Just curious if I could even be remotely competitive in a stock class with my 8....

 

I finished 6th out of 14 at the last auto x, the car is perfect, it's up to the driver!

 

not autocross, Time Trial, usually run at a racetrack

 

Have you run with NASA before? If not expect it to take about 2 years before you can get to HPDE 4 and run with the TT guys... By then you will know if you can be competative in your class.

 

I ran a couple events at Road America a year with a local club. What kind of time and parts investment would I be looking at?

 

Yes, if you haven't even done a NASA event, you start from level 1 and have to work your way up to 4 before they let you TT. at that level, from my observations, it probably comes down to driver talent/skill as much as car set-up. I have no doubt an RX8 would be a decent platform. get as much seat time as you can while you're working up the ranks. I just got to NASA-3 and I figure (figuring in the extra learning curve from me switching to a diferent car ) I'll need 3-4 HPDE days before I can think about getting a promotion.

 

I ran the first TT of the Florida region last month. Had to fight to get the car re-classed. The fight is the reported 239 HP. I showed the national director of NASA TT that no one that I know of has gotten more than 175 at the rear wheels in stock form. Car runs in TTD as stock and you can see what each modification adds by going to: www.nasaproracing.com. Look for the TT section and download the rules pdf.

I was given a minus 5 points that just moved me back to TTD from TTC. Took a first in class by a little over a second in that event. Runing another event at Homestead end of month.

What this means is that be careful in mods. You are allowed 19 points before you move up a class. basic suspension changes such as adjustable coil overs adds 7 points.

Reason for TT being in group 4 is due to open passing rules. We run side by side with no passing signals. One step below racing.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Great fun if you have the ability to run with the big dogs.

Jay Goldfarb
Instructor with: NASA, BMW CCA, PBOC

 

^ what mods to you have on your car that you ran with?

 

Mods to my RX-8.
Lightened Flywheel, Hi-Flow Cat and Borla Exhaust, K&N drop in filter with some parts of air box removed for better flow, Racing Beat Sway bars, Tein Flex Coil overs with Electronic dampening control, Autopower rollbar, Stoptech front brakes with slotted rotors, stainless steel brake line, AP600 Brake fluid, Mazda Speed front Nose and rear spoiler, Oil pressure and temp guages mounted on A-piller, Sparco Front seats, 4 point harness, 9 x 18" Billet Alum Wheels from Complete Custom Wheel, Redline tranny and dif fluids.. Track pads are either Cobalt VR's front and Hawk 14's rear or Hawk Blues all around. Tires - 245x40-18 Toyo RA1. Not the fastest, but last a whole lot longer than the others.

This originally put me 3 points over the limit and bumped me into NASA's TTC group. I fought my way back to TTD. Real competitive there, but not so in TTC.

The best mod of course is your brain and learned abilities. How much can you push a car that you plan on driving home in is another problem to deal with. I could easily find 1 to 2 seconds per lap, but I refuse to put me or my car in that position. I have been doing driving events and racing for over 25 years. You never stop learning. My wife for my 60th birthday (yes I am an old fart) is footing the bill for the Bondurant Advance Racing 3 day class. Also a good excuse for her to spend 4 days at a spa. Don't know what additional tips I will learn, but I am sure something will be brought back.

Jay

 

Do they inspect your car before the events? I mean, like your lightened flywheel - you are really on the honor system to let them know, otherwise they'd have no clue...correct?

Other thing like the Brakes or Exhaust are obvious, but the subtleties are what I'm questioning.

 

Any idea what the cost on the big parts of the package would cost you?

 

Honor system until someone protests. Just like wheel to wheel racing. If they protest and you are honest - they pay for tear down and rebuild. If you aren't honest, than you pay and hell brakes lose.

My feelings are - push the envelope, but stay legal. All you can win is a little award Ribbon. If you want to be ***** to the wall competitive, bring your car on a trailer and push like hell. Two wheels off the track or a spin and you are brought in. This is still HPDE.

Jay

 

Could you be competive on stock suspension or is that asking too much?

 

I plan to run NASA Time trials within the next two years so perhaps we'll compete at some Midwest events. Should be fun.

As for being competitive on the stock suspension, it depends on who shows up on any given week.

 

I realize you live in the US. In Canada we have Solo I, which is our competitive time trials. This is the website: http://www.soloontario.com/

If you download the rules and regs from the site for Solo I, you'll see a ranking system of the cars. It explains it all. The Rx8 is in grand touring. Worth a look to get an idea of competitive cars, and possible classings down there.

 

I have the printout of classing from NASA's website, I will prob sit down and read it all tonight. I can't remember what other vehicles were classed the same, that should give me a good idea what is going to be primary competition

 

Make sure you download the new rating system from the tt site. easy to figure out what you can do to car for a maximum of 19 points. That will allow you to stay in TTD and really be competitive.

Solo 1 traditionally is a one or two lap alone or spaced on track. NASA has a novel approach. First session of day is usually practice. All other sessions are timed for TT. Your best lap during any of the sessions starting with the second one will be what counts towards your final standing in class. Your best may be in session 3 and your competition could have his best in another session. What makes their group fun to an ex racer like me is the open passing. You have to plan your open laps to work best with tire temps, brake temps, etc....

FUN FUN FUN

Jay Goldfarb

 

Jay, how much track experiance would you say is a good amount to start getting involved? I would hate to get in over my head, but I only have run 1 NASA event so far total. I will be in DE2 the next event I run with them, but I am leery of being stuck there for a "long" time. If I am looking at 2 years to get up to speed I would be ok with that.