Chuck Baader

Finally got my first race in with my RX7. Damn, what a learning curve. Sat was 8th overall, and Sun 5th. Was held up by an out of class car for 12 of the 14 laps and finally forced myself by. Caught 4th the last turn last lap and, because I don't know the car well, did not go to 2nd for the drag race to the flag....next time I'll know.

What a difference between a sedan and a rear race car. Before I have been able to just jump into anything and go fast. This puppy will take several races to learn. Next race Roebling Road in June. Can't wait!!

23Racer

Chuck, the RX7 is a momentum car. You need to do everything you can to keep the momentum up so that you sweep past the other car on the straights or under breaking. Even with a 5:12 diff, the cars really have no usable torque. At Mosport, (like Road Atlanta) I could be running laps a second or so faster than a car I was catching, then I would get balked and it could take me up to a lap to get the pace again.

Your BMW had torque, so you could pass people in the middle of the corner and hold them off down the straights. The RX7 is a free lap speed merchant, so when you are in traffic, sometimes you need to sacrifice a corner to get the momentum up enough to pass at the end of the next straight.

Sounds like you have a fun learning curve.

Eric

Chuck Baader

Understand about this being a momentum car. This was my first race weekend with the car and I have a lot of work to do to get comfortable. First is move the seat...again (will be 5th time) as I don't fit real well. (My wife says I'm wearing the car!) I am rebuilding both transmissions as I don't have one that shifts well, yet. I am slowly becoming accustomed to carrying more speed into the corner, which is interesting since the car has such good brakes!!. Anyway, a learning process...come next race we'll see......

23Racer

I totally hear you about seating position. I am 5'11" tall and I moved my seat about 4 times until I finally laid it down almost like a formula car and extended the steering column. Every other way, my head ended up in the top of the hoop and I couldn't turn my head to the left at all when I was belted in. Now I am totally below the halo hoop and I can look both ways! Made a huge difference to my confidence levels.

I carry huge amounts of speed through the corners. At Mosport I am flat through Turns 1, 4 and 8 with breaths through Turns 2 and 10. Get used to carrying huge amounts of speed where you never did before. The car is great catching up to a pack or leading. When you have to dice with someone, you really have to plan so that you don't get held up at all or you are left behind, especially out of the really slow corners where an ITA style Honda will hold you off until the top of 4th...

Eric

Chuck Baader

Have tried that...at 6' 275 I'm cramped to say the least. Next project is to tilt the floor under the seat so I can lay it back. I'm already 2" from the rear cross bar so I don't have much to work with.

Chuck Baader

Laid seat back 1 1/2" by cutting and sectioning the floor. Finally have enough room...this is the fifth time I have moved the seat!!!

At Road Atlanta this weekend for a SCCA SARRC race...17 cars in my class!!! Looking forward to racing!!!

Chuck Baader

Well, I thought I was going to run Road Atlanta this weekend././WRONG!!! Made about 3 laps in practice Friday and third gear went wonky. Parked it and came home Saturday and am now pulling said trans to see what I missed. I really am getting tired of this!!!!