We are a couple of months into the autocross season. How are you doing?

I started this year not expecting much and was surprised at the Dixie Tour with second. However, all other events have been on last year's Nationals tires which did not hold their fast over the winter or street tires so I've been beat on by Dennis Sparks (Rx-8) in this area except when we were both on streets. Hasn't hurt my confidence since for some reason I'm just having fun.

I find I like the 2008 a bit better that the 2007. They are the same model, color... but different. The power is more direct on acceleration, I trust the clutch, turn in feels better and surprisingly the gas mileage is about 3 mpg better with the 2008.

I think I'm getting some useful feedback out of the video camera. At least I know why certain runs sucked. Hands all over the place or brain fades. I think it is helping. Next item I want to try is a data recorder. Several types are available. Any suggestions?

Anyway, I'm looking forward to several good events in May. On the 4th there is the SpeedSouth Super Solo Shootout (SSSS) at AL SCCA in Birmingham. The course is upwards of 100 seconds. Top 8 PAX finishers have a runoff. Against all odds, I won the last two years. Nice trophy. Lighting can strike twice. Plus the National Tour at Atlanta Motor Speedway later in the month.

June is for regional events and working a SARRC race in Nashville the region is co-chairing with Chattanooga.

Let's all check progress again in July.

 

Well, we've only had our second event of the year (and it snowed on us!).

I've been on the wrong tires both events this year so far. I'm at the point where I'm considering an "intermediate" set of tires and wheels -- now I just need to figure out how I'm going to carry them on the trailer with my "dry" tires.

A video camera definitely helps! Combine that with data acquisition and analysis, and you'll improve quickly. I'm biased towards the GTechPro RR and the software that I wrote (AXAnalyst) -- but that's only because I get a lot more usable (and precise) data than I've seen from GPS-based systems.

 

The new owners of SGMP have greatly diminished our number of events. They have been pulling some crap lately like leaving RV's parked on the run area, scheduling other events that coincide with ours, plus they don't clean the place. The last event we had there was held after a circle track race on saturday night, you don't even want to know what was all over the floor in the bathroom. We are now looking at the new Steeda Facility in Valdosta. Hoping that will bear fruit. I'm also about to finally purchase the 285's, I have been on the same tires I had at Fort Myers 2 years ago and they still have tread left. May have to become a journeyman again and drive 3-5 hours to get some runs in.

 

Not bad....

First race of the year engine died before we made the race.

RA we had a 5th out of 15 in class in the enduro, 2nd in the sprints on Saturday and a 1st on Sunday.

CMP we had a 1st overall in the enduro 15laps ahead of the first person in class. Saturday and Sunday we had 1st place place victories as well.

Next is RR...well see if we can make it 5-6 in a row.


mpowers

 

This year has only just started (NWR-SCCA-Solo)
*I run in the same SCCA region as PDX_Racer...but I'm in BSP.

1st event: 2nd in BSP (I was 0.1s behind 1st, and had a cone on my best run…so while I didn’t get first, I was very excited that I appeared to be competitive; I started autoXing last year in a smaller autoX club…this year I’ve bumped up to SCCA and was assuming that I’d be left in the dust!)

2nd event: There was snow on the roads to the event…I tried making the drive, but ended up making a short off road excursion that cracked my front bumper and some other plastic pieces – luckily nothing major…now just waiting for the 3rd event!

 

Anymore in car video?

 

I actually took my first ever first place finish in BS on my street tires! I was refreshing to see 3 RX-8's below me rather than in their usual position including a buddy who was riding with me giving me pointers. It was the first time I ever bested him. Maybe I should have purchased that lottery ticket instead that day! I got lucky and everything clicked for me, maybe I'm finally learning something. Rich

 

Here you are jmark

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...25516438694195

Tires were a bit unhappy from the enduro, next time I'll just do another high light video as it is a bit long.

Hi res pic thanks too TR PhotoStudio!



edit: I just realized I like to drive sideways alot (see avatar)lol!

 

Nice job Mike.

 

Not that good here. Family life is taking most of my time, so I have 2 events under my belt for the year. So I am officially in ........... Last Place

Going from First to last sucks, but you have to have priorities.

 

Being that I'm in Florida, there really is no off season. Have run prolly 7 events since Dixie (on those same tires) and seem to take 1st in B-Stock, but can't seem to edge out Darrin DiSimo in Pax

Front tires seem to have lost their fast, so I bought 2 fronts for the Atlanta events and DC, with the plan to buy one more pair for nationals. The rear tires look untouched, while the fronts seem to go away. Does anyone else notice this?

For this season, I bought a MaxQ, but I'm still figuring it out. May end up going to the GTech RR and AXAnalyst (would love to support PDX and all).

Curious to hear from PDX and DriveI65, how do you guys manage your tires throughout the year? Do you run nationals on fresh tires? Do you buy new tires for each national event?

See y'all in Atlanta!

 

I've got two sets of wheels. I'm attempting to manage my tire budget this year by targeting events I really want to do well at.

I put the 285s I ran Dixie with in the basement after the event. They are going to Atlanta for the Tour.

I had been running on another set of wheels with old tires from last years Nationals until this weekend. Dennis beat the heck out of me with new Kumhos for the last two months. I put a set of Hankooks on for regional events and was amazed again at what new tires can do for times. 3rd overall last week.

I'll see you in Atlanta.

 

IIRC the 285 Kuhmo's that PDX_Racer ran at Nationals last yr had only 1 event on them...

 

This year I'm racing B Stock, but I race PRO whenever I have the option to.

Currently first place in points in the CCR Knights Series, PRO class.
Currently 3rd in points in CCR's regular season, PRO class.
Won the only event I entered in SCR region, the most recent one. Finally out pax'd Per Olof Ezelius in his Mini. PRO class.

Most recent event results:
http://www.scsportscar.com/content/a...504&Report=pax
Second most recent event:
http://www.ccrscca.com/results/2008s...ights1_pax.htm


not too bad for an open diff Z

 

I'm surprised we have never meet, we have a lot of the South Carolina guys come to the Savannah events.

 

Yes, it often happens if I get the fronts overheated (REALLY easy to do if you're even the slightest bit too fast entering corners). On the 245s, even the end of the first run was sometimes touch-and-go for heat. The 285s are much better, but I'm still spraying the tires (sidewalls and wheels -- those Brembos put out a LOT of heat) after the first run.

Any data acquisition is better than none. The MaxQ system isn't bad, the times that people have put theirs into my car, it really didn't give the level of data that I wanted or needed.

I like to have one to two events on tires before I use them for national events (they last longer that way). Depending upon my schedule, I'll end up buying one set early in the year and another set before the Packwood NT (for the Packwood NT and Nationals).

 

I used to run STS in a '89 Si. Maybe you saw my black Si with the silver Honda wings on the side? It's been a while since we branched out though. Not in the Z yet. I've only done a few events on R's with the Z.

 

Ah, I may have. Some of the frequent flyers are Don in the Sentra, Chuck in the old turbo Z and Shane in his gals race prepped civic.

I know you had to meet John with a bright yellowish green 260Z as he is local to you as well.

Give us a heads up if you do an event here.

 

Right on!!

Don, DJ, in the white Sentra, is a good friend of mine. I know Chuck P. as well in the turbo Z, he was at the Florence event that I posted results for. We were .029 apart in raw time that event.