Today I broke my car's cherry, so to speak...I'd been jonesing for a track day for some time - finally got the beater out there today. I started in the beginner group, but the frustrations of a couple-three VERY slow drivers, coupled with strict, limited passing areas motivated my eventual move to 'intermediate'. My car performed pretty well - until the tires started giving up. This was very much a 'hp' track with a 1/2? mile long straight, and only a few twisty parts along the back side. Still, I only gave up straight-away speed to a few cars - M3s, Mustang GTs, etc...Thru the twisty part of the course I think I held my own pretty well.

 

was this the one out in bremerton? i wish i could've gone! sounds like you had some fun. were there any other 8's out there?

 

yeah, bremerton - for those not in the know - it's not so much a 'track' as a couple of abandoned runways.

I was the only rx8 present.

 

Pics look great! I am dying to do the same thing. Pretty expensive around here.

Question: Do you have a moon roof? I am asking because when I went to an AutoX event I had problem fitting in the car with my helmet. I am about 5 12 and my 8 has a moon roof.

 

I am about 4 22 and i can wear a helmet no prob

 

This event was $60. The 'real track' events local are about $130.

I opted out of the moon-roof for two reason...If I recall, one had to buy leather as well (+ a few thousand $$), and, I wanted to make sure my 5' 13" body could get a helmet on, and get into the car.

 

Are those Potenzas or Dunlops?

 

the appearance package really looks good on the 8.

 

Kevin - my car has the dunlops....and XDee - thanks! I think so too!

:D

 

that looks like it was a lot of fun. you going back to the track anytime soon?

 

Weather dictates! :D

 

When's the next track day at Bremerton, I think Pacific Raceway is closed for the winter.

 

I'm jealous! I will do it in the spring.

 

i dont get how you were past by mustang GTs...i've raced them on the highway a few times and i always pulled alway

 

Nice pics, I can't believe you were out there with a Fiero! Interested to know what happened to your tires. I have the Dunlops on my car and was thinking of taking it to the track, and would prefer not to put new tires on it until I wear these out.

 

What kind of turbo system to you have?

Even old-school 5.0's would give an RX8 a decent run. The 260hp variety should hand an Rx8 it's **** down the front straight.

 

There was also a stock Cavalier running w/ the Intermediate Group.


I think the dunlops held up okay - except towards the end they started losing it - they'd push VERY badly towards the last few laps.

I think you'd be fine - I ran with the DSC OFF, but didn't do the 7-second-push thing.

 

yeah but thats about it, the standard GT models all stock can't keep up with the very slow rx8. in comparison the 5.0 has the msot aftermarket available for any american made car so the amount of modified ones is abundant and i know a guy who's 17 year old daughter daily drives around a 8 second 5.0 in vegas.

 

oh man......yea wear those crappy tires out....they really really suck....compared to the potenzas or the avons....dunlops really really really sucks....i compared it to my friend's 8 that had potenza's and me with dunlops, he took corners with much ease....and my tires started to screech at even lower speed taking the same turn...and trust me, its not the difference of cars or driver

 

ahahha im N/A

 

What tire pressures did you run? Should have been somewhere near 35 cold. That might be a reason for chewing up the tires.

How did your brake pads and fluid hold up?

If you really want to learn how to drive fast, get connected with NASA and start with their HPDE events.

Still stock sway bars - right?

 

I am 4 22, have the moon roof and have to screw the seat all the way down and lean the back down to keep my helmet from hitting the roof on any right handers. That is the only issue I have with the car on the track (well okay, only issue after not have 300 bHp...)

 

Ran 32psi - my normal range for driving...could have bumped that up a bit, I know.

And my brakes were fading quite a bit Need new/good pads.

And I already know how to drive fast - I can learn more from two or three specific Miata friends than people I've never met who ride in my car.

Yeah - my car was 100% stock, except for 60?lbs of Audio.

:D

 

In my limited experience with the OEM Bridgestones using 35 +/- 1, I have found them to hold up very well from 4 days or roughly 5 hours on the track.

I suspect your brake fluid was the problem not your pads. Even the OEM pads seem to hold up very well to thrashing on the track. you can get better pads but the OEM pads work okay for a few fun learning events.

The OEM DOT 3 fluid however does not. Change to DOT4 fluid and you will see a big difference even with stock pads (read SAFETY). You'll get lots of ideas on what fluid to use. I used Castrol GT LMA. Most serious folks here use ATA Super Blue or Motul. All are ester based fluids. There are silicones which work very well but require you to more carefully clean out your system before using it. Lots of good threads on these topics with more intelligent input from those who actually race their cars.

 

thanks for the advice! I'll likely purchase something like Axxis Ulltimates pads, and think about that fluid change.

I've got awhile, as we're in the rainy seaon, though. hehe