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09-15-2012, 11:56 AM
#226
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
Just rolled in this afternoon from my first time driving the new Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA. Having been passenger for a few sessions about a month ago I wasn't all too warmed up about the track. Today was different. Despite the monsoon like weather that rolled through I had a great time. There were no more than 20 drivers today with Hooked On Driving and their open lapping event. Lots of track real estate for everyone!
Some notes:
*Surprisingly the Star Specs, although starting to perform rather poorly in the dry, still seem to have quite the wet grip remaining in them.
*Hardtop did not make the 2.5 hr drive to the Ridge any more enjoyable. Car is still miserable as ever and ear plugs are a must. It certainly did help keep things dry and gave the car a more solid feeling.
Anyways, it was so wet and miserable that even if I did bring my camera it wouldn't have done much good. But here's one of my sessions from the GoPro. I guess I focused on smoothness and consistency today. I wasn't out to push the car and it was a new track afterall. Don't mind the missed apex's on purpose and only ~100 mph straight speed. Standing water every where especially at Apex markers on track made driving the real line very treacherous. I have video of my friend Paul doing a 270* spin in his Lotus at T1. I'll get it up soon.
Awkward save from certain off track mudfest @ 15:40. Must.. move.. hands.. faster. Damn.
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09-15-2012, 11:57 AM
#227
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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09-15-2012, 11:58 AM
#228
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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09-15-2012, 11:58 AM
#229
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
Some eye candy to drop in here for the memorial day weekend.
A Match Made In Seven
My buddy George rang me up and asked if I wanted to head out to his parents place and check out his high school love. Having heard all about his former obsession I was eager to see for myself.
Tucked away on one side of the garage and under a car cover lied a 1993 Vintage Red Mazda RX-7 R1. With a scant 86k on the odo and a host of tasteful aftermarket additions George was eager to display his 7 as it lies tucked away keeping the miles off and awaiting free time, disposable income and completion of school.
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Having been around a handful of FD’s before I was no stranger to its timeless looks. However, it wasn’t until today that I realized just how different this car is compared to the NA Miata. Thinking upon it, these cars likely shared showroom space together. The RX-7, the pinnacle of Mazda’s engineering gurus, world class handling, perfect weight distribution, drop dead sexy body lines and an exotic powerplant shared stables with the meager Miata?? It’s as if they came from different planets. I guess that’s a topic for another day as we had a FD to become familiar with.
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Still riding on stock R1 suspension and wheels I imagined this car as if it had just left Mazda’s factory about to be piloted around Tsukuba or Suzuka by one of Japan’s great drivers, Motoharu Kurosawa. Calmly guiding the nimble Mazda around the circuit scrambling for every ounce of traction the factory tires and civil suspension could provide. By no means is this seven a finished project. I believe George has hopes to get the mod train rolling in the future and put some spring back in the step of the FD with some new footwork.
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Inside the swoopy silohette the interior beckons the driver forward. Outfitted with all sorts of gauges needed to monitor the rotary George’s seven also comes fitted with wonderful suede clad R1 seats which provide quite an impressive driving experience and seat you nicely behind the wheel.
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Prodded to life with the help of a battery charger we had woken an unhappy girl from her slumber. The Titanium Greddy canister quickly expelled an angry, boomy buzz as the rotary idled high for the first few minutes.
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Ensuring the hungry twin turbos are kept fed with a cold charge a Peter Ferrel Supercars intercooler setup dominates the front portion of the engine compartment. Additional aid in keeping the rotary happy came in the form of an M2 carbon air box while a Koyo Race radiator keeps water temps under control.
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Left to idle and loosen things up inside after a long sleep I wandered about the FD admiring details here and there that I’d never had the pleasure or unpressured time to absorb.
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Feeling some pressure to sell the FD perhaps today sparked some motivation and passion for George to get the project rolling once again.
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His current Evo IX holds daily and track duties both with competency and surprising comfort riding atop Ohlins Flags and 255 Star Specs.
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And so as the second golden age of sports cars begins to wan I can finally, nearly, check off another rare animal on my “have to experience” list. Our drive was short but much appreciated. I can only imagine what one of these must be like at 10/10ths.
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09-15-2012, 12:00 PM
#230
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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09-15-2012, 12:01 PM
#231
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09-15-2012, 12:04 PM
#232
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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09-15-2012, 12:07 PM
#233
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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09-15-2012, 12:08 PM
#234
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
I went out and took photos of the Miata today. I don't claim to be a good photographer or know what I am doing but I really enjoy trying at the very least.
I'm excited for more changes, driving and improvements. Oh I should also note I picked up a Griot's orbital and a bunch of product about a week ago. I'm really pleased with how the wash, clay, machine polish 3 and best of show wax turned out. My paint has never looked this good.
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DSC_0101-4 by 3norman3, on Flickr
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09-15-2012, 12:08 PM
#235
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
Everyone still pokes fun at my ARC cap.
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09-15-2012, 12:09 PM
#236
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
I feel like belittling my car with pictures of this toy. 2600 mile Porsche 911 GT3 RS WC GMG. GMG half cage. GMG race header. GMG race muffler. The noise was undescribeable and... odly enough the GT3 RS seems to be more compliant for street use in comparison to the standard GT3. Would make a nice daily. Nothing.. nothing is as exciting as a GT3 car. The interior feel, sound and attention really makes you realize that SOME material items bring happiness.
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09-15-2012, 12:10 PM
#237
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
I jumped at the chance to get some last minute tracking in yesterday at The Ridge Motorsports park with Hooked On Driving. I was hoping for dry conditions but at least I had brand new Star Specs to enjoy the rain on. No more hydro planning above 100 mph! Excellent.
Here's the first video from session 2 chasing one of the other instructors in an ACR Viper. The Viper's factory aero makes wet visibility terrible for any cars behind. It is pretty neat to see it in action however. Also in other news I used my new Hans Sport II for the first time. Enjoyed that immensely although it makes for some fumbly momments getting situated in the car.
While not driving my Miata I spent time instructing a guy from Tri-Cities, WA in his brand new Ford Mustang Roush 427 Stage 3. I have to admit I was a bit terrified being paired with a Novice, in the rain and with 500 hp. I took him out in the Roush for some laps towards the beginning of the day to show him the line/corner stations etc. Impressive power in every gear, shocking grip levels for what I was expecting and a pretty sharp interior setup. I enjoyed it although he certainly gave me a few "oh shit" moments while riding along in the rain. Some people just don't understand the limit of a vehicle's grip or the concept of smooth power delivery and changing gears at appropriate times. Needless to say we survived without much drama and he saw huge improvements especially in the afternoon.
Some low key consistent laps in the dry afternoon sessions at The Ridge. No Miatas, E30's or Hondas to play with.
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09-15-2012, 12:12 PM
#238
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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09-15-2012, 12:13 PM
#239
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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09-15-2012, 12:15 PM
#240
2,000 rpm - light wheelspin, no bog here!
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