rotarygod

The number of rotaries competing is really starting to mirror what happened with the RX-7's in IMSA back in the 80's. A few were in the fight initially and weren't restricted. The better they did, the more someone complained. Ironically enough I think it was Porsche! Then more and more people started driving rotaries until they were the most used car. Then Porsche complained, got rev limits imposed and came in 1st and 2nd that year leaving all of the rotaries behind them. I see it happening again. This time it will involve Camaros though.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

RG: You are assuming Camaros are going to be able to make it to the start of the race....I hear they have trouble with the turning thing

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(j/k)

yeah, might happen. Who knows though.

altspace

iTrader: (2)

Yup, I can't wait!

Renesis_8

Some pictures up of the Dec testing up at Speedsource's website.

Only changes I can spot is the different rear wing supports.
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AirlockRX

How about the FXDD #69 dressed in black?
Noticed that in the GA site video too.

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

The rear fender has a shallower/smoother slope to it also, last years was mor bulbous,,,

bhop

I was just talking to someone earlier today about the restrictions. Anyways, all of it just does not make since to me, almost frustrating. For companies and or racing teams like porsche to complain, makes no sense. I mean, I understand dominating can make the opponent a little b**ch. It sucks that racing over the very few last decades have come out to be this way. Even adding those restrictions can"t stop us lol... JK.. Regardless, I still know who has the fastest cars.

Renesis_8

It is not a fair game when you play with the Porsches on the race track. I think the Speedsource 3-rotor is close to 10% down in max power compared to 2005 when it first hit the track. The actual avg power shouldn't be down a lot tho. I really enjoyed when the 8 would blast past the P cars on the oval banking of Daytona, not anymore tho.

They have to work hard on the chassis, set-up, tuning and drive better to get the tenths back from the loss in power. Whereas the P guys can just yap all day and slow others down.
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Renesis_8

As for the Camaros... They're so damn big I don't think they should be given a fair chance to compete! A brick can't go that fast!! They'll probably get some engine restrictions removed to make up for the inferior aero. Daytona should suck for them, then they'll come out on top in most of the other races, thats my prediction.
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lesper4

iTrader: (3)

damn look how big that mazda wing is compared to the camaro. i think porshce also had a big one.

secret8gent

I thought Porsche's usually had small ones?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It's cause the RX-8 it RWD, it needs the rear downforce or something....




Actually, it's probably because of the hoods. The Camaro's hood is relatively flat, so little deflection based downforce compared to the slope of the 8's hood, so less rear downforce can be used?

Just armchair crew chief speculation here


Edit:
Look at the wheel gap on the Camaro vs the 8 from the profile pic.

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

the drop clearence looks about the same but there is more room for and aft of the wheels, in the turning picture the wheel does not look like it that wide.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

From the two pics, I actually think the Camaro's wing is the same size as the RX-8's, however, the supports are much shorter. The two cars have different aerodynamics, so the camaro may not need a wing that's mounted as high as the RX-8.

Renesis_8

The wings are standard...

They are the same on all GT cars, maybe even DPs. Not sure about the height, there are rules that govern this. For the RX-8, max wing height is max roof height.
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AirlockRX

1 Ponti coming back... MCM just had their GTO-R prepped:

http://community.grand-am.com/forums...5-eed1a5d952a6

Also, news from Jeff and Speedsource:
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Not yet sure if I will be able to dig outta the snow to make it...

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

MCM was just this week added to the entry list.

05TiGr8Lady

Saw this tonight at an indoor race track a bunch of us from the NW Forum went to ... Woohoo Team Seattle and Dempsey Racing!!!

midlifer

There are 7 RX-8's this season! The big goal is to win the manufacturers championship. Should be a great season.

Bob

Renesis_8

Definitely. It will be a great 24 Hr race too. I don't care about the reduced entries, the RX-8 entries increased thats what it matters. Less cars to slow the 8 down too.
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RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

...and less cars to randomly crash into them too...


*coughporschecough*

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

^cool, i like the livery of the bottom car better.

EricMeyer

Mazda pulled their World Challenge spend for 2010 and reinvested it into Grand-Am. One of ways Mazda sponsors SpeedSource is to support them as fabricators of cars (like building the FE RX-8's all of us drive back in 2005 for Grand-Am), the 3 rotors and the MazdaSpeed3's. A good friend of mine who is driving a 3 rotor this season courtesy of Mazda shared that Mazda really wants a Manuf championship this season. You'll recall that Sahlen's purchased the used SpeedSource 3 rotors, is selling their RX-8 ST car and picked up a new ST MazdaSpeed 3 (built by SpeedSource). A very good friend runs the Freedom Autosport team and shares that the 3's are torquey torque torque monsters but are overheating their front hubs big time. Motors are sealed. Trans is near bullet proof. The 3's should do very well this season in ST.

Here is some 3 rotor GT car info from the G-Am rules section (read the rules and you'll learn a ton!!)

2-15 Mazda RX8 (Prep 2)
2-15.1 20B Cosmo three rotor (Mazda Spec parts). 2.0 liter, 9.7 compression ratio, 3-52mm throttle bodies, maximum of 6 injectors, maximum fuel pressure 4.2 bar, intake manifold is free. Maximum RPM 8600. Call GRAND-AM for parts list at 386-681-6681.
2-15.2 Minimum weight 2220 lbs or 2310 lbs with DP transaxle. 2-15.3 Six-speed transmission. 2-15.4 Maximum body width is 73.5 inches. 2-15.5 Engine set-back 5.125 inches from spindle centerline to 1st spark plug. 2-15.6 Complete rear wing height w/ end plates cannot exceed roof height. 2-15.7 Fuel capacity 24 gallons May use oil in fuel. May machine the blue fuel rig restrictor
to an inside dimension of 1.200 inch with square edges. 2-15.8 Allowed larger/higher exhaust position. 2-15.9 Tire sizes are 285/645-18 front and305/660R18 rear. 2-15.10 2009 Mazda RX-8 “R3” bodywork permitted with 3” maximum front splitter
dimension.

The rear wing is a SPEC wing and everyone must run the same one. Made by Crawford (who is an approved Chassis Manuf for G-Am).

If you really want to learn about the 3 rotor you should read up on the series and particularly the GT class rules. Then comparisons with other cars becomes easier. Pay special attention to: Tire size, car weight and rpm limits and you can see how G-Am evens the fields.

http://admin.grand-am.com/assets/GTrulesforweb1.pdf

And of course you MUST go to the 24 hours of Daytona. Once you go you want to go every year. Fly into Orlando (cheap avail flights), stay on the beach (about $70 a night double occ) and buy any of the numerous ticket packages. One of the best is the Grass Roots Motorsports deal.

Let you in on a little secret-----go to the driver's and team owner's meetings and sit in the back row. Not only will you see many, many famous drivers but you'll learn a ton. But you didn't hear that from me.

EricMeyer

#40 is Dempsey's car.

EricMeyer

Here's another goodie--Approved Rolex Fabricator list for GT and DP. This will tell you who the big boys are. GM is tied to Pratt and Miller and another good friend says almost all the suspension geometry of the PM cars is the same except for wheelbase length. It's either the wicked Pontiac's and the Camaro's that are the same except for wheelbase length or the old WC Caddy's and the Pontiacs. Or the ALMS vettes. I forget. Those guys have open suspension parameters and most need only about -2 of front camber. Often the rear is around -1. Maximum tire contact patch action.

http://admin.grand-am.com/assets/Constructors1.pdf