Recent Racing Updates

She really has come a long way, even with just this year already!

This year has certainly tested me as a driver so far. Running into various problems at the start of the year in which the car hasn't been able to preform at 100%, which in turn forced me to have to drive as fast as I could. Now with all of my issues taken care of, the RX-8 is back in action and I can focus on driving fast, and fine tuning the car as much as possible for Nationals this year. Because I've spent most of my free time working towards fixing the car, working, or racing, I haven't really had time to post about each individual event. Below is a short and sweet condensed version of the changes I made, followed by links to all the new (also VERY condensed) posts related to each all the races I attended in June, complete with results and video.

Fuel Problems Resolved & New Tune

PP02 Performance - Tuned by Kane

After countless hours of trying everything under the sun, I was at a complete loss. I reached out to Mazdaspeed Development, SpeedSource, various other race teams, other autocrossers, sent datalogs, and everything else you can think of. That's when after talking it over with Charles from Black Halo Racing, he offered a suggestion I hadn't even thought of before.

New Season - New Name

I had reached a point in early 2012 that I had started to become tired with my blog. As time passed, it was not just my blog and it's layout I grew tired of, but the name of it as well. It took me awhile to really figure out what I wanted to accomplish with my blog, what my needs were, and my own goals in racing going forth. After some serious soul searching, planning and designing, I came up with a full redesign, rebranding, whole new approach to not just my blog, but Motorsports as a whole. I am proud to announce that I have changed the old RE-Zelse to Monnar Motorsports!

RX-8 BSP To DSP Thoughts

For those that are unaware, the Street Prepared Advisory Committee (SPAC) has moved the RX-8 from B Street Prepared (BSP), to D Street Prepared (DSP). For a lot of people, especially RX-8 owners, they are pretty excited to see this change go through. Then again, there are a few that disagree with the decision to move the RX-8 to DSP. I've been relatively quiet about the move except for with a select few, but I figure now is the time to lay my thoughts out.

Time Is Running Out!

On the stands getting worked on

I know it's been awhile since I've posted (I'm saying that a lot lately these days!) but it's been crunch time with a lot of things going on in my life, racing included. I figured I would give some pictures and post a status update of where everything stands at least.

Official SCCA Tour Dates + New Type Of Tour!

Whoohoo! Not just preliminary anymore... I have the official dates for 2013. But what's this? A new type of tour, that also takes contingencies? More racing never hurt anyone... Right? So it looks like this year we have a total of 27 events across the country!

Upcoming Projects For 2013

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays as much as I did. A lot of changes and projects at work for me, met up with Charles from BHR for a bit, along with working to get my Miata working again, and a LOT of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for Playstation 3. I've also acquired http://re-zelse.com/ and it forwards straight to the blog! Now that we're getting closer to the race season, that means it's time to start getting ready for it and wrenching! 

Preliminary SCCA National Tour Dates Posted!

Great news! Looks like the preliminary 2013 National Tour and ProSolo dates have been released! For those that are subscribed to SportsCar magazine, you probably already saw this in the latest January 2013 issue. For those that are not however, this will help keep you in the loop with where things currently stand. Be sure to follow the SCCA Forums to see all the talk about specific details regarding the schedule.

Social Networking

For those that haven't noticed on the right side of the blog, I now have a link to Google+. And it's not a link so that you can share it, it's a link straight to RE-Zelse's Google+ Page!

No Solo Nationals?

Unfortunately, I will not be going to the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championship as planned for this year. A lot of the work and stress for this season was to have the car fully prepped with a solid setup for Nationals, but there are too many factors in which it wouldn't make sense to go. I could have gone to just have fun of course, or possibly even ask someone from my region to co-drive, but that would defeat the whole purpose of all my work with Serenity, no?

Getting Ready For War

Time to wear the war paint again! En garde!

It has started, and there's no turning back at this point. The war paint- I mean... The vinyls are on for the National Tour, and for Nationals in September. This allows me to be eligible for contingency prizes and to show respect (will be getting more vinyls for Nationals as well). All that is left is my Tire Rack windshield banner and a few small SCCA vinyls I receive at the event.

Blueberry's Blues

On her way to see Doctor Wankel!

Clearances. Exact and precise internal clearances are essential for any rotary engine to operate smoothly and properly. So what gives? Where have I been? Wankel Works and I have been trying to troubleshoot a few issues after the engine build. Clearances, just so happened to be one of them.

Blueberry's Upcoming Track Weekend

Photo by Jordan Cancela - Cancela Photography

Yes, it is finally that time. After all of the wrenching, troubleshooting, and cuts soaked in WD-40; Track time. So far, the weather is going to raining most of the weekend which will make this weekend a very technical one. Here is a link to New Jersey Motorsports Park's track information.

Circle me on Google+ to get updates from the track!

Build Weekend... Again!

Blueberry - 4x4 Status

As Blueberry's track conversion continues, all of the wear and tear of daily driving is coming to light. Just before my other motor was rebuilt at Wankel Works, I began to notice increased drag from the rear wheels. The increased drag quickly lead to a loud whine from the differential. Since the differential was in need of replacement, it made sense to completely disassemble and clean everything else. I referred to the Factory Service Manual (FSM) for the removal procedure and I began to break down all of the rear suspension components.

Since Blueberry was my daily driver for years in the Northeast, I have one word: Rust. When disassembling the rear, I discovered that my tie rods were not only rusted, but completely frozen solid in place. That is when the RE-Zelse team and Luis from Wankel Works assembled together down in Pennsylvania to help me finish the work I started.

Getting Ready!

Getting help at Wankel Works with installing the oil pan

Racing season has already begun in some parts of the country, and it is almost time for it to start over in the east coast! With less than two weeks left before the first race, I've been working overtime to get ready. Most of the things I had to take care of over my winter break were maintenance related, but I still managed to pick up some new goodies as well. If you haven't noticed from the changes to the build page yet, here are some of the new parts for this year.

• Tomei Technical Trax Advanced 1.5-way limited slip differential
• Delrin differential bushings
• Bride Zeta III Sport racing seats in black, which should be here soon!
• The final version of the long tubed race header I've been working with BHR on
• GReddy Engine Oil Pan
• 18x10 +38 Enkei Racing RPF1 wheels, powder coated dark gun metal, with 285/30 A6 Hoosiers

Autocross Presentation At Wankel Works

When:

• Saturday, March 24th
• 12pm till everyone leaves!
• Presentation starts at 1pm

Where:

• Wankel Works
• 465 Lancaster Street
• Leominster, MA 01453

What to Bring:

• Notebook or Tablet if you want to take notes

Blog Redesign and Vision Statement

After getting some downtime, I finished putting together the new design layout of the blog. The new banner design, matched with the overall new look and feel is something I have been brewing up for awhile. Each page has been updated with new content that features the new members of the team, so feel free to check them out at your leisure.

Blueberry's Build Update

Good news everyone! The Blueberry's motor has been ported and rebuilt thanks to Lui and Raul from WankelWorks. I will be creating a complete post about my absolutely wonderful experience working with them and everything about the motor rebuild.

Japan With Kaizen Tuning

Hi everyone! Well, I made it back in one piece from Japan. Half of me wishes I never left, but the other half is always glad to be back home! Japan was truly an experience like no other, as I have wanted to visit for a very long time. I've always had a deep appreciation for their culture and traditions, music, technology, food, and of course, their cars. If Japan is not on your bucket list of places to visit, I would suggest adding it. I owe this all to Kaizen Tuning, as I was able to have this amazing time in Japan thanks to them. 

Andrey & "Tigri"

Hello everybody! I am Andrey (Dre), and I will be giving you a look at the weekend racer/luxury modifier along with my ride, "Tigri".

I will be going to a lot of road racing events with Francesco, however, whereas Francesco's goal is to compete, mine is to learn the car and learn how to drive. In the meantime, my car is at Speed1 (formerly known as KDR) in Pennsylvania getting the finishing touches done to my GReddy turbo kit.