Last weekend I was fortunate enough to be invited to the track with a friend of mine who owns a ZO6 Corevette and races on a regular basis. He even offered to let me register for the newbie class and use his car, with race tires and trim. I was expecting an entertaining day and some fun driving but had just no idea how exciting it would be.
My first couple laps as a passenger were so terrifying that they were almost unbearable. I really had no idea what a pair of race tires could do to a car of that capability. I briefly thought of dropping out before it was even my turn to drive. But after 2 full hours of track time, an hour of passenger time, some excellent insturction and a very impressive car I was able turn in times only a few seconds back from the fastest of the day - a boost to the ego that I would have been better without seeing as now I am now thinking about buying a car for racing.
If have never tried it, beg borrow or steal a race car. Driving a fast car like that on the track was on par with my first solo (only much more thrilling) and my first few skydives. WOW! simply a must do. I have not worked on the plane all week because I have been thinking racecars.... Do not let this life pass you by without doing that at least once.
Anyway, that was the main point. The rest is filler for those who are bored....
The hard part is that I cant even think about telling the wife that I want to take up another expensive hobby. The idea was to trade in the beat-up old SAAB for something inconspicuous and not too expensive but worthy of the track like a miata, Honda S2000, or Nissan 350Z (and then maybe slip in a race day or two on the sly). But the wife got wind of that and she insisted that my next car be a 4-seater, given that we are expecting. (obviously couldn't explain that 4-seaters don't make great track cars)
Hmmmm. 4-seat track worthy cars? That pretty much leaves: the Subaru STI, Mitisibushi Evo, BMW M class, and the RX-8.
BMW: I will never own a BMW. Anne had one and it was a maintnance nightmare. The engine parts were made of cheap material, and the company support for a car under warranty was NIL. I hate that company... spit spit.... In 2 years we paid over $15k for repairs that were'nt due to damage, were supposed to be covered under warranty, and were outrageously overpriced. They kept finding technichalities for reasons why warranty wouldn't cover the issues (water damaged computer x2, broken water pump impeller x 2, and busted tranny x1). Did you know they use plastic water pump impellers that cost hundreds of dollars?
The Subaru and Mitsubisihi are very respectable cars and compainies. But here is what I don't like about those cars:
1) They are TED mobiles (Typical Enlisted Dude) (no offense meant)
2) They look a little top heavy, I'm sure the center of gravity is a little higher than other cars.
3) They difinately dont look really sporty like the Z06, RX8, S2K, miata, RX-7, 350Z and porches.
4) They made their reputations as ralley cars, maybe not so good on the track?
I do like the lookes of the RX-8, Miata, S2K and 350Z. The RX-8 drives like a cross between the Z06 and the Miata - if that makes ANY sense at all. I am also preferential to the rotary for novelty sake.
Also, and I know this is a small driver dependent sample... but.. when out on the track in my friends Z06 I was passing those Evo, STIs, and M3's all day. They were like gnats. In the last 2 sessions the only cars passing me were very experienced drivers in RX-8 and a Porsche 911 turbo with 500hp. You get behind one of those STI's and you can see it sway back and forth in the turns... That doesn't sound as fun as getting down low, like in the Z06, miata, and Rx8.
So, rotary preference aside I am now in the market for an RX-8. I see there are now aftermarket turbo kits too... maybe an extra set of wheels and tires... some shocks... Shhhhhh dont tell the wife :-)
Paul Lamar (or anyone else), any years or models of RX-8 to avoid or have all the chip programming issues been fixed? Obviously I am looking at the sport model with manual tanny and bigger brakes.
This is a great country!!
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