dbullock

Got back from VIR late last night. This was my first track event and I have to say it was an incredible thrill to drive on a track.

Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to meet other 8 owners.. I was usually chatting with the instructor and studying the track map.

The track is long and I knew it would be difficult for me to learn quickly. Learning the track was my biggest concern going into this event. Each session I managed to improve on most corners pretty quickly. Some of the blind rises really gave me trouble when I couldn't remember what was after the rise. By the second day I had learned the track, which I didn't expect to have done.

The car ran perfect, but I did experience the fuel starvation issue one time just below 1/4 tank. The Tanabe suspension was incredible as were the fresh Hawk pads, RPF1's and Falken 615's. Some 8's that I suspect had stock suspension were really leaning in those corners. I have a lot of in-car video I'll try to process and post some clips.

Over the two days I had the rear break loose 3 times but caught it. The last session of the second day I was moved up from the Green to the Blue group. My instructor said I would need to push harder in this group and I did, but with some consequence. I spun and slid into the grass. I lost the rear near turn 7 on the first lap of the session with relatively cold tires, curb upset the car and I didn't react fast enough. No vehicle damage at all and I was wasn't rattled, though while spinning I did fear hitting a tire wall. Also, a silver 8 just spun in that same place shortly before me.

Here's my spin:
[~3MB] http://www.hawkgt.com/rx8/VIR_GrandE...ack_LOWRES.mp4
[~13MB] http://www.hawkgt.com/rx8/VIR_GrandE...ck_HIGHRES.mp4

Dan

Senna

Reflexes and smooth inputs are the name of the game huh. Doesn't take much to unbalance a car especially on a crested turn. Thanks for sharing. I give you credit for pushing it in your own ride. I'm planning a trip to Bondurant for later this summer.

Spin9k

That looks more like a grease/oil spot caused spin than you or your car to me. You were in a steady state curve, your hands were not moving the steering wheel, you hadn't even punched the throttle. You simply spun without warning or even some protest of mishandling by the car. Bummer, but good nothing got damaged. Keep on truckn'

dbullock

Thanks all. I plan to do more track events.

This was the second day, the sun was out full and temps were around 95. It was hot. Others can probably attest to this, the track was much slippery compared to the day before. In the end though, my line was not right and I had too much speed for that bad line I was on.

I will say that I am actually happy to have driven a N/A 8 for my first time at the track. More HP would have put me in trouble too many times. The lower HP forced me to concentrate on lines and max corner speed. The Z06 in our group didn't have that worry and just stepped on the gas in any straight. Their loss.

Paul_in_DC

Hey Dan

What color is your car? I was in one of the grey 8's in B group. Yeah, VIR is a terrific course, but it's freaking long in the Grand Course layout! This was my 3rd trip to VIR with Mazdadrivers and I'll go every time I can.

Looking at the video clip, combined with the comment about your rear breaking loose, I'd suspect one of two things: 1) your suspension is too stiff in the back, or 2) you're too heavy on the gas pedal in a turn. I suspect 1) is much more likely. Your movements are very smooth in the video. Even though you tagged a curb, that certainly shouldn't have sent your rear around like that. Add that to your rear breaking loose several times, and that tells me it's most likely a too-stiff rear end. Adjust your rear end and soften it a bit and it'll perform better, and you'll be able to carry more speed through a turn.

I had the same issue when I went with the Tokicos -- at the full stiff setting, the rear end cuts loose too easily, so I back it off by one turn and it sticks like glue.

I had one "excursion" on my 2nd run on Saturday. I flubbed a heel-toe approaching Turn 1, so I was coming in too hot. I knew I could probably 4-wheel slide through the turn without a problem, but there was someone behind me... So I went for safety and drove it into the grass. Unfortunately that made my instructor nervous enough that he kept telling me to back it down for the rest of the day, grr. (I can't fault him though -- he was a really good instructor.) On Sunday I was able to open it back up again.

This was my first time with the new shock tower brace, and I really like the improved turn-in.

DCNSX

dbullock- first of all what video player can i use? windows media player doesn't seem to work for me.

I commend you for trying the 4.2 mile Grand East for your first track event!! that is a LOT of turns to learn (for anyone). And I also agree about the low hp/torque keeping you out of trouble- my NSX has 270hp and I would have to re-learn some skills to cope with higher hp. ...and running with track events with 90k miles on OEM shocks doesn't help either! (that'll be fixed soon).

and a comment on "too stifff" suspensions. We went out for some spirited driving in NoVa (Loudoun) some years ago and a "slammed" S2000 (i.e. NO suspension travel, severely lowered) hit the same curve as the rest of us at the same speed - about 75- and lost it. He took out a phone pole (broke it in half) and had anyone been in the passenger seat, they would've been crushed. He had that suspension on the car only about a week. The lesson: the stiffest, lowest suspension ain't always the best. and find your limitations... gradually.

Sorry I didn't get to meet everyone- I did meet Hogcar and his son (again), and got to see their race-prepped 8.

A good time was had by all, and another great event run well by MazdaDrivers. They consistently do a good job of organizing and running these events.

MazdaJeff

Glad you came out of the spin unscathed. Looks like a nice track.

hogcar

It was a great weekend from all standpoints!!

The weather was good especially the fog on Sunday morning.

My student did a good job and I signed him off Sunday.

I had two excellent runs one each morning with my stint Sunday being the best.
I tried hard to run with a Yellow GT3 and a T1 Corvette but they had a little too much for me on the straights.

My son got plenty of seat time, learning with each session.

Mazdadrivers runs an excellent event and if you missed this one make sure you get signed up for the next one!

Most importantly it looked like everyone left with the same sheetmetal that they came with.

dbullock

I was G16, Nordic Green but it would have looked almost black on Saturday with little sun. I ran in the B group in the 4th sessions of the second day.

I'll keep the rear suspension in mind for next time. I did have them set the same in the TEAS. I'll experiment more with having the rear softer. Thanks!

I do have some G group video of a red 8 in front of me. I think it has stock suspension because it -really- leaned in the "bitch". Not sure who's 8 that is.

Best free app to view the video is VLC Media Player http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

TruthRX8

How did your brakes perform? ANY FADE? were you using a different brake fluid? How long was each session?

dbullock

20 minute sessions. For those who know the corner, on the "bitch" my instructor had me full braking at marker 4 and I was slowing just enough to turn-in. I was full-on the brakes at pretty much any time I used them.

I had new fluid done by PerformanceBuyers, which I'm sure was just standard DOT5. And I had new Hawk Performance Ceramic pads.

I thought I work the brakes pretty hard yet I had no brake fade at all. I don't know what others experience with these pads, but I like to know if fade is expected at VIR Grand. The instructors did talk about one of the VIR course configuration being hell on brakes since it has mostly corners and few straights for them to cool, but we can the grand course.

For next time I actually would not plan to change anything mechanical with my car. The car worked perfectly except for the single experience with fuel starvation.

New pads, fluid and good tires is all I'll do for now. (Axial Flow SC is next though)

DCNSX

I have Hawk Performance Ceramic pads on my 8 (daily driver) and Axxis Ultimates on the NSX (weekend/track car). I installled the Hawks myself (See DIY on this site) - it was very easy after the first one. I'm very pleased that they don't dust - at least VERY little in street use.

My Axxis Ultimates dust like crazy- even in street use- and are VERY hard to keep clean, but if the Hawks can stand up to track temps and not fade, I will switch in a heartbeat. I have had no fade from the Axxis since I started tracking the NSX with them 3 years ago. I expect dusting at the track, but it'd be nice to have the best of both worlds for street driving. Thanks for the info!!

Paul_in_DC

I have Hawk Ceramics (for the past year, 4 track events; VIR & Shenandoah) and Super Blue fluid. They work well for the 8 at the track. One time at VIR I got a little fade at the end of the back straight, but they seemed to recover almost immediately. Dunno about the NSX though, as I'm sure you'll carry more speed into a corner.

hogcar

Any "unofficial" times?? How many of you are going to the event on the Full configuration in September?

Paul_in_DC

I had my camera mounted on one run, but it slipped during some hard braking on the first lap. I ended up with a great full-motion video of the floor behind my seat.

So no times.

Dunno yet if I can make September.