The Road to Topeka - Chike's official 2008 Autocross Blog Thread (B-stock Mazda RX-8)

[Chiketkd]

B-stock ran first heat each day, which was wet on Saturday, and dry Sunday (however temps were 48F for our runs).

Overall PAX: Dixie NT Final PAX (207 out of 278)

Saturday only PAX: Dixie NT Sat PAX (236 out of 278)

Sunday only PAX: Dixie NT Sun PAX (138 out of 278)

[SVXRide]

Chike!
So, did you actually make it into the DC Pro? I heard there were "issues" with folks getting signed up online.
-Bill

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Chike!
So, did you actually make it into the DC Pro? I heard there were "issues" with folks getting signed up online.
-Bill

Bill!

Yes, I'm registered in BS for the DC Pro: DC Pro Entry List

I'm also registered in BS for the Toledo Pro: Toledo Pro Entry List

It's going to be a fun season! Once I have 8-10 events under my belt in the car, I hope to start taking names at these big events. First WDCR event isn't until early April, while the first BRR event is Sunday, March 9th.

P.S. Are you doing the DC Pro Bill? Will your car(s) be ready this season?

[Royal Tiger]

Originally Posted by SSSVX

How many quarts can it hold for your 1.3?

The RX-8 motor is actually 2.6L. Sport Compact Car did a huge tech page on it when it came out and explained how the wrong size was determined, and when discovered, Mazda swept it aside, eager to boast HP per liter numbers and fall into a lower engine tax group in Europe.

It is a nice looking car.

[Landshark]

good luck, Chike!

[Chiketkd]

Dan,

Glad to hear you appreciate the looks! Doesn't matter to me whether its a 1.3L or 2.6L, as this doesn't affect its SCCA autocross classing. This car is by far the best I've ever owned. It's a breeze to pick up my 8 month old baby from daycare due to the rear free-style doors, and I can then get my 4.5yr old son and 15 year old step-daughter too! I wish I had gotten one sooner - I guess mod potential doesn't mean much to me anymore. Now I'm 30years old and all.

Alan, thanks for your wit!

[sicksubie]

You like this better than your WRX?? Or are you simply enjoying the class that now fall under better?

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by sicksubie

You like this better than your WRX?? Or are you simply enjoying the class that now fall under better?

I love it much more than my former WRX. While the WRX had a wonderful turbocharged 2.5L engine, it suffered in "stock class" autocross from limited camber adjustment, soft springs, monster truck ride height and a pitiful amount of caster. Turn-in was slow, and the car just didn't transition very well.

Just my $0.02...

[SSSVX]

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

It is a nice looking car.

I think it is. It looks nicer than 350z to me, maybe not as quick from the line.

Chike, what's your real life mpg? city/highway/autox?

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by SSSVX

Chike, what's your real life mpg? city/highway/autox?

Ken,

Let's see. On my recent trip to GA for the Dixie Tour, I averaged around 24-24.5mpg on the highway. In my weekly mixed city/highway commute, I get 20mpg. I don't know my autocross mpg, but I know my former WRX was in the 6-7mpg range, and I'm sure this car is less - probably the 5mpg range if I had to guesstimate.

The RX-8 is giving me approx the same mpg's as the SVX did once I went to 4.44 gears.

[Chiketkd]

Competed in Event #1 with my local BRR-SCCA region on Sunday. BS was a 4 person class and we ran in Heat 2 in balmy 48F temps.

I ran against one of our top local drivers who also bought an RX-8 over the Winter (and is learning the car like myself). He definitely out drove me yesterday, and I just couldn't put together the run I wanted (forgot to turn of the DSC on my first run! ).

Final results were as follows:
BS - B Stock Pax: 0.832
1t CHAD HENRY 05 MAZDA RX-8 BLUE 59.051
2t CHIKE DELLIMORE 06 MAZDA RX-8 GREY 60.703
3 DAN KIMBER 05 MAZDA RX-8 BLUE 62.283
4 JAMIE HEDRICK 04 MAZDA RX-8 DARK GREN 69.703
Link: BRR-SCCA Event #1 Results

Summary:
2nd out of 4 in B-stock
7th out of 60 in PAX

Some pics:

Yours truly








Chad


Jamie


My friend Steve in his AS Saturn Sky (took FTD and FTP)

[Royal Tiger]

I STILL think you should have gotten a Cayman S....

[Tim]

Is it just me or did you have the least amount of body roll going through the turns?

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Royal Tiger

I STILL think you should have gotten a Cayman S....

Nah. If I had the money and could afford to own a two seat car for weekend fun...I would have bought a Lotus Exige.

Originally Posted by TE1221

Is it just me or did you have the least amount of body roll going through the turns?

I was the only one on koni shocks. They slow down the 'rate' of roll.

[SVXRide]

Note to Chike:

Add sticky note to RX-8 dash that says "Turn off DSC", read note before every autoX event

-Bill