Can any of you Koni Challenge guys shed some light on where the RX-8 stands in ST competition this year. Why the major difference in it's performance? Have the rules favored the Cobalt more this year? What changes were made to the 8? Are there any major changes being allowed for '09?

 

The 8 is still the most underpowered car in the ST class, no changes have been made and none have been mentioned by Grand-Am. As for the Cobalts, the existing rules seem to put them ahead of everyone else.

 

I've not seen as much TV coverage this season so I haven't been able to keep up as much as I wanted. Would you say the 8's are running as well as they've been in years past and the Cobalt is just the series "pet" right now.

Seems I've read somewhere that in the past the rotariees were allowed alternate ECU's but now must run stock, is this correct? I'm thinking about going the MoTec route in a bid to find some more hp. Is there any to be found with this management system?

 

In series past we could run Motec but as of last year we are allowed to run re-flashed stock ECU's or the Bosch ECU. Problem with the Bosch is it casts way to much and there really is no power gain from it. The Motec setup was netting atleast 230hp to the wheels, which is great considering most of the ST 8's are putting down 190-200hp. I personally think the 8's are running a little better than year's past, BMR had a really good run this year, in our (ROAR) case trouble always to seek us out...major fuel leak at Lime Rock, totaled the car from fire. Weather set in at Mid-Ohio, wrecked both cars. Not to mention the numerous other races where certain drivers and teams literally just came out of nowhere and threw us into the wall. It was a rough season to say the least.

As for TV coverage of the KONI series, it should get a little better since NASCAR will be helping out with media stuff this year.

 

It seemed like the first year or two the 8 was THE car to have. Lately the others have been catching up. The Cobalt was also the winner of this years T3 race at the runoffs. Like I said, I don't know if everyone else is catching up, we're slowing down or the Cobalt is just catching all of the best rules breaks this year. I saw your ad (ROAR) on the grand-am site, I hope we will still you guys out on track next year.

 

No Grand-Am racing for us this year, cost to high, car still underpowered. We will race Grand-Am as long we have money up front from whoever wants to put it up. Mostly gonna focus on NASA events, we still have a car for rent for HPDE's and NASA races...

*edit* Don't be too surprised, there are gonna be a lot of ST teams closing shop this year.

 

I have to agree that the cost of Koni has put us out for the time being. I still have one car the will be Koni spec but the others will be fun endurance setups. We ran the 13 hr. at VIR and had a great time. The car is loosing close to 500# and gaining 80hp so it should be even more fun for 09.

 

Sorry to hear that BERG, we have a dedicated car just for NASA events so, we may see you around. There were talks of us try to turn it into a TT type car, full aero, maybe a turbo...we'll see. As for the other 3 ST, they have been listed for sale on the Grand-Am site. Been a rough year for a lot of teams. I counted at least 6 ST teams up for grabs.

 

Just wanted to pass this along...there is an upstart team coming out of Ohio that just purchased a ROAR Racing built RX-8 and will be racing in the ST class this year. Look forward to seeing some good things from them.

 

I8U,

Do you have any build pics from the Roar cars or any detail pics of the cage and suspension. I would love to see some if they're available.

Thanks,
Michael

 

^I'll get you some man. PM your email.

 

Thanks for the info. I had seen the ROAR cars up for sale. Sad day.
Glad you guys will still be around NASA.
I am with the Ga Rx8 guys and track the red miata.
Do you know what colors or sponsor they will be running?

I think Meyer is running ST class this year. Gotta have some 8's to root on.

 

^We will probably race this year just not sure how many races. Depends on if we have the drivers that want to race. We will def be doing NASA, some talk around here of building a turbo'd FD powerplant 8! As for Meyer, no comment there...but Brass Mitchell Racing are the ones to watch this year. They had a phenomenal year this past season.

 

Thanks for the info. Definitely let us know about that powerplant in an 8. I want a ride!

 

If we start that build I'll be sure to keep everyone informed. As for the ride, you'll have to talk to Rob about that one, haha!

 

I think I can squeak that out of Rob! Been wearing a ROAR hat to every event for a long time. He tried to bust me on not having it at RA, and well, it was just a little dirty. (I had it on, just not sure you could read it!) I keep a cleaner one around for formal events.

 

you should be able to get almost the same power level from a properly tuned Cobb reflash as the MoTeC

 

let me know if you want to do an fi car--you may want to consider the s.c over the turbo--i dont know what lb boost yall would want--but general consensus is dont go over 12. s.c. is a simpler setup. we have temps under control as you know. get a water injection system--i know you cant use water meth.
OD

 

Thanks Denny, it's all talk right now. We are still gonna run NASA as it is a guaranteed check there from the students that rent our cars. If we do decide to build anything it will be a surprise until it is unveiled at a NASA event. I'll be traveling with the team next year as well, so hopefully I'll finally get to meet most of you.

 

Team,

Thanks for the tidbit. I was hoping to come close to the Motec with the Cobb.

Michael

 

North of 220?

 

team never revealed how he tuned his car. but he was at 224, thats just north of 220.

logic says to me that he must have tuned his car somehow. the cobb ap wasnt out yet. so he had to have used some other method. and i want to say that the cobb probably could have squeezed out another few whp.

 

he did it with the help of cobb---he had their direct help BEFORE the unit was for sale. he was at 225 at the wheels I believe --cant remember what dyno it was.
OD

 

How'd we get talking about MoTec anyways? Last year was the last year MoTec could be run by Grand-Am rules. Only ECU's allowed are STOCK and BOSCH.

 

I brought up the Motec issue earlier.

Do you think that the loss of the Motec system is one of the reasons the RX-8 did not do as well? How much hp was the Motec worth?