So yeah, I decided to focus the RX-8 on RallyX. Before this, my 8 was my everything. HPDEs, AutoX, RallyX, Drift, etc. etc..

Well, I decided to cut down on the number of stuff I'm aiming for, so that modding is easier.

I've only been to 4 RallyXs, and I've had more fun in each and every one compared to everything else (except HPDEs).

Anyway, anyone else here do RallyXs with the 8? Anything I can do to protect the 8's body and mechanics? First thing I'mma do is get those mud guards from Mazda. Anyone here has them? I wanna know how it looks and how well it performs.

 

I've rallycrossed my 8 once, and ran it in a TSD rally that took place 90% on snow-covered dirt roads. I plan to run two more rallycrosses this season and one more TSD rally. It is a ton of fun, and it's great that nobody expects me to do very well (especially at these snow events when they see my CA plates). I haven't done anything to protect the body, but the events that I've run have been pretty much free of anything too damaging. Also, since I'm just running in the stock rear wheel drive, I'm still going to be autocrossing on my summer tires and doing dirt events on my snows.

 

I'd start with some really good shocks and raise it an inch and get some 17's

 

Fixed your title. Read the TOS, please.

 

Well, I got a trophy out of this last one..., though it was ill deserved. On the overall times sheet, I was 2nd to last, with the last one being a Honda Fit. I was 2nd in class for a class that had only two people, and my competition was a Golf GTI modded to hell.

Then again, my times were natural progressions. Started with 135s, 122s, 119s, 116s. So I'm happy. Also got a lot of praise for having ***** to bring out a car not designed for rally racing.

Already have 17's. I ran the rallyXs in my snow tires, and I have some 17" ASA rims.

Shocks will come later..., though I'm also hoping to keep stock height or at least keep it adjustable.

 

I would never do that with our RX-8, or any car I own... We are in the process of building a 2004 Nissan Sentra SER SpecV for RPF class. We plan to run the Socal Natl and West Coast RallyCross Championships with it.

 

I wouldn't mind setting up a car for RallyX but definately not the RX8....I guess it depends on your budget but it's soo hard on your vechicle and I see no sense in destroying a nice car like the RX8.....To me, you bascially have to build a disposable car for Rally events....If you don't crash it you will definately trash it.

 

Rallycross (or at least Detroit region events) is much less harsh than you guys seem to think it is. The event that I did was on a horse track and was mostly smooth with snow and dirt over hardpack. It's set up like an autocross in that there really should be nothing that you can crash into, and I don't think I ever exceeded 60 mph.

Similarly, the TSD rally that I entered was all on public roads, which were dirt with ice and snow over the top, and average speeds were around 37 mph on most dirt sections.

 

I've been watching a friend build a Mazda 3 for rally and thinking an 8 would be so much a better starting point, if you could get the '09 tranny and rear gear. It's not like RX-7s never made kick-a** rally cars.

Still, a Civic hatch with dual a-arms in front is by far the best budget rally car there is.

 

Sorry for the thread resurrection... trying to tap any information on rally cross I can find. I'm particularly concerned about protecting the mechanical parts underneath. I'm considering a first time effort next month.

 

All rallycross classes allow the addition of a skidplate. At the very minimum I'd recommend adding one (protects the underside of your car -- oil pan, radiator, etc).

Not sure if anyone makes one for the RX-8, but any machine shop should be able to fab one up for you out of an appropriately thick sheet of aluminum. In the Subaru community, IAG Performance sells a 3/16" thick aluminum skid plate for the different impreza models. They can make custom skid plates if you send them the dimensions you need, so they could be a good place to start (and they're on the East Coast).



Link: http://www.iagperformance.com/shoppi...l.php?prod=SP1

 

I've written to the manufacturer of the pictured product (Rally Armor) and asked them about creating a skid plate for the RX-8. If they actually reply, I'll post their response here.