so I've always wanted to experience going 120+ mph and want to do it legally. I live in daytona beach. Where can I go to see how fast my rx8 can go and how much would it cost. I dont know how this sort of thing is done, i know nothing about fast cars, raised by parents who drove volvos...

 

Umm... you know nothing about fast cars but you want to drive 120+? Call me overcautious but that doesn't sound like a great idea!

 

I would say a track, but i doubt you'll hit 120+

 

look im not out to take huge risks and break my car, i just want to know where i can drive it fast in a safe manner that isnt illegal...someone mentioned a track, where are they, how much do they cost, who do i talk to, are there groups i need to join, forms i need to sign, i need general information

 

find a local driving school (track) near you... the class will teach you how to drive fast and they'll be able to tell you where there are places to do it near you

 

You've got a Petty Driving Experience right near you. That would be a good place to start (with their cars).

http://www.1800bepetty.com/home.aspx

Our Goal
The Safe Driving Program uses a researched based curriculum which is designed to give young drivers a hands-on learning experience which will build confidence and skills. The critical elements of our program are the following:

Create awareness by placing students in compromising situations in a controlled environment.
Professional driving instructors coach students through the corrective responses.
Educate young drivers about the dangers associated with operating motor vehicles.
Instruct drivers how to safely operate an automobile, thereby reducing the risk of crashes. Learn driving survival skills using vision, speed, distance and reaction components.
Program Modules
Classroom instruction is integrated with hands-on driving modules covering the following topics:

Skid control
Vehicle maintenance
Braking skills
Impaired driving
Crash avoidance
Dealing with distractions
Tailgating/following distance
Students perform exercises in cars provided by Richard Petty Driving Experience (front and rear wheel; ABS and non-ABS), as well as their own vehicle, to create a well-rounded learning experience

 

NASA (the space guys) rents out the shuttle landing strip, but I don't think you want to pay the hefty price for that. Road America has some straights that are almost a mile long. You can get past 120 mph there. I used to with my RX7 and that didn't have the HP that the RX8 has. Does NASA (the race guys) have events at Daytona or any of the other super speedways? The only other option is on the interstate and risk it.

 

I'd agree with everyone else, find a car club (BMW, Porsche, Audi, etc) that does track events and join in with them. Mind you it might take a while to get up to your requested 120+ as they'll want to teach you how to drive safe at any speed first. That could take several events, depending on how well you listen to your instructor sitting next to you and how skillful you are driving.

It's not as easy as it sounds, esp. when it's not just driving in a straight line (like an Interstate or dragstrip) as most tracks join one end to the other and so generally go around in circles with curves in between everywhere.

Just to let you know in 5 years driving on these types of tracks, I'm not sure I've exceeded 120MPH, and if I have it was only for brief monents. The RX-8 really isn't powerful enough to go so fast as that in short distances and most tracks aren't that long.

Now if you find an Air Force base with a spare takeoff runway of a mile or two they'll let you use, you might be onto some real speed there...

 

One advantage of living in this part of fly over country is that we have good freeways and highways that are mostly deserted late at night. If somebody wants to know what his Camaro, TransAm, Corvette, Porche or other sports car will do around here, it's not hard to locate a stretch of highway to find out.

I ran around one HS summer with Johnny Depp's dad. I bet Johnny doesn't know his granddad's green '55 88 Olds would do 115 and no more.

I ain't sayin' how I know, but an 8 will do 135 in 5th with a grand left on the tach.

The biggest risk for the past 25 years is hitting a damn deer. It's particularly dangerous in the fall when the bucks are out chasing does during rutting season. Last Christmas there were more dead does along the Purchase Pkwy than the coyotes, buzzards and crows could keep up with. 20 years ago I had to stop at the top of Hoover Hill on US231 because there was a whole herd of does and fawns meandering across the highway at 1AM.

 

all great ideas ...a few driving lessons on fast driving, breaking,turning while breaking is in order first. too many things can happen on the street ,animals,part
flying off other cars (95 south and hub-cap at about 90 mph ) trying to miss that
was not fun but at 120+ who knows I might not be here or wreck my 8 ,or worse
than that someone else's car ... car control school first from there track day!

 

^WTH is "breaking"? Do you mean BRAKING?

 

yeap spellchekkar

 

lies

 

second that

 

Everyone has to start somewhere, and a there are plenty of groups.
A good program will teach you alot in a weekend - and the prices are not as high as many folks think. We will have 10 or so RX-8's at Roebling Road near Savannah May 2-3 with DarkSideDE.com if you want to come by and see what it is all about.

http://www.mytrackschedule.com/Schedule.asp?Year=2009

Depends on how far you want to drive.

http://www.drivenasafl.com/
will show you Nasa FL events, but check the above link as well and don't overlook in events elsewhere in the SE.

GaRX8club.com

 

Ah I would love to go to Roebling Road, looks like a sweet track.

If you cant hit a track then do what everyone else does... :x

 

I-95..

 

This answer isn't practical for you, but the only place to do this is in Nevada. You have to enter the Silver State Classic road rally. The state closes down about 90 miles of state highway for a regulated event. It is run once a year. There is a website.
They have put the speed limits back on the roads of Montana, so that option is out.

 

thanks for the many helpful responses! dbright007, what would be involved if I came to this event, like what would I need to bring and what sort of cost am I looking at and what would I be doing, I'm definitely interested and more than willing to make the drive.

Also just to be clear with everyone, the reason I asked this question was so that I could experience these sorts of thrills responsibly. The fact that I am not willing to tear down the interstate in the dead of night hints at a mentality that probably would be reluctant to do something dangerous that would put myself or my car at risk while at a track or anywhere else for that matter. As you said dbright007, everyone has to start somewhere.

So i guess my real question is where/how do I start

 

battle of the imports this sunday if you want to get your drag-on ...

9am-4pm drag race ,carshow ,fun runs 40.00 spectator 20.00 ,so if you
want to run down the track all you need is 40.00 and you car .hope to see
some of us fla-boyz there !

 

The May event with Darkside? It is right at the edge of being filled up for drivers, but they also have a "Taste of the Track". Hit the links below.

You can go here to read some info
http://darksidede.com/Home.html

On left hand side of the page after you enter, there is a link to their forum.
Can go there to ask questions.

You can always stop by GaRx8club.com and go to the events-driving section. We have big thread on this and other SE events.

If you get in to "drive" the event. Bring a car that has been checked out ( I can help tell you what ) and a few basics (helmet, sunscreen, camp chair).
And you will need a place to sleep. Most of the logistics is covered on the Darkside forum. I might even find you a helmet to borrow and there are folks looking for splitting a hotel.
I can give you a better rundown when I have a bit more time.
Hit the two forums and do a little reading.

 

www.chinmotorsports.com

 

Yeah definitely check out Roebling Road in Savannah. It's a very basic track with easy turns, a pretty fresh repave, and a big straight