As per subject, is anybody else on here heading down to the Rolex 24 Hour in a couple of weeks?
With it being the 50th Anniversary, plus, very likely the last year the RX8s will be eligible (since there will be no 2013 model) it seemed like a great year to go.

Wondering if anybody else will be there to meet up with and/or cheer on the rotary teams.

We got the Grassroots Motorsports package tickets, plus my better half got Media credentials and will be doing an article for our provincial newspaper.

Anybody else going?

 

As a matter of fact, Hevnsnt and I will be heading down to Daytona for the race.
We should exchange numbers.
Meet up and cheer on the rotary boys.

Send me a PM.

 

Nice. Would love to go. Not in the books with the DGRR event this year Have fun!

 

Neo: You have an inbound PM coming.

Ian: I hear you. Might have to skip DGRR this year after going the last two years. Only so muhc budget to go around. But, something has to give, and I'm not sure I'll have another chance to hear this many rotary cars racing in anger at the same time ever again.

 

We we're going to do Daytona and Sebring but it looks like just Sebring this year. Shame as it is likely the last year for the 3-rotors.

 

Yeah next year it will be "skyactiv" lol

 

Yeah, as much as I admire the whole "Skyactiv" thing, I don't see me making a pilgrimage to see/hear them race. It just isn't the same.

Here's hoping a few more of you decide to make the trip. Will try to meet up with Neo and crew to fly the Canadian RX flag...

 

Hah, this is the only Rolex thread on the forums...

I got lucky, work needs me in Miami till Friday so I am stopping by the race for Saturday. I have a 7:30am flight out from Daytona on Sunday so i figure I will try to pull an all nighter and then sleep on the plane. I bought tickets for the Mazda Corral.

 

Same thing here. I'm hoping that the privateer Peugeots still race, as the factory team has axed their Lemans program today. Hoping to see the Deltawing on track too.

 

Well, unfortunately I couldn't hook up with any other Canadians while I was there.
My schedule was a little chaotic.
Got there on race day, and it took over an 1.5hr just to get into parking. By then the teams were already getting prepped to get on the grid.
Hevnsnt and I were scrambling to get to the paddock to check out some of the teams, and then across the track to get up to the grand stands.

Never seen so many people! I can't imagine that place when the Nascar circus is in town.
Only track I know where its built right in the middle of the bloody city!! Insane!

Had a great time. Stayed till about 6pm on Sat., and then early on Sun. before heading out to Fort Lauderdale.

It was great to see all the RX-8's spit out trails of fire!! The only cars on the track showing any signs of true "racecar" action!
Every other car on the track couldn't produce any flamage or signs of smoke. Bravo RX-8's!!

Very interested to do it again next year.

Weather was alright. Was expecting it to be warmer, but then again, it is their "winter". And that weather beats Canadian weather anytime!!

 

Sorry we weren't able to meet up.
We were at the track on Friday from about 8am (she had to go get her media credentials) until about 6pm.
We got to the track 9am on Saturday, were there until about 3:30am, went back to the hotel for a shower/change clothes and a 45 minute nap, back to the track for 6am and stayed through the trophy presentation.
Awesome experience. The 8s look and sound great in person. Too bad the "equalization" is currently biased to the 911s. (I think they get a 50hp or so advantage right now)
Considering the time of year, the weather was pretty good. Midnight paddock tour with Grassroots and Dean from Mazdaspeed was cool. Gave me a chance to suggest building the Furai as an RX8 follow on. (You had to be there.)
The 50 Years of Champions stuff was really well done, and amazing to see those old cars run.

For those that missed it, my better half has an article and a really nice highlight video she did up on the page for the newspaper she works for. (She's actually in promotions, but does some freelance journalism.)

http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/whe...-other-daytona

 

Damn! I wish I had more time set aside to experience more of this.
So much to do.. And the facility is so huge. Never experienced anything like that before.

Hopefully next time we'll be able to hook up.