Does anyone know of any chicago area RX-8 clubs or Mazda clubs that are interested in the driving aspects of the car?

I've been quite active in my local BMW club and made lots of friends. They are a wonderful club and hold well organized autcrosses and driving schools. They been doing driving schools for over 20 years and have some awesome instructors. And while they don't have any issues with me taking my RX-8 to their autoxes and schools, I do feel a bit out of place sometime and I wish there was a Mazda equivalent in my area. We do have a local miata club but they don't welcome the RX-8 with any enthusiasm.

Another know of any local clubs that put on Mazda or RX-8 oriented driving schools?

 

Take a look in the Mid-West RX8 Forum.

 

Thanks, I'll check that.

Are there any good driving oriented Mazda clubs anywhere in North America? The kind that put on driving schools and host autocrosses?

I saw some video footage of an E30 BMW at a Mazda event at VIR or someplace.

 

The local club for all rotory cars is the Rotory Car Club of Chicago. Also known as RC3. The web site (http://www.chicagorotary.com/) has been down for about a month. Most of the members post in the Midwest forum at RX7Club.com. There is no real organized events or meetings. Most of the members just want to socialize. There are a few that want track time.

 

Yep, I was aware of that club. I was just looking for a more driver oriented club. I guess I'll just resolve myself to continue being the only rotary powered car at the BMW club driving schools. It's actually not too bad. I get a lot of attention at their events with people come over and telling me how much they like my car. But as you know, black is beautiful :D

 

I use to hold a SCCA National Corner Workers licence and would be invited to work, for pay, at BMW, Porche, Ford/Shelby and Ferrari events at Road America. The BMW events were the only ones open to cars of other makes (as long as you joined the BMW club). The Shelby club also let in the Dodge FWD cars because they were badged Shelby. Regular Mustangs were also welcome. Because Mazda is under the Ford umbrella, this may be one avenue.
Look at the calendar of events at selected track web site. They will list the various organizations which rent the track. Usually with contact numbers and addresses.

 

Acording to the SVTOA guys I was talking to yesterday we can join their club, because like ^ said, Mazda is under the Ford umbrella. Also I guess they run events at Gingerman and Autobahn, maybe even some stuff at RA.

 

Another cool local club is the Salt Creek Sport Car Club. I know lots of BMW guys in that club. It dates back to 1959 or something.

I'm not sure if they have driving schools but they do hold autcrosses and are open to other clubs participating and will even set up a trophy class if you get enough people.

 

There is a group called Tri-State Council (http://www.tsscc.org/) inwhich Chicago Region SCCA is a member. Each of the member clubs run autocross events. As a Chicago Region member, you are welcome at any of these. They run SCCA Solo II rules and you may find other rotorys there.