Had a chance to drive a friend's auto RX-8 over the past weekend. The handling on sport-package-equipped (sport suspension, 18in wheel, & LSD) with similar BS-typical mods (tires/front-sway) is identical to the manual I own in spite of the minor weight difference.

However, the power gap of 40hp as rated on the paper and the quirky semi-manual mode where 1st to 2nd at >45mph and 2nd to 1st at <35mph are a major handicap that makes it not appropriate for BS. Does anyone out there compete using the automatic RX-8 and have issues with being classed under BS?

 

Simple fact of life: if you are autocrossing with an automatic you are not going to be competitive. Another simple fact of life: if you are in a class that has an overdog (like the S2000 before it moved out of BS) and you're not driving it, you are not going to be competitive.

Take home message: unless you are in serious contention for the top time in your class, forget about "being competitive" and concentrate on "being better". Race against yourself and you will have all the competition you need. That's what I do.
________
LOS ANGELES HOLISTIC CARE LAHC

 

Sounds like you spoke from the heart knowing the pain all too well...
The paddle shift is quite a piece of work, especially during the heat of competition. Whereas 2nd in manual is decent, the auto makes time feeling like standing still. Driver improvement is definitely the key to bringing out the best in both manual and automatic in autox.

I would say that the automatic is quite good, if the course happens to be consisted of mostly hair-pins and slalom, and no need for upshift to 2nd gear, such as http://www.njbmwcca.org/util/get_file.php?file_id=69. The automatic with Kumho ASX all-season at its end-of-life was within 2sec of S2000 running Kumho Victoracer. My manual shod with Dunlop SSR is usually within 1sec. So the automatic definitely has potential, albeit limited.

 

I wouldn't call it pain really. I've driven in SM for the past three years on street tires and no FI. When we got the RX-8 I voluntarily bumped myself out of BS after installing an MS body kit. The other BS drivers didn't mind but I knew according to the rules it wasn't stock legal.

People encouraged me to try STU where the RX-8 has the makings of an overdog. I declined because I don't want to limit what I do to the car based on a set of artibrary classes. I now have FI so there's actually a chance of "becoming competitive" in SM, but since I don't want to run slicks I still won't be in the hunt. It doesn't matter. As I said before, I'm not trying to race against anyone except myself. It's a lot of fun and I never run out of competition.

I think too many people worry about jumping in and looking bad compared to other people, which stops them from even trying to begin with. So what? Enjoy what you have and learn to use it to the best of your abilities. Life is too short to keep yourself from trying new things simply because you're afraid of how you will look to other people.
________
Lovely Wendie

 

sorry, but there is no chance of reclassing the auto trans model

 

PUR NRG, gotta tip my hat off to you for your website. It was helpful with the visual reference provided in your guide on working on various projects of the car. Back to autox for a second, I glanced at the SFR autox result archive and found Randall Noll, who placed 7th at National this year, to have only run once during the whole series. Out of curiosity, does he run with other clubs or just choose to participate in exclusively National Tour/Pro Solo? Any other National RX-8 drivers in SFR?

SFR is of particular interest to me despite of being in NJ now due to possible relocation in future.

 

Sorry but I have a hard time keeping track of the Solo2 drivers in my own class, much less other run groups. I'm starting to become more involved with the operations side so that may change in the coming year.

Thanks for the compliments. I'm a relative novice at car stuff so I like to include pictures with an eye towards "if I were a beginner trying to do this, what do I want to see?" I try to make each DIY as clear and unambiguous as possible and it sounds like so far so good.
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Wendie 99

 

Sort of off topic, but I think I'm going to be up against a new Miata in BStock this weekend at Ripken Stadium (MD).

Talking to people who've driven the new MX-5 say the extra power is offset by the extra weight. Wonder why its in BS?

 

Hmm. The car hasn't been officially classed yet. Maybe they're classing it since it has the same specs as the Mazdaspeed (which.. is moving to CS next year).

So by all means.. I feel it's still a CS car.

 

Yes, it's like the MS Miata but with better gearing. The MS Miata was the redheaded stepchild of BS (or one of them, at least).

JV

 

If you're talking about the 06+ MX-5 (which I'm not sure if pcimino was referring to or not), it has been classed in CS (check your August FasTrack).

 

some people think it won't be as competitive for Stock autox as the previous Miata; 1-2 gear spacing, extra weight/size, and overall gearing due to the 16" & 17" wheel/tire sizes

 

Shoot, didn't go back that far... sept, oct, nov and dec and didn't see anything.
August... nice.

There you have it pcimino... it's a CS car and it's been classed there as Clyde said.
Click here: http://www.scca.com/_FileLibrary/Fil...8-fastrack.pdf
And print out page F-187. It's in the middle column item number 6 under Tech Bulletins.

--kC

 

I just bought an RX 8 yesterday... I also own a MS miata, which I have been running in ASP all year.(due to only rim diameter) The MS miata should be re-classed to CS next year. After looking at the result from nationasl in the past issue of sportscar mag, I think that I will have a very good BS car.

 

But aren't there also improvements to the suspension geometry, i.e., roll center changed, etc?

 

Alan Dahl has raced his 06 Miata and is pretty excited about the prospects of it in CS next year. He says the power is phenomonal but only time will tell with some shocks and tires. The Soltisce has the advantage for grip and gearing but the 06 Miata has it for power and weight. There is hardly much weight gain over the NB on curb weight, and Mazda often overrates their weights.