Mazdaspeed Spec. 2 RX-8 Review
After recent events I couldn't think of a better christmas present for this garage than a review, and in the process even received one by having used such a complete setup.
Not a fault of the setup but my first obstacle was actually buying the car. Perhaps I missed it in the description but I wasn't sure of exactly which version of the RX-8 to buy, in the end settling for the RX-8 Type S [no oil change].
Normally I test cars on Suzuka or GVS but as it says the Ring is prefered, off to the ring I went. On reading the setup of the car I was critical at first, judging the setup as being a bit unrefined and I couldn't quite understand what it was trying to achieve. However after applying the settings, all the doubts were diminished and the setup infact proved to be very accesible and matched well to the rings varied layout.
The first thing I have to comment on is the brake balance. Due to a lapse in concentration I managed to do about 3 laps without actually setting the brake balance and as such was faced with some slight nervous understeer into the corners; in a light bulb over the head moment 💡 I twigged at what had happened. Immediately the car felt more responsive and able to curb the extra speed that the mods had given. Instead of understeer it became a gradual and predictable slide that could be used to get faster lap times (though this required much patience in figuring out the best braking points).
From the start to
Aremburg the cars composure was revealed. In the tight and slower sections the car was never at threat of being unbalanced and thankfully the setup made carving through the corners an easy affair. The relative lack of abrupt weight shifting, even under quick changes of direction, made holding the intended lines effortless and on a punishing circuit such as the ring this was very much appreciated.
Onto the faster flowing section of the course right up to Karussel, the setup proved that it was just as capable of dispatching off high speed cornering though with a little less precision. At times the cornering felt a little 'laggy' (the car turns with a noticable delay in relation to the controller input) but I put that down to the inherent characteristics of the tyres that are more prone to sliding at speed. The power which wasn't over kill, but rather "just right", meant the car was able to go at a pace good enough as not to get embaressed by some more up market cars. All I can say is congrats on choosing a power level that was enough to test the tyres but still accesible enough as not to require too much concentration.
From here to the finish the cars overall balance was tested. In terms of the mechanical grip, this was there in ample supply and the car was unphased by the off camber and tricky changes in elevation that would have unsettled a less prepared car. The setup gave predicatable cornering and was consistent letting the driver concentrate purely on the track; this I find is a particularly good trait, especially useful on the ring, showing the faith I had in the setups abilities.
Admittedly going into Pflanzgarten I had a nervous feeling which I never settled but even still the rest of the lap was good enough for this to be ignored. At this point of the track the car would have been helped by some extra downforce helping it to take on the demanding fast corners and simultaneous sudden change in 'altitude'.
As for the remaining part of the track, the only real comment is congrats again on having made the braking responsive and effective.
Overall, after the sceptical start, the setup proved to be very well thought out and exceptional when put to use. There was a good compromise in the setup which gave it a well rounded character which was well suited to the varied nature of the ring. My only complaints are that the car would definately benefit from optimised gearing and being slightly less sensitive to the bumps and curbs which will inevitably be hit.
Mazdaspeed Spec. 2 RX-8 @ Nurburgring; 7'18.810
Pyrelli
Here's a hint... it's VERY strange, VERY tailhappy, VERY green, and it's not a toaster.
Restored this car over 3 years with my dad.
(8 cars to be found, set-up, reviewed and compared to each other, sounds fun, just sooo time consuming...)
