Oakland Coliseum, CA - February 22, 2009 - Over 150 competitor brave a rain storm to participate in a contest of driving skill in what some are calling "River Fest". It's not often you see large air dams and splitters working against autocross competitors but these appendages and wide tires were displacing enough water to knock over cones, generating penalties in the quake. AWD set in the top four positions with an RX-8 separating the next three FWD competitors with two Miatas rounding out the top ten. Taking nothing from these top talent drivers (they're all quite competent and earned their spots), but weather conditions fluctuated enough during the day, and even during the large run groups, that the "playing field" varied quite a bit; even between runs, which were occasionally delayed.
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Rubber Duckies, a term of endearment for the utilitarian traffic pylon; an object used to mark the path of an autocross course. Maybe that's our problem, referring to a physical object in a loving vernacular when it should be disapproved, not embracing it as an object of affection; fact is that cones should be avoided at nearly all costs or suffering ensues; a two second penalty for each encounter.
Of the six competition runs this year we've assessed cone counts on five, moving us from what would of been a first and second in class finish. While we've got some tuning to do on the car we're seriously looking for a "program" to help with cone avoidance.
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| RX-8 configured for STX with Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 255/40 on 17x9 RPF1. |
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Bryan Heitkotter pilots the highest placing rear wheel drive car (5 of 157) to a first place finish in class. As National Champion and Rookie of the year he's well worth watching and learning from. We've been fortunate to have him behind the wheel of our 2008 Championship MX-5 and have improved our performance as a result.
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| As espoused by the greatest sports nutrition and performance minds in the field, hydration is a key contributor to performance (in motorsports it tends to slow you down, some more than others). 
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| Looks like we're all alone. |
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| Then a pesky Cobra shows up... |
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| ... he's got a better line... |
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| ... where'd he go??? |
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Thunder '09 PDX Photo credit - Chuck Koehler Photography
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| Otherwise stock RX-8 on 245/40 RE-01R on 18x9.5 RPF1 |
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| LEFT:265/35x18x10.5 wheel | RIGHT 285/30x 18x9.5 wheels |
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| Rolling on stickers... |
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| ... representing Rimz & Ribz. |
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| Working on a look worthy of the venue! |
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| Adding Project Shepherd's Gate to the livery, we're out for the exposure. |
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| Under full compression these rimz make for a tight fit. |
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| Pilot Super Sports provide surprising grip on the otherwise stock RX-8! |
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| Running in the rain in STU class, Russ beats a fully prepared STI. |
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