valpac

iTrader: (2)

I'M BAAAAAAAACK. From Roebling Road AND temporary exile. Had a great time at the track and a track virgin no more. :D

Pleased to report that no RX-8's were harmed in the making of this movie (And I have lotsa tape to sort through).

NASA really did a great job. From the classroom instruction (including track talk after sessions) to the instruction from the passenger seat to general conversations with those more experienced drivers (STF, et. al.), all top notch.

Helmets off to our very own GA RX-8 Club which really did an excellent job and received nice comments o' plenty from others. We were all fine ambassadors of enthusiastic RX-8 owners demonstrating good driving etiquette and promoting general well being.

On the track, I had a blast. The car really is awesome. My increased knowledge in my cars ability plus the added confidence of my ability to drive 'er hard (safely and sanely, I will add) is invaluable. I still have alot to learn about the seemingly limitless potential of the RX-8 and about driving on a track (late apexes and all). But I will say, even during the times when I made mistakes, the car never seemed to lose it's composure. No drama. You can correct and continue with little fanfare. I ran with DSC on the entire time and it only came on a couple of times when I REALLY screwed up (like braking, turning and downshifting in Turn 5!) I was really unobtrusive but those time it came on, I am glad it did. I probably would have spun otherwise. No ABS the whole weekend as the brakes are, again, phenomenal! I was kind of worried to truly threshold brake going into Turn 1 'cause I was worried about my instructor which was really unnecessary as the old guy was a seasoned vet. Still I couldnt help thinking it was my friend in the passenger seat and I wouldn't do that to a friend. Because of this I really felt uneasy about pushing hard. I think some solo track time is in order.

Tires! Or lack of them. The stock tires are excellent when warmed up with the proper pressures in them as well. Yesterday, my instructor had me add a few pounds to them and they barked less the entire day. The track IS abrasive and I'm sure I shredded a few thousand miles off those bad boys. New tires will now happen sooner than I planned, but thats ok cuz it was a blast and rubber is cheap. I now have to go over the car and pulled off the black gummi worms which seem to be stuck just about everywhere!

Ok, this post is very long, sorry. But I'm still a little jazzed. I will be posting some more about the experience.... that is unless I get banned again!

Phlash

I'm surprised you even heard those cries over your girly girl laughing and "YAHOOing"....:D

Phlash

Thanks to one and all!! From NASA SE to all of you fine folks. Despite me fighting off a cold/sinus infection, I had a great time.

Nabil was "the man" for the weekend. He rocked! Val and Chris, soooo glad you guys were able to make it and track de-virginate your 8's. Lego, that picture Dave has will go down in history. Denny, you are quick as hell, and it's a pleasure to share the track with you anytime.

To all of the instructors (especially mine and Lego's) thank you, thank you, thank you. My hats off. The insight, knowledge, and help is always, and will always be, welcome and appreciated. I had a goal this weekend, and after a semi slow start Saturday, Sunday rocked and that goal was met! Everyone had a safe, enjoyable, and invaluable weekend. Continuing HP drivers ed is something everyone should invest in.

As for the car....well, after a lukewarm time at RA in March and the crap that lead up to that......this setup, in the right hands I should add, is truely insane.........what a ride! Double cream neutral.....point and go........words can do no justice to the DSC off ride with Dave....except.....OMG.....WOW.........what a ride, what a car, what a great time.

See you all again real soon.

valpac

iTrader: (2)

OK! Looks like some pix were added from Roebling. Nice shots!

http://www.nasa-southeast.com/2005Sep24/event.shtml

Who is that shadowy figure sitting there?

L8APEX

they look good, i really like the one with wht05rx8 and the white 3rd gen RX-7. Some good shots.

SilverEIGHT

I like that one too Travis, I also like the one with the Red 8 leeding the Red Vette! Can't tell which one of you guys it is... Val, OD, or Phlash!

I want Nabil's report. Did yall ware him out or something?

AC8

They have alot of shots of our Eights!!!!!!!!!

I do like the one of the 3rd gen and Babygirl. I think there is one of Val and the 3rd gen too. He was a real nice guy from Jacksonville, and he got along with everyone from our group. He said he was going to check out the SE Forum to keep in touch with all of us.

We are as quick in the corners,.....but on the straight, he walked right off......untill turn one, when the RX-8 brakes wonderfully. Now, he was have brake issues when he and I ran together,

All in all it was great fun!!

BTW-Does anyone have the paperwork from check-in. I'm looking for my instructors last name and a couple other names of guys I'd like to keep in touch with.

???????????Who is going to the ROCK?????????

Working:

Driving:

..........peace
rchris

Phlash

oh you should see the big picture that goes with this one.....BTW, I think this may be the first time this car has ever been seen on film.....

L8APEX

^is that our very own STF?

Stop&TurnFreak

Guilty as charged. That wasn't my good side though. BTW, I felt so guilty about how dirty my car was, I did run it through a car wash on the way home. Not like Chris, mister, wash and wax between days, but for me a start.

L8APEX

there is a reason he calls her "Baby girl" :D

AC8

I don't know if BabyGirl will ever be the same, after this weekend.

She is in the garage on jack stands:

Wheels and tyres in front of the big screen, awaiting Monday Nite Football, and some serious cleaning.

A new floor dolly, two fresh can of bug & tar remover, a new "hot ***" light, so I can crawl around, under the car, for the next four days to remove all of the rolled-up rubber, from under the car.

She has only been in the rain 4 times, ever!!

Anyone know how you are supposed to do this? The way I used to do it was, buy another case of beer for the "wrench", and on the sly, ask him to get it all off.

BTW- I have requested a screen name change, anyone know the rules for such a request?

So what my new name, if possible?

AC8-White

Any guess what the "AC" stands for? Assuming you care.............

Alot of work necessary before BabyGirl can be seen in public this weekend at RA.

Ask any "stick": All cars, ...and Bikes are faster, when they are washed and waxed.
Now I know I'm no "stick", but, I met one this weekend. (Go Freak)

I'll probally bring the Exploder (daily driver), that will give me a reason, and more room to bring more stuff to the track. :o

L8APEX

i think you take the cleaning to a whole new obsession level. probably why i smell odd things coming frm under the car at times. :D but the rest of it is spotless.

i too have wondered about the screen name change. Let me know how that goes.

valpac

iTrader: (2)

How bad is it? May have to perform the same treatment on my car.

AC8

Yes the car is on jack stands. The car looks like I went to a dark choclate factory, and run through the new Black M & M's.

Val, it's a mess.

BTW, I have a new rattle in the rear. I hear it a couple of times when I left Sunday.

I'll find it tonight, if I can start it while it's on the stands

Phlash

hmmmmm,

Air conditioned
Ars cleaning
arshole cleaning
All clean
Asburdly clean
Awfully clean
All clear
abnormaly cheesy
Accident claim
Apex carvin'

To change your name, I think I you need to do is ask one of the mods....

legokcen

What about "*** Chasing"

AC8

I sent PM's to Zoom and Boostd 7 earlier today....no response.

AC8-White

I kept the white so you guy's would know it was me

AC=Allllllways Cleannnnnn Eight

AC8

....you really do.

R U still take your med's

rchris

Stop&TurnFreak

It could be 'Ackerson Chasing'.

J/K, thanks for the update on ***** Lego.

Whose in for the Rock?

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Ok,
Dang what a w/e! I dont even know where to start. Ok I will start here. All r compund rubber including toyo proxies should be banned and only used to light fires to chase the bugs away.
There.
Talk about a tire track, Man oh man.
The 1st day was a hard one. I was getting used to the new brakes(car bo techs), new suspenion settings and a new track. I had the best instructor (other than Dave of course) Guess who it was>? It was Russ Marshall the dude who drives the rx 7 "The Orange Crush" featured in the Grassroots Mag. Am I a lucky of bastard or what. And he only weighted about 160lbs! He tought me a lot but he really SHOWED me when i let him drive my car. Now he was very respectful of me and my car --- no abuse-- or anything like that. But he showed me what my car was capable of (except that time when i told him to slow the hell down because i couldnt take it! I still have a butthole grip mark on the passenger seat. on turn 8 leading into the straight he was exiting at around 100--- After I could talk i politely asked him not to do that again all the time trying to figue out how to stangle him while he was driving my car and wearing a full face helmet with collor if he didnt!) well man the dude is good.
he showed me where the edge was for my car and it was much further away than i thought! He showed me the good lines in turn 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8. I already was doing pretty good on the front straight. So on Sunday when things settled i got a hell of a lot faster. It turned into a really fun track. Hell on tires ,easily on brakes and huge on the fun factor. More fun than RA but a lot harder on tires. RA is a lot harder on brakes. Take your pick,
I learned a lot about breathing off the brakes entering a double apex turn, I learned how to do a double apex turn with a small rim run, i learned patience in the carosal(sic), i learned to trust the car more and the cars dsc is simply awesome. I learned to predict where and when and why the dsc was going to go off(thats a big step for me), I learned a hell of a lot more about steering less with the wheel and more with the throttle. The o40's with the right air really aren't that bad of a tire. Would you believe i kept up with an NASA worker in a late model MR@ with Toyo proxies on it? He could take any line he wanted but I had to be a surgeon to stay with him but i did and I could have passed on the straight but i choose to hang back because we where having too much fun.
I hung with the 3nd gen even down the straight until his turbo kicked on and then he would pull me a bout 2 car lenghts. I would make that back up. He also was running toyos A really great w/e. The track guys are really good folks. Familes running around. It was just a really wonderful wonderful time. Oh yea It was a great w/e. I wish all could have been there.
olddragger o-tm-d

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

oh yea weighted my car with 3/4 tank of gas and me(187lbs) it weighted in a 3157lbs
OD

Pam

Ha Ha Ha!!! Dragger you are too funny! It sounds like a fantastic time and sorry I missed it. Glad to hear all make it with no blemishes too! Hurry up with the videos.

Pam

SilverEIGHT

OD, I ALWAYS love your reports. I'd love to see a vid on that turn 8 venture. You are too funny! Sounds like both you and Phlash have permanent creases in your passenger seat.

legokcen

Mine came in at 3150. I weight 150 lbs and I had about 3/4 tank of gas as well.

The Speedsource car weighs 2650 by comparison.