8 Hrs Track @NJMP
04-20-2009 | 05:00 PM
#1
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From: Colorado
8 Hrs Track @NJMP
Just a heads up for anyone looking for an awesome track value. The Norther NJ Porsche Club is having a Monday/Tuesday DE event at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Thunderbolt track (Millville, NJ) on May 18th/19th.
Rather than an ordinary DE with instructors and novice classes, this is for those already at Intermediate or above level and run "solo" at events. It appears there will only be TWO run groups ONLY....so they are saying that you'll possibly get upto 4 HOURS of track time per day! "...perfect for sorting out your car..."
As I've run solo for years, and with various Porsche clubs, I asked the track chair and he said "No problem", you can come and you don't need to be a PCA member. You can find info/register at www.motorsportsreg.com. The event is on the calendar, just email the track chair to be sure he'll allow your participation.
Be sure to register at the site and have all your info and previous DE event history in your profile before registering so they can see your experience level when you inquire about attending.
Compared to the typical DE with only 4x 20min sessions/day... just WoW
Be nice to have a bunch of RX-8s there.....
Rather than an ordinary DE with instructors and novice classes, this is for those already at Intermediate or above level and run "solo" at events. It appears there will only be TWO run groups ONLY....so they are saying that you'll possibly get upto 4 HOURS of track time per day! "...perfect for sorting out your car..."
As I've run solo for years, and with various Porsche clubs, I asked the track chair and he said "No problem", you can come and you don't need to be a PCA member. You can find info/register at www.motorsportsreg.com. The event is on the calendar, just email the track chair to be sure he'll allow your participation.
Be sure to register at the site and have all your info and previous DE event history in your profile before registering so they can see your experience level when you inquire about attending.
Compared to the typical DE with only 4x 20min sessions/day... just WoW
Be nice to have a bunch of RX-8s there.....
Last edited by Spin9k; 04-20-2009 at 05:10 PM.
04-20-2009 | 08:53 PM
#3
Hey thanks for the info - this is exactly the sort of event / group i'd like to do a track day or two with this summer, but unfortuately i'm very busy until june. Please keep us posted both about how this event goes (if you attend) and any future dates with PCA that you know about in the area.... if this were in june or july i'd be on it in a second.
04-20-2009 | 09:02 PM
#5
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From: Colorado
You can see all the events planned for the year already at motorsportsreg.com. They're all there, there are many groups at all the tracks aound the country. Just pick what you want and read about the event. As long as you meet the requirements for an event, any RX-8 makes a good car to drive in a DE.
I esp. like to drive with PCA because the cars I'm on track with are awesome, the group is very well run, no matter which regional group it is, and I've always met nice people. Same goes for others like Audi Club events, and BMW events, but there are so many more to choose from.
I esp. like to drive with PCA because the cars I'm on track with are awesome, the group is very well run, no matter which regional group it is, and I've always met nice people. Same goes for others like Audi Club events, and BMW events, but there are so many more to choose from.
04-20-2009 | 09:14 PM
#7
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For myself, if driving on track with other addicted souls wasn't such a high, wasn't so much fun and such a mental challenge, of couse I wouldn't do it as often as possible. But it is
!
05-20-2009 | 09:48 PM
#8
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Here are some followup comments to this event. Unfortunately no one else in all the New England or Mid Atlantic region with an RX-8 took advantage of this outrageously generous track event put on by the NNJR-PCA. That just blows me away that no one else who tracks their RX-8 from Maryland to Maine made it there, but what ta hey 
. Rather than any track specific turn-by-turn details, here are some general comments in case anyone is considering going there in the future.
. Rather than any track specific turn-by-turn details, here are some general comments in case anyone is considering going there in the future.
Originally Posted by spin9k
Driving impressions on Thunderbolt track at NJ Motorsports Park
This is one amazing new track! There are many good tracks, but not all tracks are especially good in an RX-8. Too short tracks are fine, but with limited challenges, don't offer much variety. Long tracks highlight the cars lack of power and often have fewer turns. Thunderbolt, at 2.25 miles long so a middle length track, but also very technical. Horsepower limits the car principally on the front straight only, leaving plenty of areas to shine what with 14 turns, many complex and challenging. Combine that with the facts of NJ Motorsports Park, i.e., track is pristine new, opened fall '08, has onsite garage spaces and overnight rooms for rent, a Pro Shop, breakfast and lunch available at trackside plus Clubhouse and restaurant, a Go Cart track and of course a whole other race track called Lightening, plus more facilities being built in '09 and you've got one awesome place to have fun!
My two track days with the Porsche Club of Northern NJ was rather special, only having 2 run groups...instructors and solo drivers. Each group had eight 30 min sessions a day. So to say we became one with the track was an understatement! I used up about 6 hrs of track time from what was available, whereupon I was exhausted, as were most participants! Kudos to NNJR-PCA Club for an event like I've never had the pleasure to experience before, a great bunch of guys and gals and very well organized and executed! A notable sign of their hospitality is their allowing an interloper such as myself with a Mazda no less, to run with their almost exclusively Porsche event.
What with the RX-8s natural balance, late braking ability, and "knife thru butter" handling, all one needs to supply is the faith the car can perform to experience how well this car handles track duty. My car regularly did 1.15Gs and occasionally 1.25 G on turns and sweepers throughout the track, braking was immediate and sure, giving utmost confidence in avoiding any situation I didn't want to be part of. Maximum braking was .7G as I tried to be smooth and minimally brake to keep up momentum. My R-Comps were already worn to near slick level and were literally impossible to brake loose. The tail end was literally glued to the track, all I could manage to get was a very enjoyable rear end drift out on the tightest of turns, even under throttle. I'm not sure what level the Nittos loose grip, but I wasn't able to obtain it at Thunderbolt. I pushed and pushed and as far as my mind would let me release the car, the car obeyed without fail. At a point I was actually feeling like the RX-8 was like having wings bolted right to your arms! All I needed to do was believe the car could not fail my every command and let it do its thing.
If you get the time and inclination to try Thunderbolt Raceway, it is one of the best venues there is for any RX-8 track addict.
This is one amazing new track! There are many good tracks, but not all tracks are especially good in an RX-8. Too short tracks are fine, but with limited challenges, don't offer much variety. Long tracks highlight the cars lack of power and often have fewer turns. Thunderbolt, at 2.25 miles long so a middle length track, but also very technical. Horsepower limits the car principally on the front straight only, leaving plenty of areas to shine what with 14 turns, many complex and challenging. Combine that with the facts of NJ Motorsports Park, i.e., track is pristine new, opened fall '08, has onsite garage spaces and overnight rooms for rent, a Pro Shop, breakfast and lunch available at trackside plus Clubhouse and restaurant, a Go Cart track and of course a whole other race track called Lightening, plus more facilities being built in '09 and you've got one awesome place to have fun!
My two track days with the Porsche Club of Northern NJ was rather special, only having 2 run groups...instructors and solo drivers. Each group had eight 30 min sessions a day. So to say we became one with the track was an understatement! I used up about 6 hrs of track time from what was available, whereupon I was exhausted, as were most participants! Kudos to NNJR-PCA Club for an event like I've never had the pleasure to experience before, a great bunch of guys and gals and very well organized and executed! A notable sign of their hospitality is their allowing an interloper such as myself with a Mazda no less, to run with their almost exclusively Porsche event.
What with the RX-8s natural balance, late braking ability, and "knife thru butter" handling, all one needs to supply is the faith the car can perform to experience how well this car handles track duty. My car regularly did 1.15Gs and occasionally 1.25 G on turns and sweepers throughout the track, braking was immediate and sure, giving utmost confidence in avoiding any situation I didn't want to be part of. Maximum braking was .7G as I tried to be smooth and minimally brake to keep up momentum. My R-Comps were already worn to near slick level and were literally impossible to brake loose. The tail end was literally glued to the track, all I could manage to get was a very enjoyable rear end drift out on the tightest of turns, even under throttle. I'm not sure what level the Nittos loose grip, but I wasn't able to obtain it at Thunderbolt. I pushed and pushed and as far as my mind would let me release the car, the car obeyed without fail. At a point I was actually feeling like the RX-8 was like having wings bolted right to your arms! All I needed to do was believe the car could not fail my every command and let it do its thing.
If you get the time and inclination to try Thunderbolt Raceway, it is one of the best venues there is for any RX-8 track addict.
Last edited by Spin9k; 05-20-2009 at 09:54 PM.
05-26-2009 | 10:54 PM
#11
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Spin9k,
I don't realize NNJ PCA accept non-Porsche cars in their events. I usually go with the other PCA chapters instead.
Anyway, my car is quite out of shape now for any serious track events. Speaking of which, where do you go for servicing your 8? I suppose it'll be in the tri-state areas right. All the dealers are charging a arm and a leg for some minor stuffs!
I don't realize NNJ PCA accept non-Porsche cars in their events. I usually go with the other PCA chapters instead.
Anyway, my car is quite out of shape now for any serious track events. Speaking of which, where do you go for servicing your 8? I suppose it'll be in the tri-state areas right. All the dealers are charging a arm and a leg for some minor stuffs!
05-27-2009 | 08:53 AM
#12
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From: Colorado
Spin9k,
I don't realize NNJ PCA accept non-Porsche cars in their events. I usually go with the other PCA chapters instead.
Anyway, my car is quite out of shape now for any serious track events. Speaking of which, where do you go for servicing your 8? I suppose it'll be in the tri-state areas right. All the dealers are charging a arm and a leg for some minor stuffs!
I don't realize NNJ PCA accept non-Porsche cars in their events. I usually go with the other PCA chapters instead.
Anyway, my car is quite out of shape now for any serious track events. Speaking of which, where do you go for servicing your 8? I suppose it'll be in the tri-state areas right. All the dealers are charging a arm and a leg for some minor stuffs!
At this event, I and another couple Lotus were the only non-Porsche cars, which made me easy to spot. Regardless, I come to realize that Porsches (in this case) are just normal cars of various capabilities, driven by people with various skills sets....
Here are a couple vids
...a fairly fast lap on day one, where I got to (try to) chase the red bunny... er I mean Porsche... but
where did it go anyway? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlR0038cfII
...then another time when the results were different...
...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7L7TEsvcoY
05-27-2009 | 09:19 AM
#13
Huh, I would love to attend this sort of event.. But after I change my oil. I'm running 5W-20 right now, and it's getting quite warm.
So maybe I'll see you guys there in August or so? (*edit* At NJMP)
So maybe I'll see you guys there in August or so? (*edit* At NJMP)
Last edited by JinDesu; 05-27-2009 at 09:21 AM.
05-27-2009 | 05:42 PM
#15
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From: Colorado
rather it just slices and dices the curves on an nice even keel... as to why, here's my mods...
Mazda RX-8, approx 2975lbs wo/driver; NA. Tires: 255/40-17 Nitto NT-01s on 9" Enkie wheels, Cusco Zero2E coilovers w/E-Con, Whiteline anti-sway bars, Autoexe 4pt strut tower braces front and rear, Cobalt Friction XR2/XR5 brake pads, Racing Brake 2-pc slotted rotors with cooling ducts.
Last edited by Spin9k; 05-27-2009 at 05:44 PM.
05-27-2009 | 05:58 PM
#16
Spin, please let me know if you'll be going to any of the Porsche events in late june or july?? I'm particularly interested in anything at Lime Rock or NJ motorsports park. It'd be cool if some other 8's were gonna go....
05-27-2009 | 06:33 PM
#17
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Spin9k,
Oh well.... no wonder. Anyway, I only put on the Mazdaspeed suspension setup on my '04 8. And it improves on the stock setup by a notch or so.
Funny that you mention about weight transfer, one thing that I hate most about the car is the way the weight transfers during hard braking. I suppose you've been to the Waltkins Glen. Everytime I squeeze hard at about 130 mph in preparation for the bus stop, the tail would unsettle and fish-tailing quite a bit. This is scary let alone unsettling the car for the bend. The Mazdaspeed setup seems to tame that bad traits a little but not completely eliminate it. In contrast, my old E36 325is without any suspension mod can really keep its tail end planted no matter how hard I squeeze on the brake. Very composed and reassuring to say the least.
From what you said, sounds like I need something even stiffer at the front end in order to control the extent of the weight transfer, correct?
>Tires: 255/40-17 Nitto NT-01s
You gor some really meaty rubber there. Is the Nitto a street or R-rated tire?
And btw, did you dialed in a very aggressive alignment setup for your car to take advantage of all the mods?
Oh well.... no wonder. Anyway, I only put on the Mazdaspeed suspension setup on my '04 8. And it improves on the stock setup by a notch or so.
Funny that you mention about weight transfer, one thing that I hate most about the car is the way the weight transfers during hard braking. I suppose you've been to the Waltkins Glen. Everytime I squeeze hard at about 130 mph in preparation for the bus stop, the tail would unsettle and fish-tailing quite a bit. This is scary let alone unsettling the car for the bend. The Mazdaspeed setup seems to tame that bad traits a little but not completely eliminate it. In contrast, my old E36 325is without any suspension mod can really keep its tail end planted no matter how hard I squeeze on the brake. Very composed and reassuring to say the least.
From what you said, sounds like I need something even stiffer at the front end in order to control the extent of the weight transfer, correct?
>Tires: 255/40-17 Nitto NT-01s
You gor some really meaty rubber there. Is the Nitto a street or R-rated tire?
And btw, did you dialed in a very aggressive alignment setup for your car to take advantage of all the mods?
05-27-2009 | 08:22 PM
#18
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From: Colorado
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...2&goto=newpost
Originally Posted by RotaryZZ
>Tires: 255/40-17 Nitto NT-01s
You gor some really meaty rubber there. Is the Nitto a street or R-rated tire?
And btw, did you dialed in a very aggressive alignment setup for your car to take advantage of all the mods?
You gor some really meaty rubber there. Is the Nitto a street or R-rated tire?
And btw, did you dialed in a very aggressive alignment setup for your car to take advantage of all the mods?
Not so agressive, I'd like to have more camber but this work fairly well:
caster front l/r +6.53/+6.71 deg
camber front l/r -1.6/-1.6 deg
camber rear l/r -2.0/-2.0 deg
toe f/r +.125/.0
Last edited by Spin9k; 05-27-2009 at 10:16 PM.
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