The Great Autocross Mega Thread! - Page 10

john · 04-12-2009

The people I talked to didn't talk down on it really. I know a few who have auto crossed but I guess they have been to the track on several occasions. I am pretty sure I know the owner and driver of the green viper assuming it was a neon-ish green...

I know more than a couple of Salvage titled vipers driving around here that have gone hard into the wall at brainerd. Obviously a concern of mine.

They have a viper day coming up at brainerd which costs ~550 or so. There are going to be actual viper race car drivers there instructing and are holding some kind of class. Would be a great learning experience but not sure if I can foot the money for a day or so of entertainment....

Definitly interested in autocrossing due to the cost, the flexability in attending, and it looks like a lot of fun.

**Kracka** · 04-12-2009

Try it out! Worst case scenario is you "wasted" $30 and hate it.

**cmspaz** · 04-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracka

Try it out! Worst case scenario is you "wasted" $30 and hate it.

The key is the quotes, regardless of how you feel at the end of the day, you'll have learned a lot. Especially since it'll be your first event.

MustGoFaster · 04-15-2009

Just picture them spinning in the grass! Ok, only the guy in the GT did it once.

**Kracka** · 04-25-2009

To everyone taking the novice school this weekend, pay attention in class today and kill some cones tomorrow! If you're anal about your car I recommend some painters tape or contact paper to cover at least the front corners of your bumper

**cmspaz** · 04-25-2009

My car still bears some cone scuffs from last season. Here's to plans for new paint!

I'm just glad my car passed tech. I need to get those bearings taken care of.

s1ngletracker · 04-25-2009

I hope my car passes tech!

I thought about driving up in my Cherokee with the 5" lift for tech and seeing what they said. haha

MustGoFaster · 04-25-2009

I think there would have been a mention of a rollover risk...

s1ngletracker · 04-25-2009

yes, obviously

s1ngletracker · 04-26-2009

How picky are they going to be about tire tread? I just noticed my rear tires, on the outside is almost down to no tread at all. I suppose they could consider this dangerous? Should I put my other wheels on?

**Kracka** · 04-26-2009

Its probably too late now, but your tires should be above the wear indicators.

FattyBoomBatty · 04-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracka

Its probably too late now, but your tires should be above the wear indicators.

Boo! You can still almost tell there used to be tread on my back tires. Maybe I could borrow someone's tires.

BTW, if I sign up for MOWOG1, what are the chances I'll get to even run my car, given there are 160 entries?

**Kracka** · 04-26-2009

You guys are lucky! I've yet to race in rain.

s1ngletracker · 04-26-2009

wow. I am hooked. I put on my other shitty wheels/tires. The instructor said shitty tires will make me a better driver

What was everyone's best time? I squeaked out a 33.9, I was pretty happy with my improvement throughout the day.

**cmspaz** · 04-26-2009

33.4 clean, 33.0 dirty. Andrew managed a 32.9 The Exige ran a 32.4, if anyone wants a benchmark. I guess my hypothesis about DSMs being fast in the rain has been proven true.

But yeah, the rain was a great learning experience, and tons of fun. For some reason, my faster runs always involved me being tail-happy and getting sideways during braking, so maybe that's something to look into setup-wise when I fix my wheel bearings and get a long-needed alignment.

I honestly feel the same way about my 520 treadwear all-seasons, but it doesn't stop me from bitching about them every chance I get. As far as today went, they came through surprisingly well, all things considered.

s1ngletracker · 04-27-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmspaz

33.4 clean, 33.0 dirty. Andrew managed a 32.9 The Exige ran a 32.4, if anyone wants a benchmark. I guess my hypothesis about DSMs being fast in the rain has been proven true.

But yeah, the rain was a great learning experience, and tons of fun. For some reason, my faster runs always involved me being tail-happy and getting sideways during braking, so maybe that's something to look into setup-wise when I fix my wheel bearings and get a long-needed alignment.

I honestly feel the same way about my 520 treadwear all-seasons, but it doesn't stop me from bitching about them every chance I get. As far as today went, they came through surprisingly well, all things considered.

who was andrew again?

BTW, congrats on getting your car to be tail happy. I was having a hard time getting mine to kick out, I gave up after the morning session,and my times were much faster in the afternoon as a result.

**Kracka** · 04-27-2009

M#1 registration is full so you'll either have to buy a spot from someone or show up really early and get on the waiting list. Supposedly, they've never had to turn away a waiting list participant which is a good thing for you! Everyone will get 6 runs (3 in the morning, 3 in the afternoon), possibly more depending on how the day goes.

FattyBoomBatty · 04-27-2009

Eh, or just wait for another time. Or practice on the streets in heavy traffic!

**asshanson** · 04-27-2009

I had the only other 2g there, maroon. I was running 36-39s for the morning because I was going WAY too fast in the carousel. For me the best times were not sliding, because my front end pushed out and I steered more to correct. Probably the best thing I learned was to straighten out the wheel to regain traction.

Also riding with the instructors over lunch showed me you floor it during the straights, then get hard on the brakes, I wasn't that extreme. Once I started doing that, and braking enough to not push in corners, I was doing consistent 33's and pulled off a 32.9 very last run.

What were those subarus running, there were 3 black ones that looked pretty fast.

And big turbos FTL in auto-x. They wanted us to stay in 2nd gear for the course, but around some slow corners I was maybe going 20, 1st gear into 2nd would have been WAY quicker because my car is laggy.

s1ngletracker · 04-27-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by asshanson

I had the only other 2g there, maroon. I was running 36-39s for the morning because I was going WAY too fast in the carousel. For me the best times were not sliding, because my front end pushed out and I steered more to correct. Probably the best thing I learned was to straighten out the wheel to regain traction.

Also riding with the instructors over lunch showed me you floor it during the straights, then get hard on the brakes, I wasn't that extreme. Once I started doing that, and braking enough to not push in corners, I was doing consistent 33's and pulled off a 32.9 very last run.

What were those subarus running, there were 3 black ones that looked pretty fast.

And big turbos FTL in auto-x. They wanted us to stay in 2nd gear for the course, but around some slow corners I was maybe going 20, 1st gear into 2nd would have been WAY quicker because my car is laggy.

What was the deal with the blue smoke? Turbo or motor? Your idle is great too, BTW

If you need any advice on that, let me know. I'm kindof an expert on fixing DSM idles now.