Notices
SE RX-8 Forum Serving NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, TN

April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 23, 2006 | 07:38 PM
  #1  
Tim Benton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary til I die
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix

I know it's short warning, but the 300zx guys are having a track day at Talladega Grand Prix on Sunday, April 2nd. Price is the usual $125. It's part of their 300zx weekend and it looks like on;y 16 have signed up to the track event.

Here's more info :
http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.ph...=1#post5446371

They are limiting it too 36 slots, with 4 run group of 8 to 9 cars. Might get some good track time in.

Tim
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 11:20 AM
  #2  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
Yumm - track
Thinking about this to kill off my R compounds. I don't think they have much more than 1 or 2 sessions worth of track time in them though. Who is considering this event?
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 11:22 AM
  #3  
L-Co's Avatar
A happy camper!
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
Dang it! I'm out. I am going gambling that weekend. Oh well.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 01:45 PM
  #4  
legokcen's Avatar
The Turkish Delight
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 1
From: Albany, Georgia
I'm considering it too. My wife's out of town that weekend and I'd have to take the dogs to the kennel. I've got a friend in town going too who has a turbo charged 350Z. It would be great if our little 1.3L cars could take the track faster than him.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2006 | 09:48 PM
  #5  
Stop&TurnFreak's Avatar
RX8+Boost+AWD=Evo8
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Go for it, I just left Savannah, where I was in a meeting less than a few miles from Roebling......oh well, don't think the Buiick I had would corner hard enough.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 07:48 AM
  #6  
legokcen's Avatar
The Turkish Delight
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 1
From: Albany, Georgia
I won't be able to make this, but I've got a friend from town going. He's got a twin turbo 350Z. Hope you all have a great day.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2006 | 07:57 AM
  #7  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
I am still mulling it over.
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2006 | 05:19 PM
  #8  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
Still mulling but counting out my quarters and inspecting my tires. Me thinks with the avoidance of lurid slides characteristic of my last time at TGPR, I can get one more track day out of them. at least I'll be able to get one session. At most the full day. I figure if I can run at least half the day, I can switch to my street tires and still have a bit o' fun.

Who else may do this?

Last edited by TrackAddict; Mar 26, 2006 at 07:03 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2006 | 06:48 PM
  #9  
Pam's Avatar
Pam
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta area
I wanna go, but since I don't have track tires, I don't want to mess up my pretty new ones! If you go TA, have a great time!!!
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2006 | 07:02 PM
  #10  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
Originally Posted by Pam
I wanna go, but since I don't have track tires, I don't want to mess up my pretty new ones! If you go TA, have a great time!!!
We do know that track is tire hungry. I just can't bear to throw away my R compounds when there is rubber to be worn away. Besides, I figure track is a lot like sex. Even bad track is better than no track and I want seat time. With 8 track days under my belt, I am trying to develop my shitometer to a greater degree. STF said at Road Atlanta that my shitometer was broken as we headed through turn 5 and we could clearly see the gravel approaching. Needless to say the car had all 4 wheels on the curbing and we discovered additional pavement beyond that on track out. No gravel was disturbed.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2006 | 09:23 PM
  #11  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
Registered!

Me and Francois signed up. Anyone else coming or you all just gonna bench race?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2006 | 09:35 PM
  #12  
TorqueAholic's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: GA
That's right put up or shut up!! All kidding aside, it'd be great to hang out with you guys again.

François AKA TorqueAholic
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2006 | 10:03 AM
  #13  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
Weather looks good
http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USAL0389_f.html

81 degrees for a high
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2006 | 02:40 PM
  #14  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
So, anyone else coming out for this? The weather is going to be awesome with highs around 82 degrees.
I don't think I am going to bother doing video and stuff so if no one else comes, i can just say the RX-8 whipped up on a bunch of Nismo crap whether or not that actually happened.
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2006 | 03:16 PM
  #15  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
I don't know why I am posting this...

Weather should be very very nice for Sunday
Attached Thumbnails April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-weather.jpg  
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2006 | 06:21 PM
  #16  
Tim Benton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary til I die
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Although I posted it for you guys to see, I'm not going to be making it this Sunday. I'm trying to get my 89 TII track ready. Doing SS brake lines and also checking a water line from the turbo to the block. After that, if I have time, I'll wash it and wax it.

Have fun and kick some Nismo ***.

Tim
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2006 | 07:05 PM
  #17  
SilverEIGHT's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,866
Likes: 4
From: Buford, GA USA
Hope you guys have a great time. Wish I could go but I have too much on my plate for this weekend.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2006 | 09:53 AM
  #18  
SilverEIGHT's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,866
Likes: 4
From: Buford, GA USA
It's just not fair... TA is on the track right now at TGPR and I'm sitting here at my computer doing my taxes!
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2006 | 07:22 AM
  #19  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
It was a fun Sunday. I would have liked to share it with some of my RX8 buddies but I know you were with me in spirit.

The day went great. We had approx 26 participants. They were short on instructors so I stepped in and help with that. The bonus is running for free so I'll be getting a refund of my fee.

We got started a tad bit late but it was OK since by 3pm it was open track and you could have run continuously until 5pm. I got about 85 track miles in and burned a full tank of gas. I was pretty tired by then and called it a day. My R-Compounds gave me 3 runs before showing any cord. I did one session on my streets.

My r's were not very sticky. At first I thought it was a very green track but I now realize that the rubber had one too many heat cycles and were just about gone. My street tires actually did better and the car was easier to drive. I am satisfied that I got my money out of the r's.

As for the performance of the RX-8, do I really need to tell you how it did? In all honesty, I think it ran strong because I was a better driver than everyone else out there. I got to instruct a dude in a really fast Supra. That thing accellerated so hard but at the end of the straight, he was still slower than I would be in the 8. I guess corner exit does make a difference.

Francois schooled everyone in his Mustang. He just loves to slide it around the track. Everytime he exited from turn 2 in 2nd, his revs would just spool up as his tires slipped. Pretty cool.

Well, thats all for now. I didn't get any video or pictures.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2006 | 08:42 AM
  #20  
Stop&TurnFreak's Avatar
RX8+Boost+AWD=Evo8
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
NO VIDEOS.....how will we get through the week? Did you get any times? Good news....I am glad to hear you instructed, call me when you have a minute, and tell me how it was.

Later.....
dave
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2006 | 10:59 AM
  #21  
legokcen's Avatar
The Turkish Delight
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 1
From: Albany, Georgia
Was there someone with a twin turbo 350Z? He's a buddy of mine from down here and was planning on going. Great fast as hell car and setup with a driver that needs more seat time in it. I'm sure he'll be fast as hell really soon.
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2006 | 12:16 PM
  #22  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
There were several twin turbo z's there. I met your friend but I don't recall seeing him drive. There were some very powerful cars on hand but again, power isn't everything.

One guy who was the chief instructor has a LS1 powered 2nd Gen RX-7. Seemed like a nice guy but he couldn't really get that thing around the track too well. It also didn't have the brakes of the Bowtie7 and relied on the stock brakes and calipers with Hawk Blacks and some cooling ducts. The brake rotors looked tiny. The brakes on my car got a serious workout. I came in to the pit after a series of hot laps and my brakes were smoking. Thank god for high temp brake fluid.

I must say I stay impressed by the RX-8. I didn't time my laps but I think I was running slower than I did there in Jan since my tires were really slippy. My streets had more grip! It was fun to play around a bit though learning how to catch the car as it started to step out.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 10:36 AM
  #23  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
Pics...

Here are some pics from Sunday at the track...
Attached Thumbnails April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2001.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2002.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2003.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2004.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2005.jpg  

Reply
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 10:40 AM
  #24  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
More track pics

Some more pics including Mr TorqueAholic (aka the French-Canadian wonder).
Attached Thumbnails April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2006.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2007.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2065.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2066.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2068.jpg  

Reply
Old Apr 5, 2006 | 10:42 AM
  #25  
TrackAddict's Avatar
I miss my 'Bu
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: GA
A few more. The Supra and 300ZX were two of the guys I instructed. I also showed TorquAholic the way around the track so I guess I instructed him too...

All the pictures of the participating cars are at http://www.wesduenkel.com/Galleries/..._Sun/index.htm
Attached Thumbnails April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2069.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2093.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2095.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2150.jpg   April 2nd at Talledega Grand Prix-060401_2152.jpg  


Last edited by TrackAddict; Apr 5, 2006 at 10:45 AM. Reason: More pics
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:05 AM.