Just a heads up- Speedware has another lapping day at Pacific Raceways on Thursday, August 10th.

I'll be there, and you should too.

http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/events/

 

I'm actually looking at doing the Alpha Club track day the following week on the 17th. I think they are about the same price. Does anybody have experience with both that can comment on differences between the two? Track time vs. quality, etc..?

Also, do they usually allow passengers? I'd like to have a friend and/or my wife come down just as a passenger.

 

I'd consider the Alfa days too, but I have no "proof" that I have been through a driver's training program, so I don't think they'd let me drive.

The Speedware guys provided a nice lunch, as much water as you could down when I was there last. They also allowed passenegers, but you should really call before going to any track day if this is important. The events down at California Speedway last year and the resulting lawsuit by that evil/greedy widow are really screwing up the ability to take passengers for all of us. Speedware mentioned they may be backing off on the ability to take passengers soon.

 

I haven't called yet to find out if they'll let me run. The website says:

This event is only open to valid licensed drivers* who have attended our Performance Driving School or have High Performance Driving [HPD] experience with other driving clubs...

So I think you would be fine. I'm going to call tonight and ask about my prior track experience. I assume since you are going on the 10th you wouldn't be interested in going again on the 17th... Or would you?

 

"**NOTE: Proof of participation in other HPD clubs or previous track experience is required for participation."

I learned all about HPDE years ago back on the East coast when I was in college. I attended a bunch of track days with instructors and friends that were really good drivers. But I have no "proof" of this. Hopefully I'll take one of the NW Alfa education events sometime in the future since I have tons to learn, but until then it looks like I'm out of there events.

I wonder if the bill for the Speedware day and an uncrashed car counts?

 

My guess is that they aren't that strict about requiring actual proof, but I haven't called yet to find out. I can't really think of any real proof that I have about my prior experience either. At any rate, I think I'll be doing one of these track days. I should have my camera mount finished in a few days, so it'll be a good opportunity to try it out.

 

I just ordered my Axxis Ultimate pads today, so that should help for the track. I'll be running these on the front and OEM's on the rear. Is this what you're running or do you have them front and rear?

I don't think I'm going to make the speedware day, unfortunately. I'm planning on doing the Alpha day if I can ever get ahold of them and verify that they'll let me run. A friend told me today that he did a day with them in the past. By "proof" of prior experience he said you just need to talk to them and let them know that you've done some track days. It doesn't sound like they are **** about requiring actual proof. He liked their track events. Pretty laid back and not too many people.

 

I have the ultimates front and rear. Personally, I like my brake bias to not be a toal unknown

The best price on the Ultimates is from importrp.com, which is right here in Monroe, so UPS ground is overnight. I'd really get the rears before you track it.

The speedware day only has like 20 drivers right now, so it should be light as well, but I'll definatley join up with the Alfa guys if they are reasonable about the whole thing with you.

 

Yeah, I ordered from importrp.com. Unfortunately I realized they were in Monroe after I paid more for 3 day shipping.

I'll let you know when I hear back from the Alpha guys. I think I'll try a different contact, since the registration person hasn't answered any e-mails or phone calls.

Are you still running the stock bridgestones?

 

I have the stock Dunlops. Not a big fan of them when cold on the street, but they really got sticky on the track, and I was plesently suprised.

They feathered and chunked a bit, but not as bad as some street tires I've seen.

 

Ok, I finally heard back from the Alpha Club. Here's what they sent back:

So they don't really need anything formal proving your experience. Just letting them know you've done the other track days should be enough. I just e-mailed her back to sign up. It'll be my first time tracking the RX-8, so I'm looking forward to it!

 

FYI, Speedware is allowing passengers if they have signed a waiver.

 

Yeah, on their sign up sheet they show a $15 fee per passenger. I'm still waiting to hear back on whether the Alpha club allows passengers. Are you considering attending that one as well?

 

They dropped the $15 fee for passengers. It's free to ride if you know a driver and sign the waiver.

Probably not hitting the Alfa day. I only get so many days off work a year, and two track days in 7 days is kind of pushing it.

 

I've done one Speedware day, and one Alfa day. Both had three or four run groups; both were well run and fun. I did the Speedware day when I was a newb, and the Alfa day only a month or so ago, when I was in the A group, so it's kind of hard for me to compare the two. I'll do another Alfa day sometime, but probably not another Speedware day.

I generally prefer the Proformance days, because I get more track time. But it was fun being in the A group on an Alfa day-excellent drivers, with good manners on the track. And I like the passenger rule, if I happen to have someone who wants to ride with me.

I'm doing the autocross Evo school this week; the NT this weekend, and an Proformance day on the 21st, so I don't think I'll be doing any track work before the 21st.

 

Speedware does three run groups. At this point they only have about 20 people signed up for Thursday, so it's going to be lots of open track time.

I got two hours at Speedware for $175, including lunch. How much time do you usually get at ProFormance?

 

Good luck on the trackday tomorrow. I'll definitely be interested to hear how it goes. I'm signed up for next Thursday (the 17th) with the Alpha club. I finished building my camera mount, so hopefully I'll have some video to show after next week. Hopefully not video of me hitting a wall.

 

A typical Proformance day gives me 2-1/2 hours of track time, and I get off the track at around 4pm when they typically open it up. So I suppose I could get over 3 hours.

 

Track day today went awesome. Got three hours of track time since they had less cars and only ran two groups.

Ran in the "advanced" group this time since I was stuck in traffic a bit last time. The RX-8 is a phenomenal track tool. I was running on the stock Dunlops and I was basically the same speed as 3 guys in BMW M roadsters with suspenstion tweaks and race tires. The brakes on the 8 are so good that you can go deeper than most people will, and of course the handling is just awesome. It's so neutral and recoverable.

The tires didn't hold up as well this time though since I was definatley faster today than last time I went. They're starting to chunk pretty good on the front right. Good excuse to get race tires and much better street tires!

Still have a lot to learn though, so I was thinking of taking three instructors with me at once Try that in your M roadster, S2000, Miata, 350Z, etc...

I did learn the hard way that the 8 will get fuel starvation at about 1/4 tank indicated on the gas gauge. The gauge seems to read high out on the track since I literally had to pull off the track with no engine at 1/4 tank, but once I got it restarted, I suddenly had 1/8 tank. The sender must average high when the fuel sloshes around.

 

Glad to hear it went so well. I've heard about the fuel starvation problem. Some people get it at half a tank. Seems like an issue Mazda should have addressed, since most people are claiming it even happens on the straightaway. I can't wait for my track day next week. Hopefully it goes as well as yours!

 

All cars get fuel starvation at low tank levels. Once I saw I actually had 1/8 of a tank I wasn't suprised. My old Talon used to cut out at near 1/2 tank.

You'll only get 6-8 MPG on the track, so you'll need to fill up after two sessions on the track. I tried to go three and it didn't work.

There's a nearby Shell station that has cheap gas. Just turn left out of PR and keep going. It's after about a mile on your right. Or you can buy gas at the track. I think the 110 octane stuff is only $9 a gallon, or you can go for the 120 octane stuff at something like $20.

 

How much gas did you use for the whole day?

 

I used about 25 gallons for 200-ish miles / 2.5 hours on the track (I didn't run full sessions for all 6 sessions)

Arrived with 3/4+ tank, ran two sessions, filled up with 13 gallons, ran three sessions, filled up with 14 gallons.

 

The 100 octane is the only thing you would want to use unless you're running cat free. The other fuels at PR are leaded cat killers I put in 4 Gal last time I was there for $25.....ouch

I wanted to come to the Speedware day...but I had to work

 

Yeah, I was just kidding about the gas at the track. We don't reeally need anything above 89 octane unless you're running FI, so buying that stuff at th track is just a waste of cash. It's really there for the drag racers.