MAzda RX-8--Rolex Sports Cars Series

[Phoenix7]

:cheers2:

http://www.grand-am.com/rolex/schedule/results.cfm

Speedsource RX-8 is in 21st position (3rd in the GT Class). Anyone wanna get some bets going?

Pole position for GT class: Porsche GT3 (hope it doesn't crash into the 8)

Second place position: Pontiac GPX (LS powered)

http://www.grand-am.com/photos/full/041708MEXfr_%20%20064.jpg

One of the pics from qualifying.

[Phoenix7]

5th Place.

[Phoenix7]

Apparently the #21 Pontiac took out the black 8.

http://www.grand-am.com/photos/full/041908MEXsa_%20%20101.jpg


SPEEDSOURCE (Emil Assentato, Jeff Segal – No. 69 Mazda RX-8; Sylvain Tremblay, Nick Ham – No. 70 Mazda RX-8) – The SpeedSource team has a lot of momentum on its side heading into the Mexico City 250 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The team is the defending race winner in the GT class (Sylvain Tremblay and Nick Ham), and Tremblay and Ham were joined by David Haskell and Raphael Matos in the team’s Rolex 24 At Daytona GT win in January. Only one point out of the driver and team point lead, a victory will put the No. 70 and its drivers back on top. And, in case the team doesn’t have enough momentum, its No. 69 and drivers Emil Assentato and Jeff Segal have top-10 GT finishes in both races in 2008, and Assentato co-piloted the No. 69 to a third-place finish at Mexico City last season.

LAST SERIES POLE POSITION: January 25, 2008 – Daytona International Speedway (GT; No. 70)

LAST SERIES RACE VICTORY: January 27, 2008 – Daytona International Speedway (GT; No. 70)

[Phoenix7]

http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3615_21.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3615_27.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3614_2.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3614_15.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3614_13.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3614_39.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3614_40.jpg

[Phoenix7]

IT FLOODED!!!! :lol: j/k

http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3614_50.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3614_63.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3614_64.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3613_3.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3613_10.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3613_11.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3613_15.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3613_33.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3613_34.jpg

[Phoenix7]

Thanks to THERACESITE.COM for the cool pics:

http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_1.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_3.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_9.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_12.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_29.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_28.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_30.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_42.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3595_64.jpg

[blwnrtr93]

I watched a few minutes of the race when it was aired (re-aired) on SPEEDTV, yesterday. I'm still not a fan of the 8's but they are growing on me everyday.
Aren't all these 8's running R20Bs? I wonder when they will produce a limited-edition Mazdaspeed version with a Renesis 20B. That would be a respectable sportscar (even with the the 2 +2 1/2 doors.

[Phoenix7]

NA 20B, the new (2009) upgraded suspension. SOunds like fun and seats 4.

[Phoenix7]

NA 20B, the new (2009) upgraded suspension. SOunds like fun and seats 4.

[Phoenix7]

http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3644_13.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3644_12.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3644_10.jpg


5th Place:
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3641_44.jpg


http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3641_31.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3641_29.jpg

http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3641_25.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3641_14.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3641_19.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3641_7.jpg

[Phoenix7]

http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_48.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_47.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_44.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_41.jpg



http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_37.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_39.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_31.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_28.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_29.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_27.jpg

[Phoenix7]

http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3637_3.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_7.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3637_37.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3640_6.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3637_28.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3637_9.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3637_12.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3637_10.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3636_80.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3636_41.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3636_30.jpg
http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3636_12.jpg

[Turbo II]

Some of the 350 pics I took at VIR for the ROLEX race on Sunday.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008012.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008013.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008029.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008066.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008067.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008068.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008069.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008070.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008071.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008072.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008073.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008074.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008076.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008083.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008092.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008093.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008096.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008097.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008098.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008099.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008108.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008111.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008118.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008126.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008144.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008146.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008159.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008167.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008170.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008171.jpg

[Turbo II]

http://www.theracesite.com/client_images/albums/3637_3.jpg

The Dempseymobile as we nicknamed it for the race. He wasn't there this time though, we did get to meet him last year at GT Live when he bought a seat from ROAR Racing. Guess when your main sponsor drops you for NASCAR you do what ya got to do to get money to run the series.

[Turbo II]

http://www.virclub.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10335&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www.virclub.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10357&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www.virclub.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10377&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www.virclub.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10560&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www.virclub.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10600&g2_serialNumber=1

[Phoenix7]

DOOD!!!! Great pics!!! Thanks for adding them. I'm trying to buy tickets for the Laguna Seca event in a few weeks.

[Turbo II]

A few more... I still have a ton of pics to upload. Lots of DP cars in the rest.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008009.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008031.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008081.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008153.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/VIRROLEX2008165.jpg

Some video off the camera, not that good but you get the idea.

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/?action=view&current=VIRROLEX2008341.flv

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/?action=view&current=VIRROLEX2008346.flv

[blwnrtr93]

Great pics, Turbo II. I wish they were coming somewhere closer to me this year.

[Turbo II]

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed them! Here's a link (http://picasaweb.google.com/gstamper1) to everything I've uploaded, If you're not familiar with picasaweb you can enlarge the pics with the little magnifying glass next to what looks like a head to the right side of the back and forth arrows above the pics. You can then right click on them to view the image and get the BIG version.

I've been lucky to see the series twice now (which reminds me I should upload last years pics hah!) at VIR. Being able to just wander around the paddock area is way too much fun. Especially when they're warming up (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/gstamper/ROLEX%20VIR%202008/?action=view&current=VIRROLEX2008347.flv) the cars, the sound is awesome. It's worth a road trip to do if you have a chance. Then the racing, what can I say. It was a 45 car field, lots of action. Can't wait to watch it on Speed this weekend.

[blwnrtr93]

I'm definately gonna check it out on Speed. I may have to kick my wife out of the living room while I watch, but I'm "there".

[Oliver]

Some fantastic photo taking, thanks for sharing!
Interesting car lift post #17
Regards
Oliver

[McVicker]

Who builds that engine? Is it a mazda built engine (mazda part number) or does speed source build them?

[afgmoto1978]

Speed Source builds them, but I believe with the help from some well know rotary engine builders, like CLR. Be interesting to see what modifications they did internally, cooling, porting, cermet coated housings, etc.

[RXtreme8]

If anyone wants to meet the Racers Edge guys (red #30 in pics above), get a personal tour of the car and their new shop, and everything they do... then keep reading.

Rotary4Life is hosting an event December 6th at Racers Edge Motorsports in Deland, FL (just out side of Daytona). They are giving us a full tour of the shop, tech insight on suspension and performance settings. Demonstrations, diagnostic information and data logging... and Free FOOD. If you're interested.... post up on the thread below!!

In the rotary events section:
http://www.rotarycarclub.com/showthread.php?t=4934

[Kwerks]

next year will be very hard with the updated rules limiting rpms. wish only the best for the team but its very unfair to constantly see rotary cars being limited in every major racing series...maybe mazda will someday field more cars to hold their ground on the rule changes

[j_tso]

Speedsource #70 starts on pole and #69 in 4th for the Daytona 24
From the Grand-Am website (http://www.grand-am.com/rolex/news/index.cfm?cid=20443)

In GT, Sylvain Tremblay captured the Rolex 24 pole for the second consecutive year in dramatic fashion, waiting until near the end of the session to turn a track record lap of 1:49.455 (117.100) in the No.70 SpeedSource Castrol Syntec Mazda RX. Tremblay and Nick Ham will be seeking their second consecutive GT victory in the Rolex 24, and fourth consecutive triumph at Daytona - all from the pole position. David Haskell and Jonathan Bomarito will co-drive in the Rolex 24.

"We were short by about three- or four-tenths, and I had to do quite a bit of work to make it happen," Tremblay said. "I could see that that last lap had potential. I kept my head down and drove as hard as I've ever driven here to try to get that lap. I know it doesn't mean much for a 24-hour race, but it means a lot to the team, it means a lot to my boys and it means a lot to me."

Tremblay knocked Andy Lally off the pole, after the driver of the No. 67 TRG Porsche GT3 turned in a lap of 1:49.450 (116.998 mph) early in the session.

Martin Ragginger, Jeff Segal and Wolf Henzler rounded out the top five GT qualifiers.
GO SPEEDSOURCE

[Turbo II]

I spent the day at Virginia International Raceway hanging out with SpeedSource in the paddock and pits during the ROLEX Bosch Engineering 250. Sylvain Tremblay decided I needed a new Mazda hat since mine is looking old. Then the guys at Dempsey/Hypersport Racing (#40) tried to give me another one! Also met the owner of Racers Edge #30 who came by to talk to us in the Mazda Corral. I have lots of pics I need to upload.

*edit* Day two consisted of hanging out in the Mazda hospitality tent, Mazda team Goshen's trailer, a few laps on the track, sitting in an SRT-8 Dodge Challenger and watching more races.

[Turbo II]

A few teasers from the weekend.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4J1rJUNHHyQ/SfXU5qo1dwI/AAAAAAAABx0/Ee0P7z8KaTM/s640/VIR%20ROLEX%202009%20024.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4J1rJUNHHyQ/SfXWps7BNWI/AAAAAAAAB4U/Qt2MfHVKxbM/s640/VIR%20ROLEX%202009%20075.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4J1rJUNHHyQ/SfXX-5q_A8I/AAAAAAAAB8E/Yj9QCB4_480/s640/VIR%20ROLEX%202009%20104.jpg

The rest can be found here! (http://picasaweb.google.com/gstamper1/VIRROLEX2009?feat=directlink)

[RCCAZ 1]

Any word on how the demise of Pontiac will affect the current Rolex teams running that platform??

[bbarnes870]

Funny the top picture you can see me in the reflection of the transporter. I was the one shooting the video for SpeedSource. Well some of the video is up online and I thought you guys might like to see it.
SpeedSource TV (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=36289FC08B3F7082)

[Turbo II]

Nice, thanks for letting us know!