I'm going to hell... I hit a Ferrari!!! (Video)

I was racing a SCCA National at Heartland Park in Kansas this weekend. Runoffs are there in October, so I went up for practice. I run the RX8 in Touring 3, but we share our group with Touring 1 and 2. The Ferrari 360 Challenge runs in Touring 1. I was having a good weekend. Had top practice time in T3 along with getting the pole in qualifying. The race was tough because the Cobalt SS has about 70 more HP, but I can out handle him. The Cobalt got around at the start and I spent most of the race catching him and working a pass. I made 3 passes that he only retook on the main straight because of power. My fourth pass attempt came at the end of the race when the group leading Ferrari 360 C was lapping us. He came around me on a short straight and since he was 20 seconds up on the 2nd place T1 car he was driving a little conservatively while I was in the heat of a classic war in T3. Anyway, I braked about 5 yards past where he did and I nailed the Ferrari! It worked for the better because in the video you can see the yellow Cobalt had followed the Ferrari on my inside and was going to take the corner, but the contact with the Ferrari caused him to back off and that gap allowed me to win the race.

The Ferrari owner/driver (infrequent FC user) is a nice guy and I met him for first time after the race. He is a very talented driver who has won the Runoffs in another class. No damage to the Ferrari, but deservingly his rear tow hook gouged my front bumper. I am going to hell for this, I’m repenting my sins!

Also, all you know it all track types that want to comment on my lines can save it. I out practiced, qualified, and won the race against some of the best competition in the nation as they also prepare for the October Runoffs. You see me make the pass and I’m driving a “defensive” line as his 70 HP advantage is capable of easily jumping around me, I was making it a little harder without making an illegal block. I set a Touring 3 course record while I was at it.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/videos/20060611_RX8_HPT_ferrarihit.mpg (15.1 Mb)

 

Thank you. That may be my best avatar yet. Too bad the dang admin doesn't allow animated avatars.

Not a single scratch to the Ferrari. His rear tow hook tore a 4 by 4 inch hole in my bumper. Anyone know that there is just hard foam inside the bumper?

The classes are mostly fair. This is first year T3 is a national class, so there won't be as much balance as other classes yet. They use competitive adjustments (weight, suspension mods, and even some driveline mods) to balance the cars out. Cobalt SS doesn't have the handling or brakes of the RX8. It does have 70 HP, but really tough for it to use in the corners as it is front wheel drive. Down the straight I don't have a chance though. Here is an outdated list of T3 cars, but it is 95% correct...

Mazdaspeed Miata - 2480
Mazda RX8 - 2980
Saturn ION Redline - 2890
Chevrolet Cobalt SS - 2890
Mini Cooper S - 2630
Subaru Legacy GT - 3410
Lexus IS300 - 3370
Scion tC - 3025
Ford Mustang GT (01 - 04) - 3480
Subaru WRX - 3085
BMW Z4 2.5 - 3125
Mazda 6s - 3360
Audi TT Coupe - 3390
Audi TT coupe Quattro - 3390

You can also consider autocrossing the RX8, it is very competitive in B Stock.

Here are some more videos of the race that show how much fun we have. Sorry for the big files. You can also see how much power the Cobalt SS carries.

Clip 1: First two laps show the start and getting passed by the Cobalt (yellow) along with another RX8 on a missed shift in turn 8 and then the vette in the way at EVERY corner. Just because you have HP doesn't mean you have talent. That Z06 is in Touring 1, but was running times with Touring 3. After too many close calls the inevitable happened and the vette spun collecting the orange RX8. The RX8 limped around rest of race, but the Z06 was thankfully put out.

http://www.chicksdigitracing.com/videos/20060611_RX8_HPT_first2laps.mpg (73.5 Mb)

Clip 2: Good clean close racing with the Cobalt.

http://www.chicksdigitracing.com/videos/20060611_RX8_HPT_close1.mpg (13.8 Mb)

Clip 3: Good clean close racing with the Cobalt.

http://www.chicksdigitracing.com/videos/20060611_RX8_HPT_close2.mpg (30.2 Mb)

Clip 4: Good clean close racing with the Cobalt.

http://www.chicksdigitracing.com/videos/20060611_RX8_HPT_close3.mpg (25.0 Mb)