I went with Car Guys, a group from Rockville, MD. I had a blast. I was there for 3 days over the Memorial weekend. It was great because there were only about 30-40 cars. We would go in 30-45 minute runs with 5-10 cars on the track, at 4 runs per day. Saw lots of awesome cars and got a chance to really feel what the 8 had to offer.

This was a very “technical” course with two quarter mile straight-aways, where I got the 8 up to 92 mph at one time. The rest of the 2.2 mile track were twisties! Ended up putting about 250 track miles on the car! On my way home, I noticed that my clutch feels a bit weird. Basically at the point where I fully engage the clutch, there is a slight vibration. Hopefully it will go away.

I pretty much wore out my brakes and was wondering what the dealer would say if I brought the 8 in to replace my front brakes due to “squealing.” I believe that there was a service bulletin out for that.

I highly recommend this track and the group I went with: Car Guys.

BTW, turning off the DSC/TCS really makes a difference. All of my shift points would come quicker and the turns were easier to take since the back would slide out a bit. Not a HUGE improvement, but definitely noticeable. After running the track for a while, you get used to it and so any performance gains/losses stand out.

 

Thanks, I will also be on the same track you were this weekend

 

got a URL to Car Guys' website?

also, how much for a 3-day event??

 

The group I belong to has a site

http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/schedules/

 

Madza Driving Associates (MSCW partner) will be at Shenadoah Circuit Labor Day weekend, Sept 3&4. Website says registration opens late April. But I think that is incorrect since there is not a registration link. It will fill up quickly once registration does open.

The VIR track event (4.2 miles ) for this month (June 18&19) is completely full with no more room on the waiting list either. However, if anyone wants to come down and watch, we will have parade laps at lunch time so you can see the full 4.2 miles from behind the wheel of your RX-8. I'm sure several RX-8s have been registered for the weekend.

 

The website is www.carguys.com. It was $650 for 3 days. But well worth it. Assuming that there are not associated problems with my car, the entire 3 days cost about $900 (fee, gas, inspection, food, etc.)

You get LOTS of track time. At first, I thought that 2-3 hours was not enough, but when you get out there, its more then plenty. YOu get class time, and instructor and lots of assistance.

I think their next event is at VIR.

 

Fantastic! Want to go see that circuit, the little video from our MCSW club here in VA isn't enough. But got to wait this is only the first month with the 8, need to autox it some first to get a good feel of it, then head to a curcuit.


btw where are the videos??

 

Just came back from Summit Point / Shenandoah circuit and I have to agree that this is a nice track for running our 8’s on. Put on 250 track miles over the weekend and would go again. It’s not too big so the higher HP cars you might run against will not embarrass us too bad and the turns are a challenge to master. There are two “speed” sections where you can pass and I got up to 100. There also is a “carousel” turn. The closes thing I can compare that to is like being the ball inside a roulette wheel. You enter the turn with a little drop then hug the very steeply bank concrete section as the G-force push your car into the banking hard. DSC does not like this turn; I left it on the first time but left it off the rest of the way. I like to leave DSC on until I feel comfortable with the track layout. So if you can I recommend doing this track.

 

I have been there about 15 times......it is a blast! (No, not in my 8. I would like that but I would rather dog their fleet of cars.) Anyone who gets the chance to go it is money well spent.