edj

As I predicted, the other RX-8 drivers kicked my butt . :-(

Mark was outstanding on his 3rd runs both days. Art and Phil
are doing very well on stock shocks. Clyde did great on not a
lot of sleep.

I sucked. 'nuf sed.

edj

PS. Koni better have got their shocks right the first time or they
are going to get some hate mail from me about not selling
the DA shocks...

PedalFaster

I think he's just making sure his name is included in the list of RX-8 drivers to look out for in general.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

man, my ears are burning :D May I weigh in on the discussion?

First, there was nothing for me to figure out that I didn't already know from the DC event last year. Unfortunately at that event what we hadn't figured out was how to get to the rebound adjusters at the top of the rear shocks. They were adjusted full soft which was allowing the tail end to fly up trail-braking into the transitions. Almost every run had at least two part spins from the rear tires unloading and sliding around completely sideways. John and clyde took care of that since then. I actually wanted to run clyde's RX8 at Nationals last year rather than my Z4, it just wasn't logistically feasible.

Second, IMO Steve better get it done this year because IMO it was an oversight for the 968 to be left in BS rather than going to AS with the other cars. They only made 2,400 of the Porsche 968 hardtop coupes and production ceased in 1995. The custom is for a car like this to be intentionally overclassed by the SEB because it does not serve the best interests of the membership for an older, limited edition vehicle to be the dominant Stock class car over newer, more readily available and popular cars. Typical examples are the BMW E30 M3, Pontiac Fiero, Mazda RX7TT, Porsche 914, etc. I foresee this car being moved to AS in 2006. Further, Steve can make light of this weekend all he wants, but the truth is I easily left at least a half-second per day out there. This was my first time behind the wheel of any performance car since the 2004 Nationals last September. My driving skills are actually quite rusty. IMO he better quit sniffing on those denial fumes and WTFU to the reality that he may have bitten off a mouthful that's not so easily swallowed.

Properly setup and in the right hands the Mazda RX8 is an extremely SERIOUS competitor in B Stock, even against the Porsche 968 under the same conditions. Steve forgets that I competed against this particular 968 many times in my Solo2 career. clyde's RX8 is by no means fully developed either. Stay tuned and don't touch that dial folks.

John V

iTrader: (1)

All I have to say is that Clyde and I have no excuses other than inexperience at this point... the car can obviously get it done. Just need to drive the thing. You set the bar, we need to reach it now.

It is shaping up to be an interesting year. Can't WAIT to get to atlanta, even if we get our butts kicked. It will be a fun time.

Ike

I'm not delaring it a done deal yet. However I think when you consider it's not even Mark's car and now we find out he hasn't had much seat time recently Yes he's a hell of a driver and those aren't large factors, but what could he do with an entire season in that car? I'm not even comparing his time to the other BS entries... He would have placed 2nd in SS and beat the AS leader by a wide margin at a Nat. tour stop is is a pretty good indication that the RX-8 at the very least the frontrunner at this point. I realize that there weren't a lot of top drivers in those two classes in Houston but Lance Adams is a pretty good driver IMO and he was beat out by Mark.

The Fat lady isn't singing, but she's warming up her vocal cords. It's going to be fun to keep watching how this whole thing unfolds.

Ike

By the way, what is Daddio driving this year? Also, anyone know if Jeff Cashmore is still in the MR2 and Saini the S2K? I haven't talked to anyone from the Milwaukee region to get the latest news

PedalFaster

If the RX-8's the frontrunner because it turned times good enough for second place in SS at Houston, what conclusion should we draw from the fact that a 968 turned times good enough for second place in SS at San Diego? And did you notice that Houston's CS winner would have also won AS in his Miata?

I submit that driver differences trump car differences, the depth of talent even at National Tours is insufficient to show each car in its best light, and one event does not a foregone conclusion make. I stand by my statement, which was not that the 968 rules all, but rather that it's way too early to declare any car the king of the new BS. The only AAA driver matchups to date have been Jason versus Ron, and the results from those events were inconclusive. It's quite possible that we won't see all three cars (RX-8, 350Z, 968) wheeled by AAA drivers at the same event until Topeka.

Oh, and Mark, since you last ran against my car, every suspension component that could legally be changed in Stock class has been swapped out, so it can hardly be called the same car anymore...

Steve

clyde

Obviousuly, you and Ron have to take a road trip east before then. :p

clyde

FWIW as an aside to all...

"Jeremy" is my given name, but "Clyde" is what I'm called by just about all of my friends in real life.

Imp

A monster Mitsu Evo in SM.

Imp

I'll be at the Atlanta Pro... I don't see your name on THAT one.

I was just making light of the situation...

--kC

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

fair enough, but the last time I ran against it was the 2001 Nationals, after which the Kozlak's stopped running it due to the S2000 invasion. I'd say after that time it probably needed it. Further, the Kozlak's are no slackers with regard to prep and driving skill either. However, my comments aren't so much based on that past experience as my own recent experience in BS, mosty of which is now in AS, as compared to driving this RX8.

if you're so confident about your 968 then why are you hanging out here talking smack and then getting defensive when you're called on it? Frankly, I don't care if you rebuilt the entire drivetrain too. I'm not about to discount the 968, that would be just as foolish as discounting the RX8.

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

I agree 100%... I dont think we will see more than a few match ups before KS... On the west coast best chance to compare anything will be Ron 968, Mid-pack Mike RX8 and myself RX8. Out east Carter 350z's, Sam MR2t, KC RX8 and I guess Mark ?? has put the STX project on hold to join the party. On the other had reguardless of "driver talent" in Houston Mark has driven other BS cars and I would think if after this weekend he thought the RX8 had no chance in BS he would say so.

I would also add that all events to date have not seen a 100% set up BS car. The 968 I would guess was the nearest to done, only missing light wheels and V710 fronts for most of the events. I am sure they have more adjustments to play with. While the RX8s all are on stock shocks, except for one bastard, and I dont think any two of us are using the same swaybar. Good thing we have six more months to figure it out.

PedalFaster

You need to put your bifocals and go over my posts again if you think I'm talking smack about the 968. I've explicitly said several times on this thread and others that, in my opinion, any of the 350Z, RX-8, and 968 could be the car to have in B Stock, and that the data points to date are insufficient for any conclusions to be drawn. Not sure how that constitutes "talking smack" by any definition of the term.

PedalFaster

Ouch... :D

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

He stopped talking smack after he got beat by a pregnant chick at the Fontana Pro. :D He is a much better non-RX8 owning freeloading forum member now.

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

Daddio- Evo RS in SM
Saini- S2K in AS
Not sure on Cashmore.

Ike

I'm hoping Cashmore shows up in a new car, the MR2 is probably getting tired and after the hub bub last year at Nats. He's one hell of a driver and I'd like to see him come out and prove himself with something new.

Has Daddio shown at the tour yet? I haven't noticed his name but then again SM isn't a class that I pay a lot of attention to.

Imp

About Daddio... Haven't had a local tour. Heck, events are just starting up nere in New England. He did take it out to a local event this past weekend.

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

On the other hand no better way to overcome last years crap then to bring the same car back legal and win.

Ike

True

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

thanks for clearing that up :D