JessiahC

iTrader: (5)

I've seen quite a few 8s rolling around on the streets of Savannah! (and HAAF) I know I've waved at all of you at least a few times! Post it up!

JessiahC

iTrader: (5)

Wow, I must be the only person in Savannah on RX8Club.com. LMAO

Colin7547

You might be the only one in Savannah, but I am close. I live in Bluffton, not too far away from you. There are a few owners that I see driving around here. My rx8 is the same color, but it is stock. Only thing I have done is tint the windows. I like yours. Might see you around

DarkSideDE

If the two of you would like to join us at Roebling Road on Nov 7-8 -- I can introduce you to a bunch of RX-8s. We seem to attract them from Atlanta - and we are very happy to. It's a great group of guys - and one of them writes as his forum signature: "When I purchased my first RX-8, I didn't have a clue that it came complete with a real life changing environment. ...This car is truly one of the best things that ever happened to me."

At Roebling we do a Driver Ed. You can join us as a participant, come for a Taste of the Track (classroom and hot laps - with one of our instructors driving) or hang out... On Saturday we offer a family-style parade and anyone with a street car can participate - take a kid from the Boys & Girls Club around for a few laps... it's fun...

Let me know...

More info: www.darksidede.com
Registration: www.clubregistration.net (Org: Dark Side Driving Events)

swoope

iTrader: (5)

**** jackie,

just dawned on me i have not signed up yet.. and a huge plug for this event.. seems we tend to have about 8 to 10 rx8s every time..

great event, very well run. nice people. very non threatening track event for ones that want to try!

and a great deal also..

beers

DarkSideDE

Still room Swoope - and you know the guys want you there....
Feel the, um, love (or is that pressure) yet?

1 Mazda 6 Sportswagon
2 Mazda Miatas
9 Mazda RX-8 and
1 Mazda RX-7
and several promises from more RX-8 guys. From Charlotte and Central Florida. Most of the above come out of Atlanta...

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

Yeah you guys should come out. I'll be there again and it's great fun!

Spinning Sushi

iTrader: (21)

I thought OP was talking about the FC RX-7 owners when he mentioned Savannah...

d_of_e

...because I'm seriously considering joining the RX-8 crowd at the Robling Darkside event this November and I need some advice from DE, Swope or anybody else with track day experience who cares to chime in.

First, lets set the ground rules. I'm a total newbie in terms of Tracks or any kind of (legal) speed driving. My '8 is absolutely stock (right down to the original tires, etc). It's a great ride (2006, Velocity red, 6-speed, M/T handling package) which I use for a short, daily commute. It presently has around 12,000 miles on it. No work at all other than oil changes.

Questions:

1) Would I be allowed to drive my car at Robling (remember, I have NO track experience) sometime during the Darkside weekend? I assume this requires some kind of training/certification. Can this be done prior to the actual track event (like train Friday drive Saturday?), or is that impossible?

2) I've lurked long enough at the Darkside and other sites to know that I'll need a helmut at a minimum. Can this be my motorcycle helmut (it's full faced, but old)? Are there any other material requirements (clothes, harnesses, etc.)? What about my RX-8? Is stock acceptable?

3) Is there anything I could do prior to the event which will help smooth things out when I get there? For example, could I get "certified" or whatever someplace other than Robling and thus participate more fully on the weekend in question? If so, given that I'm based in Vidalia (about halfway between Macon and Savannah), where could I go to get it done?

Any advice at all would be welcome.

Thanks,

d_of_e.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

1. Yes you will be able to drive in the Green group at DarkSide. No track experience necessary. Only thing you need is a license, your car, and a SA2000 helmet. You will have an instructor in the car with you every session of each day(Saturday and Sunday).

2. Unless your motorcycle helmet has a rating of SA2000 or higher, then no you will not be able to use it. A completely stock RX8 is acceptable to run on the track.

3. You will get four 20 minute run sessions each day, the same amount of track time as everyone else out there.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

jackie,

i am in. is it better to send you a check or try to figure out how to do it on the darkside site?

beers

DarkSideDE

D of E - your RX-8 daily driver is fine as stock. The whole idea behind the Driver Ed is to teach you to take your daily drive and learn how to control it -- be smoother - more observant. You have the right stuff there. We accept SA2000/2005 helmets (we do not accept M helmets) - we also have accepted Air Force pilot helmets (at $24,000 a piece, and custom fitted - they are better equipped than the SA2005). We have a new vendor coming that sells helmets -- they may offer rentals. We can find out. I can tell you this - the RX8 guys normally have spares - if you are serious and want to avoid spending for a helmet then they may take you in under their tacos. (Let me know if you want to go that route.) The green group has a classroom first thing on Saturday morning - we forfeit that run to the instructor group to thank them for 1. coming and 2. paying for the opportunity to instruct you. So Saturday the green group gets 3 runs and Sunday 4. But for your first time to the track, you shall see - it is still quite a lot.

Our new vendor is Apex Performance. They have a website at: http://www.apexperformance.net/
They also have a full-face SA2005 (you know that's good until October 2016) helmet for $189. We've had two other suppliers, and I can tell you, I am impressed with this guy's prices. You see, he isn't just a helmet salesperson - he is one of us - A DE person!

Here's the racing SA-2005 helmet page: http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...t.asp?scat=274

You can still get an SA2000 for less - but that will only be good until October 2011.

Now Swoope - I have a big smile on my face - glad you are going to joining us. That is great. The guys will be jumping (well at least the ADD ones...) Meanwhile, our electronic roster is just that a roster. A place for you to let others know you are attending, save your spot and your favorite number if it isn't already taken. Then you can mail in a check to us, and the Boys & Girls Club and the Dark Side would appreciate it.. Thanks.

If anyone has any questions - don't keep it to yourselves. Feel free to ask. There are regulars on here that do know the answer - and I always do my best to get back to you asap.

See you at the track!

d_of_e

I'm going to start looking around at SA helmets now. Also, I have no problem with the idea of 3 track sessions on Saturday and 4 on Sunday. That's more driving at any speed than I'm used to doing on a given day anyway!

I guess my next logical step is to get signed up. I checked the DarkSide site, but I didn't find any info on (non-driving) guests. Is there an extra charge for bringing my better half along? I don't think she's stu... I mean brave enough to actually ride along with me (even if that is an option), so she'd just be spectating, most likely. How does that work?

Thanks again,

d_of_e