2020 Philadelphia Region SCCA - Final Results

Even with a late start to the '20 season, corona regulations stopping passengers and instructors, part failures: First place in DSP was achieved:

2020 - 75th Anniversary for SCCA

Custom Center-Exit Spintech Exhaust - Details

The finished product:

Now let's look at this closer:

Custom Center-Exit Spintech Exhaust

As previously teased, I have a new exhaust configuration for competitions using Spintech components.

Here are two quick videos, in a bit I'll have a few more videos showing differences between my competition and street setups:

Mazda RX-8 Reference Information

A new page has been added to the blog which will be a center point for Mazda RX-8 reference information. Factory service manuals (FSM), torque specs, part diagrams, deflooding procedures, and more information. 

Check it out!

Street Prepared DIY Air Dam and Front Splitter - Part 4

I am building a front splitter and air dam to comply with the Street Prepared class for SCCA Solo. The last part in this post series - we paint, trim and complete the front splitter and air dam. Let's get to it:

Hanging using wire hangers from the dry cleaners

Street Prepared DIY Air Dam and Front Splitter - Part 3

I am building a front splitter and air dam to comply with the Street Prepared class for SCCA Solo. Next in the series is creating the street prepared air dam, securing it, sealing it, and getting the combined parts painted.

1/16" x 3/4" angled aluminum, marked in 1 inch increments and drilled

Street Prepared DIY Air Dam and Front Splitter - Part 2

To continue the series, I am building a front splitter and air dam to comply with the Street Prepared class for SCCA Solo. We last left off having marked the splitter and outline on 15/32 inch Birch wood - including drilling mounting holes to the OE mount points.

Now we make it durable to road debris and flex stresses:

Street Prepared DIY Air Dam and Front Splitter - Part 1

My factory air dam finally has been damaged to the point where I'll take the time to build parts specifically classed for Street Prepared in SCCA Solo/AutoX:

Passenger side air dam mounts are torn, face is scraped pretty good too...

This will be one of a series of posts on creating a DIY air dam and front splitter. Let's look at the SCCA AutoX Rules, page 102 - Street Prepared Modifications:

Rear Caliper Assembly Swap & Fresh Rear Brakes

As mentioned in the previous post, sticking passenger rear caliper has to be replaced - as well as at least one set of rotors & pads, I opted to swap both rotors and pads.

StopTech Sport Slotted Rear Rotors

Important Removal Caliper/Assembly Notes:

Sticky brakes & other updates

While running the double layout Philly region AutoX event at the Wellsfraudgo / Wellsfargo center I noticed my car was not freely moving on the grid.

I was able to borrow a jack, stand, and 14mm wrench from a E.S. Miata driver (<3 thank you again) to identify and troubleshoot the issue.

Something Spintech this way comes...

After much time and many mistakes in selecting shops to work on my car,

Extending the life of your RENESIS

Here are my top 5 tips to extending the life of your RX-8 engine. This is from over a decade of ownership and several power plants in different conditions, including low compression and re-manufactured. 

5. Upgraded coil packs, fresh spark plugs and wires.

Corona can't stop my doritos from spinning!

That's right, you heard me!

While the current 2020 SCCA AutoX season is essentially DNS (did not start, verses DNF - did not finish) thanks to the Wuhan Flu, that has not stopped me from completing other items that will soon be posted here on the blog...