Neo

Rotator,

Were you under the impression you were traveling fast when you took your street car on the race track???
You really can't compare race cars to street cars.
ALMS was good. Haven't seen them lap the course in awhile. The Audi's were running extremely quick!

You are one of the few who can appreciate just how fast a course like this can be. Also the consequences if anything were to go wrong.

Getting some track time will always improve your driving ability. But you really can't compare your times to a full blown out race car.
Those cars live for that race on that particular date. Your street car has to live for many years without a problem.
So of course you're not going to post crazy fast times. But you will be moving faster than you ever anticipated.

I think Rockstar RX-8 is clocking in low 1:30's.

It all comes down to how much fun you want to have.

formatted

I just got off the phone with Melanie from Driving Umlimited and they are going to try and go ahead with the event at Mosport WITHOUT Mazda Canada. In other words - Driving Unlimited is picking up the balance of the costs themselves.

Here is the info I got from her:
Monday, Sept. 10.
There will be one session only, running from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
There will be no lunch supplied.
Cost is still only $250.
It's open to ANYBODY.

This means ALL RX-8's, RX-7's, any other Mazda's or any other make and model.

The people who had signed up where all looking forward to this and Melanie felt bad about these keen people losing out because Mazda cancelled on short notice. They will actually be losing money on this.

Mosport is a great track. I was at the ALMS race - fantastic weekend.

Just think - here is a very rare chance to actually drive on one of the best tracks in the world and actually learn some driving skills and the limits of your car.

Short notice, but if you want in, call Melanie @ 1-866-615-7223.

Please pass the word around to others who might be interested.

GoesLikeStink

I'm actually interested now seeing as it's from 11 - 4 with no messing about

I'm going to call Melanie in the morning. Thanks for the info Formatted.

Davut

I received the same email from Melanie.

This event is a go, without Mazda Canada.

Greatly appreciates Driving Unlimited for doing this.

GoesLikeStink

Hey Davut,
I've got the green light for monday. Talked to Melanie last night and got the email she sent out to everyone with some of the details.

I see you are in Richmond Hill, I'm in downtown Toronto. Is anyone else going from the GTA, we could meet up and cruise out?

What do you think?

Rotator

Neo - Rockstar in the low 1:30's?? Is that what he told you?

I think the best thing about the 8 is not so much the speed (or lack of) but rather the balance and the confidence that the chassis brings right out of the box.

While it may not be quite as good as a miata, it is still quite good with fairly neutral handling.

Turn 5b was the only real place where I would have liked to turn off DSC and TC to improve my exit speed as understeer was very high around there. But then I wanted this security for turn 2.

At the end of the day, I am sure I could easily improve the times around the track by putting in suspension, and R-compounds. But I figure I am leaving close to 6-7 seconds on the table with the stock setup with my lack of driving ability. So it wouldn't be until I am getting 10/10ths from the car where I would even consider changing anything.

I don't feel that the stock setup is ruining the fun factor on a lapping day.
After all - they are lapping days, not race days - no awards are given.

Unfortunately in Ontario - all are roads are pretty much ruler straight - 99% of my driving is done with the wheels pointed straight.

$250 for 11am - 4pm isn't too bad if there is full instruction.
I don't know anything about driving unlimited though.

Too bad I am booked for the 10th - although that would be mosport 2 weeks in a row.

GoesLikeStink

That's 100% the right attitude


Yeah to quote the organizers themselves "It is a day full of exercises, instruction and track driving", so it sounds good to me - plus it sure beats being in work

GoesLikeStink

Latest update....Mazda are back on board (and will provide lunch).

I guess it's a learning curve for mazda to be involved with something like this.

Davut

Sounds good, we can meet somewhere near the 401/404 intersection (I am thinking Fairview mall) and head east on the 401 from there.

Anyone else?

climacus

If there is one thing I'd change to the OEM suspension setup, it'd be the rear rebound. It's downright scary when you get on the brakes hard and the tail start to wiggle at high speed. When I first started noticing this I thought my rear alignment was off, but if you search the forum archive everyone complain about this problem.

climacus

Mazda should emulate BMW and have a performance driving program. It cost them little money, but nothing says you mean business like daring your customers to drive the cars hard at the skidpad.

GoesLikeStink

That's what I think this is going to lead to.

Originally this was a Mazda event, then they pulled out as you can see in previous posts. And now they have decided to come out to this event anyway so they can learn for the next time. To quote the email from the organizers (Driving Unlimited) "They (mazda) will be out on Monday to join us and learn more for the next event."

Neo

I'll see you guys at the track. I won't be participating, just passing by.
Always nice to head out to the track for some photo opportunities...

Rotator,

I think that's what Rockstar said...

I have noticed the RX-8 get a bit light in the rear when you're fully on the brakes.
The suspension is a bit on the soft side.
Some springs and heftier roll bars would increase your confidence level tremendously. Especially on a track like Mosport.

I always like heading up to the track.

ROCKSTAR RX8

Wut?????? LOL I did low 1:30s????

I think the last time we talked about lap time was a while ago, and I said I wish I was doing like Speedsource RX8 running low 1:30s!! lol Rotator brought it up I think!! lol

ROCKSTAR RX8

Rotator.. how was KENSAI's last event anyways?? any pix or vids??

Neo

That must have been it. lol
That makes more sense. lol

I think you said you were doing 1:40's or somewhere around there?

ROCKSTAR RX8

Yes guy... when I saw the message I was like WUTTTT????? lol

It feels like it's been so long since I last went to Mosport... such pricey pricey habit!!! And this getting married thing is killing my bank acct too... Can't afford to spend anymore money on the car anymore!!

R.P.M.

iTrader: (1)

1:30's...haahaha I was going to say something too. Thats kinda quick.

Does anyone have any info about just going to do some laps? We dont want the instruction part, just want to test our race car out and get some good hot laps in to see what our times are like. $250 is a bit steep for what we want to do, great deal for those who want the instructors help.

GoesLikeStink

It was made pretty clear to me that is not just for lapping and there will be no open lapping allowed at any stage during the day. To quote the email I received "Again, just to reiterate, this program is an advanced driver training day, not a 'lapping day'"

Neo

I completely forgot I have a job interview that day. So unfortunately I won't be able to pass by the track...

Hope everyone has a great time!

Rotator

R.P.M. Don't know about other events - Kensai was $300 for full day - 20-25 minute sessions - I was able to get in around 300km of on track lapping.
Took close to 2 tankfuls. Get about 29L/100km on the track. Car used about 1/2L of oil. Stock pads do deposit on the rotors when they heat up so they were a bit choppy - this burns off after a while.

Rockstar,

Kensai put on a good event. Not too many people there this time.
Afternoon sessions were good as a few people left.
Ultimate racing was there with a red EVO IX that had oil cooling issues - but was very quick when running.
A 500+ HP (claimed) NSX with some gino in gold chains - although it didn't pull on me like 500HP should.
911 997 GT3 - the white one from NJ
911 Turbo
911 4S - I was faster in turns 1-5.
New M5 - slow ditto with the NSX - running rubberband tires with nice hart wheels
E63 AMG - all over the place
Usual honda suspects - rsx, civics.

I couldn't pull much on a 2 door civic that was running hoosiers - had intake/exhaust, and suspension as well.

Some well prepped Hondas were in the 1:32-1:38 range in the advanced group.

Guy put his white S2000 into the wall at exit of turn 10. Didn't do too much damage though.

Pics or video?? Nope. I did do some GPS logs that I should take a look at.
I think I got down around 1:48 or so - but I have to look at the logs to be sure.
I think if you were to take off DSC, TC and had much bigger ***** - I could could get around there in the 1:40 range. The target would be 1:35-1:36 which is what the speedsource guys were running.

Temps were great.
Track was clean - except for an off in turn 8 brought stones onto the track.

For everyone that is going monday - have a great day - it is a lot of fun.

If you get a chance - download the ALMS race to see the kinds of speeds that are possible. If they have the KONI challenge ST class televised - that would be the best indication, as they were qualifying around the 1:35 to 1:39 range.

One thing I would be a great rush? And I think the car is capable of it.
Turn 1 flat out - Just shifted into 4th
Turn 2 flat out - Enter at 160kph - no brakes - yeah right!
Turn 4 flat out - Enter at 160kph - accelerate down the hill - possible.
Turn 8 flat out - Enter at 190kph - ALMS guys turn in at full throttle. Stupid fast.

climacus

It's very doable with good street tires, but require a pair of bollocks. Turn 8 I'm not too sure though, I think the soft suspension will really cramp your style there. And you'll cook the left tires in no time.

ROCKSTAR RX8

Last time KENSAI brough the ST # 74 doing testing on this new driver they might sign with.... i was driving right behind him going into corner 8, 1, 2, 3... he tapped the break for about 2 secs at corner 8... didnt even see the break light at corner 1, but going down corner 2 he hard-breaked once then full throttle down all the way and at corner 3.... kid just downshifted one time and way he goes....

He was clocked at 1:39.... 17 years old, never driven a car.. always go-karts.. and that was his first time on Mosport!!

Way I see it.. we are just going there for fun... cars we drive are our daily drivers... and those people that was doing low 1:30s... they dont even own the cars they are driving, and they are full blown race cars... Best part is that even if they go way too fast on the track and crush the car.. insurance company will pay for it, so what do they care???

I'm sure my car is set-up to do that kinda speed on Mosport.. maybe just need to lighten it for a few pounds... but I'm too old to drive like that!!! lol

Btw... I think I'm trading the 8 for a new project... stay tuned!!

climacus

Yeah, jumping out of a kart, the ST cars probably drive like heavy boats with everything happening in slow motion in the corner. Plenty of time to correct that oversteer at corner 2.

Racing is mostly psychological. It's a test of concentration and the size of your bollocks. Most good drivers have the requisite reflexes to drive a car around a track quickly. The ones that manage to squeeze out the last second just happen to have a bigger deathwish.

GoesLikeStink

Just back from the event and it was excellent.
The driving unlimited guys are really great.

Briefly:

Here's a couple of pics but I know Davut brought his official photographer with him so he'll post plenty of good ones for sure.