kjullion

justjim,
Got a few questions for you. Living in Florida, I almost never run around with my windows down, but with the weather so nice in the last few weeks I've been doing just that and I find 80mph with the windows down to be incredibly noisy...so how noisy is it doing 120+ on the back straight at Sebring? I know that "windows down" is a requirement at these events in order to expedite a "point by".

Do you run with the back windows cracked open? Would that help with the noise? I'm sure you don't do this but what about the sun roof in the (stage 1) cracked position? Any recommendations on keeping cool. The Rx-8 runs hot enough on a good day, can't imagine the heat build up on a track day.

Can you post your Rx-8 "setup" thoughts/recommendations for a track day? Tire pressure, gas tank level, back windows/sunroof, air vents open/closed, hard-plastic engine cover, fuel boost products, etc.

Checklist I have documented in my (early) pre-preparation stages: walk-around visual inspection, visual brakes inspection, fluid level check, DSC all the way off, A/C off, Radio off, windows down,

Thanks.

SouthFL

^
I know the Q is directed to Jim, but I'll give my Sebring prep.

-Tires 35psi all around. Make adjstments after your first run by reading the sidewall for roll-over.

-Make sure gas stays over 1/4 tank. You will encounter hesitation if it drops below or even as it nears 1/4 tank.

-I open the rear windows for less wind buffeting.

-RX-8 really shouldn't overheat if your fluids are topped off and your radiator and coolers are clean of debris.

-Retorque lugs periodically throughout the day.

-Top off oil after every run (yes, after every run).

-Most importantly, proper and fresh brake fluid for the track day along with a proper set of brake pads with at least 1/2 thickness on the pad remaining. You become better at guaging how much thickness you need as time goes on, but 1/2 thickness is a safe amount as a minimum.

-Drink plenty of fluids. Wear a 100% cotton long sleeve shirt as a minimum for skin protection. A full race suit is overbearingly hot, but I wear one anyways (you never know).

RK

iTrader: (1)

Also if you're that bothered by all the noise you might consider investing in ear plugs. There will be cars around you that are insanely loud pushing their engines to a very loud level. Your helmet will buffer a lot of the noise (I don't think I've ever noticed the wind) but plugs are pretty standard for drivers of louder cars. Personally I like being able to hear everything in case my car makes a noise I'm not a fan of but most issues with your car are going to be felt more than heard.

If you have an instructor he/she should have a shared headset.

Oh and if you're on the highway rolling down your windows 2/3 of the way significantly cuts down on the noise. Probably 1/2 the noise of a fully open window.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

sun roof closed--back seat out. helps you hear the exhaust so you can tell where the engine is. only windows down--back ones doesnt really matter--didnt help me
let passenger seat down flat--you can see better.
if you track get real gauges--just need water and oil temps.
Change the trans and diff fluids if you havent already--change them every year at least --if you do track sessions.
70/30 blend coolant and a bottle of water wetter.
8k-9k range builts a lot of heat.
many other things--but this is just to start with.
OD

justjim

Yeah what SouthFl, RK, and Oldragger said. With the helmet on, wind noise really isn't something that ever crossed my mind. The biggest problem I had shifting over to the RX8 from the Acuraa was the engine is so quiet I really had to pay attention to the tach or the rpms would uh....shall we say...wander up a bit. My track day prep was
Water wetter plus 80/20% water/coolant.
ATE Super Blue brake fluid, bleed before track day.
Cobalt XR1/XR5 track pads
R-compound tires, 35 psi cold, check throughout the day
Check lug nut torques several times a day\
Check oil frequently.
Front windows only open (never tried opening the back or the sunroof).
AC off
DSC and traction control off.

I encountered cutoff below a 1/4 tank so I will keep it above a 1/2 tank in the future. The very first thing I did when I bought the RX8 was to remove the plastic engine cover, and leave it off. For a car that needs oil every 5 or six gas tanks why did they cover up the oil filler? I tracked in the heat of the summer and I do get hot. I wear shorts and a tee shirt when its hot and drink a lot of Gatorade.

RK

iTrader: (1)

Fairly certain most clubs/tracks will black flag you for an open sunroof. Likely something to do with not wanting to see decapitations if a car flips. Same reason your side window has to either be all the way up or all the way down. In between = head/limb slicing.

Have fun!

SouthFL

The main logic behind the side windows being down is for easy access to your limp, unconscious body for speed of extraction in emergency assistance.

RK

iTrader: (1)

Oh sure. But the reason it has to be -all- the way down or all the way up and not just part way is to prevent the loss of arms and (less likely) heads.

SouthFL

Oh, yes, that too.