My first autox of '05 was this past Sunday, and it was a blast. It was an absolutely GIGANTIC turnout. There were a total of 193 drivers, with a limit of 175 Only 3 entrants in GS, I took second, < 1 sec behind the leading '95 Neon, a former national champ car (search for 'cow' on Google images, it'll come up). Seeing as me and him are the only ones registered in GS for the next event, I may actually join this club and see if I can get in the running for some points The car was on empty for the first 3 of 4 total runs because I didn't have ANY time to go and get gas (barely had time to walk the course), so for my first 3 runs the car was doing a little bucking when I would try to get on the gas around a corner or just after one... not fun. But I got a break before the third heat, got a quarter tank in it and some food in my tummy, and ran over 2 seconds quicker! I ran a 66.569, good for 47th in PAX, the cow car did a 65.596, and FTD was a 58.000. I'm thinking of picking up the Ingalls Camber bolts (-2 degrees, mmm) and possibly a front sway bar from a Gen3 I4 (.4 inches thicker, not positive about fitment though), maybe then I can get a little closer to a trophy. How's everyone elses season been going?
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If torque actually won races, wouldn't we all be driving diesels?
Awesome man... jeez, with that many entrants how many runs did you get?
My season's started fine. Last weekend was a BMWCCA/PCA event I attended... Saturday (basically practice day) I did alright but not fantastic, Sunday I did rather well if I do say so myself. Didn't place by any stretch of the imagination (stock Camry on all-seasons is not quicker than an M Coupe on race tires But you know, I went to the event because the PCA courses are always a lot tighter than the SCCA courses, so it really forces you to learn how to drive well. Going to a Porsche/BMW event expecting to win is sort of futile because they class all non-bmw/non-porsche cars together.
Anyway, I picked up/solidified a couple new abilities in the process, and only finished somewhere around 6-8 seconds down from the overall leader, so I'm pretty content with things. Wish I could hit the SCCA openner next weekend, but I gotta prep for my bro's weddin' that Saturday
^
We only got 4 runs. They cut the last set to 1 run each. People got pissed so they offered free fun runs.
It was fun as hell. But I sure sucked it up :-\ Second to last in my class which contained a National contender, a built Civic and two 2.5RS'. I got my ass handed to me. 3 seconds behind the last 2.5RS
Time to get out and practice
EDIT: Oh by the way, fastest time of day was run by the 1st place person in my class.... I moved to STS to get away from him....
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'88 Toyota MR2 N/A - Sold
'99 Miata Sport - Sold
'85 Corolla GT-S - Sold
'02 MR2 Spyder - C-Stock car
Last edited by SmokingTiresV6; 04-21-2005 at 07:23 PM.
Sucks you only got 4 runs, but man that would take forever with so many people... I remember one scca event last year with about 125 people and it took frickin' forEVER to get things done.
Ah, see that's why I race with the bmw people.
1) You get like 8 runs a day. typically around 15-20 people per thing.
2) Since I know I'm not going to win my class (unless no other non-bmws show up, heh) there's no pressure to perform, so I can concentrate on doing better at driving rather than tensing up from time-anxiety.
Also, do you have an STX class? If you want to just place you might try running in that if there typically aren't other people who run in it. Around here it seems there's only one guy who runs in that class, and I've beaten him in times on occasion.
He was #1 in PAX, not FTD. FTD was from DM, a 2000 Birkin, one of the Lotus 7 clones. Although Pat did have < 1:00 on street tires.
Oh. I know Pat ran a 59 or 58 second lap. I saw his finish, it was crazy.
Brink: I am tempted to move to STX, but there isn't anyone in the class most places, so I will get bumper up to SM for placing. I will just work on my driving. I won't be 100% prepared this year or next because of school. So I am not expecting much.
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'88 Toyota MR2 N/A - Sold
'99 Miata Sport - Sold
'85 Corolla GT-S - Sold
'02 MR2 Spyder - C-Stock car
^
You were right... You do need to work on smooth braking
The Speedway is one thing, but getting your wheel off the ground in a stock car is crazy on flat ground... How did you throw that much weight to the front left?
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'88 Toyota MR2 N/A - Sold
'99 Miata Sport - Sold
'85 Corolla GT-S - Sold
'02 MR2 Spyder - C-Stock car
^
You were right... You do need to work on smooth braking
The Speedway is one thing, but getting your wheel off the ground in a stock car is crazy on flat ground... How did you throw that much weight to the front left?
Overeating?
Re: STX.. Sorry, I made the suggestion based on this region's rules: namely that if you're the only one in your class, you get automatic first. Sucks that they do the bump. Now that you say it I know you've mentioned that before -- brain fart I guess.
You know, your smooth braking comment.... as I drive more and more I've come to believe that braking is probably number 2 in terms of things you should know how to do. Right behind following a line. It seems so mundane, but I've realized that no one really teaches you how to brake well even for street driving. If you can master your brakes, you can go faster longer because 1) you know pretty much how much braking distance you need, 2) know how much brake to apply and not screw up your line through lockup or weight imbalance, and 3) you can spend less time on the brakes since you know how to get the maximum stopping power in the shortest time frame.
Anyway, one of these days I hopefully will finally be able to get up to Minn and run a race with y'all. That'll be sweet.
^
We have 2 two-day events this year. In October I move to PA for a year to go to Wyotech. So if you miss this year, it's another 2 till I am back and racing
Braking really is one of the most important. I have found it is probably the biggest cause for my time loss right now. My braking unsettles the car so badly I have problems overloading my suspension, along with braking more than needed and apexing too slow.
There is a two-day event in Winona at the end of the month. I plan on spending the first day(doesn't count for points) taking it slow/easy and practicing good technique in every area while on the course. Then I will hopefully have it down a lot better for the second day which counts for points. I just need to force it into my brain on course so I can perform at higher speeds with the same smoothness. And I have pleanty of time to practice this year
__________________
'88 Toyota MR2 N/A - Sold
'99 Miata Sport - Sold
'85 Corolla GT-S - Sold
'02 MR2 Spyder - C-Stock car
What's your braking style typically like? You left-foot at all?
One thing that's helped me immensely is practicing last minute braking at a slower pace on the street. Start off w/ light pressure then slowly increase as I approach the stop... Even if I end up overdoing it and going way too slow for the stoplight or stop sign or whatever, and I have to let off the brakes to come up to the line, it teaches me acceptable limits of braking force.
Don't just slam on your bakes on the street, of course... And you probably shouldn't do it with people behind you
I always use my left foot to brake whether I am trail braking or not. And I found that is one of my problem. With my left foot free, I have instant braking ability because I don't need to transfer pedals. So I am switching back to normal right foot breaking to cause a longer period before braking. Then I just have to brake more like I am on the street and less like I am getting in an acident
__________________
'88 Toyota MR2 N/A - Sold
'99 Miata Sport - Sold
'85 Corolla GT-S - Sold
'02 MR2 Spyder - C-Stock car
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Only 3 entrants in GS, I took second, < 1 sec behind the leading '95 Neon, a former national champ car (search for 'cow' on Google images, it'll come up). Seeing as me and him are the only ones registered in GS for the next event, I may actually join this club and see if I can get in the running for some points 
The car was on empty for the first 3 of 4 total runs because I didn't have ANY time to go and get gas (barely had time to walk the course), so for my first 3 runs the car was doing a little bucking when I would try to get on the gas around a corner or just after one... not fun. But I got a break before the third heat, got a quarter tank in it and some food in my tummy, and ran over 2 seconds quicker! I ran a 66.569, good for 47th in PAX, the cow car did a 65.596, and FTD was a 58.000. I'm thinking of picking up the Ingalls Camber bolts (-2 degrees, mmm) and possibly a front sway bar from a Gen3 I4 (.4 inches thicker, not positive about fitment though), maybe then I can get a little closer to a trophy. How's everyone elses season been going?
But you know, I went to the event because the PCA courses are always a lot tighter than the SCCA courses, so it really forces you to learn how to drive well. Going to a Porsche/BMW event expecting to win is sort of futile because they class all non-bmw/non-porsche cars together.
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