Anybody doing autocross this year?

[shunderwunder]

I did it a couple times in the MINI & once in the Evo last year. Just wonndering if anybody here gets into that. I'm not vvery competitive, just like to see what I can do & have fun. I'll probrobly go to a couple this year. It'd be nice to see a few of the crew go to a few of these events cause they're leagal fun & pretty cheap. Not much seat time though, but a lot less wear & tear than a track day.

[jktripp]

i would love to. not sure if i am going to have time this year though. depends on the days...

[TripperFx3]

I'm planning on it here in Reno as well as some PDX events to get some instruction.

[TouringBubble]

I run in the Alabama region (Birmingham). A few ATL guys come out to our events since we get many more runs on longer courses than Atlanta region. You're welcome to come out.

[shunderwunder]

I run in the Alabama region (Birmingham). A few ATL guys come out to our events since we get many more runs on longer courses than Atlanta region. You're welcome to come out.

I may have to come out for an event or 2.

[em1toevo]

I am definitely getting active in autocross when I finish school this fall. I have been wanting to do it for quite some time.

[mouse]

We have a couple of events in Laurens, SC at the Michelin Proving Grounds. Its alot of fun but I need alot of practice. Not having ABS is different.

[mouse]

Let me know what events you will run and I will see what I can do. My mother will autoX her miata with us!

[TouringBubble]

Miatas are killer in Auto-X ...

The Birmingham events take place at the Birmingham Race course ... a dog track. They have a huge lot that we have full reign over. Courses are usually 55 to 65 seconds and we usually get 5 to 6 runs. That's nearly twice the seat time that the more crowded regions get, and why a lot of ATL guys come drive with us.

The downside is the surface ... it's old tarmac and pretty rough on tires. There are also lots of broken patches, but the course designers consistently avoid those areas.

[shunderwunder]

Haven't made any plans yet. Do you guys have schedules for these events yet?

[shunderwunder]

The MINI was quite suprising out there as well.

[TouringBubble]

Date ALSCCA SOLO

2/15/09 BRC T&T
3/8/09 BRC #1
3/29/09 BRC #2
4/26/09 BRC #3
5/24/09 BRC Shootout #4
6/7/09 BRC #5
7/12/09 BRC #6
8/16/09 BRC #7
9/20/09 BRC #8
10/25/09 TVR vs AL Round 2
11/15/09 BRC #10

Online Registration ... https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/calendar_main.php

I've still got to get that updated ... lol.

[mouse]

The Michelin Track is purpose built auto X/ tire testing facility. Last time was 3 runs around 55 seconds for the very fast cars. Awesome place.

[shunderwunder]

TB, do you run a full season or just go play occasionally? I'll definately plan to a couple. I just dont wanna show up on a day you're not going. I guess I'll let you know when I want to try & go. Then we can figure it out from there. Did you get what I sent you?

Mouse let me know when you're doing that again. I'd like to check it out.

[TouringBubble]

I'm timing and scoring chief, so I'll be at most every event. I might not be racing though. I'll at least be able to hang out and ride along. If you come, plan to stay for food afterward.

[shunderwunder]

Sounds good. Hope to see ya soon.

[jktripp]

[QUOTE=TouringBubble;19291]Date ALSCCA SOLO

2/15/09 BRC T&T
3/8/09 BRC #1
3/29/09 BRC #2
4/26/09 BRC #3
5/24/09 BRC Shootout #4
6/7/09 BRC #5
7/12/09 BRC #6
8/16/09 BRC #7
9/20/09 BRC #8
10/25/09 TVR vs AL Round 2
11/15/09 BRC #10

Online Registration ... https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/calendar_main.php








super moderating master-ness

[Meredith]

Miatas are killer in Auto-X ...

The Birmingham events take place at the Birmingham Race course ... a dog track. They have a huge lot that we have full reign over. Courses are usually 55 to 65 seconds and we usually get 5 to 6 runs. That's nearly twice the seat time that the more crowded regions get, and why a lot of ATL guys come drive with us.



The reason the people from Atlanta come out is to do extra events in preparation for nationals, however most are practicing "getting it done in three runs". It has nothing to do with crowds, as we run events that typically run at the pace of national tours. Atlanta Courses are anywhere from 50 seconds to 70 (at 6 flags) and usually reflect national level event course designs. While we do get alot of people at our events we have a split session format that allows you to run in either the morning or afternoon (from 8am to 12am or 1pm to 5pm) so those people who don't want to spend all day on site don't have to. If you want to run in our novice class we give you 6 runs instead of the the usual 4 and you get an instructor for runs as well. I think the popularity of our solo program speaks for itself.

www.soloatlanta.com

[jktripp]

yeah! what she said, and dont you forget it either.

[shunderwunder]

I did enjoy the way the day was split up so that you didn't have to be there all day. I also enjoyed the night event we did at Atlanta Motor Speedway. I plan to do events with soloatlanta as well, I was just wanted to see who else is going to play this year.

[shunderwunder]

Tripp you gonna come play?

[jktripp]

maybe.... i would like to

[jktripp]

if they offer a slow field....... me have slow evo....

[shunderwunder]

In autocross you are racing the clock. It's just a bunch of cones in a parking lot. they send one car out & then the next 30 or so seconds later. No door to door stuff.

[shunderwunder]

It's pretty inexpensive. arround $35 bucks. You get like 3 or 4 runs. each run lasts about 50-70 seconds. You pretty much stay in second gear.

[jktripp]

i know.... but im not sure if others would have enough time after me..... im slooooooow

[shunderwunder]

you can't be that slow.

[Meredith]

if they offer a slow field....... me have slow evo....

I have a 1989 Civic Si on street tires.... don't talk to me about evos being slow :D

Yes there is no "wheel to wheel" in autocross, hence it's other name "solo". Everything is scored against the clock and how many cones you hit.

[shunderwunder]

It's a good safe place to hone yer skilz.

[jktripp]

i have bokken skills

[shunderwunder]

he'll finish in about 60 seconds +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 :D

[mouse]

Hone your braking skills. My friend did a couple of driving schools and now races SCCA events said that on his first instructor ride along after the esses at Road ATL the intructor asked him if he was an AutoX'er. They had to un teach him alot of autoX habbits to make him fast on the track.

[manchi]

^^very true. there are some bad habbits AutoXers tended to use but not practical on the road course.

[TouringBubble]

There is a saying that basically says, "Autocrossers make good road course drivers, but road course drivers are poor autocrossers." Basically, the things you learn at autocross can be applied to a road course, but the opposite isn't exactly true.

There are some things you do at autocross that don't apply to a road course, but not many. An good autocrosser can generally hop on a road course and put down decent times.

Left foot braking is the only braking technique (that I know of) heavily used in autocross that doesn't translate well to the track. That, and the heavy "toss-in" technique are the only things I can think of that you might be referring to. Do you know exactly what your friend was doing that was incorrect?

[manchi]

There is a saying that basically says, "Autocrossers make good road course drivers, but road course drivers are poor autocrossers." Basically, the things you learn at autocross can be applied to a road course, but the opposite isn't exactly true.

There are some things you do at autocross that don't apply to a road course, but not many. An good autocrosser can generally hop on a road course and put down decent times.

Left foot braking is the only braking technique (that I know of) heavily used in autocross that doesn't translate well to the track. That, and the heavy "toss-in" technique are the only things I can think of that you might be referring to. Do you know exactly what your friend was doing that was incorrect?

Yap.. gotta be that left foot braking technique.

[mouse]

He was using very fast movements and some serious toss in. Instead of be smooth! Smooth is fast. He learned fast and is very quick now. But I 100% agree that a good auto X can make a good track driver but not the other way around.

[TouringBubble]

Yeah ... toss-in isn't great on the track. However, lots of AWD guys use it for better rotation when needed. It also works with FWD. You just have to use it sparingly ... the Esses is not a place to use it though.

[manchi]

that's somewhat true. I've seem people doing great on track but so so on the Auto X, but I've found some Auto X guys couldn't pick up on the road courses too. But generally saying, experienced AutoXers do get good time on road courses.

[shunderwunder]

I'm not so good at autocross but I've only been 3 times total. Not one clean run with the Evo it's only time out. I just go to these e ents for fun & practice. Track days are more fun but I can't afford to do them often. Maybe 1 or 2 a year if I'm lucky.

[mouse]

I would love to do a track event. My first autoX I was like 9th out of 13 in the Street mod class. I sucked, but I am still learning. Only one clean run. I believe my tire pressures were alittle too high.

I found some pictures
Dirty car with mean face!!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/yoihash/craig1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/yoihash/craig2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/yoihash/DSC_9595.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/yoihash/DSC_9598.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/yoihash/DSC_9600.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/yoihash/DSC_9586.jpg
My fathers 1986 911 3.2 Carrera
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/yoihash/P1015339.jpg

[manchi]

Craig, we are going to the NASA event in March 14/15.
here is the website for more detail.
http://www.nasa-southeast.com/2009Mar13.jsp

[Evolvedgti]

Man you guys are lucky you get to race in the HPDE open track races. I am rarely home. i was looking at the membership fee and its only 45$.
Maybe you guys can answer a ? for me. If one joins, are they limited to their region, or can they race any NASA event?

[mouse]

Ohh, cool! I will be leaving for Japan on the 19, so I will probably try and make it.

[manchi]

Man you guys are lucky you get to race in the HPDE open track races. I am rarely home. i was looking at the membership fee and its only 45$.
Maybe you guys can answer a ? for me. If one joins, are they limited to their region, or can they race any NASA event?

The membership is national wide, so you can attend any NASA events in the US. However, each road court is priced differently. Check their pricing on the website for detail. :)

[Evolvedgti]

The membership is national wide, so you can attend any NASA events in the US. However, each road court is priced differently. Check their pricing on the website for detail. :)

Thanks Machi! Where can i find tech rules.the only thing i would worry about on my car is the relocated battery. any ruling on that? i didnt see it on the site!

[manchi]

Thanks Machi! Where can i find tech rules.the only thing i would worry about on my car is the relocated battery. any ruling on that? i didnt see it on the site!

I don't think there are a battery relocation rule if you are running HPDE. NASA is less stricter than SCCA.

from their webpage
"11.4.9 Battery
The battery shall be securely fastened to the car. No Bungee cords or rubber cords may
be used to function as the sole hold down mechanism. An electrically non-conductive
material must cover the positive battery terminal. Any battery located inside the driver’s
compartment should be fully covered and firmly secured to the chassis (or tub) in a
marine type battery case. True dry cell batteries may be mounted without a surrounding
case, however a case is still recommended."

[Evolvedgti]

Thanks Machi, your the man. sorry i am in a mobile home(work, dont live in one, lol) and some pages are only partials.

i should be fine then. thanks again!