AirlockRX

Where do you live?

alfy28

lol i know rg. i just thought it was funny to say that. now all you need to do is convince the mazda to put a rotary in their p cars. even though some one at the mazda team thinks its best not to

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

Anyone been to Daytona to be at the Rolex24.... I just bought tickets. I was wondering if the grandstands are open seating or are you limited to certain areas... Im so freakin stoked for it... cant wait, may have to buy a new camera...

AirlockRX

There are designated seating areas, but the grandstands are hardly ever so crowded that you can't find a good spot to "camp out". It does get chilly (and sometimes rainy) overnight. I also spent a couple of times down in the infield. It was a blast.

Senna

Grand am got what they wanted...a GM win!! It's BS!! The in car cam shots of the Banner racing guys looked like they were out for a freakin' Sunday drive, literally!! I mean the car was so perfectly balanced and the drivers so relaxed. They had little to worry about.
In all though it was a fun year to have the other Mazda GT cars out there and to win the 24.

DailyDriver2k5

I heard there will be major changes in the ALMS come 2010, one of them being prototype cars will be going to a closed cockpit design, as far as any other info, it hasn't leaked yet. One could hope they let rotaries back in to play again in the ALMS.

And the biggest mystery to me is and maybe you guys can answer this...why does the current shots of the Furai show sporting a IMSA badge and sponsors? Is Mazda or the ALMS series being tight lip about this car participating in the 2010 ALMS? Mazda denys that they will race the Furai ,but everytime you go to
youtube this car is going to tracks on a world wide tour being tested with a car crew, press, etc. Most manufactures aren't going to such extents bringing there "concept car" to world race tracks for extensive testing.

I don't know what is up with Mazda, but there planning something and there being very tight lip about it.

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

Well from watching the last ALMS race they featured a snippet on Ferrari joining the P2 class next year, they showed the car testing and everything.

As for the Furai, its all specualtion for now, but as far as facts go the Furai body is buildt on the Courage chassis that the Mazdas from P2 have been runnning for that last coupe years, they may be obligated to market that aspect of the car and its functional race car birth, and so far have been doing an excellent job on it with all the track time at Leguna Seca and such....

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

As far as GA Rolex goes... I purchased my tickets for the Rolex24 @ Daytona I also purchased the garage upgrade package, so Ive got a question...
...It will be my first time @Daytnoa and I plan on being in the infield with a rented uhaul or RV so I can see over the fence but do those type of vehicles require an addtional parking pass or reservation????
Anyone with insight please let me know???
Apppreciate it...

PaPaBear

I used to go every year and pulled a camper. We used to camp out in the parking lot the night before the race. Spontanious parties etc. When the gates opened we were always toward the front of the line and would make a bee-line for the horse shoe turn which is a great location.

DailyDriver2k5

Really.... that would be very interesting to see them joing that line up, shake Acura and Porsche up a bit. 2009 is going to be a great ALMS racing year indeed!

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The new Mazda car in ALMS is a closed cockpit March. I saw a drawing of the car recently. If I find it again, I will post it.

Update: I couldn't find the image of the March chassie. However, I did find this about a Lola



http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...he-future//P1/

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

^^^ thats pretty cool very reminisent of the early to mid 90's Lemans Prototype cars, funny how these type of design influences cycle in out out every couple decades..

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

So I guess if you show up with a camper-esque vehicle your designated to be in a certain area like this map shows???
You dont need a special parking pass???
Thanks for the insight...

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

heres some more ALMS pics of Audi and Puegot and Lola chassis...

DailyDriver2k5

Great find! That is very pretty indeed....

Rotr8 , nice find too.... those designs are very stunning! The pugeot looks like a spaceship on wheels!

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

heres some more ...

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I was there a year ago. The areas next to the track are marked and numbered. I believe you do need to pay a extra fee to get one of these areas. I parked in a general parking area and slept in my car when necessary.

Renesis_8

Hey as for LMP2 Mazda goes. I saw the news reported on Autoblog that LeMans might be banning V12s and V10s for LMP1 class, and adopting the V8s and turbo inline 4s currently raced in LMP2.

And LMP2 will be using production based engine. I think if they do pass this rule change, it might actually be good for Mazda to compete in LMP2 without spending huge amounts of money like Audi and Peougeot.. even Porsche. We could even use the 3-rotor and it might do okay against other future production LMP2 engines. By that time we might even have a 16X to race.

If they're serious about their LeMans program, its also possible to use the current Lola coupe and compete in LMP1.
________
SashaForLove live

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

Have been thinking about renting a camper for the infield of the Daytona24 and I have been looking at prices for this. It looks like prices vary from $700-$1400 for the Specialty Vehicle parking passes does this sound right to those whom have been there and done that???

PaPaBear

I do not know how they handle this now. We just paid extra for the camper and I always had a pass as I was the freight forwarder/customhouse broker for moving a lot of the parts and some vehicles for Ferrari. I do know the horse shoe corner was choice. I may go this coming year. My sister-inlaw lives in South Daytona and my wife can spend time with her sister while I go to the race. My wife does not want to go as she knows I am at it for almost the whole race without sleep. God, I miss it.

PaPaBear

I received a nice note from Sylvain. He said that GA has commented to SpeedSource regarding all the protests from RX-8 fans, be it from our club or others. He also said that they are along with us on their side helping but GA has pretty much ignored the protest without a favorable reply. They are going to back off for now and let the dust settle.
Sylvain said thanks for everyone's help.
I would forward his actiual e-mail but has a Confidentialy Notice attached.

CyberPitz

Just copy the body of the email, don't include any headers/signatures. Block out any names and you'll be A-OK.

PaPaBear

In that case, here you go.

GA has commented on the protest and we are now on the other side of helping, they are ignoring most of them, so if we can back off and let the dust settle, it may be the best way to deal right now. I appreciate the push and we are working with Mazda and Grand-Am.



Thanks again and stay in touch.

rotarygod

After coming back from SSXI it seems the info here (and sadly enough I fell for it too) was WRONG!!!! They are NOT rev limited to 7500 rpm. They are limited to 8600 rpm. They used to shift at 8900 rpm so they only lost 300 rpm. It also appears that Pontiac did in fact catch and win fair and square this year as they have gotten faster (rather than the RX-8's getting slower) and it shows they've done their homework this year. Even Speedsource will admit that Pontiac was on their game this year and that the season wasn't handed to them as this thread implies. That's why GA is ignoring it. The people protesting against them don't even have their facts straight. I will say however that cutting back 300 rpm seems a bit strange considering Pontiac did do better than they had been and are definitely competitive.

alfy28

yep, like the person who said its all ponti fault. then i corrected him and told him it was porche crying about the 8.