Since there seem to be fewer and fewer Koni Challenege ST RX-8's on the track in the series, WHERE are the cars going? Are they being parked or are they seeing action in other venues?

 

Some are being rented to weekend warriors at NASA events.

 

and sold and parted.

as to the nasa events, that is been happening forever..

beers

 

As a former KONI RX8 crew member, it is sad to see them go. It's a great car, just not that competitive in the series compared to the other makes.

As al and swoope said most are being rented or parted out. I for one know that ROAR and Hickham have sold off their KONI 8's. Meyer Motorsports just lost a car on the dyno due to fire and they are contemplating their future in the KONI series. The only active cars I've seen is Pirate Motorsports and Team Sahlen. The #151 Pirate Motorsports car is the old ROAR built #62....

 

wow,

somehow i missed the meyer stuff. that is sad..

beers

 

Yep, they lost the #16 over a month ago, dynoing a new motor. And sponsorship has dropped off...that seems to be going around a lot right now.

 

If anyone knows of any that are being parted out or teams selling off spares I would certainly be interested.

 

I thought #62 was the car that burned. Did the chassis get revived?

 

I have the Red Pirate #151,it is the old Roar #62 or 63 I forget which.It was never on fire.Dont confuse it with the Black Pirate #151,its a new build.The red one will be at some club events later this year and then a number of Koni races next year.It will go through a complete ground up this winter,probobly end up yellow by then. Tony Rivera still has a couple cars for sale I think.I hope the economy is having a play this year,I know its effecting my program.Car counts are down all around.The RX8 hasnt been very competetive,Grandam just gave us a 50 pound weight break [oh boy] might help a little. A real shame about Eric Myers car.Hope he decides to come back to the series another day. -Keith- rxracer@roadrunner.com

 

Good to see somebody's keeping the 8's in the race. Best of luck!

 

That really bites. I loved the paint/graphics scheme on that car!

 

The one that had the engine fire was stripped completely and the chassis was tested for structural integrity and built up again and either went to Sahlen or became the new #61. There was a lot going then so, I can't be sure. And my bad, it was the #63 that went to Pirate.

All I know is that the #61 and #60 are sitting pretty at the shop right now. Supposed to be heading for some NASA events soon, also I believe the 61 is undergoing a little bit of midlife crisis...it sits right now in rebuild status with a new motor/turbo mounted to the subframe. Gotta wait and see where that one ends up.

 

Dust those cars off and bring em to Lowes Motor Speedway on Friday. There is a NASA 1.5 hour enduro that my son and I will be running.

Been several years since I raced at LMS and his first. We are looking forward to the FUN. Heck it is in Rob's backyard.

 

It would be fun...the shop is in Martinsville now. Rob moved up to VA about 8 months ago.

 

i want to know who the *** it that bent one of the wheels that came off the #62 car..

they are my track wheels now!

beers

 

All, I'm saying is it was one of the PRO drivers...I'm not gonna call anyone out. There were a few wheels that got bent while I was on board with the team.

 

#62 Lives!

I've got the old Racing Beat intake from 62.

 

There are pieces of that car everywhere. haha

 

I loved working on those cars. I learned a hell of a lot.

 

We have retired our single remaining Koni Sports Car Challenge mobile---the #30 car. It is currently getting an extreme makeover with some neat go-fasters:

-GSE street ported two rotor with custom Daryl Drummond intake and dry sump. This unique engine started life as a natural gas powered generator engine---a Mazda experiment from years ago. It only has one sparkplug hole per rotor! (soon to be changed).
-Fully sequential six speed close ratio Quaiffe transmission like the big boys use. No clutch upshifts with ignition cut. Pull back to go faster, push forward to downshift.
-Big splitter, big winga and more grip.
-New interior paint
-Side exhaust via a big azz exhaust tunnel.
-Look to debut her at a local NASA race at Mid-Ohio August 2009

Stay tuned for pics.

 

Yes, pictures please!

 

Eric,

You should start a build thread on this car. It sounds like it'll be insane!!!!

P.S. Definitely post some pics!!! Even if they are teasers...

 

this sure sounds interesting.
OD

 

Looking forward to seeing it Eric.

 

The SCCA is going to start a new pro series that will include the RX8. I'm afraid that the ST cars are too modified to be able to enter.