^I have to agree with Phil. While I didn't know the money went to a good cause, and I agree that's a good thing about VIR, I just don't see why it has to be so much and I kinda like most of those things about the dragon. Besides, last time I rode VIR I was following 3 minivans and two trucks, along with even some other slow cars and a pace car controlling how fast we went. Are they going to be out there for Holiday Laps? If that's the case I'm out. I remember being able to run as many times as I wanted to on the dragon as well, while the only price for that was gas and the stay at the hotel, and I can go as many times as I want when I can get a good weekend to go (and as long as I don't mind driving 7+ hours, haha)...I don't have to wait for special events like this at VIR. And I don't see how the cost of the dragon was 12 times the fee of VIR, where are you getting these numbers Johny? (If you're referring to getting majorly ripped off in April at the dragon, I apologize on behalf of the whole club for that, and had I known at the time I would have paid you more to make up for it, hell I'll give you more money now if you want). I don't know if you think I was putting down VIR, I wasn't, and I'm not happy about being made out to be this anti-VIR *******. I like VIR alot, I just thought it was alot to pay for what we were doing. Then again, I don't know all the particulars. Being that the dragon is more commonly used by sport bikes and sports cars for spirited driving, it seems to me that the police know this and kinda give people like us more freedom, I didn't see ONE patrol car out there in April other than when they gave us the briefing. I'm not crazy about not being able to take the proper line, but is a public road and as far as I'm concerned it's still alot of fun just being as curvy as it is. I would like to find more curvy regular roads to run too, rather than the same dragon and VIR, it's just not as fun to me seeing the same curves all the time. You make some good points Johny, but at the same time alot of the points you made don't seem so bad to me.

 

if it wasn't a saturday i could for sure.... just leaves 2 people here which is a pain in the butt. if i can get someone to cover though.... hrmmm. i'll try and see what happens.

 

Eric, I apoligize if you took my comments as being directed towards you.( they were not) I happen to love VIR (I think its because I live so close) I also had a poor experience at the dragon, I did enjoy hang out with everyone Friday night at the mansion was the best.

As I posted before I don't need any apologies or money. (the past is the past).

I was kinda waiting to post my feelings about the gap and I guess the time arrived.

Lets don't let this interfere with our comorodory. I like VIR, You like the dragon.

We both love RX7's


Johny

 

VIR was a bit of a letdown last time. "Last time" of course for me is the time before GT Live. Minivans, SUVs, and gigantic I-can-rip-a-house-off-of-it's-foundations pickup trucks, DO NOT belong on the track. The main problem would be the inability to see what you are getting before you pay. The money I would pay could have gone to a better cause; my bank account. I'll get my life truckin' along and have some money in the bank before I think about other people again. Also, the thought of driving off a 5000' cliff at 40 MPH kind of seems like a challenge to me. (I wanna do it at 80+.)

 

Since I love everyone here and everyone loves me, I have a question. What kind of brake pads and brake rotor combos are you guys (RX7s!...you 8 guys can suck on an egg.) running? I'm thinking about ordering some Powerslot vented front and rears, but I'm a little bit confused on what kind of brake compound I should be using. I'm gonna crack open my computer version of the FSM and see if there is anything in there. Tire Rack stated that Mazda says we should be using ceramic pads. Anyone out there agree/disagree? I ask because I'm working on getting her Dragon ready.

 

No hard feelings Johny, I did think it was aimed at me though, haha. I actually like both the dragon AND VIR, I just think the price for Holiday Laps is a little high. Do they let trucks and minivans run for that too? If so, count me out...unless I'm allowed to pass them, haha. If we stay at the mansion again next time, I think we all agree it should be done alot differently. Namely, if you're going and want a room you pay for it well in advance, and EVERYONE that stays there should be putting in. However, I do think the people that have to sleep on the floor should be allowed to pay less, but they should still pay none-the-less. That was some shady **** that went on last time and can't be allowed to happen again. I didn't even find out about it til several months later. I know you don't expect an apology but even so, I'm still sorry that happened to you. That would make me never want to go back with the same people, but I hope you don't feel that way. I wish you had said something back then about it so we could all settle up right then and there.

I'm using OEM size Brembo slotted rotors and EBC Greenstuff pads, along with SS brake lines. I love the setup, it doesn't make noise like when I replaced the pads before, haha. I got it all from FDNewbie, you should definitely look him up. I was going to get Powerslot Cryotreated rotors but he got these for me for ALOT less money, about half actually. And he had mine Zinc plated to resist rust.

 

Hello folks up north!

Check this project that some of us down south are working out. We'd love to hear some feedback.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...0&page=1&pp=15

 

You guys should save your money and do a track weekend.

On brakes for a street car, you will not see performance gains in using solid vented, slotted vented or cross drilled. Even on the track, none of us would know the difference.

Pad material is a different matter. There is a balance or compromise to make. Some folks prefer low dusting that give up some performance. Track oriented pads suck on the street so be sure to get a street oriented pad. Personally, I have not used a ceramic pad I like.
I'd call these guys:
http://www.carbotecheng.com/main.htm
They are based in Shelby, N.C.
I've used various pads (street and track) and sometimes they have specials that include the rotors free.

 

Eric, holiday lap speeds I've done are around 85-95 on the straights and there have been no trucks or mini vans. I did have problems a couple of times with idiots in high HP cars that can't handle worth a **** on the turns holding me up like ******* crazy then drag racing down to the next corner where I would close and have to brake like crazy for them again. Otherwise I've had quite a bit of fun out there.

 

FINE!!!!! Yeah I wanna do this also but.... I sound like a broken record don't I haha!

Yep, true dat.

 

BTW I'm running orig rotors and stock Mazda pads on both cars and have had no problems... untill Matt gets me on a track....

 

I'll have to buy you a dinner when you pop your track cherry,

 

guess i needs a helmet... heh

 

speaking about brake, you can find a lot of excellent information here: http://www.stoptech.com/

I got their BBK w/ Axxis pad, it's a bit hard core for street use and pad give out medium level of dusts.

 

I love you too! Since you asked. :0)
I am running EBC's slotted and dimpled rotors on the front with EBC Red Stuff ceramic pads. Have had them on since the trip up to Deals Gap in 2005 and love them. I have run VIR holiday laps twice with this combo and have had no fading problems at all. I will be putting on new Red Stuff pads when I put the 4 piston calipers on the front with SS lines. I also am using some high temp brake fluid and I think that has helped also. I still have the OEM, solid disk, rotors on the rear and running PBR pads back there.

 

A good street pad will give maximum performance in the temperature range that we see on the street. Track pads do not stop as well on the street because they need to be hotter. You just can't keep the brake temps high enough on the street for them to work well. I don't know that you really see better braking distances because its the tires that are the limit.

 

I was hoping for that Friday, I scheduled it off last January! This event is a blast as long as you don't get behind a Mustang owner that can't drive! You won't be getting behind any minivans, but might get stuck behind a GT40 or Ferrari. After 30 minutes on track you'll need to come off and raise the hood and let the brakes cool down. After two or three sessions I am worn out and the adrenaline is pumping. But then I'm an old man, I needs my rest, and shouldn't get too excited.

Dan and I will be up there this year. Oh, someone give this info to Rodney if you have his email or see him before the next RRDI. I found the website information for the two vendors that sold me the Initial D diecast models of the FC. The are
www.daydeal.com and www.toysnjoys.com.

 

Economics 101 Price is where the supply satisfies the demand. People will line up and wait an hour to pay someone $25 to get back on the full track for 30 minutes of going fast and screaming out loud - don't know if the screaming comes from the tires, the engine, the passenger or the driver. It is not like anything you've driven before. Don't think its anything like parade laps 'cause its not.

Just thought I'd let everyone know that I bought a pick up truck today. An '03 Toyota Tacoma. Now I'll be able to give Wendi some rest during the week.
See everyone at the RRDI next Saturday if I get back to Raleigh on Friday.

Also remember the Brits & Battleship Car Show in Wilmington on Sat, 11/04. I'll put a new thread up on that drive.

 

Love it. I'm down.

EDIT: Also, I guess I'm up for Holiday Laps this year. I'm gonna try to get my boost issues fixed first though.

 

Sweet. Thanks for the brake info guys. I'm going to probably be ordering pads tomorrow (today) along with rotors.

 

Just a quick question...Has anyone heard from Doug and Beth? It's been a long time, just wanted to see if they were doing ok! Also, does anyone have the video Doug shot from the last Holiday Laps? I can't remember if it was on this site or the RRDI site...

 

Yeah they haven't been around or posted in a while, hope everything is ok! It's in the download section under general stuff.

 

Thanks, Greg! I just downloaded it...again. I hope my vid comes out as clean.

 

finally got the rest of the hinson stuff, well except the a/c condeser brackets(can Hinson's ever get the order right the first time?) but that isn't enough to stop me from getting the beast on the road. i have the next couple of days off. barring any problems, she should be running this week. WOOO!!!

 

I've been a bad boy!
Suprise at the next meet ...well not really a suprise since I've talked about it at the last meet