What was once the standard by which T3 cars were classed has become a back-marker, there was only one RX-8 in the class at the Runoff this year, and it was well of the pace of the S2k and Zs. There were two in E Prod, those cars look and sound awesome, unfortunately one of them now needs some serious work, it took a hard hit.

And then this thing showed up in our paddock looking to hitch a ride back to CA. It needs some TLC, but I am sure it wont be long before we see it on the track out here.

 

wow that looks nice, any other pix?

 

 

While the boss is away at Homestead-Miami for Indy, we decided to use his office... I wonder if he will pick up on the sent of tires and gear oil?

 

Is it yours?

 

No, we just had extra space in the trailer - we had a Porsche that was a one-way going out, so there was room to bring this one back.

 

Too bad, would be nice to see what it could do in your hands.

 

Looks good but should be lower to the ground.

 

There is a minimum ride height rule for nearly every production based road racing class.

 

And any lower than that and the suspension geometry is worse

 

No way, hella flush rules.

 

You forgot the smiley face

 

Do you really think he would get it anyway?

 

True....forgot that part.....

 

Those pumpkin wheels just made me throw up a little bit in my mouth .....

 

Thank God some people get "real" racing.

Lol at the hella flush comment.

 

Jason, congrats on what I would say was a very successful first runoffs

For those that aren't aware, ULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOSE took a phone booth...err, "Yaris"....to 8th overall in a very healthy HP class.

What's on the agenda for 2011?

 

It was a great experience. Our goal was the SoPac Divisional Championship and a top ten at the Runoffs, we got both. I think the amount of attention Toyota has gotten out of the deal (besides what we did in SportsCar) exceeded their expectations. Having an unusual car at a Club Race seems to do that.

We were absolutely outgunned in HP department. Not enough time and money spent under the hood. Also, the 15" wheels with the tall tires really had us geared to tall. On corner exit and the straits the Honda's, and others, could have their way with me.

Getting the suspension only weeks before the race was a bit nerve racking... Having custom one-off parts we had know way of knowing if they were valved right, or if they would even hold together. We were very happy to see that we got very close on our first guess with the shocks and springs. And even after two-wheeling in Turn 6, going into the grass and catching air, we had no failures.

Before the end of the year we have some media/PR events with the car. VIPs from Sony PlayStation, Toyota and Nascar driver Joey Lagano are going to drive the car. It also is going to make an appearance at SEMA - assuming it survives the former.

The original deal called for Toyota to get the car back at the end of 2010, so it is up to them if we will get to run it next year. If not I will race the SSC Sentra, after Philip replaces the door and fender he bent at the Runoffs.

Not sure what I will autox. I think Jennifer still plans to co-drive with Coulson.

Here are a couple of laps from the race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_mlPp8TfxA

Hopefully speedcasttv.com has the full races online soon.

 

I should get back to the runoffs. I haven't been to one since 82 when they were at Road Atlanta and they are only about 150 miles away.

 

I figured that once they switched from Heartland Park to Road America that the RX-8 was done for. There's just too many straights there for it to keep up with the Cobalts and S2000s. I was at HPT in '07 when Robert Huffmaster won. That was great fun to watch!