***TRACKDAY, Bedford Autodrome GT (Bedfordshire) - Monday 20th July*** £199

[Foremanator]

Lets make the most of the summer, would be great to see as many RX-8’s as possible!

This event is being run by Javelin , priced at £199. The GT configuration is 3.8 miles long with some good technical sections and a chicane on the back straight. Always enjoy the circuit and it’s good one for beginners (large run off areas & little Armco) as well as old hands alike.

More details and booking
https://javelintrackdays.co.uk/trackday ... e/BA200726

07:30 - Check In Opens
09:00 - Sighting Laps
09:20 - Open Pit Lane
12:30 - Lunch
13:30 - Open Pit Lane
17:00 - Trackdays Ends

Format: Open pit lane
Noise limit:101 DB(A) static and 87.5 DB(A) drive-by

Address
Bedford Autodrome
Thurleigh Airfield Business Park
Thurleigh
Bedford
MK44 2YP

Members attending
Brad_wil (RX-8) - Paid + Garage (shared with CNWilson / Foremanator / MightyCondor)
CNWilson (RX-8) - Paid
Foremanator (RX-8) - Paid
MightyCondor (RX-8) - Paid
Whiterat (RX8-8) - Paid
RX8TOO (RX8 - Paid)
NuttyChappie (MX-5) - Paid
Nickp47 (Car TBC) - Paid

If you book a place, please post up here so we can link up

[Foremanator]

Thanks Tom. I've added it to the 2026 track days thread.

Am tempted to book on myself. Have been looking to go back after that eventful day I had 2 years ago when my car was overheating, oil burping and ejecting its ESS sensor for good measure....

[Foremanator]

Thank you Alan, get yourself booked on, would be good to make up for those events!

[Nickp47]

Was thinking of doing an evening at Bedford this year but if a few people are doing this it could be a way to go, will have a think

[Whiterat]

I'm booked on, NuttyChappie hopefully joining too

[MightyCondor]

I'm booked on. No garages left, so would I be able to store my things in yours? I promise to deal with any mechanical dramas outdoors like last time!

[Foremanator]

Great to hear you're both booked on, looking forward to it. More than welcome to use the garage as you like Alan

I'm booked on, NuttyChappie hopefully joining too

Is NuttyChappie confirmed as joining?

Was thinking of doing an evening at Bedford this year but if a few people are doing this it could be a way to go, will have a think

Would be great to see you there, 5 of us confirmed now!

[Nickp47]

Thanks for the reminder, I’ve booked using a few reward points and the OC discount - all helps!

I’ll be in my MX-5 as usual, not done Bedford for I think four years so looking forward to it.

[Whiterat]

Is NuttyChappie confirmed as joining?

Yup, confirmed - although not in an RX8

[RX8TOO]

Hi, I have booked and paid too.

Looking forward to this.

Neil

RX8TOO

[Foremanator]

Lovely stuff RX8TOO, 8 of us now, good turnout! Looking forward to seeing yourself and others there

[casey]

Good turnout for this one

Sadly I can't join you as Gwyn and I will be at Simply Japanese at Beaulieu the day before.

[Foremanator]

You'll be missed Malcolm! What's your fastest time round Bedford? Would be good to have something to aim for

[Foremanator]

Only done it once, in 2009!! I didn't have any camera in the car back then, or App on phone, so no timings

The only reference RX-8 timing is here, for the Bedford "Club" circuit: viewtopic.php?t=70544

[Foremanator]

The 2:58 on the indicative lap thread seems like a good time, although I guess it depends how lightened the car was.

If the weather is good, then I would expect to knock a few seconds off my 3:05, now that I have a healthy engine and better tyres.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

[MightyCondor]

I'd like to say good track day, but those of you who were there or who've read my PZ project thread will understand why I can't.

Bedford seems to have become a bogey circuit for me. 2 years ago it was when my previous low comp engine in the purple car finally decided it wasn't going to let me play anymore. Today the PZ may have suffered a similar fate.

Similar to before, I feel like there's so much more lap time for me there if I could just get a full day of running to properly learn the circuit. With the overheating issues today also contributing, I probably did fewer than 10 fast laps and did a best of 3:06, which is slower than last time.

Anyway good to see everyone today, and hopefully we can do it again with a bit more success!

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

[Foremanator]

Sorry you have such bad luck at Bedford Alan, we should go separately next time just incase I’m your bad luck charm!

I too was suffering with the heat and so have added the following to the to do / shopping list:
- Koyo 53 radiator
- Low temperature thermostat
- Set fans to come on earlier
- New upgraded fans? (Maybe seems like overkill)

No times to right home about though, all I could muster was a 3:07. Was having to coast after every push lap which meant I didn’t really get into the flow / learn the circuit properly, well that’s my excuse anyway!

Either way, good to see everyone, was a fun day out regardless

[MightyCondor]

I wouldn't worry Tom, I was unlucky well before you entered my life

A low temperature thermostat may open while the coolant is a few degrees colder, but although it starts the cooling process earlier, that's not going to make any difference to the temperature that the coolant reaches under high load sessions. I have also heard that the Mishimoto ones are more prone to failure.

Similarly the fans aren't doing the work when the car is at speed.

I've recommend doing all that you can to ensure air that is going through the radiator rather than under of around it. I've had issues in the past where the foam under the oem radiator disappeared, and also a time when I cracked my undertray and the temperatures went out of control quickly. I've taken to stuffing armoflex insulation underneath and up both sides of the radiator (secured with cables ties), which helps. I'm quite surprised that I was overheating myself given that my two cars share identical Koyo setups and the other one did so well at Snetterton 2 weeks ago on a much hotter day. I suspect the undertray may be sagging slightly. The other car has an aluminium one which is probably holding it's shape better at speed. I was monitoring coolant temperatures on the road yesterday and they were quite hot then too...

[Whiterat]

Sorry I didn't end up being as social as planned! Always nice to see some 8s on track though.

I too need to move the Koyo rad up my todo list (along with a functional AC condenser...) - had to whack the heating on full a few times, struggled with >5 lap stints by the afternoon.

On the plus side, think I've just about got my tein monos where I want them; the racing beat sway bars made a massive difference - solid purchase.
Can't recommend the Endless CCRG pads strongly enough - best pad I've used across my near 2 decades of RX8 ownership.

Reckon I've got (at a push) one more outing left for my Accelera's (100tw), fantastically glued at Bedford, sad to see no more Tirestreets in the UK - paid £379 last time!

[MightyCondor]

Man down. Curse of Bedford is real.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

[willberry70]

Owch..what kind of starting issues have you had?

[MightyCondor]

The car still starts every time with a bit of throttle, although it's noticeably harder than before. The fact that my R3 starter turned at 345rpm when testing the rear rotor backs up the lack of compression in the results. The car does still idle, but can cut out. It is still driveable but there's a lot of power missing.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk