I took my RX-7 to the track this past weekend. It has been almost 2 years since I "played car" all day long. The hurricanes in 2004 really kept me busy but I finally have things back to normal so its time to sign up for some track days.
If a guy gushing about his non p-car irritates you read no further.
The last time I tracked my RX-7 it had 240RWHP and weighed over 2700 lbs. This time I ran it slightly detuned at 330RWHP and have the weight at about 2580. I have a lexan rear hatch that I did not put on and I used my normal street battery instead of my 10 lb. one. So she was about 60 lbs heavier than my usual race trim. I decided not to run the full 400RWHP this time. I figure I should work my way up to it.
What a day! The car ran perfect. I got black flagged during the first heat due to all the smoke on decel. I pitted and explained that I was running a ton of premix (we premix rotaries like a 2 cycle engine) and my A/F was set to 10:1. The marshall was cool about it and told me they would not bother me about it again. They were concerned I was duping fluids.
The car handled great and cornered like it was on rails. This was a point by track day so no racing was allowed. Some highlights that stuck in my mind. I had a radical come up behind me as we were approaching the main straight. I pointed him by and then got back in it. By the time I hit the top of 4th and shifted to 5th I was running down the Radical and had to lift at 150 to give him room. Of course once we hit the turns he was gone but I was suprised I could run with him in the straights. Another notable run down the straight, a C-5 caught up to me while being held up by a slower car, that car pitted. The pit exit is right before the main straight. By the end of the main straight the Vette was nowhere in sight I never saw it again after that. My mechanic/friend was at the track helping/watching and said it was remarkable how fast I pulled away from the vette. He also saw me run down the radical and could not believe his eyes.
I also came upon a Lotus Elise. I was somewhat curious if I could hang in the twisties with it. I was delighted to see I could walk it down through the turns. I am really happy with the car setup, very neutral and very easy to throttle steer.
I did encounter a Gran Am RX-8 he came up on me I pointed him by and he disapeared. I was blown away how fast he was. He was as fast as the Star Mazdas and Radicals.
We were almost incident free for the day, the only casualty was a SupraTT that ate a wall. Unfortunatly it was almost predictable. I saw him on track and he was really not doing well. Not in control of the car at all. Even my mechanic/friend said he knew it was a matter of time before that guy wrecked. My friend felt the instructor should be talked to. The guy in the Supra was a novice and it was obvious as the day went on he was not getting any better at all just more reckless.
Now, car porn:
This a a new Z-06 that showed up at the pits. It was not on track though.
I love these Alfas the guys hanging around them were all speaking Italian.
Really.
A Z-8 that showed up, I love these cars, if I only had a spare 130K laying around.
P-cars...
I felt bad for this guy. He was there to learn and ended up destroying his beautiful car. I came around the last turn onto the straight away and saw his car parked into the wall. I let off right away, then remembered to check my mirror. The Vette behind me did not see him until he was almost on top of him. I had to keep some speed to keep from being rear ended. I sometimes wonder if some of these people only look 50 feet past their hood?
