Neil Blackman and I went along to compete in this event today, with a view to seeing how competitive the RX-8 would be in Sprint events - single timed runs from a standing start, with no chance to warm tyres or brakes. Neil and I have original factory engines, but we both have coilovers and were both running Nankang NS-2R semislick (180 compound) tyres.
Here's a brief review of the day;
The day had a very relaxed atmosphere and everyone competing was very approachable and friendly. I thought the waiting around between runs might have been a bit frustrating, but it didn't prove to be so. The time between runs seemed to just fly by.
All the homework Neil and I did to view videos of last year's sprint circuit was to no avail :( - the course was mostly REVERSED and then changed somewhat, with two fiendish chicanes added.
The day started with a brief scrutineering session, and noise test (for which there was no queue :D ) - main things checked were engine bay (for fluid leaks), tyres, helmet, seatbelt and steering column. Neil and I both had no issues there - any standard RX-8 should have no issue with the checks.
Then to signing on; payment of £5 each for the "day" competition licenses and collection of our "Javelin" competition numbers (see pic below). By a strange coincidence, I was given number 52, which is the number assigned to Clive for his Nippon Series race RX-8 8) Numbers attached, we were ready for just two sighting laps of the circuit. Not much time to really work out the best lines, etc!
Then onto one untimed practice run, followed by 4 runs before lunch. Everyone completed the first run before moving onto the 2nd, etc. Times could be seen immediately on completion of each each run on the digital display board, with the complete set of times for everyone's runs posted up about 20 mins after each run was completed.
Neil and I completed in Class C2, for modified production cars between 1400 and 2000cc, the rotary 1300 engine taking a 50% "hit", taking us into this class. It was massive fun looking at the times being posted up and seeing that I was 3rd quickest in my class after the first run, with Neil having a "Void" run for hitting a cone :oops:
After that, I was struggling to hang onto my place and slipped to an eventual 5th (out of 9) in Class, 14th (out of 24) overall.
HOWEVER, I'm very pleased to say that Neil did much better and strongly challenged for 1st in class, with a time of 1m47.19 (versus my 1m50.29). The Class winner, a heavily modded Fiesta, posted a time of 1m45.69. But Neil did superbly to finish 2nd in Class, 11th overall :13: , which meant he got a trophy :PDT_Armataz_01_37:
So, it was great to see the RX-8 showing it can be competitive in these events :)
My learning for the day? Tight circuits don't suit the DSC! I foolishly (in hindsight) kept mine on for 7 runs, switching if off for my last run and the car performed much better, yielding my fastest run of the day (by 1.7 seconds). It was much more fun with the DSC off too, allowing a looser back end to take the sharp turns more quickly.
Anyway, full results sheet, pics of our cars in the paddock and pic of Neil (2nd from left of the trophy group picture).
I'll post up a video of my best run later.
I certainly intend doing more of these events!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73704714/2015-06-21%2012.07.02.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73704714/Woodbridge003.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/73704714/2015-06-21%2017.12.21.jpg)
That nasty number obviously hobbled you Malcolm :c002:
Seriously great to see you out there competing,
What's the licence thing, many years ago the RAC used to issue a get around licence called a restricted speed licence for Drag Racing etc is this something like that ?
;D I don't think the number 52 hobbled me, more my reticence to turn off the DSC. As soon as I did that (for the last run) the car felt so much better, so wished I'd done it sooner and worked on getting a better time without it! Having said that, I very much doubt I could have achieved Neil's times, but might have gained a place or two!
The license thing is due to the event being competitive/timed, which legally requires the event to be licensed by an "authorised body". I think there are about 14 authorised bodies in the UK, of which the MSA is the best known. This event was covered by the IOPD , the International Organisation of Profession Drivers (which sounds very posh!). and costs £5 for a single event license or £15 for a year, so not bad.
http://www.iopd.org.uk/ (http://www.iopd.org.uk/)
Hi Casey.
when i took the s type round Japfest i found that the DSC was strangling the car coming out of corners....as soon as i turned off so much better. On your next track day ( in the dry) give it another go.....i think your lap times will tumble.
My fatest run;
When running, use the cogwheel to select 1080p for best quality.
Looks nice n smooth...bet half of it is remembering where the track goes.....how much track time did you get?
We had two "convoy" sighting laps, one untimed practice run and then 8 runs in total; 4 in the morning and 4 after lunch.