I did talk w/Brian at length about the race muffler and the scoop is that it saves weight, makes the same power as the standard RB system, sounds great, is louder. Emphasis on weight savings. No part number or price yet but looks like it will bolt up to the existing RB pipe. Way cool.

 

it should be out in a month or so, they were finishing up there first production run. Expect about the same power gain (maybe 1-2whp) but the big savings is the weight.

If you want the same savings with a duel muffler, I found out from ajax the corksport dual muffler which is steel and $550 is also 25lb lighter than stock.

 

Jim Langer told me something about it but I don't remember now. It was a pleasure and an honor for me to have met a number of you also even though most of you appear to not remember meeting me .
By the way, check out this handsome devil I met while I was out there. I won't say who he is but I will say he's more pleasant than people think.
Paul.

 

I believe I met you at the banquet afterwards, I was sitting across from you.
I don't think I introduced myself though, I'm terrible with that. I had the grey shirt with the glasses hanging on my collar. I was making bad jokes and terrible puns all night.

 

The grey car was there on Friday and Saturday. We never moved it... it was right under your noses in the RX-8 parking spots next to the stage. The blue car was also there but, behind close doors... too many little things on it now to show in public and up close.

-Bern

 

Ahhh, I was one of the 1st 8s in the doors and I noticed there was one already parked there. It was very stock looking, so I thought nothing of it. Dammit Mazda! :p

 

I just luv these little secrets - keeps the rotary heart in me going.

 

I saw that gray car there when we arrived on Friday morning with Mazdaspeed on the windshield, nice ride height and wheels and noticed it was there on Sunday night when we met Abel who was picking up his car. I wondered about that car.
Paul.

 

i ordered a corksport yesterday, i will let you know how it goes.

beers

 

Love the pic, Paul. I think you got his best side

Like Photic, I, too, was sitting at your table at the banquet with my husband. So much "shop" was being discussed, I didn't want to interrupt. I'm sure we'll meet again

 

Paul,


sorry if I missed naming you up in my summary post, I went back and corrected that, I was a bit overwhelmed with all the people I met, so sorry to anyone I may not have mentioned.

Paul was out spy in the basement of Mazda R&D who saw the rotary powered spacecraft Mazda is developing for the Xprize Xcup :D

 

Shhhhhh!! You weren,t supposed to say anything about that. My spy cover has been broken and Ill never be allowed back again.
Paul.

 

No wait my bad, I did meet you Paul, it wasn't at the banquet though. It was outside the room with the galaxy A/T inside.
I was confusing you with mazsport. Sorry Phee, I can't read very well

 

TOO LATE... I've informed all the proper authorities and you are no longer welcomed in the basement... at least you didn't go to B2 level, where the real secret stuff is!

-Bern

 

You're still in a daze from the weekend

 

I AM A VERY SAD PANDA

 

I am the black dude in this picture. I was at the table with the Japanese engineers, Jim and Connie Downing, Rick Engman, Rick Knutt and his lady friend (I've probably butchered his name), Kobayakawa-san and Mr Oku. I was making sure that Mr Engman and Yamamoto-san covered all the necessary technical topics that I won't be sharing here today.
Paul.

 

Well it's obvious this file is giving me more trouble than I can handle. Maybe I'll find a different picture tomorrow or something.
Paul.

 

I know he like to write brain hurting tech articles! Really nice guy too and was at Racing Beat Sunday talking to my co-pliot.

 

You need to make one more correction: I was not one of the stars of the show, more like a makeup boy than even supporting actor. Reconnect Jim to Downing while you're there.
Paul.

 

We saw It Friday when we showed up. But just thought it was the new color.
"If your're going to hide something, do it in plain sight"

 

DOH! I remember you now. I made the same mistake as Photic. Outside the "showroom", yes. Not sure how I could have forgotten the name of someone quite so witty and engaging.

So many people, and usually I'm very good with names. Apologies to you, Paul. Hope to see you again!

 

Did I meet you? I don't remember hearing about your forum name.

Scott: That's a really bad picture! Get my better side next time. Too bad she stayed in Houston!

 

Hmmm... now could this blue car (or a similar version of it) be making its world debut at a big name auto show in the next couple of months?

EDIT: And with an official Mazdaspeed designation next to its name plate? :D

 

We saw the blue car last year. Then it only had a mocked up large front mount intercooler. It has since then had various turbo and superchargers bolted to it to test it. I even played with one of the turbo's that was on it. Not saying how though!

We were told by the head of Mazda North America to expect something very exciting to be shown at the next New York auto show. He didn't say if it was rotary or not but he knows we are rotary enthusiasts. I doubt highly it is a new RX-7 though so get rid of those ideas. The only thing we do know is that there will be a 2nd generation RX-8 in the distant future and with the on going rotary hybrid studies, the rotary has a lot of life left in it.

We were actually discouraged at the news of a potential of an MS8. One source quietly said it was really pushed back on the priority list but then again that could have also have been to throw us off what is really going on. You never know. Sometimes they slip and tell you things they shouldn't and don't realize it and other times they deliberately throw you off. Yet other times they'll hide something from you in plain sight!