line through the Hook without getting anywhere’s near the drop-off. That worked great for the rest of the day. On one run on Sunday, we had a 3-car group of 8’s for a couple laps – Dave, Hank, then me. It was SO FREAKIN’ COOL having the three of us buzzing around all those turns in a tight group; the whole time I’m thinking “THIS is why I’m here!” The fun I had in just those couple laps was worth the price of the entire weekend. Also I saw that Dave and Hank were making an earlier turn-in to the Pit Straight, so I tried that and it seemed better.
I had a sudden group of CEL’s on the second run on Sunday. The CEL started blinking, then went solid. Thanks to Mike, who had his new reader with him, I found out they were:
P0302 – Cylinder 2 misfire
P0336 – Crankshaft Position Sensor A CKT Range/Perf
P0302 – Cylinder 2 misfire (pending)
(I wasn’t using premix; Shell 93, Castrol GTX 5W-30, no performance mods)
I was in a hurry to let Mike loose, so I cleared without checking the frame data first (D’oh!) No biggie. I suspected I was running close to redline for too long, mainly coming out of the Hammer, so for the last 2 runs I was careful to keep the RPM’s no higher than 8k for any longer than an instant. No more CEL’s after that. I need to get the three basic gauges for my A-pillar to get some better info from the engine.
Mod impressions:
Tokico D-Specs: These shocks rock! I had them set full stiff front & rear all weekend. No roll to speak of, crisper turn-in, and very steady at high speed, without being too harsh. I had much more confidence throwing the car into the twisties with these.
Hawk Performance Ceramics: Though these aren’t really track pads, I like them a lot as a good dual-use compromise. They don’t have that sudden “Slam your face into the windshield” bite like real track pads, but they still brake very well, are very predictable and didn’t fade once. (I noticed my instructor got thrown forward against the seatbelt a number of times, if that’s any indication.) They dust much less than stock pads, and I have yet to hear them squeal.
Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-3: I finally figured out these tires! They stick best at a higher pressure than my OE Dunlops. Most tires are good at around 40 PSI hot; these are a little wimpy at 40, but did much better at 44 hot. They were more predictable and gave better feedback in both feel and sound. And they sounded SO friggin cool doing a 4-wheel slide coming out of the Pit Straight. On the Skid Pad, after forcing an oversteer, they snapped right back in line (after I figured out what I was doing, that is.) After doing VIR Grand, Shenandoah and a couple Autox’s, these guys still have plenty of tread left.
Zeta Knee Pads: At $20US each, these are one of the best investments I’ve ever made for track and Autox. No more bruised knees.
I have some pics - a little later on them...
ZOOM - FRIGGIN' - ZOOM!
09-11-2006, 01:12 PM
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I almost got into Mark's car once until I thought "Wait a sec, I thought I left my windows open...?"
Anyway, first pic - 'A' Group staging/starting. Taken from the bridge, this shows the three lanes along pit row. To the right is the "Cold Pit" coming in from the paddock, where people start. In the center is the "Hot Pit" where people enter from the track, pause to check problems, or turn left to enter the paddock. To the left is the Pit Straight, where you see a solid wall of concrete as you turn into the straight (and pucker).
Second pic is Bill entering the Pit Straight with a Subi hot on his tail.
Anyway, first pic - 'A' Group staging/starting. Taken from the bridge, this shows the three lanes along pit row. To the right is the "Cold Pit" coming in from the paddock, where people start. In the center is the "Hot Pit" where people enter from the track, pause to check problems, or turn left to enter the paddock. To the left is the Pit Straight, where you see a solid wall of concrete as you turn into the straight (and pucker).
Second pic is Bill entering the Pit Straight with a Subi hot on his tail.
09-11-2006, 01:29 PM
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C11 here...first timer that had a blast!
I tell you I am hooked on track like crack!
We pulled a Rx8 run the second day in C group as well,
Bill C6 04 Grey, Then Me the C11 04 Grey, and Then Don C14 04 Red (he was catching me.) Don and Bill (the other C's) seemed to be doing much better than me in the corners. It might be my Copper tires, but most likely my bad habits and driving. When I did shift to 4th and try to get speed on the back strait I got 110+, but almost killed myself when I was coming into that next turn. 85 to 90 worked well for my skill level (none/low) and brakes/tires plus my instructor did not want me to do it again. I cannot image why since it is a left turn, ha, ha. I have to admit it was ugly and pucker factor was high. I also had two C grouper’s spin in front of me in pit straits the first day. Talk about puckering, there is a 3 to 4 foot concert wall on each side, I had to almost stop and the turn I just did is a blind dipping one. Wow! That had me am my instructor tense for a second. I did love the second day on the skid pad, doing 270s, and a 360 was a hoot. My instructor and I had a great time. The first day was a little lame just went around learning control, barely spinning at all, but there is always a price to pay for progress.
I was running shell 93 also, no premix, and burn allot of oil on the second day. I was going faster and higher rpms and 1/2qt in one day. Thanks for the Oil Paul, as my wife took mine home early. duh on my part and I owe you one Paul.
I also burned almost 3/4 a tank of gas the second day also..wow!
I have just the Racing Beat intake, ram air and exhaust. I loved them all. I seemed to catch Bill in the straits and get faster speeds than most 8s in C group. I only comparing by talking with them, not real accurate or anything. It made the most difference at the higher speeds. Pit strait, Bill and I were matched it seemed to me, he only had the RB exhaust, and diff tires (Bill's were wider.) But, I have done the wrong mods for this track. Wider/better/summer tires, better brakes, and shocks are what I need. I also had a fellow rx7 neighbor racer pointed out the oil wetness around the oil fill neck where it goes into the engine; I might have to do something about that. Although other 8's had some wetness there also, mine seemed worse. But, I do have higher mileage that most there at 50k.
Paul, I do think we had one more there; it was a nice green Rx8, I don't know their number or if he or she raced. But they were there in support anyhow.
One other thing, I did make up a new pass left signal for the Z06 driver as he came up, I gave him a friendly middle digit pass signal. lol. We were joking about it.
Kudos to Mazdadrivers for running a great event and kudos to summit point for keeping a great track and it was very clean! Thanks!
We pulled a Rx8 run the second day in C group as well,
Bill C6 04 Grey, Then Me the C11 04 Grey, and Then Don C14 04 Red (he was catching me.) Don and Bill (the other C's) seemed to be doing much better than me in the corners. It might be my Copper tires, but most likely my bad habits and driving. When I did shift to 4th and try to get speed on the back strait I got 110+, but almost killed myself when I was coming into that next turn. 85 to 90 worked well for my skill level (none/low) and brakes/tires plus my instructor did not want me to do it again. I cannot image why since it is a left turn, ha, ha. I have to admit it was ugly and pucker factor was high. I also had two C grouper’s spin in front of me in pit straits the first day. Talk about puckering, there is a 3 to 4 foot concert wall on each side, I had to almost stop and the turn I just did is a blind dipping one. Wow! That had me am my instructor tense for a second. I did love the second day on the skid pad, doing 270s, and a 360 was a hoot. My instructor and I had a great time. The first day was a little lame just went around learning control, barely spinning at all, but there is always a price to pay for progress.
I was running shell 93 also, no premix, and burn allot of oil on the second day. I was going faster and higher rpms and 1/2qt in one day. Thanks for the Oil Paul, as my wife took mine home early. duh on my part and I owe you one Paul.
I also burned almost 3/4 a tank of gas the second day also..wow!
I have just the Racing Beat intake, ram air and exhaust. I loved them all. I seemed to catch Bill in the straits and get faster speeds than most 8s in C group. I only comparing by talking with them, not real accurate or anything. It made the most difference at the higher speeds. Pit strait, Bill and I were matched it seemed to me, he only had the RB exhaust, and diff tires (Bill's were wider.) But, I have done the wrong mods for this track. Wider/better/summer tires, better brakes, and shocks are what I need. I also had a fellow rx7 neighbor racer pointed out the oil wetness around the oil fill neck where it goes into the engine; I might have to do something about that. Although other 8's had some wetness there also, mine seemed worse. But, I do have higher mileage that most there at 50k.
Paul, I do think we had one more there; it was a nice green Rx8, I don't know their number or if he or she raced. But they were there in support anyhow.
One other thing, I did make up a new pass left signal for the Z06 driver as he came up, I gave him a friendly middle digit pass signal. lol. We were joking about it.
Kudos to Mazdadrivers for running a great event and kudos to summit point for keeping a great track and it was very clean! Thanks!
09-11-2006, 01:36 PM
#6
He's as bad as Can
It was nice seeing all those 8’s in one place, I feel getting more 8’s on the track helps spread the word how great this car really is. I had to cut my weekend short with a busted front wheel stud but I am always learning stuff and now I know to bring extra studs in case a front one breaks and that maybe this 108 Ft Lbs thing on the lugs is not good for those of us that swap rims 5x a week (track weekend). But I have been on Summit Point three times now and will be there again next year.
09-11-2006, 04:28 PM
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Hey Paul, I have finally got my shorts clean... yes, that was me on your tail when you decided to have an excursion in the hook 
However, the 'vette behind me might have had an even bigger mess. All's good as there was no metal to metal contact!!! By the way, I think I may have some of it on tape, at least a portion where you are looking out your side window at my front grill... I won't get to look at my vids until later this week and will let you know.
I got to love that turn by the way. Four wheel drift around it, lift slightly and the car dives down to the hidden apex --- VERY COOL.
Love the track and the event.
I was pushing early on day one but took a few pounds of air out of the front which helped. I think the RB front sway introduces the understeer a little too much at least on that track. I have not felt it like that on others.
Azenis RT615s were getting a little slippery toward the end of each session but that just made the throttle steering even more fun.
My Carbotech XP8's are still kicking *** after 7 track days. ZERO fade, TONS of bite... I highly recommend you try them.
Only burned 1 quart of oil, no premix, Castrol 5W30, 93 Octane Gas.
Vids to be posted next week probably.
Good to see all the 8's out there, sorry I didn't get to speak to all of you. I heard one of the 8's in the A group was stupid fast... Don't know who that was.
However, the 'vette behind me might have had an even bigger mess. All's good as there was no metal to metal contact!!! By the way, I think I may have some of it on tape, at least a portion where you are looking out your side window at my front grill... I won't get to look at my vids until later this week and will let you know. I got to love that turn by the way. Four wheel drift around it, lift slightly and the car dives down to the hidden apex --- VERY COOL.
Love the track and the event.
I was pushing early on day one but took a few pounds of air out of the front which helped. I think the RB front sway introduces the understeer a little too much at least on that track. I have not felt it like that on others.
Azenis RT615s were getting a little slippery toward the end of each session but that just made the throttle steering even more fun.
My Carbotech XP8's are still kicking *** after 7 track days. ZERO fade, TONS of bite... I highly recommend you try them.
Only burned 1 quart of oil, no premix, Castrol 5W30, 93 Octane Gas.
Vids to be posted next week probably.
Good to see all the 8's out there, sorry I didn't get to speak to all of you. I heard one of the 8's in the A group was stupid fast... Don't know who that was.
09-12-2006, 12:45 AM
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Originally Posted by expo1
It was nice seeing all those 8’s in one place, I feel getting more 8’s on the track helps spread the word how great this car really is. I had to cut my weekend short with a busted front wheel stud but I am always learning stuff and now I know to bring extra studs in case a front one breaks and that maybe this 108 Ft Lbs thing on the lugs is not good for those of us that swap rims 5x a week (track weekend). But I have been on Summit Point three times now and will be there again next year.
09-12-2006, 06:00 AM
#10
He's as bad as Can
Originally Posted by OdinGuru
108 ft lbs is WAY over the lug nut torque spec. In the owners manual (page 7-16) it states a torque of between 65 and 87 ft lbs (I normal do 85). It lists three different units all in one place in a kind of confusing manner, so I suspect you were mistakenly using the metric torque units, which specify between 88 and 118 Nm.
Since I never had that noise to begin with I should not have been torquing to 108 based on how many times I swap wheel.
09-13-2006, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by willhave8
Hey Paul, I have finally got my shorts clean... yes, that was me on your tail when you decided to have an excursion in the hook However, the 'vette behind me might have had an even bigger mess. All's good as there was no metal to metal contact!!! By the way, I think I may have some of it on tape, at least a portion where you are looking out your side window at my front grill... I won't get to look at my vids until later this week and will let you know. ...
However, the 'vette behind me might have had an even bigger mess. All's good as there was no metal to metal contact!!! By the way, I think I may have some of it on tape, at least a portion where you are looking out your side window at my front grill... I won't get to look at my vids until later this week and will let you know. ...Hank, hope you post links to your videos too. I didn't bring my camcorder 'cause I didn't want to screw with it - now I could kick myself.
Now, some questions for all, based on my after-action analysis/hindsight of the track and map:
- The Hook / Range Straight: I did Turns 3 through 8 in 3rd gear. Anybody downshift to 2nd for turns 3-8? Or just downshift for Turn 8? I think I might have gotten more speed in the Bridge Straight if I exited 8 in 2nd?
- The Karussel: I did this in 3rd. I wondered about the difference between exiting the Karussel in 2nd instead of 3rd. But since my exit speed was about 50, that's about 5000 rpm, versus 7000 rpm exiting in 2nd. I think exiting at 5000 rpm puts you at the lower end of the power curve, making for more torque to run uphill thru Turns 11 and 12. Thoughts?
- Corkscrew: I did this in 3rd too. Anybody downshift into 2nd for it?
09-13-2006, 09:46 AM
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A couple more pics.
1 - A wide shot from the top of the bridge. In the distance/right, one car is heading into the Downhill S; in the middle, cars are exiting the Pit Straight and going through the Cave Esses; on the left, cars are coming through Turn 8 and accelerating uphill into the Bridge Straight.
2 - Mike diving into the Corkscrew behind a (VW Golf?)
3 - Don coming out of Turn 16 into the Back Straight.
1 - A wide shot from the top of the bridge. In the distance/right, one car is heading into the Downhill S; in the middle, cars are exiting the Pit Straight and going through the Cave Esses; on the left, cars are coming through Turn 8 and accelerating uphill into the Bridge Straight.
2 - Mike diving into the Corkscrew behind a (VW Golf?)
3 - Don coming out of Turn 16 into the Back Straight.
09-13-2006, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Paul_in_DC
Man, I'd love to see whatever you've got. Spins happen and end so fast it's hard to tell exactly what happened. Even a shred of video might help.
Hank, hope you post links to your videos too. I didn't bring my camcorder 'cause I didn't want to screw with it - now I could kick myself.
Now, some questions for all, based on my after-action analysis/hindsight of the track and map:
- The Hook / Range Straight: I did Turns 3 through 8 in 3rd gear. Anybody downshift to 2nd for turns 3-8? Or just downshift for Turn 8? I think I might have gotten more speed in the Bridge Straight if I exited 8 in 2nd?
- The Karussel: I did this in 3rd. I wondered about the difference between exiting the Karussel in 2nd instead of 3rd. But since my exit speed was about 50, that's about 5000 rpm, versus 7000 rpm exiting in 2nd. I think exiting at 5000 rpm puts you at the lower end of the power curve, making for more torque to run uphill thru Turns 11 and 12. Thoughts?
- Corkscrew: I did this in 3rd too. Anybody downshift into 2nd for it?
Hank, hope you post links to your videos too. I didn't bring my camcorder 'cause I didn't want to screw with it - now I could kick myself.
Now, some questions for all, based on my after-action analysis/hindsight of the track and map:
- The Hook / Range Straight: I did Turns 3 through 8 in 3rd gear. Anybody downshift to 2nd for turns 3-8? Or just downshift for Turn 8? I think I might have gotten more speed in the Bridge Straight if I exited 8 in 2nd?
- The Karussel: I did this in 3rd. I wondered about the difference between exiting the Karussel in 2nd instead of 3rd. But since my exit speed was about 50, that's about 5000 rpm, versus 7000 rpm exiting in 2nd. I think exiting at 5000 rpm puts you at the lower end of the power curve, making for more torque to run uphill thru Turns 11 and 12. Thoughts?
- Corkscrew: I did this in 3rd too. Anybody downshift into 2nd for it?
Coming into the Pit straight, I went into 2nd and shifted into 3rd after the hammer. I also went into 2nd after the short straight after the corkscrew before entering the bridge straight... 3rd gear through the Karussel...most importantly through turn 14 which definitely cost me speed through 15 \ 16 and the straight. I am saving that extra work for next time...
09-13-2006, 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Paul_in_DC
A couple more pics.
1 - A wide shot from the top of the bridge. In the distance/right, one car is heading into the Downhill S; in the middle, cars are exiting the Pit Straight and going through the Cave Esses; on the left, cars are coming through Turn 8 and accelerating uphill into the Bridge Straight.
2 - Mike diving into the Corkscrew behind a (VW Golf?)
3 - Don coming out of Turn 16 into the Back Straight.
1 - A wide shot from the top of the bridge. In the distance/right, one car is heading into the Downhill S; in the middle, cars are exiting the Pit Straight and going through the Cave Esses; on the left, cars are coming through Turn 8 and accelerating uphill into the Bridge Straight.
2 - Mike diving into the Corkscrew behind a (VW Golf?)
3 - Don coming out of Turn 16 into the Back Straight.
For number 2 that is a Plymouth version of a Dodge Omni, it was my instructor that was racing it. I thought it a was funny site to see.
.....Mark
Last edited by fastrevmd; 09-14-2006 at 12:05 PM.
09-13-2006, 09:09 PM
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C14 Don here (Red RX8)
A most excellent weekend! I am so glad I decided to try a track day, and it couldn't have gone much better. It's a weekend I'll remember for a long time.
Things I'll do better the next time:
1 - Remember the state of DSC after going directly from the skid pad into a track session. I managed to drop two wheels off the same corner Paul did - but I was able to keep going.
2 - Shift into 2nd more often.
3 - Avoid hitting the brakes quite so hard when encountering a much slower car driving off the line. Passing will definitely be easier the next time out.
4 - Meet more RX8 drivers & take pictures.
A most excellent weekend! I am so glad I decided to try a track day, and it couldn't have gone much better. It's a weekend I'll remember for a long time.
Things I'll do better the next time:
1 - Remember the state of DSC after going directly from the skid pad into a track session. I managed to drop two wheels off the same corner Paul did - but I was able to keep going.
2 - Shift into 2nd more often.
3 - Avoid hitting the brakes quite so hard when encountering a much slower car driving off the line. Passing will definitely be easier the next time out.
4 - Meet more RX8 drivers & take pictures.
09-14-2006, 02:54 PM
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Bill - C6
What a weekend. The Shenandoah circuit rocks. Met a bunch of 8 owners, learned a lot about my car and driving. The guys fom MDA did a great job. Special thanks to Ron Osbourne my instructor. The course was perfect for the 8. Lots of turns - HP wasn't a big factor in going fast.
Things I learned:
1. The 245 pirelli pzeroneros performed extremely well for street tires. A little noisy(O.K. a lot- you knew when I was coming into pit staight and exiting) but they kept me on the course.
2. Keep the DSC on. I let my instructor drive my car and the DSC hardly came on at all.
3. Let the instructor drive your car. I learned a lot about the track and the limits of the 8 that way.
4. I will need better tires to go faster(Got to keep Mark in my rear mirrors). Toyo R1as- any suggestions
5. It's fun going fast around corners. Highlight of the weekend was going solo for the last 2 sessions- a little nerevous not having my guardian angel- but what a blast!
Looking forward to seeing Mark, Paul, Don, Mike and the rest of the 8's at the next event. I'm hooked!!!!
What a weekend. The Shenandoah circuit rocks. Met a bunch of 8 owners, learned a lot about my car and driving. The guys fom MDA did a great job. Special thanks to Ron Osbourne my instructor. The course was perfect for the 8. Lots of turns - HP wasn't a big factor in going fast.
Things I learned:
1. The 245 pirelli pzeroneros performed extremely well for street tires. A little noisy(O.K. a lot- you knew when I was coming into pit staight and exiting) but they kept me on the course.
2. Keep the DSC on. I let my instructor drive my car and the DSC hardly came on at all.
3. Let the instructor drive your car. I learned a lot about the track and the limits of the 8 that way.
4. I will need better tires to go faster(Got to keep Mark in my rear mirrors). Toyo R1as- any suggestions
5. It's fun going fast around corners. Highlight of the weekend was going solo for the last 2 sessions- a little nerevous not having my guardian angel- but what a blast!
Looking forward to seeing Mark, Paul, Don, Mike and the rest of the 8's at the next event. I'm hooked!!!!
09-14-2006, 07:41 PM
#22
Mike - A7
I highly recommend the 245-40-18 Toyo RA-1s You can drive to the track with them.
I mounted them on DANomites stock wheels that he sold me and I don't want to take them off the car. They make a big difference
NASA is coming to the main circuit at Summit Point in October.
I will be doing the Time Trials. NASA also has HPDE (high performance driving events) groups. NASA is a first rate organization.
Glade to see all the RX8s at the track especially Ti Grey.
I highly recommend the 245-40-18 Toyo RA-1s You can drive to the track with them.
I mounted them on DANomites stock wheels that he sold me and I don't want to take them off the car. They make a big difference
NASA is coming to the main circuit at Summit Point in October.
I will be doing the Time Trials. NASA also has HPDE (high performance driving events) groups. NASA is a first rate organization.
Glade to see all the RX8s at the track especially Ti Grey.
09-14-2006, 10:43 PM
#23
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Originally Posted by darnellm
Mike - A7
I highly recommend the 245-40-18 Toyo RA-1s You can drive to the track with them.
I mounted them on DANomites stock wheels that he sold me and I don't want to take them off the car. They make a big difference
NASA is coming to the main circuit at Summit Point in October.
I will be doing the Time Trials. NASA also has HPDE (high performance driving events) groups. NASA is a first rate organization.
Glade to see all the RX8s at the track especially Ti Grey.
I highly recommend the 245-40-18 Toyo RA-1s You can drive to the track with them.
I mounted them on DANomites stock wheels that he sold me and I don't want to take them off the car. They make a big difference
NASA is coming to the main circuit at Summit Point in October.
I will be doing the Time Trials. NASA also has HPDE (high performance driving events) groups. NASA is a first rate organization.
Glade to see all the RX8s at the track especially Ti Grey.
09-15-2006, 07:10 AM
#24
Hey Paul,
It would be hard to beat the amount of track time that we got at the Mazda Drivers event. I had 5 sessions on the track Saturday (including parade laps) and 5 sessions on Sunday (one with an instructor in the instructors session) and four skid pad sessions (one in an instructors car).
I participated in the NASA time trials last August at the main circuit and it cost me $250.00
The NASA folks get started early and get the cars on and off the track quickly. They have alot more people helping out and they man all the flag stations which is nice.
Good photos
It would be hard to beat the amount of track time that we got at the Mazda Drivers event. I had 5 sessions on the track Saturday (including parade laps) and 5 sessions on Sunday (one with an instructor in the instructors session) and four skid pad sessions (one in an instructors car).
I participated in the NASA time trials last August at the main circuit and it cost me $250.00
The NASA folks get started early and get the cars on and off the track quickly. They have alot more people helping out and they man all the flag stations which is nice.
Good photos
09-15-2006, 10:42 AM
#25
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Newark,De
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Originally Posted by darnellm
Mike - A7
I highly recommend the 245-40-18 Toyo RA-1s You can drive to the track with them.
I mounted them on DANomites stock wheels that he sold me and I don't want to take them off the car. They make a big difference
NASA is coming to the main circuit at Summit Point in October.
I will be doing the Time Trials. NASA also has HPDE (high performance driving events) groups. NASA is a first rate organization.
Glade to see all the RX8s at the track especially Ti Grey.
I highly recommend the 245-40-18 Toyo RA-1s You can drive to the track with them.
I mounted them on DANomites stock wheels that he sold me and I don't want to take them off the car. They make a big difference
NASA is coming to the main circuit at Summit Point in October.
I will be doing the Time Trials. NASA also has HPDE (high performance driving events) groups. NASA is a first rate organization.
Glade to see all the RX8s at the track especially Ti Grey.