BlueRenesis82

That and those morons in a red SN95 that cut me off then jammed on their brakes.

Matt RX8

No problem. Sounds like you had red mist. :D

Did you actually remember seeing our car. Sorry if my wife flipped you off or something. She's a hothead.

I was trying to take the corners fast so I could keep the revs up for the straight aways since my BMW 325 convertible is kinda heavy and low on power compared to the other cars out there.

It was nuts out there but fun. I think there were close to 200 cars out there including some yahoos in their muscle cars. I'm surprised I didn't have any other close encounters.

What's an SN95?

Matt RX8

Oh, and by the way. Nice car you have there. That is actually one of the first times I recall seeing an RX8 in person.

BlueRenesis82

SN95 is the previous generation mustang. If you wife did flip me off its not a big deal. I didnt see it if she did, plus I was trying to keep my eyes on the track.

BlueRenesis82

Well machan if you are looking for something to do the 16-17th of April there are some track days at the RA facility.
http://roadamerica.fbody.us/

Matt RX8

I'm actually up there on April 30- May 1st with the Windy City BMW CCA. I'll be driving my new RX8 (which I'm picking up tomorrow).

Are you going on the 16th-17th?

If so have fun and post lots and lots of pictures.

BlueRenesis82

I'm going, somebody is actually bringing a Noble M400. That should be pretty cool. What stuff did you get on your RX?

Matt RX8

Brilliant Black
6 speed
Sport Package
Appearance Package
Spare Tire Kit


On purpose, I did not want a sunroof due to helmet issues.

I saw some Nobles at the Chicago autoshow. They are hot.

BlueRenesis82

Good call on teh sunroof. I'm just not a huge fan of those things. Are you planning on coming back to Brian Redman this year?

Matt RX8

I might. My parents are retired but spend their summer at a cottage about 40 min from RA. My dad is a car nut (he has 7 jags from 1950s to 2000) so it's a nice father-son thing to do together. So going to the races is cool because I can see the parents and see some racing at the same time.

Last year my dad had his 287 hp S-type with the V8 out during the touring. In fact, he actually paid for my touring as a birthday gift or something.

Another cool thing last year was my dad was able to get four of us in for free and we received Jag credentials so lots of free food. If Jag is a major sponsor than I'll go for sure.

If you are heading there, PM me.

Do you live in Wisconsin? Are you autocrossing your 8 or just tracking it?

BlueRenesis82

Well, Jag has been a sponsor of the Brian Redman thing for as long as I have been going to RA, so I would assume that they are doing it again. I live in Milwaukee and for the link I gave you, I'm planning on tracking the bejesus out of that car, I can't wait to get my track wheels back and get some good track tires on 'em.

Matt RX8

Milwaukee is cool. I graduated highschool in a suburb (whitefish bay). My folks used to live on the east side around Lake and North for many years. I also went to undergrad there (Marquette, class of '92). It's a great town.

I live about one hour south of Milwaukee right now. I might hit up some autocrosses at Miller Park this spring/summer.

BlueRenesis82

I was thinking about doing that as well, but my real main emphasis will prob be track. Autocross just doesnt appeal to me as much

Matt RX8

Road and Track says the top speed on the RX8 is electronically limited at 148 mph.

And I read somewhere that the top speed can be obtained in 5th gear, and that 6th gear is basically overdrive and you won't be able to accelerate any faster than redline at 5th gear.

I'm assuming that 6th gear would not be used at all on a track?

BlueRenesis82: What is the fastest you think you'll be able to hit on the front straight at RA? Will that be the fastest part of the track or do you think you'll go faster on the long straight prior to braking for turn 5? Just wondering because the front straight has the hill climb and you should be able to carry lots of speed through turn 3 onto the back straight.

Anyone else taken an 8 on Road America?

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

FYI, 5th gear redlines at 147mph, so if you can go beyond that on a racetrack, i give you props, lol

BlueRenesis82

I would think that I could hit at least 120 ish on the back straight at RA. I will be pretty interested to see what it will do, I really hated having that stupid speed limit when we were out there touring.

Matt RX8

So that would be the fastest part of the track then? I think I could hit 120 on the front straight. I was doing at least 105 in my BMW 325 during the touring without really pushing it and that hill at the beginning really saps a lot of power especially with my heavy convertible (weighs 3740 lbs or so). Plus that was much heavier traffic out there during touring than we'll see at a DE.

I'm shooting for over 130 on the straights, then I can pass all my BMW friends who's cars are limited at 128 mph :p .

BlueRenesis82

I think either straight would get the best chance for speed. I just want to whomp on the times of of mustantgs. That one from Brian Redman really made me mad.

Matt RX8

Look what I found (and I'm kicking myself that these weren't high resolution).



BlueRenesis82 on Road America.



In the first pic, I'm right on your a$$ (look next to the side mirror).




And then the mighty rotary starts humming as you pull away on the straight.

BlueRenesis82

Lol, thanks for finding those Machan, we'll have to compare track notes when I run into you, figuratively speaking of course

Matt RX8

No problem. :D

I think those pics are worthy of a crosspost.

I also posted in the pictures forum.


https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...371#post762371

BlueRenesis82

Cant wait to try out the track with all my new suspension stuff.....

JoePaterno

I dont get it. If u wreck your 8 on the track, will your insurance company pick up the damages? I can't imagine that they would. I guess you could haul it away from the track and make up some story about how u crashed, but it seems risky. I'd love to take the 8 on the track, but it is my daily driver. It sounds like there are a bunch of idiots out there on the track and that there is a possibility of an accident. So whats the deal?

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

*anywhere* your car is in motion, there is a possibility of an accident. Heck, I'd wager that driving on public roads is *more* dangerous than in a CONTROLLED driving environment like a HPDE.

Most well-run HPDEs have excellent safety-related restrictions regarding on-track behavior, especially towards the newbies (ie no passing except on specified passing zones, usually on straightaway sections, must have instructor in car until instructor signs you off for solo driving) that reduce greatly chances of accidents due to inexperience.

that said, I have seen my share of on-track wreckage while doing HPDE, curiously, most of them by experienced drivers rather than n00bs. I, as well as those that take their daily driver rx-8's onto the track, know the risks involved, but we also know that risk CAN be managed as long as the driver remain disciplined in proper safety measures while on track.

but truthfully, the need for speed is truly an addiction that, once you taste it, it's *really* hard to get rid of it :D

JoePaterno

......and?? No **** driving on public roads may be more dangerous. That has nothing to do with my question. Thanks for the info, but I was asking about what happens if u do wreck your car. Can u get insurance to pay for it?