First HPDE in the RX8
 

Had my first track today in the '09 RX-8 R3. I hadn't back on the track since January so the goal for the day was to work on fundamentals like smoothness and looking ahead. Also, I was trying to get comfortable in the new car. For the last 6-7 years, I've been taking a '95 Miata to the track (it was stripped and had a SM legal cage). Before that, an S2000.

My RX-8 is stock except for: Hawk HP+ pads, brake lines, 18" RPF1 wheels with Yokohama Adavan AD08s. Also had an alignment done.

It was a sunny day with a high of about 60'F.

Some random thoughts...

Brakes: the HP+ pads and Castrol SRF fluid help up pretty well. The pedal would get a little softer near the end of the session but it always felt confidence inspiring. I never felt the need to ease up on the brakes to allow them to cool down. I will continue to use these pads as dual purpose. And like the Miata, you can't brake too much in this car anyhow.

Handling: With -1.5 degrees of camber all around, the car felt very neutral and well balanced. I could easily throttle steer mid-corner and there was plenty of feedback. Really like the low polar moment of inertia, I could take much tighter lines and the car would still rotate very easily.
Regarding the R3 suspension, there was some body roll, but it wasn't too bad on the AD08 tires. But with R-compounds, a stiffer suspenion may be desired.

Transmission: Running MT-90 and didn't have any problems shifting. Heel toe is pretty easy with the OEM pedal setup.

Steering: I liked the crisp initial turn-in and feedback; I just wish the power steering didn't feel "overboosted" as much.

Power: Could always use more but I wouldn't want the car to gain weight as a cost. Power delivery is very smooth and linear which is nice on a momentum car.

All in all, I had a lot of fun. Coming from the Miata, a very similar approach seems to be needed for driving both cars: carry as much speed through the corners as possible. And even with the 3000lbs, the car felt very tossable. I can't wait to head back next month.

nailed it--
now drop shorter tires on her, r compounds, some basic suspension mods and upgrade the pads and the world changes.!
OD4

Good review. I was expecting something along those lines. What are your plans, I am probably gonna start with RB sways (don't have the desire to change shocks springs). Also was camber maxed out at 1.5?

i can't wait to get mine out on the track!

The front was maxed at -1.5 degrees. I wanted the same camber in the rear as a starting platform.

I'm going to keep the suspension stock for the near future; I still need to get more comfortable pushing this car hard. I'll look at springs/shocks sometime down the road.