TrackAddict

I have tentatively booked Talladega Gran Prix Raceway for Saturday March 7th for a private track day. This event will serve the Mazda community in the South East but I will open it to other marques as well if needed to fill any remaining slots.

We will have 3 run groups of approximately 8 - 10 cars each. This would give each driver at least 2.5 hours of track time. My experience is that by 3pm, many people have had so much track they start sitting out and it becomes open track where the really addicted can run as much as they like. The weather in early March should be awesome for track as well. I estimate that the cost per person would be $175.

Talladega Gran Prix Raceway is a 1.4 mile road course with grassy run off areas and a paved paddock area located off I-20 about 1.5 hours west of Atlanta or 30 minutes East of Birmingham. The track is easy to learn and tons of fun. It is also one of the safest tracks to drive on. There will also be an ambulance on site for added peace of mind.



Please let me know ASAP if you would sign up. Post here or send me a PM. I have a couple of days before I need to send a deposit for the rental.

Herblenny

Hmm... I'm interested! Are you also allowing other rotaries (7s and such)?

please also post on the 'other' forum as there are quite a few SE rotorheads there.

TrackAddict

All rotaries will be welcome along with piston engined cars. I have nine confirmed already and will either stop at 15 and keep it as a test and tune event or go all the way to 32 depending on the interest. I plan on attending the Mazmart event tomorrow and hopefully talk to some folks there.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

I would love to do this but being about 6 hours away I don't think I will be able to make it Will you be at Roebling in May?

TrackAddict

I have started a wait list for this event. I will be capping it at 15 cars and all slots are now accounted for. If you are interested, please PM me and I will put you on a wait list in a first come, first served basis.

DarkSideDE

WTG - maybe you have a new calling in life -- to be a track organizer!!!

I'm sorry I can't make Talledaga - but you have a great time - and I'll see you in May at RRR

Stop&TurnFreak

TA .. give me a call sometime .. I may come down and spectate if allowed.

risky business

=\ if that wasn't 7.5 hours away i would go! i would go if it was like, 3 hours

swoope

iTrader: (5)

funny, i am driving from orlando for this!

you should come to robeling road in may.. darkside is putting it on.. that would be ~ 2 hrs for you.. and is a great event!

http://www.darksidede.com/

beers

risky business

well its the time and the gas and the tires i would use, its just to much right now and i cant spend it, however maybe the other event, ill check it out

whats the track like?

TrackAddict

Jackie,

I am looking forward to your DE in May. This is on such a smaller scale than what you do. I am just trying to keep my friends entertained until your event in May.



STF - I'll call you. It would be great to see you if you came to hang out.

dbright007

Excellente! TA told me you were coming. This is gonna be a fun time.
Hopefully many folks will stay in Oxford Friday night and we can do dinner and drinks and some hanging out.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

I will have an axial flow short shifter for sale if anyone is interested
OD

swoope

iTrader: (5)

yes,

as this approaches give me a heads up on where to be and when on friday.

and ta, i have found a route that skips atlanta. but it kinda sucks.

beers

dbright007

Google Map - Lone Star Steakhouse 171 Colonial Dr, Oxford, AL 36203
It is right off exit 188 on I-20.
Exit 186 is the track exit, but it is more a truck stop type exit.

Anyone coming early from ATL will probably stay at the hotels off 188 exit, and the Lone Star is walking distance.

DarkSideDE

Well, it's good practice. Do a great job - these guys need some serious track time... and NOW!!!

What's it like? The person who designed in back in the 1950s once wrote, (now this isn't a direct quote but as close as I can remember) -- There is something about the configuration of RRR that allows both novices and professionals a challenge.

If you'd like to read up on it check out their site at www.roeblingroad.com

Most from Jacksonville make it to RRR in about 2-1/2 hours.

I hope you'll consider joining us - ask these guys - we have a good, ol' time...

LOL I just realized - I've hi-jacked your thread..... awwwwww.....

TrackAddict

No worries on the thread-jack.

Roebling Road is an easy track to learn but a real challenge to get it right. It is the fastest track in the South East with the highest average speed. While the track is not "dramatic", it is crazy fun. Most of the RX8 guys who track with me all over the South East love Roebling. There is something quite hard to explain about the thrill of figuring out the flowing dance that characterizes a lap of Roebling. It is a fantastic place to learn how to balance the car through an arc with the throttle. I could go on and on singing the praises of the place. However, one thing that cannot be overlooked is the fun we have as a group there. Jackie and DarkSide are fantastic to be around and run with. Come for the track, stay for the people, return because you are hooked.

This leads me to TGPR. The track is reminiscent of Roebling but is lower speed and a bit shorter. It is also easy to learn but there is a lot to be mastered there. It provides many learning opportunities in a relatively safe environment. You can learn or refine all aspects of high performance driving. The group I have going to this event is a top notch group of driving enthusiasts. The waiting list is still open and I hope to finalize the roster by the start of next week.

TrackAddict

Folks - The drivers list is compiled. Out of 15 slots I have 11 Mazdas of which 10 are rotary. Here is our group:

SilverEight - RX8
Hayasa - RX8
L8APEX - RX8
Peppy - RX8
Olddragger - RX8 (supercharged!!!)
OnRails - RX8
Swoope - RX8
Legokcen - RX7 (1st gen)
Don C - RX7 (3rd gen)
Kevin C - RX7 (3rd gen)
Dano - Miata (Celine gen)
Donna C - Exige S
Allan T - C5 Z06
Jason K - S2000
Randle R - S2000

I will be there as the organizer, not driver. My goal is to make sure you all have an awesome time. I will be instructing Kevin C and will also be available for riding with anyone else wanting instruction or ballast through the right handers.

If you want to join me for this, please PM me and I will put you on the wait list. Right now the wait list is empty. If you want to come and spectate, please PM me as well. Each driver can bring a guest and if they have a helmet, they can ride with the registered driver (at their own risk and will have to sign the track waivers and mine). I am not opening this up to additional spectators without my consent.

Thanks to everyone for signing up and being a part of this event. If you have not done so already, please send me your check for $180.


After this event is over, I will begin planning the next one sometime in the summer. My dream is to host a huge rotary track day with RX8 Club and RX7 Club members from all over coming to enjoy their cars on track as well as enjoy the camaraderie of being a part of the Mazda rotary family.

SilverEIGHT

Looking forward to this event. Getting together with the GA gang is always a blast. I installed my new set of Hawk HP plus brake pads today. Also did a 30 min. run on my new Toyo R888's to get a heat cycle in them. I'm hoping to get an alternative tire situation so I don't have to run them. We'll see how that comes together. I anticipate this track to put a good bit of wear on the tires. Also replaced my Neutral switch because of some warm up issues. Hell, I might even go ahead and put my mid-pipe on just for the fun of it. I getting really itchy for me some speed.

"Dano - Miata (Celine gen)"

dbright007

Where is the "flipping off Wes" smilie when you need it.....

PaPaBear

Chin this weekend at Homestead.

SilverEIGHT

Well, this was a FANTASTIC weekend. A special thanks to TrackAddict for setting this all up. Temps were absolutely perfect and hanging out with good friends at the track was a great way to start off the season... and it was on a Saturday! :D

Several things were important to me this event:

1. olddragger had problems with his SC. I felt bad for him, then after working with it for a while he got her back together and spent the last half of the day rocking on track in OD fashion.

2. swoope had a problem free track day and I know he needed one and did a great job on track.

3. OnRails, L8APEX and I had a freaking blast on track together. By far my most fun time on track ever.

Lot's more stuff, but if you want to read the long version, you gotta come over to http://www.garx8club.com and join in the fun.

Thanks TA!

TrackAddict

There are some great videos from the weekend posted. Thanks to all the participants for an excellent time.
http://www.vimeo.com/3627414 - L8APEX
http://vimeo.com/3534757 - OnRails