i'll be taking my new rx-8 to several track events this summer and am new to rotary engines. are there any special things i should be aware of when you run a rx-8 hard around a track? should you let it idle after coming off the track for a few minutes, take extra spark plugs, run a little premix????? those types of things. i'm a little nervous, i don't know what to expect, if anything.

 

Its pretty hard to do real damage to an unmodified rx8 at the track, but you should be aware of a couple things. First, bring extra oil and check the level after EVERY session. You can burn almost a quart in 30 minutes of track time. The other thing is to try not to use your brakes on the cool-down lap. This will prevent warping.

Also, make sure all your ducting is clear of debris. There should be no obstructions to the radiator, brake ducts, or oil coolers.

Some people like to run premix, but be careful, the wrong type can clog your cat. Search the forums for more info than that.

Otherwise, just have a blast! Don't fear running it up to (sometimes past) the redline. Rotaries actually like to be revved. There's even evidence that a rotary ran hard can last longer than a "babied" rotary.

 

I just finished my 2nd track event this past weekend at VIR (last event was Summit Point Shenendoah Circuit). Take an extra quart of oil just in case; check cold & hot tire pressures; warm the engine before hitting the track; and beware that at speed it'll gulp maybe twice as much fuel.

I don't let it idle after coming off the track, but I pop the hood to help it cool down. Don't set your parking brake after coming off the track.

Other than that, HAVE A BLAST! The 8 was made for track days!

 

take special care not to hit the wall or other cars ...

 

Cool down your car by driving at slower pace and not idle off the track.

 

Hey Paul, nice to meet you this past weekend. Wasn't VIR a blast! Like Paul said above bring oil, check your tire pressures (hot should be around 40psi), don't set your parking brake after a run, don't keep your foot on the brake right after a run. Also bring a torque wrench and check the torque on your lug nuts after an event AND YOUR WHEELS ARE COOLED DOWN. If your wheels are hot and your torque your lug nuts (aka "Hot torque") can get you into trouble.

Also on the course don't forget to rev the **** out of the Rx-8. You want to stay above 5k to be in that power band. I only used two gears at VIR, 3rd and 4th.

 

if you whack the rev limiter hard enough you might cause it to throw a CEL. I had an issue with that, you can solve it by pulling into the pits and restarting the car. If/when that happens, the car won't rev above 5k

 

Interesting, I'll keep that in mind. I did hit the rev limiter on one of the straights at VIR, I was busy talking to my instructor and forgot to shift from 3rd to 4th. The throttle retarded, my instructor was suprised, thought the engine has died. But, no CEL, now Paul told me he had a CEL when he spun and went off course.

 

you have to really keep your foot in it after you hear the beep

 

the beep goes off at 8500; rev limiter is at 9500

you should have plenty of revs before fuel cut to shift, hitting rev limiter on the straights means you're not paying attention

 

btw all you guys talk about VIR is making it harder and harder for me to stay away from VIR Grand East in June!!!

 

Come on, you know you want to....

I'll be there again. It is the highlight of my summer plans for the track and I can't wait.

 

Hey Hot, good to see you again.

Who, me? Spin off course?

Yeah, I spun on turn 7 and it stalled. I got it restarted, but the CEL stayed on even after I pitted and turned the engine off & back on a couple times. So I decided to give up my last run. I packed everything up and when I got ready to leave, the CEL was gone, grrr!

As far as our famous beep, try this: Open both windows, put a helmet on, drive your RX-8 over 100 mph, and tell me if you hear the beep. (Hint: unlikely!)

 

well look down at the tach then!!! they made it BIG and RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU for a reason!!!

yea looks like i'll be signing up for VIR Grand East....

 

Good commentary here, and yep, I was another of they guys at the MazdaDrivers VIR-N school this past weekend (Tom, black RX-8, black wheels). There were quite a few RX-8's at this event, and I spoke with a couple of you (Paul, Lance, etc.)

I carried 4 quarts just in case, but I went through 2 quarts of oil in (7) 25 min sessions (I skipped my last session because I was just mentally pooped...)

One thing I haven't heard mentioned was bleeding the brakes before the school. I flushed the system with all new fluid before the school. I would suggest a good brake fluid like an ATE, or Motul. Personally, I use Ford HD because it's cheap and has a high dry boiling point. It needs to be changed every 6 months or so, as it's wet boiling point is not as good as ATE or Motul. I have another school at VIR-N in early April, and I should be able to get away with just flushing the fluid out of the calipers. I still have a very firm pedal

If it's your first school, you can probably get away with running all stock brake pads, but it also depends on the track. Stock RX-8 brakes are pretty impressive.

 

Interesting - the same thing happened to me. One time I did a pretty bad spin and stalled. After restarting, I too had a CEL that lasted for a while - even after a few restarts of the engine. But after about 10 minutes, I restarted again and it went away.

Isn't that strange? I wonder what code that would be?

 

VIR was a blast this past weekend. I was humbled by a stock blue 8 in my stock '91 NSX (black). He was a good driver- from Baltimore- anyone know him? He was moved up from Group C on Sat. to Group B on Sunday.

Anyone here going to the GrandAm races at VIR the weekend of 4/21 ??

 

ah, must be Dave, yea he's pretty good, he been going to all kinds of track day events lately, so he better be getting good at it!!

 

Zoom- Definitely come down for VIR's Grand East in June. It should be a great configuration for the 8- more curves and a shorter back straight than the "Full" course.

 

You guys using your stock brake pads?

 

stock pads are ok on VIR w/ street tires, as it is not a brake-heavy track, lots of high speed transition turns with long straights that allow for sufficient brake cooling

 

things not mentioned--keep your gas tank at more than 1/4 full--can get fuel starvation on high g turns if you dont.
put new plugs in the car for the track--helps--i now keep a set for just track use. old plugs can cause a loss of power over 7k or so but you will not really feel it in everyday driving. you will see it on the dyno and when another car outpulls you..
I highly recommend an oil temp gauge--one going in mine soon. I also run a 30 wgt oil for the track vs the 20 wgt on the street. I may go to 40wgt on the track in the summer--havent decided yet. May get another oil cooler still evaluating
If you are on the straight shift at 8k. It will be faster(believe it or not) and easier on the car. There is talk of water pump cavitation over 8k. Not proven yet but it does seem reasonable. Remember track days are not races so drive hard but dont be to overly hard on the car.
remove back seats --easy to do and saves about 25lbs.
change your coolant to 65/35 especially if the coolant is 2 or more years older.
put synthetics in the trans and diff.
hope this is food for thought!
olddragger

 

Oh yea I forgot-- i am BACK to using pre mix. I didnt my last Road Atlanta track days because i had to research the catylator convertor issue(sic). I did and I now run Lucas upper cylinder lube 4oz's per 10 gals of 93 octane gas. There are other good pre mixs out there but Never, I mean NEVER use a castor based pre mix product. It will destory your cat. Car is smoother with a pre mix and a little extra lube never hurts anything.
olddragger

 

olddragger - can you comment on why you choose Lucas upper cylinder lube over this?
http://www.idemitsu-usa.com/page_214.htm?

Just guessing you must have looked into this one.

 

If you aren't using stock pads at the track what pads are you guys using?