Greetings - new poster here. Just wanted to say I am looking forward to trying the RX8 out at some events later this year and next (have to finish up a house first!). I just recently moved south to SC from OH so I am hoping for a longer season of playing!! Seems like this forum and community is rather helpful which is nice for a change.

I have been autoxing off and on for almost a decade now. Raced in stock, SP, ST, and even a couple FM stints for fun. Did most of my learning in a VW GTI. Never been to the "big" events, but had plenty of fun locally with the SCCA and other local clubs. I am coming to the RX8 from a mildly CSP tuned MR2 Spyder (springs, non adj-shocks, cat back exhaust, intake, Big front bar, and even running 15" Falkens for most events) that I took the NeOhio div win with 2 yrs in a row. I got married, got 3 dogs, and decided that a little larger car might be nice. I drove quite a few and really liked the way the RX8 handled and communicated. I havent pushed the car any where near its limits other than a couple quick runs through some nice mountain roads we have here. It certainly feels much bigger and not nearly as precise as the Spyder, but still great feeling. Anything I should look out for when I do finally get to go play? First couple events will be bone stock with just tire pressures to play with. I have the stock Dunlops right now. Honestly my biggest short term worry is the size of the car and learning to thread cones without plowing them over! Other worry is head clearance, 6'2" and an Arai helmet leave my driving position less than ideal even with no sunroof.

Looking forward to a new learning experience!

 

You obviously know what you're doing. I had a blast a couple weekends ago at a SoloII event in Lincoln, NE. I had NO idea what I was doing but the people were Very nice.
Have fun but I felt like the 8 was a little over-sized without tires against the Lotus and all the prepared and properly set-up smaller cars.

 

Hi fellow cone dodger

 

I dont dodge cones, I judge braking zones with them

 

Track days? I dont plan on taking the 8 out to the track. Back north I had 3 within a hour and a half drive - MidOhio, BeaveRun, Nelson Ledges that I used to frequent. Nelson had Fun Dayz events that were only $100 for a full day of lapping. It cost more in brake pads, gas, and tires to run there! I consider myself lucky to never have a serious "off" other than getting seriously stuck in pea gravel and ripping an airdam off. My last session out at Neslon a Mustang Cobra let loose its oil cooler on the back straight and my friend in his 450hp Audi S4 was unfortunate enough to be behind him. Quattro does nothing when you hit oil at 120mph through a turn. After watching my friends pride and joy become a totalled parts doner car I decided to stick to parking lots. I do miss track days though, nothing beats it for the money.

 

"if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a cone!" :o

 

well, thats why you dont follow a mustang

 

All the cones, they rill be mine!



Herro!

--kC
(For anyone that didn't get the above, go rent Team America... only if you're not offended by senseless humor)

 

^lol. You have not seen the last of Kim Jong Ill

 

Yeah, the track that I spend most of my time at has had a couple crashes that were bad, but it seems to be people who should be running with an instructor, or just arent smart. Since I dont fall into either of those catagories, I should be ok for a while.

 

I went to my first AutoX event with the 8. I could not fit in nicely with the helmet. I was very uncomfortable in the car. I am 5'8''.

Anybody has any tricks?

 

i'm 5'10" and i fit in just fine with my helmet... try lowering your seat more, and tilt back the seat just a *tad*

oh yeah, do you have sunroof? that may cause some fitment problems.

 

I'm 6'2" and fit with my helmet just fine.....

 

Yes I do have the sunroof. Do any of you know if there are different types of helmets? May be finding one that it is not as tall? I don't know...

 

Looks like the M rated helmets are SCCA compliant. I am going to check them out.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Rules/misc.html#Helmets