TAKA 八仔ブログ

I decided that it is time to go back to basic and I think I am losing touch with my driving. Perhaps I have gained some bad habit during the last year or so.

One thing I found after the crash is that I have phobia of spinning. So I think it is worthwhile to learn some car control

Kevin is kindly arranged for us to have the skid pan at Atwood again. So I take the first lesson before the exam.

The problem with the car is that there is too much grip! The positive caster bring the car straight very easily and it is hard when the rear tyre has so much grip comparing the front, so the car is very understeery. But when it is on the skid the car is very controllable and you have to really step the gas to bring the car around. When the car is on the less oily section ... the car brings back quickly and it is hard to adjust the power to keep the skid going. I have too much to learn there.

I learnt very quickly that when just leaving the hand loose on the steering, the caster will pretty much bring the car forward and to the opposite lock. Perfect for track, not so great for skid pan haha.

(Thanks Daniel from shotatcloserange.com for the photos)

Well I thing it is time to check a few things in the car and change engine oil. I have found the source of the "wooo" noise at 3000 rpm. Click and look at the picture on the left. The metal wool on the header shield should really stick on the header hard but it is totally loose. So it vibrate and in the right frequency it will make the "noise".

Need repair but Nelson said it will need to take the header ie lots of time = large neighbour cost.

The engine mounts look ok though... they feel strong and the metal looks shiny with no cracks. 

The stock member brace totally bend. Prob I damaged it last time I transport the car with my 4WD. Have to phone Mazda tomorrow to see the cost of replacing one. I probably opt  not to repair it. Lucky it is not my Autoexe lower arm cross bar though

 

Now my Bride Seat

 It is a very tight seat. The Bride VIOS III low max seat with LF type rail you will get much more head room. The website said that for the RX-8 the new seat will be 80mm lower but I think it is not that much. It is very hard to measure but I am sure it still very significant. I am more lower in my view that I may need to lower my steering wheel to drive. My legs are VERY tight.

It is certainly worth the money. I feel so good that I want to drive aggressively already. At least I want to drive again now!

For those who wants to get rid of the airbag light. Get a 2ohm resister. I got one 1/4W 1R8 and it worked perfectly (so far)

I decided to tow the car for the last track day at Winton raceway. It require a slope, a trailer, my new four wheel drive, and a few strong tie downs. It is a good experience and it is certainly worth the trip. Relaxing way and keep the tyres fresh.

The car felt strong at the start and ran a respectable 42.9 in the first session. The pressure afterwards is 36 psi hot and certainly with the heat in the afternoon, I am on par to get my PB. However, my fortune ran out in the second session when the back of the seat broke. I had nothing to hold on to and it is not fun anymore.

Certainly the data gather from the racechrono shows.

The sharp corner suffers consistantly....

Well I need a new seat and race seat it is.

I also decided to change the tyre. I have enough of the Yoko. They are much like a girl. High maintance, lots of fun when driving it, but never a fast one....

I am at Macau this 2 weeks visiting relatives and luckily Macau GP is also on, so I went to experience it. Now I regret not going to the pit lane/paddock, but anyhow the grandstand is also good.

I manage to see a lot of crashes in the day. The course is road course and there is no run off whatsoever. Understeer and oversteer, the corner of the car will go to the wall. It is such an expensive weekend. If I were in the paddock, I will take lots of damaged parts, just to make me feel better after my off at P.I.

The cars

crashes stop the race:

Podium for formula 3:

Where are the girls you ask, few and far in between. I should have been in the paddock!

Some lucky bastard

Going home the cars

I will just ask

WHY?