LOL at the Mazda X7

 

Do you have to hold any type of racing license to enter?

 

Thanks Guys.

Yes, Mazda did not import to Mexico until very recently so most folks there are entirely unfamiliar with them. Try as I might they kept leaving the "R" off the model name.

You do have to have a license but you can buy it at the event and no previous racing history is required. Gotta love Mexico!

 

Think they'd let bikes enter?

 

Some people have tried to convince the organizer and no luck yet. I'm all for a bike class although I think you'd be insane to do it!

 

Thanks for the info john. Looks like a great time. Surprised they didn't call it an RRRRRRX7.

 

thats awesome !!! whats the cost to enter something like that?

 

This year the entry fee was $1,500 which I think is pretty darn reasonable for a three day 1000 mile race that takes a staff of 70 to put on plus the cooperation of numerous highway patrol and police officers.

 

Hey John, this is Mike. I came to your house with Fisa one day a while back to pick up your old Toyo T1Rs

Very impressive work, great way to represent! For that kind of race (all out highway), I don't really understand the point of running an AWD car, no wonder you spanked them by such a good bit, not trying to discount your skill Do you have more details on the other cars? It would be interesting to compare their setups to yours. I can't imagine how fun that must have been. Redline in 5th gear... yikes

If you don't mind I would like to know more about your setup, tune, and data that you collected for the race (engine temps, etc.)... I'll PM you with questions... thanks in advance.

 

wowzers John! I can't wait to watch the vids. Thats cool to hear your placing. If you go to mazfest this year you will have long lines for rides with you.

 

^^ I'm first

 

Are you thinking about competing in the Silver State Classic (Fall) ??? Id so, I' might as well drop out Where did you get the (3.75) Final Gear ?

 

Hi Mike!

There were all kinds of cars at the rally. From 200mph nascar type race cars with "classic" car bodies on them to the 500hp Subaru STI that won overall to original 1951 "PanAm" Chryslers. The FD's aerodynamics were great in the straights but the rally also had a large amount of tight twisty mountain roads where the AWD certainly helped.

As far as data... I didn't really collect any. But I can tell you that running the HKS racing wastegate wide open for that long did it in the last day and most of my exhaust manifold and wastegate gaskets melted. It's a real problem with our rotary exhaust temps.

Engines temps stayed fine. I ran stock R1 suspension for this rally.

 

Thanks FISA! I do plan to be there... quite possibly with an RX-7 that will make my "street" FD I rally the race with and you rode in last time look slow.

You have a reservation for the first ride.

 

No, I won't be doing the Silver State.

The lower final gear came with a used Japanese Transmission I bought a few years back. A definate must for high speed runs.

 

I bet that was fun. How long would you stay at 180?

 

Hit up Rob at Pineapple racing, he has some new ultra high temp crushable exhaust gasket material that has a 3000F temp rating. I've put them on my setup and have yet to blow through them. Just a though.

That or inconel gaskets.

Will you be going to a softer or harder suspension setup if you did this event again next year?

Congrats on the good results.

 

Do you know a good source for inconel gaskets?

The roads in Chihuahua were very good. Much better than I expected and at least as good as in the USA. I'll probably run a stiffer spring next year. Ground clearance will probably be kept around stock height due to the speed bumps in the transit stages.

 

The stretches that were long enough to hit 180 I was probably only there for a minute or so at most. Once straight was long enough that I had to keep letting up so that I wouldn't hit the 8100 rpm rev limiter in 5th.

 

I know you can get T4 nondivided/divided inconel gaskets from any Garret turbo vendor (A-Spec, Twins Motorsports), other than that I don't know.

Though the crushable gaskets Pineapple sells should be able to handle extended full throttle runs. I used to blow through conventional gaskets for the longest time until I went with the crushable gaskets from Pineapple. You just have to torque check the nuts after a long session to make sure everthing is still tight.

Is your HKS WG a v-band setup? Maybe something to look into if it isn't.

Good to know, thanks. Maybe I will see you there next year.

 

I hope so! It would be nice to see more Mazdas in Mexico. Just make sure you tune conservatively for Mexican pump gas!

 

Looks like you had a fantastic time and im glad the the ignitor worked out.

 

LOL, get the hell outta here. I am from Chihuahua and I didn't know this race took place. WTF, I am living under a rock. Great job BTW.

 

I was browsing around and it looks like the Subaru that won was 400 hp tuned by Crawford Performance www.nasioc.com