Speed Racer

With NASA you normally get 4 25-minute track sessions per day. On Tuesday they changed the schedule and I ended up with 2 25-minute HPDE2 and 2 45-minute HPDE1/2 sessions. I really enjoyed the longer sessions and being able to get into a rhythm.

When the coils start to fail you will notice a slight decrease in power and it runs a bit rough. As things get worse you may hear a gurgling sound under full throttle, large decrease in power, and a rough idle.

I never had a chance to corner balance the car but I was already happy with how the car handles. I spent the better part of a month tweaking the ride height, spring pre-load, and damping to get the car to feel balanced. Next season I will get an earlier start and get the car setup in the off season when my friends, with the alignment tools, have the time to spare. FYI - I have the JIC Magic FLT-A2S coil-overs but if I was to do it again I would seriously consider springs and shocks with adjustable damping. I think that you could get the same performance and save a fair amount of time with the tuning.

My friends have been using Hoosier R3S04 tires all season and seem to like them. So I will probably follow in their footsteps and use the same tires and alignment settings that they have been using with their RX-8s.

Speed Racer

I know what you mean, in HPDE2 we had a lot of problems with people refusing to give point-bys and in each case they were driving a higher horsepower car. Specifically, a Corvette and Camaro come to mind.

RotaryZZ

>4 - 40 min. session
That would be nice and fun if you and the tires hold up that long :-)
Btw, how much do they charge for the 2-day event?

Speed Racer

Did anyone notice the blue Volvo S40? It turns out that the guy's car was in the shop because the dealership was being slow so they gave him a loaner and that is what he drove at the Glen. :p

RotaryZZ

>I have the JIC Magic FLT-A2S coil-overs
Mind I ask how much do they cost?

>I would seriously consider springs and shocks with adjustable damping
That's what I'm waiting for the latest adjustable Koni for our 8.

>My friends have been using Hoosier R3S04 tires all season and seem to like >them.
Personally, I probably would go for either Kumho or Toyo. I'm not looking for the fastest and stickest tires out there, but rather I want something durable, that can withstand the heat as well as having a predictable and progressive break-away characteristics.

>Did anyone notice the blue Volvo S40?
Just curious, how the S40 did on the track?

Speed Racer

I spent $1500 on the coil-overs but I think that you will be able to pick up a nice matched set of springs and shocks for less. FYI - Casual Racing has been using Koni shocks all season so I would expect them to be available some time soon. One nice thing about the shocks was the separately adjustable compression and rebound damping.

You may also want to consider the new Falken Azenis which are due to come out in the Spring. The new tire will actually be made in a size that is appropriate for our cars and it is supposed to have improved wet and dry handling.

The S40 looked very stable through the corners but it was significantly slower than the RX-8.

Tigger

iTrader: (3)

Yea, I heard he told them he was going on a trip and needed his car by Friday, they assured him he would have it... and when they didn't they gave him the loaner... bet he didn't mention his 300 mile trip was around a track...

Spin9k

I'm experiencing an interesting side-effect I attribute to track days, just wondering if anyone else notices this. In a nutshell, the daily driving feel of the car has gone through a metamorphosis (10,024 miles). Bottom line, the car is even better now than before, where I was afraid it might be the other way around after Watkins Glen ! It's like the car has finally "grown up".

Before:

1) Car felt 'tight', i.e., seemed reluctant to rev freely from a start, certainly went, but felt like I had to push the accelerator a lot to get significant power. When I let off, strong engine brake effect.

2) Brakes were grabby, very sensitive to initial pedal.

3) Strong on-center road feel, shown as a resistance in the steering wheel to turn 'off-center'. In sweeping fast turns, required little corrections to maintain line.

Now:

1) Car revs very easily, much better throttle response. I might say the throttle response is more 'linear' and car doesn't engine brake as obviously, esp. in low gears.

2) Brakes are NOT grabby at all, no noticeable initial sensitivity, now just a smooth but effective haul down. Much easier to modulate esp. in traffic.

3) Car has less 'turn-inertia’; steering wheel has less on-center resistance. In sweeping fast turns, car tracks very smoothly, little correction needed.

:D Life is good! :D

RotaryZZ

Guess the car is finally "lossen up" ;-)

Speed Racer

I finally got my photos and a couple video clips uploaded. So go check them out! :D

Photos and videos
Username: Sikkink
Password: guest

Once I receive Spin9k's in car videos I'll get a little more creative with the editing and also put in more shots from the event.

RX8 JET

If I remember right, it is around $375 or so. This was the same price as the previous year where I ran 4 - 20 min sessions for 2 days.

I actually corded one tire but that was more driver issue than car. Trying to hard after the bus stop down the hill towards the laces. Too fast = ruined front left
"The driver has had a stern talking too from the car owner. "

RX8 JET

I use the Kumhos V700s - 40 series. They have lasted quite well and stick consistenly. They are also a great value. Hoosiers are very pricey (at least for me) . The others available I have not tried but are also pricey so I had not looked into getting more info. on them.
Granted, I am also not looking for the last 10th either. There are still quite a few seconds to get out of the driver before looking into 10ths.

RotaryZZ

>I use the Kumhos V700s - 40 series ........
There are a few R-tires from Kumho nowadays. Wonder what are the differences among them?

Btw, how do you like the V700? Are they very predictable, progressive and screams like a street tires at the limits? I was told Khumo R-tires (or R-tires in general?) like aggressive alignment too!

downshift

Ack, looks like bandwidth has been exceeded

Speed Racer

Well that sucks.

If you have an FTP site I can send it directly to you or I can burn everything on to a CD and give it to you the next time we meet up.

RX8 JET

I had the VictorRacer on my previous car I had at the track. I was able to run them without having to shave them. They too held up with all the laps and abuse I put on them. The V700s have to be shave otherwise I was told that they chunk off.
I think they are pretty solid for an R-compound tire. I don't believe they make any "screaming" sounds (like most if not all R's) but rather produce a shuddering sensation as a result of the tire losing traction and regaining traction at the edge of the limit... at least that's what I have noticed and experienced. :D
These tires are also more progressive to the limit as opposed to Hoosiers where go over the limit more drastically. (The limit of the Hoosiers are higher)
I have kept my alignment stock since I still use it as my daily driver some of the time.

RotaryZZ

>I don't believe they make any "screaming" sounds (like most if not all R's) >but rather produce a shuddering sensation .............

So its the feeling sensation instead of an audio warning that the R-tires will give you at the limit.

>These tires are also more progressive to the limit as opposed to Hoosiers >where go over the limit more drastically.
That's good to hear! Sounds like you'll still have the chance to correct it once you're starting to go over the limit.

RX8 JET

I can only say that I have tried to walk closer to the edge without crossing over all the times I have gone out since getting them and haven't crossed over yet. Still can't afford to spin it and wreck.