Auto Xing Discussion Thread

[WebGod]

Per Request.

[glagola1]

Woo hoo, well, since I'm here I'll post up some pertainant links that will have enough information to get anyone started.

www.apexbenefits.biz/ABS-Mtrsports.htm -This link is to the Atlanta Region SoloII website. There is a schedule and event information as well as tons of great links concerning novice info, car class info and results.

www.myautoevents.com is where you'd go to register for the SCCA events since preregistration is mandatory for SCCA events. It kinda sucks but that's what you have to do when you need to get 200+ people auto-xing at one event.

And feel free to email me or PM me with any questions you may have. I am part of the local SCCA region's organization and I'm full of info.

Matt Glagola

[S2k Dude]

Matt, maybe you can post dates and locations for upcoming events.

[tmelch]

Now that a week has passed since my first autoX, I can now talk about it. :( Dang, I hate being the slowest time!!!! This car brings out the competitive spirit in me! :drive:

My biggest mistake was trying to run the course like a road course, i.e. taking a wide turn in and accelerating thru the corners. In looking back the more I tried that the more I was just sliding around with no traction. I need to take the shortest line through the course. Which leads me to the next point.

I have to go slow to go fast. Seems like it would be more fun to go fast to go fast, but I can see the reasoning. The car has to be set when you accelerate after the corner. So next time I will setup for the corners properly. Which leads me to the next point.

There's really NO time for heel/toe or rev matching, because the car takes care of that if your driving it correctly, i.e. if your going fast your rpms stay up. I know I'm still missing a piece of it here, comments welcome.

I realize I was fast in some parts and dog slow in other parts. One of the slowest spots (I realized it during the fun runs, what can I say, I'm a slow learner :D ) was coming off the back corner leading into the back slalom. I kept it in second and just didn't push it. Which leads me to my last point.

I need to really push it at all times, while adhering to the above points.

Does dropping the tire pressure increase or decrease traction? I thought lowering the pressure increased traction, or do you guys just adjust pressure based on the diamonds or chalking the tires?

I bought a book on Amazon for autocross, should be an interesting read. We plan to make the Turner event Sunday to watch. Comments welcome on the above. Thanks!

[glagola1]

Yeah, overdriving will kill your times. My fastest times come when I'm feeling kinda slow. I like the out of control feeling that's acheivable in some of the technical slaloms and off sets but the sweepers and 90* bends and stuff seem to require a tight approach. I mean, stay at the limit of traction but also be smooth and hold the tightest line possible. Big slip angles are bad, mmmmkay?

[tmelch]

Matt, check out the SCCA photos in the Photo Gallery.

[glagola1]

Matt, check out the SCCA photos in the Photo Gallery.Can you give me a link? I can't find it for some reason.

Oh wait. I think I can't find it because it's in the "members only" area of the site. Man, that turns me off.

[tmelch]

I'll join the SCCA if you join us!! :D

[WebGod]

Man, that turns me off.
It's one of many benefits of being a member, sorry.

[tmelch]

Coercian is the better part of valor!

[tmelch]

Get out and do autocross!! I've done a half dozen or so and took a xcross school at Turner today (got in 20 runs) and doing one Sunday. There's only a few S's that consistently run and it's sooooo much fun. Really is a learned skill! Much safer than running the mountains and less wear and tear than the track (although running track is a close second).

Why don't some of you other S's run Xcross next year!! There's too many Mini's out there!!

[glagola1]

So Tom, how did you like that rain? I did horribly. The hoosiers HATED it and I was off my usual pace by 2 seconds. Pretty hard on the ego really. I put the street tires on and did a few more runs in the afternoon. In heavy rain I dropped my times by almost a second even with my front swaybar like it was at the novice school. Oh well.

[tmelch]

Well, let's see if I can remember. My first run was an 80 (got lost and had a DNF), then a 70, then a couple of 67s, then a 65 (couple of seconds behind you so I thought that was pretty good). The SO3s are great in the rain, just didn't have the course down. Instead of walking it I chalked it!! Was really funny watching the Miatas having to drive with their top down!

Just curious from the novice school. Did you think my car had less power than yours? I'm still getting that idle misfire on occasion. Have to spend some time working on my car. Maybe whack the MAP sensor harder. Still have quite a bit of tire left. Will check out what's coming up early December.

[glagola1]

I can't tell for sure if your car was down on power or not. Have you done the spark plug recall? Check into that.

Yeah, I'd say you did pretty well to get that close to me. Also, did you notice that you're usually 3-4 seconds behind Mark Noyce and at this event you were .3 seconds! I'd say that was an excellent improvement!

There's not much left to the season. There's the Champion of Champions event on Dec. 4 and a possible South Carolina region event on the 11th. That's all I can find.

[F8d2Blk]

I can't tell for sure if your car was down on power or not. Have you done the spark plug recall? Check into that.

Yeah, I'd say you did pretty well to get that close to me. Also, did you notice that you're usually 3-4 seconds behind Mark Noyce and at this event you were .3 seconds! I'd say that was an excellent improvement!

There's not much left to the season. There's the Champion of Champions event on Dec. 4 and a possible South Carolina region event on the 11th. That's all I can find.
I heard that the dec. 4 autocross is going to be overcrowded with the drift event in the blue lot.

[s2kjones]

I heard that the dec. 4 autocross is going to be overcrowded with the drift event in the blue lot.
Yeah, all the autocrossers are going to be coming over to watch the drifting:D

[glagola1]

You heard wrong. The event will be the least overcrowded event of the year because you'd have to have competed in at least 4 events to enter. Also, they are in different lots so it's not any more crowded than it ever would be.

Peace dogs

[glagola1]

Hey, do they drift in the rain?

[Doctor T]

Hey, do they drift in the rain?

I think we all drift in the rain....:D

[suzukasue]

If it's raining, I think David will be very happy. It's easier to slide!

[glagola1]

Yeah but... what about the big smokey display action style?

[suzukasue]

Yeah but... what about the big smokey display action style?
You are right! David LOVES tire smoke. Right now weather.com is predicting a high of 55 degrees and sunny for December 4th. Hopefully it will stay that way!

[glagola1]

Well, looks like the weather's shaping up nicely! Thank you God.

[tmelch]

Just signed up for this weekend but will only be able to run on Sunday. Have to get ready for a company Xmas party Saturday night.

Why do they call this Champions of Champions if everybody can run?

[glagola1]

Cool. It's COC because the class champions are battling it out. Anybody can run but unless you are a class champ they are basically fun runs.
No novices are permitted either.

[WebGod]

Well, looks like the weather's shaping up nicely! Thank you God.You're welcome. :D

[tmelch]

Great way to use up the last of my rears!!

[tmelch]

You're welcome. :DHe meant God, not god. Which reminds me, your screen name is mispelled. :D

[glagola1]

So I'm kinda bummed it'll probably be so cold I wont' be able to get the hoosiers up to temp. I'm trying to think of a way to get them hot before I run. Maybe I'll have to zip off site for a second like the cheater I am.

[tmelch]

Blow torch and blankets!

[tmelch]

Maybe I'll have to zip off site for a second like the cheater I am.They'll probably let you back in! :D

[glagola1]

They'll probably let you back in! :D
Hey Tom, wanna co-drive with me in my car to help put some heat into the tires? If so, go edit your registration so that you are number 118 and that'll fix you right up.

You'll get a chance to see what Hoosiers and the front sway bar feel like... if you want.

[s2kjones]

Just come on over to the drift lot :D You'll get some heat in them tires

[tmelch]

Hey Tom, wanna co-drive with me in my car to help put some heat into the tires? If so, go edit your registration so that you are number 118 and that'll fix you right up.

You'll get a chance to see what Hoosiers and the front sway bar feel like... if you want.Man, I'd love to! But Lilly would divorce me! The best I can do is stop by for maybe an hour or so. HAVE to get ready for the Xmas party, ya know.

Hmmm...maybe I could cancel the party?

[glagola1]

Awe man. Maybe Noyce then...

[tmelch]

He already has a codriver.

[glagola1]

He already has a codriver.
right, right... Maybe she'll let him codrive with me and she'll drive alone? We'll see. I'm thinking of putting the Hoosiers on at home and driving them to the event. You know, to kind of wake them up some.

God it's going to be cold in the am.:(