Agreed, driving a car to it's (or the driver's) limits is an absolute blast.
 Sounds like you really got the bug Dave!  I got hooked when I was invited
to one of those Car & Driver magazine sponsored Editor for a Day events
where they turn you loose for a few laps in 6 different cars and have you
write up your impressions on each.  It's a way to get you exposed to the car
makers wares of course but still lots of fun.

Soon after that I had to take the Z3 to Tail of the Dragon (twisty stretch
of Rt 129 in Blue Ridge mountains) and I vowed to go back at least once a
year.
I have had better luck with BMWs than you did (neither of them has required
repairs except for one sensor covered under warranty) but I agree, they
definitely would not be the choice for all out racing.

There are a couple of photographers who shoot the cars having fun at the
Dragon and post them on their website.  Laura almost looks like she was
having fun in this one!

Progress on the -8 is going good.  Auto pilot is installed (thanks for the
installation tips Rusty) and I've still got a shot at flying it to Sun 'n
Fun if all goes well and I can control my urge to measure every engine
parameter I can think of.  Been installing sensors and wiring for 3 weeks
now.

Tracy  (fixing up 2nd gen RX-7 for racing some day)

----- Original Message -----
From: David Leonard
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 8:22 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Top thrills of a lifetime


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!!

--
David Leonard

Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
My websites at:
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/rotaryroster/index.html
http://membersaol.com/_ht_a/vp4skydoc/index.html
http://leonardiniraq.blogspot.com
--
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