Mazda RX-8 vs. BMW E30 M3 at VIR Full Course 2010-08-29 - MazdaDriverS.com

MazdaDriverS.com full weekend at VIR on the Full Course Chasing Scott M. in his race-prepped E30 M3. We swapped position a few times, but he couldn't keep up in the corners. And I had a full tank of gas and a passenger!

THIS WAS NOT A RACE. We are both high-performance driving instructors and passing was allowed anywhere during this session, but only with a point-by from the leading car.

Vehicle is a 2005 Mazda RX-8 with stock 232 HP engine. Modifications are slightly better Progress springs, Koni shocks, gutted catalytic converter, B&B muffler, Hawk Brake HP+ front pads, Hawk HPS rear pads, and Hoosier R6 tires on stock rims. Everything else is STOCK. Car has 38,000 miles on it.

Filmed with a Creative Labs Vado HD camera mounted to the windshield with a Panavise 809 suction cup mount.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• VIR
• RX8
• Mazda
• M3
• Mazdadrivers

[Flaheat]

That pass on the outside made me a bit nervous. Nice driving. Also, thanks for not ruining this video with a bunch of crappy techno music or whatever. The rotary sounds perfect.

[wankelbolt]

@Flaheat - Which one? Mine at the end? He pointed me by, so he knew I was there so no danger. You're welcome for the natural music. ;-)

[ussprinceton2004]

Have you heard or tried VirtualDub with Deshaker plugin to help stabilize the shaky videos coming from hand held video cameras? If so, could you do a tutorial on how to use it, specifically with the Vado HD? If not, you should check out the video comparisons of before and after using VirtualDub with the Deshaker plugin here on youtube. You may want to use them for your videos.

[wankelbolt]

@ussprinceton2004 - Thanks for the advice. I don't run Windows, so can't run VirtualDub, but will look for a stabilizing plugin for my NLE. Part of the problem was I didn't have the camera mounted as solidly as I should.

[MBL0CKG]

why was he slowing down on corners is a e30 it can take a corner at high speeds

[wankelbolt]

@MBL0CKG - He is taking them at high speeds. Just not as high as the RX-8. ;-)

[MrWoodlandAirsoft]

wonderful driving on both your guys part haha

[MikeLenoch5]

Quality driving mate!

[cesarcano1985]

i love my mazda rx 8

the best sport car

rotary engineer

[Tallandcharming]

I have the 2010 RX8 GT/R3 here in Sydney, too many speed cameras so hoping to get mine to a track day in a couple of weeks, the handling of the RX8 is superb and with the Bilstein shocks, crossmember and 19's it just gets better.

[Dosalt]

does M3 gets the edge when it comes to straight line, surely looks like that

[BEATYOAZ]

@MBL0CKG E30s handle well but they have very primitive suspension compared to the RX-8 and the RX also has the ability to run wider tires.