honda wants to mass sell civics and accords, that's why they race 'em. Same with the TSX in the real-time-racing team.

 

No, in Grand Am, like I said.

 

There are "real" RX8's in the Koni Challenge(class ST), with GrandAm.
Some of these same cars race in the Southeast region with NASA. ROAR Racing has 3 cars that compete in Koni Challenge, and then in PTB with NASA.

Otherwise, there are lots of RX8's doing HPDE's around the SE. My guess would be that they can be reliable, relatively inexpensive, and lots of fun. They also make a better all-around daily driver than the S2000, due to the extra interior and trunk space.

If my S ever has to be replaced, a Mazda is what I'd end up racing in. You can't compete with the Mazda ladder system and the support/contingencies they offer.

 

RX-8s are great cars, if you don't mind poor gas mileage. They are fairly powerful (but 185rwhp vs. 210rwhp for an AP2, so significantly different). In stock form, they are easier to drive at the limit, and they are reliable.

That said, I've only seen one RX-8 on the track (talking HPDE, not racing), and many S2000s. After the S2000 was bumped up to A stock, the RX-8 became the beast of B stock in autocross, and you will see lots of them at a decent autocross (B stock is almost spec-RX-8).

As for road racing, there are very few S2000s or RX-8s in any race weekend I've taken part in. But if I were to choose one or the other to race, I would choose the RX-8 in a heartbeat, because of the fabulous factory support for racing at all levels given by Mazda.

 

how does the ladder system work?

 

Simply stated, there are two aspects of Mazda support which make racing a Mazda attractive.

First, for folks like me who have no plans to work our way up the racing ladder, seeking ever higher levels of racing (and potential reward), there is the support the factory gives us, principally in the form of selling us OEM replacement parts very, very discounted. Road racing is hard on cars, and getting replacement parts inexpensively is a big help in the course of a season.

Then, for those who do aspire to work their way up, there is a "ladder," so that those who, say, have great success at Spec Miata can move up to MX-5 Cup, then to the next level, etc. for quite a few steps, all with the same factory support. And the very best at each level get the next step for free (or at least heavily subsidized, like getting the car for free), for a year.

 

Where in the Mazda ladder system is the RX8?

 

I race a Spec Miata, so I'm only familiar with what some people have done moving up the Mazda ladder from Spec Miata; I don't know where (or even if) the RX-8 fits into the Mazda ladder.

 

Formula Car:
Skip Barber (Formula car - Mazda) - Formula Mazda (regional) - Formula Pro Mazda - Atlantic (Mazda) - crossover to ALMS P2 (Mazda)

Sports Car:
Skip Barber MX5 School car - Spec Miata - MX5 Cup - Speed World Challenge Touring Car (Mazda 6)/Grand Am Koni Challenge (RX8) - Grand Am Rolex (RX8) - ALMS P2 (Mazda)

Not sure where IMSA Cup (Mazda) fits in...

 

BTW meant to PM you. Great race with Stanton @ NJMP, nearly lost my voice