At the RPNW monthly meeting last night, we hammered out a provisional events schedule for 2007. Some things are bound to change, but we are pretty confident on the event dates staying firm (at least for events through September). I also plan to add some informal social gatherings as people propose them.

Here is the provisional 2007 Schedule:

Feb 10th: Karting as Sykart
March 10th: Tech Session at Pineapple Racing
April 28th: Mt Hood Drive
May 19th: Tech Session at Ground Zero
June 23rd: Barbecue and car show at Merwin Dam (Woodland, WA)
July 6,7,8: Car Corral at Portland Historics (PIR)
Aug 18th: Swap Meet at Pineapple Racing
Sept 22nd Drive to Coast (optional overnight stay)
October ?: Northwest Rotor Rally (time & location TBD)
Nov 10th: GranTurismo 4 Challenge (head-to-head virtual competition)

These dates do not conflict with Team Continental Driving Schools, SCCA autocross or road race weekends, or other big events that we are aware of (Rose Cup, Champ Cars, SOVREN, etc). This means we can also try to attend some of these events as a club, if there is interest. Imagine attending a driving school with a whole bunch of other RX-7s, or an autocross or...whatever. If it sounds like fun and there is someone interested in being the point of contact for coordinating the get-together, we can put it on the schedule and let people know that is an option.

Note on the GranTurismo 4 Challenge: If you have ever played GT4 in 2-player mode, you were probably disappointed by the split-screen and awkward play. If you have ever played the game with a good force-feedback wheel and pedal set, you know how it completely transforms the experience into something amazing. A little known feature of GT4 is that if you have two playstations, two TVs and two sets of controls, you can play head-to-head in full screen mode on both machines with no slowdown of performance. In fact, you can link up to six machines and all race at the same time. I plan to buy at least two new PS2s, two monitors and two sets of force feedback controls and build a simulator rig where you sit in car seat with surround sound, so it feels like the real thing. This is the next best thing to a real simulator and being able to race another human being head-to-head without compromises will really make it fun. The event will consist of a round-robbin qualifying, where everyone races alone in a given car on a given track to set their best time, then the best of the best face off for an elimination style showdown in bracket races (quarterfinals, semifinals and finals). The bracket races will be a great spectator event, for those who don't qualify. We can have a practice day, too, so everyone gets some track time and the taste of head-to-head action.

--
Blake Qualley
Rotary Power Northwest (RPNW.ORG)

 

what is the tech session?

 

There are two tech sessions. One at Pineapple Racing and the other at Ground Zero. The Pineapple Racing one is usually Q&A format, where you can ask Rob Golden (ASE, Mazda Master Mechanic, 10 year Mazda dealer mechanic and shop foreman, long-time performance engine builder) just about any question you can think of. The tech session at Ground Zero is new and we will have to see how Ralph Friend wants to play it, but it will certainly involve him discussing his pair of 700hp FDs, tuning of the PowerFC and other aftermarket ECUs, good and bad tuning practices, and perhaps he will run one of the cars on the dyno. It's up to the host to decide how to format it and what subjects to cover.

The tech sessions are free to members of RPNW; non-members are always welcome to attend but asked to make a small contribution to the club ($5, if you can afford it) to help support us having more events of this kind. The idea is that if you participate in even a few events, you would find it worthwhile to join the club yourself, instead of leaching off the dues paying members who keep the club alive. We will also be introducing other benefits to membership, like gift certificates or other discounts from sponsors, etc. Ideally, we will be able to provide $25 in cash value for a $25 annual membership PLUS give you discounts to the events. At the very least, you will break even by becoming a member based on attending four or five events a year, and more would be gravy.

--
Blake Qualley
Rotary Power Northwest (RPNW.ORG)

 

HOLY COW!!!

Who plays GT4!! I have GT4 and a PS2 + Wheel with good Pedals to bring along to play. (I've played 1-1 Fulls Screen before and have the firewire cable as well)...

can we get this setup sooner?

~CYD

 

There is no reason we could not get together and set something up sooner. The planned event is a competition. Obviously, we need to perfect the setup and practice, practice, practice.

--
Blake

 

Let me know when you can host a trial preliminary setup. Would it be at the shop or somewhere else?

 

i was totally in love with GT4. i havnt played in about a year.. but i used to be super
good (with the controller). i'd like to try it out with the wheel fixed to a seat

 

The May 19th event at Ground Zero looks like it will be chaged to Apex Restoration in Beaverton on the same day. We are trying to work out a group deal on paintless dent repair or other service. John (Cartapex) and Adam (moto) are both finishing off restorations of their cars, so there will be a lot to talk about for those who just want to hang out.

I was in the process of setting up the new Northwest Rotor Rally for September 22nd, but it appears that that is the target date (not firm) for Sevenstock 10, down in Irvine, CA at Mazda HQ. Stay tuned...

--
Blake Qualley
Rotary Power Northwest (RPNW.ORG)

 

Looks like the event at Apex on 5/19 will conflict with the swap meet at Pineapple?

 

Well, I haven't heard from John so we had to switch around events. If Apex wants to host something, we have open spots later in the calendar. Right now, I'm just plugging holes.

 

Me and Dan wanna drift!

 

Are you coming on the Oregon Coast Drive tomorrow? Plenty of drifting opportunities...we might even help pull you out of the ditch.

 

GT4 should be setup out on the Westside... ;p