PerSmitt

The major problem i have seen with RX-8 videos is that the RX-8 almost always looses. Yes it is an underpowered car, but still we hold the almighty trumpcard: Twisties.

Still this doesnt seem to cut it because all cars in front keep slowing down the RX-8 in the turn, and once out on the stretch the other cars naturally pass the 8 since it hasnt been able to use the nimble curvetaking to gain a small but needed lead.

Then the other day when browsning YouTube i found a cool clip of an RX-8 Spec-A actually being driven very powerfully. It made offensive attacks on the outside in turns using the superior turing ability to actually steal the inside of the next turn by going fast as hell on the outside in the previous turn.

Also there is one part where an S2000 is trying to hold the same speed and line through a turn as the RX-8 and ends up in the sand

I think the RX-8 Spec A is a normal RX-8 with MazdaSpeed bodykit and enchanced breaks and suspension, no engine mods. (Correct me if im wrong). But all in all this video shows how a low-power turn-happy car can be used to achieve awesome laptimes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV0Wk0gw_A8&search=rx8

yiksing

The Spec A is basically the Mazdaspeed RX-8 in Japan (limited production of only 300), it has a different final gear, intake, exhaust, PCM retuned, braces and suspension. Well all the video shows is the Spec A can overtake cars with roughly the same power that understeers on throttle mainly FF or some AWD. I doubt it will be able to do that to the Type R, STI, EVO, etc. The subtitle actually says Takuya is using the outside line so that the traffic would slow down the S2000.

Its Gan san driving the S2000 and as usual he's very agressive, in the early part of the race, he actually commented the RX-8 is still not as fast as expected from a Spec A.

Dro

what a badass race

that was great, thank you

PerSmitt

I for one would never compare an RX-8 to a STi or an Evo. However i like comparing the RX-8 to the S2000. Pure power/weight the S2000 is better than the RX8, and we know Gan san is a good (but agressive driver).

Even if traffic slowed down the S2000 on the first lap it got up to second place at the same time the RX-8 hit first place. Still a 5 second lead on a 5 lap run does speak its own numbers.

Actually i "raced" against an Evo the other day. I saw a car coming up on my right side in town when accelerating from a red light so i pressed full gas in second gear thinking "oh no you dont" and then got passed like lightning when I put in third gear. I was surprised for a split second as I got passed having thought it was a Saab, and then I saw the rear wing and realized what had happened. The Evo slowed down, let me pass him and then we did one final burn where he passed me again. In the next red light he had to turn left so we waved happily at each other grinning like idiots both of us.

Anyways i found another version of the clip in better quality:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf08is2lkOQ&search=rx8

yiksing

I don't mean to compare the 8 directly with EVO, STI but I love to compare it to the S2000 and the Integra Type R. Frankly if it was the Type R under the same circumstances, I doubt the 8 would be able to pass it.

buzzardsluck

ibtl

Raptor2k

The s2000 ends up in the sand you mean.

good video, thanks

DOMINION

Its about time they put a good driver behind the 8 and not some 500hp 7...

Glyphon

wow...spanked the s2000. that was like 2 races on one track through...one between the s2000 and rx8, and one between the r32, integra, and alfa.

also, dominion, i love your sig
is the one with the ipod anyone famous, or just some hot chick?

gh0st

sooo.. should we be happy that the only way we have a chance in hell vs a stock s2000 on a track is with every mazdaspeed mod availible? from experiance, the 8 does not have the edge in the twisties vs the s2000, STI and EVO stock for stock. its a bit more nimble then the g35 but even then the g35 is more stable on long sweepers.
but then again, thats just personal opinion based off my track experiance.

cleoent

Mazda could have made the rx8 handle better, they could have given it a more aggressive rear end, etc etc. I think the video proves how capable the rx8 platform is.

Why didn't mazda? Well lets face it, i'm quite attached to my kidney's and I dont need the even worse gas mileage that a more aggressive rear end would bring. And if one day i do decide that's what i want, for under 2k i can get it all. (well not the body kit)

We'll see a mazdaspeed 8 me thinks, dont expect 300hp though, it will probably be just the same tuning it has in this video perhaps 250hp and some very track oriented suspension.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

That's the Revenge video in response to the 8 loosing the original Tsukaba battle video.

mysql101

rx-8 won which was nice, but the video sucked. They spent 2/3rds of the time focusing on the last 3 cars on the track.

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Thats a good point. Mazda could of put a lot more into this car, but that would increase the price, make the ride less comfortable, worsen the fuel consumption... and taken itself out of the market.

If anybody wants more power or a better suspension... they can do it themselves.

-hS

BlueEyes

I stil wish mazda offered an enthusiasts model. Strip out a bunch of the sound deadning, loose all the coushy stuff etc.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Me too. It would have been great, but they instead decided to deliver a 4-port POS auto LOL

9291150

I agree, a version kinda like the new version of the Cooper S with rear seats removed, extra bracing, etc. would be tre cool. Still wouldn't be a screamer, but would have the potential for THE best handling car.

10kRPMS

Here is how it needs to be driven.

Glyphon

thats not a stock s2000. its a type v, which has variable ratio steering and a tuned chassis, suspension, and lsd.

the a-spec rx8 is just (functionally) suspsension, brakes, wheels, and exhaust. (as well as some aero parts.)

so the two have pretty equal upgrades over their stock versions. and the s2000 got schooled.

PhotoMunkey

Does anyone notice the steering inputs for the RX-8 driver vs the S2000 driver? The Honda guy is really having to "catch" the back end of the car on corner exits, especially as the edges of his tires heat up. The RX-8 pilot, by comparison isn't pushing the car hard at all! Interesting....

jstkilntim

Great video find! What the hell are they saying?

Glyphon

well, if you can't follow the spoken japanese conversation, it is subtitled...too bad its in chinese

applejax

Mazda listened to the people who wanted an "enthusiasts" Miata, much the same as what you wish.

In 2003, the Club Sport Miata hit the market.

Unfortunately, the people who talked the talk wouldn't walk the walk. Even being released in very very small numbers (50, I believe), the Clubsport Miata did not sell well. At all.

yiksing

It doesn't the 8 is more stable than the S2K, if you followed BMI you would know when Gan san gets aggressive, most of everything he drove tailslides out of corner, he speed-shift, he brakes for entry point agressively, he's the only one who went out of track and he cheats. While his son Takuya is very mild mannered sticking to the very basics. If you put Nakaya behind the 8 with Gan san after him, I bet you would see the same tail sliding from the 8.

gh0st

sry.. didnt see that it was a type v. but still, ive tracked an 8 with ms springs/shocks as well as sway bars. the only thing that was missing was the struts. it felt better then stock 03-04 s2000 but it wasnt THAT much better (havent had the chance to track an 05 yet but i hear its softer with a better rear end). i guess im just not convinced. too used to seeing the 8 get owned when the drivers are equal i guess.