Why no RX-8s on track or autox?
 

There are quite a few RX-8s in the area; I know that a number of you like your cars for what they can do, and yet I have yet to see an RX-8 in my five times on the track, and I only recall seeing one RX-8, once, in my five autocrosses.

By contrast, I always see other S2000s on the track and at autocrosses, and I don't know that there are more S2000s in the area than RX-8s.

I'm curious as to why that is?

Ive never Auto'x before and have just never gotten around to trying it.

I actually was going to try one in Everett in late January, but by the time I found out about it the registration was full/closed.

When is the next event you'll be at...maybe Ill give it a shot?

Is there any special helmet you must have?
I still have my full face/shield Bell motorcycle helmet. Im not sure of the Snell rating on it though. It was an expensive helment when I bought it back in 96/97.

Give it a shot; it's really fun, but much more technically difficult than you might expect. There's one this Sunday in Everett.

see my edit.

Which run are you going to do, the AM or PM?

Stupid question here, Ive noticed all the cars have numbers on the side. Are those provided for you or do you have to bring it yourself, and if so where would you purchase something like that?

snell recommends replacing helmets every 5 years or so
www.smf.org

I was reading it to figure out the differences between the M and SA ratings... motorcycle helmets arent tested for flame resistance... thats not to say they dont have any. On the other hand i dont know anything about them.

many track groups require SA ratings, some require the SA2000 or newer

numbers are for car identification by the organizers, basically to see while on track who spun off, driving too fast/slow, etc.

Here is the link to the next event

http://www.wwscc.org/evinfo/2005slush4.html

I'm running Stock A, which seems to be scheduled for the pm session. My son is signed up for improved A, which is am, so we'll probably go together in the morning. I'll have my bright yellow S2000.

"A SNELL SA90 or newer helmet is also required; but if you don't own a helmet, don't sweat it! You should be able to grab one at the event, since free loaner helmets are on-hand at most places. Helmets with only a DOT rating (no SNELL certification) are not allowed, due to our insurance requirements. "

You can print out your number and tape it to your rear side windows, or put it on with the liquid white shoe polish.

I'm not at all good at this, but I'm getting better, and it's fun.

Not sure where you found that but here (http://www.chuckanutscc.org/) in the autocross rules they say SA or MA:

"Helmets must comply with Snell 90 MA or SA, and must be properly secured. Drivers and passengers in a car without a windshield must use full coverage helmets."

WWSCC is the governing group for these races. I took my quote from their http://www.wwscc.org .

No passengers are allowed in WWSCC events; they are allowed in SCCA events.

I find Autox a bit drab; and track days are pretty expensive... :(

:)

I'm currently hunting and gather info for track day perparation since I'm planning to attend http://www.proformanceraceschool.com/ in April. Does that count? :confused:

As of right now, I followed the wiser ATE-S owners advice and upgraded my handling. Tein flex coilovers with the EDFC unit(install next week), greddy strut tower bars and finally tanabe front and rear sway bars(install next week). Gathering info for the next stage which I guess would be brakes. So many opinions. :eek:

Very much so! I did that last August with my son, and it was excellent. The track day I did yesterday was a Proformance event; they do a very nice job.

Brakes are easy--the RX-8 has great brakes; the only upgrade you will need if you want to do real track days is to get better pads and DOT 4 fluid.

I understand, and felt the same way. However, I have found that it is a pleasant social event, once you get to know the people, and they're very helpful in teaching us newbies. And an autocross costs $25, which is a tiny fraction of what a track day really costs.

oh...and did I mention I probably wouldn't have the knee-stamina to 'walk the course' on most autox's? That plays into it :(

Track days: about 200 bux. There's usually at LEAST 1 solid hour of driving, compared w/ Autox $25 x 1-2 minutes x 3 runs? True, 25 bux is easier to pull out of my wallet than 200 :)

I'm going to build a track when I win the lottery, and you can all race for free :)

actually, I want to drive somewhere, sometime - but I don't know where?

Tracking a car is terribly expensive. First, you need to spend some real money for a good school; Proformance cost $445 last year, I think. Then, each track day is $175, plus a half-time coach is another $150. You'll go through a set of OEM tires in three or four track days; dedicated track tires will have a longer life, but they cost at least as much, and you will need an extra set of wheels. Then there's the other mods you will want/need--brake pads/fluid (I'm changing my pads right now, after only three track days, and these are hybrid track/street pads, not OEM pads. I figure that each track day costs around $500, by the time you amortize equipment wear and tear.

An autocross costs $25, but doesn't have a fraction of the adrenaline rush. So I compromise, and do both. :p But, then, I have the world's most wonderful wife (and very discerning, too--she chose the RX-8). And I do try to walk the course three times, to really learn it and plan my lines, so if walking three miles is a problem, autox isn't for you. :(

Yes, but Darin knees are in bad shape - lets get him some bionic knees!

I'd like to come watch you autocross, when is the next event??

http://www.wwscc.org/evinfo/next.html
Sunday at Boeing Everett.

Don't come to watch me; I suck, but others will be pretty good.

AutoX for Newbies in the NW
 

Hey I did one two weeks ago in the Tri Cities and there were two RX8s. The next AutoX in our area is in Yakima on the 16th sponsored by the TriCities club and on the 17th sponsored by the Seattle area club.

Here is the Tricities club site with other links. There is a lot of questions answered for you. Oh, must clubs provide helmets if you need one. So the only cost for you is to spend the $20 to $30 dollars and get 4 to 6 runs through the course. I will guarantee you will get a good adrelene rush (SP). All the AutoX people I have met have been very helpful in getting started. Oh, thing that really ticks me off is a guy in a S10 pickup can do the course faster than I. Not for much longer though. Also, If your car is stock it will be classified as a BS in SCCA and possibley an S1 in the 2005 classifications in the NW. For new people, we have a Novice class as well. Give it a try you will like it. So will your son.

http://www.ssscc.org/

Well, I saw a couple of RX-8s at the Everett autox on Sunday. It was a great day for it, and the course was absolutely full of novices. I had to run in Stock A, and came in second, less than a second behind the winner, so I feel ok about that.

It's a long learning curve, but it's a lot of fun, people are very helpful, and you will learn a lot about controlling your car.

Thank you for posting that ACHYellowRX-8 I didn't think there was any autocrossing in eastern washington, I was about gonna go bored to death not being able to let my miata stretch out a bit.