mdr

It is a holiday in Queensland? Thought that was only NSW.
What my wife told me anyway.

mdr

Oh my the Valley with 20 teenagers

Hope you are carrying your gun

enforcer

...and what a morning it was...2 hours sleep and off to the Nats. Sorry I couldn't make it to the dinner, but with the mother-in-law not up to making it and flying back to Cairns first thing in the morning, we had to bail out.

At any rate what a fantastic day...Monte you did a great job mate and I appreciate your efforts. Lennie - great track coordination, and thanks to everyone else who pulled this thing together. I won't post everyones times...but the fastest lap of the day did come in at 1:04.06.

I was no world beater, and I'm very happy with my improvements each round with a best time of 1:14.45. I gave it my best. I now appreciate why people were saying the track was a 'challenge". There were a few 'infrigements' for excessive noise, with some 'hotly' contested decibel readings.

Mazda Australia turned up with their traditional show bags containing RX8 goodies. The on going 'zoom, zoom, zoom' music drove some of us mad...and I'm sure the Mazda reps thought the same thing. The Bar-B-Que lunch was more than enough for everyone and then some. The cars looked fantastic.

Many thanks to everyone who worked their butts off to make this thing happen - first class job. Its NSW turn next year...and if its a goer you can count me in...!

skc

Had and awesome day at the nats today. thanks Monty, Len, macca and everyone else for making this another successful event.

The track was simply awesome. Loved the undulations and the corners. I am glad to report that we all survived the tricky layout.

I am sure there will be lost of photos to follow.

Congratulations Rod. for posting the best times again!!

Off to the dinner now for more laughs and tall tales.

skc

enforcer

Heres the first pic of many to come from today....

mdr

I want to thank everyone for coming and for all the support we had.
It was a great day and what a great bunch of guys and gals we had.
Track was simply fantastic, it was a bit tricky in places and not one you want to be day dreaming on for sure, but man was it fun to drive.

My times sucked but a 1:15 for a guy that had never done it before and on cheap road tires I was happy.

Special shout out to MACCA and Don for the great job they did keeping us all on time, in line and safe. Couldn't pulled it off without you mate.

If and when there is another one put me down for it.

You guys that did not come you missed a really really good day and a fantastic track. You guys that had to pull out at the last minute I have your T-shirts and will mail them out later this week to you.

Thanks everyone.

Monte

ORX-800

Had a fantastic day yesterday guys!!!

The RX-8's performance out of the box is simply sublime.

To Monte, MACCA, Don and the flag marshalls thankyou for all your efforts, it is much appreciated.

...and it was especially great finally meet to the forum members who attended.

Hope to see you again at Natmeet 2009.

Cheers,
Danny

Here's a few piccies I took yesterday.

takahashi

Nice to see Rod looks the same as 12 months ago. More pics please.

ORX-800

Here's a short vid a mate of mine took of me in the 2nd session.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2NPJMblEUk

Cheers,
Danny

Revolver

Why didn't you come along Michael?

There was a rumour that you'd sold your car....

Revolver

Well, back to reality after a great weekend.

Before I say anything else, I'd like to acknowledge and thank Monte, Len, Don and the volunteer flag marshalls. Simply, these things don't happen without their involvement and effort. Cheers guys and gals - top stuff.

The drive up was uneventful. Overnighted at a friend's place at Coffs on the Thursday and then an easy drive to Redcliffe on the Friday, largely in company with Matt13b. We met up with generis for lunch at Woody Point just south of Redcliffe. Cops everywhere and some crappy traffic around Brisbane but all in all a fun trip.

Accommodation was excellent for the money, so kudos again to Monte for steering us all to that. Great to have half or more in the one spot, which made for a fun dinner on the Friday night. I wonder if Rod got the number of that waitress...

Lakeside was very interesting. Lots of height variation, bumpy bits, off camber bits, differing radius corners but very little run-off made for a challenging familiarisation period for those of us new to the place (most of us). First session involved a fair bit of "oh crap, I better not try that again" and "holy ****, where was that braking point again?" Of course, most of us also had in mind what a long way from home we were too but I think as the day progressed we all felt more comfortable pushing it a bit harder.

I'm more than happy with the best time I recorded on old street tyres and leaving some margin for error (did I mention being a long way from home). The idea was to have fun rather than beat the lap record but congrats anyway to Rod for a superb performance (again!). I had to shut my eyes when he borrowed Dave Byak's turbo car (which had braking problems ).

Fortunately, nobody damaged anything (to my knowledge) and all drove home in the cars they came with, so that's a big win. I'd love to go back there one day to have another crack but it's a long trek for one track day. I'd also like to see the noise restriction lifted or at least more accurately measured. I was one of a number who got black flagged, which tends to put a dampener on how hard you can push. Just ask Hymee!

But quibbles really - we all had fun and more than anything it was great to catch up with what remains an interesting and diverse group of people. Dinner that night was good fun again and it was shame we all had to go our separate ways. Thanks again to the Qlders for welcoming those of us who made the effort to get there. Those who didn't missed out big time.

I left at sparrow's fart Sunday morning and did the 1,000 odd kms in 11 hours, getting back home about 5pm Sydney time. Pretty easy drive really and also had the entertainment of seeing mostly warmed up Falcons and Commodores pulled over on the side of the road by plod, who again were out in force. Ahh, bogans, they never learn.

MikeyR and I have loosely discussed putting our hands up to see what we can do for a NSW event next year. we'll keep you all posted...

erx8s

Rumours, ha ha no i still have my Yellow terror and i finally get my full points back on the 15th of October having had only 1 point for the last 6 months has been no fun , its hard to hide a Yellow RX8 from the local piggies

One has to make sacrifices hence i didnt get to Lakeside........... (protecting my 1 point had some bearing on my decision ) + theres no adventure in driving up the road keeping at the speed limit .

However i am being compensated i managed to negotiate a overseas (solo ) trip to Vietnam for myself by promising the wife a later trip to Japan

Cheers
Michael

Revolver

I should have put money on this - the Tomtom I ordered (in part) to assist my trip to the Nats and back arrived in the mail today...

generis

Just want to add my thanks to those already posted. Was a great day and well worth the trip.

Thanks to Monte, Len, Don. the Flag Marshalls et al. Couldn't have done it without you guys.

Am looking forward to next years get together already. The turbo should be in by then

Cheers til the next meetup/cruise

Tony & Lesley

chrx8er

Big thanks to Monte, Len and Macca for the day.
Very enjoyable day and dinner at night. Thanks to Revolver for allowing us to refresh at his unit, i know if i had driven home i would not have made the effort to come back so it was very much appreciated mate!!

Despite being the slowest around the track i still had an awesome time. It was my first time on any circuit in any car so to say i was crapping would be an understatement!!

Count me in for next year regardless of where it is.

Anyways of to get some driving lessons so i can get the most out of this awesome car!!

Cheers
Col

enforcer

Rain, hail or shine, I'll also drive to regardless where...and be more prepared with a new set of semi slicks....

Revolver

No sweat Col. Was good to have you boys along for the dinner and interesting to have a chat with Archie about some of the things that can or cannot be done to the car. Well worth the shower facilities.

Forget about the lap times mate - the most important thing was having fun and going home with you and the car still in one piece. Take your time and you'll improve. There's a lot to be said for staying in your comfort zone when you're dealing with an uninsured valuable asset!

Hopefully see you all next year...

Revolver

Get the most out of the car on street tyres first Trev. Semi slicks are obviously fun but there's a lot to be said for allowing your ability to catch up to the car rather than the other way around...

matt13b

Thanks to Monte for all the efforts organising such a top day(and great accomodation) and to Len and Don for their expertise in running the day so smoothly..Can't wait to do it all again!
Well don to Rod who again showed me that I should spend more time and money on learning to drive better than looking to make the car better. Watching you and Dan doing your sessions was an eye opener and an impressive sight. I think I read in wheels or Motor a few months back that a C63 AMG got a 1.03.something at Lakeside with a pro driver so to see the RX8's just off that and easily capable of that I think is great!

I also managed to get 550km's from 50 litres on a couple of tanks,my best economy yet.

Dave, stop fighting the semi-slicks.I will give you the Yoko's I have now to get you started if you like(not as good a deal as it sounds) but seriously,I want to see the Revolvermobile on the semi's,it's time..

enforcer

Knowing your car, your limitations and the track are important considerations, but unless it is raining there is no way "normal" street tyres can grip as well as a "semi-slicks". An increase in traction will improve ones confidence, cornering ability and then ones lap times....

Revolver

I'll take them when you beat my lap times on street tyres.

Just kidding. Thanks that's a kind offer but then I start running out of excuses!

Seriously, I'll think about it but I don't know if I do enough track days to warrant the expense of spare rims and the hassle of storing them, carting them around, etc, etc...

retro

Must add our congrats to organisers and marshalls without your efforts the day could not have been the fantastic experience it turned out to be.

Lakeside is quite something - challenging interesting and fun. Provided me with a sharp reality check as to capability Oh - and not a good idea to wave at the Flag Marshall coming out of Carousel - even if she is your wife!!!!

I do hope they manage to keep Lakeside going but if it is going to be a successful venue long term they really do have to do something about the noise issue. I felt for the guys who were black flagged for exceeding noise levels - seemed too unrealistic to me.

A highlight for us was meeting so many of you - great people all This was our first Nats and look forward to the next with keen anticipation.

Cheers

Alan & Janette

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Thanks to all for organising, Trev and Laurence in the first instance, then Monte who picked up where Trev had too get off, and finally Macca and Don for their great track management in traditional selfless style.

The Supercharged RX-8 was lovely with the grunt making the hills seem lots flatter than they where. I got pinged on my first flying lap for going over the 95 db limit. So after that I was quite sedate as my day would have ended. By rights, the 95dB should be measured 25 metres away - that is what the "CAMS" definition of 95dB is. Not on the armco 3m from the car!!! Anyway - I for one want to see lakeside stay open. It is a great track.

No issues with the blower. No belt breakages. No overheating (and the stock radiator to boot!). I even did my last 3 sessions with the engine cover on - just to prove a point.

Rod took the blown beast for 3 sedate laps with a 6000 rpm limit (for noise) and hopped out of the car and said "Well, she's got some torque!!". Happy Hymee.

As always I wish I had time to talk to more of you fantastic people. The dinner was another highlight.

Cheers,
Hymee.

ORX-800

Here's a lame video taken from inside my car....didn't have a good position to mount the camera...so it struggled with the contrast between the darkness inside the car and the bright of outside . One thing that is surprising, is how much the seats flex!!!

Cheers,
Danny

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=_RWvTSjvqq4

takahashi

It is sunshine state alright