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After the first month I am through the worst of it. But there will be many months of work ahead of me before i am walking around like normal. Thanks to all for your kind words and visits. The safety equipment was literally a lifesaver in this crash, especially the hans device which saved my neck and the roll cage that kept the car from being crushed. I cant overstate the importance of making sure your safety equipment is good every time you drive on the track, even if the chance of a crash is unlikely. I would also recommend using a full face helmet instead of an open face. I was using an open face helmet but in retrospect that was a bad decision and it was only luck that allowed me to escape serious facial injuries in a violent crash. Thanks again to the corner workers, paramedics, fire department, and stars who were organized and responded to my crisis. It is so important to be ready for a crash and they all did a great job. My spirits are good as i continue my recovery. The staff at HSC is great and the support i have received from so many has been encouraging. Thank you all! Don

Today's course discussion, great to see new comers today, looking forward for your videos upload!

Have not experienced the 5-4 grind, probably because I only do this shift on the highway, when I have plenty of time to shift down. But yes, at the track my transmission and I have some serious discussions as to whether I get to shift down into second gear for turn 3 and 8.  I always win, but not without major protest from the transmission. The transmission's revenge usually comes when I want to shift from 2nd into 3rd at the beginning of the straight, when it just doesn't want to slip into gear. Many a decent lap times have been ruined this year by rolling without drive across the timing line while fiddling with the gear shifter....

The RX8 trans can't use GL5. It must be GL4! It will be notchy and grind 3-2 and 5-4. Redline MT90

Most manufacturers expect you to change transmission oil between 60000 and 80000km. Again, on my DD I put my own spin on it and I change it roughly every 50000km. I usually hold a fluid-drain fest, and replace all liquids in my vehicle at the same time....it is just easier like that to keep track of things. On the RX-8 I changed both transmission and differential fluid at the beginning of the season, yet I think I will drop it again before the first race in spring. Not only am I a lot harder on my transmission in the Mazda than in my Jeep, but I think I might want to try a different oil. Right now I have synthetic GL-5 in it, and the transmission does not shift nice. And the car constantly has that smell of gear oil inside, even though both transmission and differential are bone-dry...

I have some concerns and would like some clarification please on the following stories I have heard.   I have been informed that there was an “executive meeting” to which not all of the executive were invited. At said meeting some or all of the family Stewart were said to be “burnt out”. No person in the WSCC that I know of has the experience, or the qualifications, to pronounce this upon anyone. Some of the family were told not to volunteer at any event for a year. As a result of this we lost eight volunteers. It may have been noticed that we had small ice race tracks to cover for the loss in volunteers and a general scare at GMP about volunteers through the season so far.   Second on my list in this epistle is a second “executive meeting” held recently. It may have had the same invitees as the first. I have been told that at this meeting Shane Stewart’s membership was suspended. I was informed that it was for handing Tow 1 a fire extinguisher when asked, and no one else around to help.   It truly bothers me that the Club seems to be run by a small, or large, clique of people that do whatever they want to whomever they want with no “official” word or comment to the general membership. I do not call this democratic, but more malevolent despot. It is not right or good.   I have had my say. I am sure opinions, flames, and maybe even facts may come back.   Have a nice day. Hamish #882

Because my reservoir is a shared between the brakes and clutch, I (usually) tend to flush my brake fluid at the end of the season. Considering brake fluid being hygroscopic and may be loaded with moisture from the summers fun. Sitting all winter inside a bunch of steel parts, it may have negative effects on both systems. My biggest concern would be a brake system solid line failure due to internal corrosion. 

Ooops

Hey Roland - thanks for background, great info from you as usual! I have to admit that I’m not a big “brake fluid changing” guy and don’t touch the system until it’s telling me there’s a problem! In the spirit of PM I have devised a scheme for my car...I will change brake fluid at the start of the season, exactly the same time I change my oil...and leave them both until there is a problem or the start of the next season! Obviously this is based on usage (and atmospheric exposure wrt brake fluid) and with the 3 T/A events I get to per year that’s roughly 20 timed laps per event...so I am not pushing the limits of serviceability in any way.  Oddly enough, I had a problem with both oil and brake fluid this year and both have been changed after 1 event!  ...but I have a ‘track only’ car. Not the same deal if you DD your race car. So let’s put things in perspective. Change the brake fluid before the first race next year, change the oil when you normally do. It should all be good.  That being said - whats this normal schedule for changing manual transmission fluid??? I’ve still not changed mine in 3 seasons, starting to feel guilty!!

Wow, those are some serious tires! I wish we were allowed something like that when we used to race Ski-Joring in the olden days - although that probably would left a few skiers look like an aerated lawn when things went wrong...