Bobby and Tim were great representatives for our community. They worked hard to prep a car that was very competitive. I truly enjoyed meeting both of them for the short time they were here. Two great guys. Best wishes on a safe journey home!

I'll post up my impressions of the event once Bobby has had time to return home, unpack, and post up HIS opinions first. Thanks again to everyone who supported the cause!

 

Three more members have contributed..... we're up to over $1200

*Andrew Kanho
*Joel Serrano
*Chip Ursu

Thanks very much to all for the very generous contributions. When I started this thread I never dreamed the support from the community would be this amazing

 

I just did a sneak peak at this thread and WOW! We got home at 11pm last night. I got 5 hours sleep in a bed. I hadn't slept in a bed (or had a shower) since Friday night.

I'll post more impressions tonight but can't say enough about the Rotary community. I told the Modified Mag editor about the support and he said he wanted to put that in the article. Tim (RCCAZ 1) was a big help at the autocross. Tim is a great guy...brought us some RCCAZ T Shirts and everything. Tim has an awesome CYM. I wouldn't let him part it near mine cause it made mine look so bad. And Masin Decker.....When I broke my input shaft on the tranny, we loaded up and went to his house to use his tools and lift. We had the Tranny out and replaced (I luckily took a spare) in the time it took for my brother to run get lunch. THEN...I realized (in our hurry) I didn't swap over the throw out bearing and forks...we already had the driveshaft and PPF bolted up. We yanked it back out and had it back in in under 1.5 hrs total...not bad for 2 tranny swaps. I then drove the car back to the track. We missed the second practice session but that was all. That was pretty cool. I couldn't have done it without Masin's help.
Anyway, I'll post up tonight if I can stay awake long enough.
Thanks again everyone!

 

Well...not sure where to start other than it was an awesome experience. I couldn't/wouldn't have done it without my brother's help and the help of the Rotary community. I was 120 miles into my 4800 mile journey when I had a trailer tire blow out. Then about 250 miles from home when we noticed the hub bearing on the trailer completely gone. Both were repaired in pretty short order. I asked Phil if I could speak for a few minutes at DGRR to tell a few stories and say thanks.
The folks at the event were great. The RX7 guys we met in AZ (Tim and Masin) were super as well. We learned a lot and were definitely under manned. The top cars had extremely experienced drivers...like 2 time national autocross champions, Chump circuit drivers etc. I was asked to keep the results strickly confidential so I'll honor that. The results should be in the August or Sept issue. I will say there were 15 points available with the HC, NOx and db readings of which I didn't get any. I was the only car not to score at least 5 extra points. Emissions and noise aren't the strong suit for a rotary.
It was a long trip but worth it. It was mainly worth it because we had people rooting for us. I just really appreciate all the post and the attitude and encouragement from the members. Everyone seemed genuinely excited for us. I will say I felt the pressure to represent and we did the best we could. We have some pics that I'll try to get posted as soon as possible. I have left all the decals on the car for DGRR. I thought it looked pretty cool. I would encourage everyone to attend. I'd be happy to share as much about the event as possible.
So on behalf of my Brother Tim and I, MANY MANY THANKS. My brother Tim did his best to keep people updated with text messages to thouse that sent me cell numbers. He could have spent his entire day doing texts and replys. THANKS!!!!!

 

I just received this email from the editor of Modified Mag.

Hey Bobby,

I hope your drive back went well. I wanted to personally thank you for coming out to the shootout. Your car is a work of art and the first rotary that has made it through our grueling set of events. To say I'm impressed is an understatement.

More importantly though, it was an absolute pleasure meeting you and your brother. The both of you are stand up individuals that make me proud working for a magazine that represents your community. I hope you had a great time and look forward to seeing you at a rotary event somewhere soon!

Take care,
Peter Tarach
Editor-In-Chief
Modified Magazine

 

it's too bad the rotary doesn't get a handicap for the noise restrictions, makes it even more difficult to be competetive. the rotary shines in endurance however.

did the RX8 last year have a 13B-MSP or was it a swapped PP exhaust early engine?

 

This is awesome!


Congrats on finishing and the email is impressive!

 

^ It was a 13B-MSP



Congrats Bobby! Way to represent!

I look forward to seeing you at DGRR this year!

 

I dont know about the RX8. I did meet the guy at the event. He is still running the Continentals from last year. I don't think it was pp because he was 94 db.

 

So, now that Bobby has had an opportunity to post up, here are my impressions:

Gen 3 was definitely the best performing older car. Bobby and Tim were the hardest working low budget team at the event, and busted tail to represent our community EXTREMELY well. IMO, teams with an advantage were E85 powered and all wheel drive. The E85 gave them an octane and cooling advantage over teams trying to do it on 93 octane. Also, the AWD cars could attack each event more aggressively given the crappy (sorry Continental) tire restrictions. If the event had been sponsored by Michelin and each team were given a set of Pilot Sport Cups, I think the two wheel drive platforms would be more competitive. With that being said, let me be the first to say that I have NO idea how everything washed out.

I too would like to thank Masin for his gracious offer to step up and let us use his lift and wrenching expertise. It was definitely the difference in Tim and Bobby making it back and staying in the game. Much appreciated!!!

Just as a sidenote, I was told that no team stayed below the 95db sound restriction and most if not all blew through emissions as well. The editors of Modified need to either make it more punitive for those who do not pass, or greatly reward those who do.

 

Wow what an awesome email to receive from the editor-in-chief!!! An email like that alone is worth it IMO. Way to represent the rotary community! Im sure you surprised some people there and reminded them that the 3rd gen Rx-7 is still one of the best sports cars ever made, even with 20 years on the clock!! Great job guys, I can't wait to read the article!!!

 

The cars that win these events have well over $100k invested and have professional drivers...to even finish the event is an accomplishment

 

That hardly sounds like a street car challenge...

lol that's awesome

 

This is all i could think of from the above post...

 

Couple of Sr20s gonna catch a premium before Race Wars.

 

Here is a link to my photos:
Photo and image hosting, free photo galleries, photo editing

 

More pics from another source

Modified Magazine “Street Car Shoot-Out” Coverage… | The Chronicles© - No Equal Since 2008 | www.stickydiljoe.com

 

We've had one more generous donation from Ryan F./Bridgeported12A

 

Many Thanks.

 

The Modified Mag is out with the Shootout I participated in with ya'lls help. My car made the cover wit a couple of other cars. They put a lot of shots of my RX7 in the mag. There is also a nice comment about the RX7 community. You should pick up a copy and check it out.
Thanks again!

 

So Bobby, the September issue?

 

This one

 

Congrats to Bobby on the event. He's a great guy as is his brother and represented us well. Next year, we all need to get Fritz (aka "the Rotary Stig") to commit to doing the driving

 

hah this made me laugh out loud literally in the middle of work . but I agree haha

 

David, you going next year?

I just couldn't do that trip and watch someone else drive the car. However, I did let mt brother drive the Time Attack. In the practice, he was one of the the fastest in the RWD but I was concerned about the heat (95fand reliability since I had already broken. I asked him to make sure we finished the event.
Most of the other cars had "semi" professional drivers. Emissions and noise really killed my points. That was 15 points I left on the table.