Guys,
Some SE forum members are having a track day at Road Atlanta. AT the last count there will be 7 rx's participating. It will be my first time on a track with this car. Stock tires and suspension. This track from what I understand has lots of elavation changes and is fast. It will be a c class run(no passing but not speed limited).
Any advice other than making sure my bifocals are on tight! !
olddragger

 

never been there in a street car before, but from what i know, Turn one is pretty blind exit up a hill, make sure to set up well, good entry = better exit!!! also,. turns 3-4-5 are an esses combination that tighten, so make sure you get your line right, then turn 8?? i think leads on to the long straight, you have to get a great exit to carry speed......and be careful breaking for 10 and 11??? the chicane at the end of the straight,. lots of gravel in the runnoff......try to set up well out of the chicane, as its an uphill climb to the last tunnel turn, where its a dive down the final right hander.....its an amazing track, i know i said alot, but tonnes of fun to drive it!!!

 

We had 4 rx-8's at Track days at Watkins Glen this last week. You can read some of our comments here https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...3&page=4&pp=15

Hope that helps! Enjoy and have FUN! :D

 

While I haven't been on the track, I can give you some advice you can use on any track. Run at your own pace .

Don't try to keep up with the guy/gal in front of you. Just because they seem faster, doesn't mean they are running the correct line. It's hard not to make an event like this, same car, etc., a pissing contest. Start the day slow, you will get faster as the day progresses.

 

great suggestion!!!! last thing you want on a track day is an accident you could have prevented by not pushing so hard.

 

thanks for all the info guys. Thanks for the thread direction spin9k. That was good reading! Believ me I am not out to try and set any records. Just get smoother and faster as the days progresses. The one thing that I am the most apprehensive about is the elavation changes. Holy flying cows Batman! There is just something about creasting a blind hill at speed! AND I do intend to drive at my own pace. I understand there is a 3/4 mile downhill straight that leads into a pretty good curve! Brakes, Brakes, Brakes!
We will report back to the forum the results. Oh by the way we have a participate that has mounted a camera.
olddragger

 

You will have a BLAST at the track! Been there, done that and want to do it as much as I can!

Dont let your gas tank get below 1/4. With a lot of back and forth cornering the gas starts sloshing around and the fuel pickup will go dry. Causing the engine to cut out and then Check Engine to flash. Good way to ruin a run!

And you'll only get about 8mpg while on the track...so top it off when you get there and pay attention.

Other than that, HAVE FUN! I'm Jealous.

Bob in Indy

 

yea i had heard about the gas tank thing. 8mpg huh. didnt know that! I will fill up and thanks for the hint! 4 days til t day! WIsh all of you could come. Thanks for all the advice and maybe the next time we do this more 8's will will be able to participate!
olddragger

 

>And you'll only get about 8mpg while on the track...

Pretty much. My experience is whenever I was at the track for about 20 min, it used up almost a quarter tank!

So how many 8's are planning to go to RA in Dec again??

 

I am also fairly new to running on tracks and the thing I found the most helpful is getting as familiar with the track as possible. Went to Watkins Glen 10/9 and the things that helped me was doing a “track walk”. The club had an experienced driver / club racer take a few of us in cars around the Glen get out and walk key parts of the track and explain certain strategies in how to deal with a certain section. For example there is a right hand turn at a low point of that track that is both banked and at its Apex begins to increase in height. The tip was to use very little brake in that turn because the track will provide “free braking” do to its design. Actually seeing the banking and the change in elevation cements the point. The other thing you can do if possible is hitch a ride with a better driver to see how he handles the track. You would be surprised how much that helps, track knowledge that is.
Bring some gas with you just in case you get too low and do not have time to get some. I had an issue at high RPM when I got below 1/4 tank during a long run (45 minutes)

 

So far I think about five of us are signed up for Dec 11.