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After a strong start of the 2000 racing season, team RX7.COM runs
into a brick wall at Moroso, Florida
(literally). After winning our first two events of the season and
breaking records both times (see previous event coverage), we headed
out to W. Palm Beach, Florida to participate in the first NIRA event
of the 2000 season. The car, in top tune, making more power than
ever, was ready to dominate the class and break more records. Top
racers from all over the country showed up including Abel Ibarra,
Craig Paisley, Kenny Tran, Cam Worth, Christian Rado and many local
racers. This race proved to be Moroso's biggest import event ever!
With ESPN2 film crews on site and plenty of Super Street magazine
coverage, this was by far the highest profile race at Moroso to
date.
Qualifying and Eliminations
Our RX-7.COM car driven by Ari Yallon was entered into the NIRA Power
6 class which is intended for streetable cars without lexan windows
or excessive lightning. Competing cars must retain their lights,
wipers, horn and interior. Joining us in the Power 6 was some
very strong competition, like Pettit's Cam Worth and a 9 second Supra
from Dynamic Turbo. Qualifying at Moroso proved to be rather tricky
after being used to racing on sticky NHRA tracks.
The track surface was very slippery after heavy rainfall
Saturday resulting in a best qualifying run on Saturday of
only 10.72@121 MPH, well below our par. Sunday morning we were
able to capture the number one qualifying position with the lowest
ET for the class of 10.14@138 MPH. That pass proved to be our
best for the weekend and secured us a strong position
for the eliminations.
In the first round of elimination's Ari was paired up with Humberto
and his 9  second Supra. Predicting a close race, Ari activated
the car's nitrous system. Up until this point the nitrous was only
used to help the car launch, not during the rest of the run. When
the green bulb lit Humberto launched with an excellent reaction
time of .530 to Ari's "Sleeping At The Wheel" time of 1.003. By
the 330 ft mark Ari recovered .236 seconds on his way to catching
the Supra and beating it. Unfortunately after shifting into 3rd
gear the car began to lose traction and move to the left, refusing
to lift (and to hand the race to the Supra), Ari attempted to "drive
through it". Well, it didn't happen, the Rx7 turned slightly to
the left and then took a hard turn to the right. Unable to correct
the car and steer it towards the finish line, Ari proceeded to follow
an invisible line towards the right wall. The car finally responded
and turned in the right direction but not in time to avoid a collision.
The Rx7 sustained body and suspension damage to the right side only,
none of the critical parts of the unibody or drivetrain were hurt,
and yes, Ari walked away without a scratch. The car is getting repaired,
we intend to race it at the ID Drag Wars on April 30th, 2000
Attention: if anyone has a more complete MPG or video
of the run please
contact us. Thank you.
We would like to congratulate Humberto for winning and Cam for
bringing in the Runner Up trophy.
Thanks to everyone that NIRA, Pettit, all of our friends and customers that came to the event to support us, and everyone with a rotary powered car that ran at the event.
Thanks also to our sponsors: GReddy Performance, Jacob's Electronics, Rotary Performance, and Haltech fuel injection.
NEXT EVENT:
ID Drag Wars on April 30th, 2000 in Dallas, Texas.
Click here for complete event listing and previous event coverage!
Car Specs - Ari's 1993 RX-7
| Best
1/4 Mile: |
9.626
@ 144.74 MPH |
| Engine: |
RP
Street Port 13B Engine |
| Transmission: |
Stock
Mazda 5-Speed |
| Turbo: |
Modified
GReddy T78 Kit |
| Boost: |
1.75
bar w/ GReddy Profec B |
| Nitrous: |
50HP
used below 1 bar of boost |
| Exhaust: |
GReddy
T78 Kit Downpipe, Custom GReddy Large Diameter Racing
Exhaust |
| Intake: |
Custom
Cold Air |
| Fuel: |
RP
Competition Fuel Pump (Intank)
RP Large Secondary Injector Kit
Haltech E6K
Sunoco 116 Octane Gas |
| Pulleys: |
RP
Triple Race Pulley |
| Intercooler: |
GReddy
Front Mount |
| Ignition: |
Jacobs
Rotary Pro Pak, Rotary Ultra Coils (Leading), and Wires
NGK Racing Plugs
J&S Knock
Sensor |
| Clutch: |
Bönez
Racing Clutch
Stock
Flywheel |
| Suspension: |
Tokico
Struts, Suspension Specialties Springs
Cusco CF Rear
Strut Bar |
| Brakes: |
Bönez
Brake Kit w/ X-Drilled Rotors |
| Rear
End: |
Stock
Mazda Assembly w/ 4.3 gear
KAAZ Mechanical L.S.D.
RP Custom Axles
RP Drag Launch
Kit |
| Wheels
and Tires: |
Weld
Drag Racing wheels
Mickey Thompson ET Drag tires (26x10.5x15)
MT ET Street (26x10x15) for Street
8 |
| Chassis: |
Custom
Chromoly NHRA Legal Cage, 5-point Harness, All glass,
dash, stock gas tank, headlights, front carpet retained.
Fully streetable. |
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Other Car Pictures
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