tpryor

Houston SCCA National Tour Pics

Look under the section called "RX-8 SCCA Houston National Tour" - there are pictures of the new Hoosiers, including one (action shot) that really shows off how big those Hoosiers are ON the car (they don't really look that big sitting still).

There are other pics HERE of a LOT of the competitors. Click on the pictures to view them full size.

Comments are welcome (and anticipated)

Tim.

PUR NRG

You don't have any problem with nitpickers who try to DQ you out of BS with the dealer-installed body parts?

My wife's family lives in Houston. Maybe we'll get a chance to say hi sometime.
________
Electric portable vaporizer

Hassan

Nice pics.

tpryor

No, the SCCA differentiates between "Options" and "Accessories", in that options are factory available, and accessories are dealer installed. So, the "Appearance package" (in it's entirety) is legal for BS. If it were a Mazdaspeed spoiler or front end (which I LOVE, by the way), it would NOT be legal as it would only be a dealer installed piece. Quoting the 2004 Solo II Rulebook:

"Accessories, gauges, indicators, lights and other appearance,
comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on
performance and/or handling and do not materially reduce the
weight of the car are permitted."

If you are ever in town, let me know. I always enjoy meeting new people, and especially forum members. Come on by!

Hassan

The car looked good on 275s. How did it feel through the fast slaloms?

tpryor

It actually was WAY better then with the 245's, because the car was so under-tired with the "small" tires that you had to wait for it to stop sliding at every transition. There was NO way to get through a slalom quickly.

Now, it turns when you tell it to, but the steering is slightly heavier, which actually works in our favor (it makes us "plan" better for the course). Much improved.

Hassan

How is turn in?

tpryor

Turn is is actually better than it's ever been. With the added grip, and the fact that it has enough tire, it turns in RIGHT NOW (on Hoosiers).

The Hoosiers allow oversteer when necessary and are very predictable when sliding, and only push when the nut behind the wheel comes loose (such as on my last run Sunday) - but THAT can never be cured with setup..............

I would suspect that you will encounter a little understeer with the Kumhos, but since they were recalled anyway, that may not be an issue right away.

Hassan

Hmm... I think we going to have to try those on Monique's car then. You guys planning on coming down to New Orleans sometime to race?

tpryor

I would recommend that you set the car up on the roadrace compound (R3S04's), as the autocross compound (A3S04's) will become ineffective (and expensive) VERY quickly. They are molded at 5/32", and the National Tour event took off 2/32" in 12 runs, so we estimate that we have 12 more runs before they are useless - $1100 for ~25 runs is fairly expensive.

The car will "feel" exactly the same on the roadrace compound, but they can last for an entire season. We run roadrace compound all year except at "big" events, for this very reason.

We are intending to come to N.O. as soon as possible, but May is a bad month for Cody and I (he is moving and I have a 2 week class from the 3rd to the 16th, weekends included). We will be there just as soon as we can work it out, though.

Hassan

Sounds good. I am looking forward to seeing you guys here. I think we might try the road race compound...

Kurt Bob

Hi Tim,

Thanks for posting the pics and other information. You seem to be getting the car in a competitive configuration pretty quickly. Did you fit a bigger front sway bar? Are the stock shocks up to the task, or did you try a different shock? Will the RX-8 accept an aggressive alignment set-up, or is that unnecessary with the bigger tires?

Thanks for any help!

tpryor

Yes, I have the Racing Beat front bar and links, which were VERY much needed. The car is sprung relatively softly, and without the bar, the front end goes to infinity (spring rate) and sets up a massive push. The bar (contrary to popular science) actually decreases understeer as it increases the time it takes for the suspension to "sit down" on the bump stops.

Stock shocks are marginally acceptable, but I have found no alternative as of yet (I have some inquiries out right now). This car will benefit greatly (we think - see 1st paragraph) from adjustable shocks, but the only ones being developed are the Koni's, and they will be a pain to adjust (remove the rears to adjust and remove the strut bar in front to adjust). I'll report back with findings when appropriate.

Yes, the 8 will accept an aggressive alignment, and it is ABSOLUTELY necessary. This car is VERY sensitive to alignment (we are on the fifth alignment, and the difference between some are as little as 1/4 degree camber or 1/16 toe). With any alignment at all, the 245 Hoosiers or the 225 Kumho's just aren't enough tire. You will need the 265 Kumho or the 275 Hoosier to get the grip level up to the level the suspension can handle. We overheated the 245's on the first run (roadrace compound!), and the RX-8 competitor we have only ran the 225 Kumho at the first event and immediately switched to the 265's.

This car handles better than it is given credit for. 3000 lbs, and we can keep up with the Miata's at a National autocross, and it ran a fast enough time to win it's first National Tour, but the bonehead driving let the car down.

Tim

Hassan

I have to agree here. I drove it at the practice on friday. And to my surprise even on street tires the car about what i wanted it to.