Nov 15, 2014 - FAST Championship Event

[CLRH2O]

Cheney (PurpleCat) is my femme - and she's wanting me to get in on the event too this time around. One question though - what tread depth are you required on the outer edge of the tire for competing? Is this a tech inspection item for you guys? I'm not sure if the new tires will be here by next Saturday, so rather than register and potentially fail inspection on something like this I thought I'd ask

[Loren]

If you're planning on going, you need to get registered NOW. Registration for this event closes at 6pm.

As long as all we see on your tires is rubber, and the rubber isn't dry-rotted, cut, cracking or otherwise damaged, you're fine. Any cord showing is not acceptable.

[CLRH2O]

No cord or Dry rot - but one rear does have the curb lip damaged (They're Goodyear Eagle F1 EMT's with that lip protector ridge of rubber that sticks out). Worst case, I fail the inspection :/ Best I have a great day out with everyone

[Loren]

Worst case: You show up at the gate and get turned away because you're not on the entry list.

Don't forget to register!

[CLRH2O]

Registered!

Now to correctly classify my car.... It's this in terms of 'go':

2003 G35 Coupe 5AT, Stillen Supercharged, DC Sports Downpipes (Ceramic), Injen SP CAI, TIEN BASIC Coilovers, Volk Racing SF Winning series 19x9.5 on Bridestone Potenza RE050A 245/45/19 Fronts & 19x10.5 wheels on Goodyear Eagle F1 EMT 285/35/19 Rears.

What class should it be under?

[PurpleCatG356MT]

I'm trying to think of places to practice...are there any empty lot friendly owners around tampa? lol

Look up "autocross buddies" on FB. Our group posts all the events that we know of for each month. I'm doing 5 events this month with 5 different groups...it's a marathon month.

Also, you can seek advice there. Loren is definitely an expert and you should listen to him. I don't think you're going to get much different advice from any other expert in that group.

Awesome I will!! And Loren is awesome, although still intimidating lol. I like how responsive and active everyone is on the forum. My experience has been stellar.

[Loren]

Intimidating?

[Loren]

Registered!

Now to correctly classify my car.... It's this in terms of 'go':

2003 G35 5AT, Stillen Supercharged, DC Sports Downpipes (Ceramic), Injen SP CAI, TIEN BASIC Coilovers, Volk Racing SF Winning series 19x9.5 on Bridestone Potenza RE050A 245/45/19 Fronts & 19x10.5 wheels on Goodyear Eagle F1 EMT 285/35/19 Rears.

What class should it be under?

Depends on whether it's a coupe or sedan. (I really don't know what the difference is, we draw our base classing mostly from SCCA)

If it's a coupe, it's standard mod class would be M1, and you would bump up to M0 for adding forced induction.

If it's a sedan, it starts in M2 and bumps to M1.

Also, be aware that our current treadwear requirement for "street tire" classes (all of our mod and stock classes) is minimum 140, but that will change to 190 after August 2015. So, you're okay for now.

[Inspecta]

Intimidating?

Direct and Intimidating!
-__-

[CLRH2O]

Excellent. And Coupe - dunno how on earth I failed to include that the first go around

As for the tires, I just bought a set of RE050A *non* Run flats for up front as replacements that are 140s.

Got a suggestion for replacement rears that are better than my current Eagle F1s I can find used? I'm rushing to find a full set (although mismatched front to rear potentially), buy them, have them in hand AND get them installed before Saturday.... while still dealing with the day job, night job, and everything else I do LOL But yeah - suggestions for good rear wheel drive grip?

[Loren]

I don't know what you'll be able to find locally on short notice. Tire Rack can usually deliver in 2-3 days if they have them in stock.

[ExecutiveHydra]

Intimidating?

It's the hat.

[Loren]

Probably didn't help that I did most of the classes wearing dark sunglasses.

[twistedwankel]

Intimidating?

It's the hat.

Plus the eyebrows.

[Native]

omg i'm dying here...

[CLRH2O]

I was able to reach the guy I normally get used BMW dealership tires from - and lucked out. Looks like I'm Bridgestone Potenza all the way around for Saturday. I had the front mounted yesterday the rears today. I dropped 10mm from 285 to 275 to try to scrape a bit less in the rear wheel wells - and went non run flat all around in order to do the *minimal* stretch without incident.

Now the question is - since I don't have a rear camber / toe adjustment hardware - what's the most negative camber you think I'd want to "let" happen while lowering the TIENs for this event? hmmmmmmm Right now I'm riding 4x4 style in the rear :/

Anyway - looking forward to meeting everyone on Saturday.

[Loren]

Lower is not always better. Leave yourself some suspension travel.

-2 to -2.5 degrees is usually a good balance between performance and street wear as long as the toe is correct. If street wear is not an issue, you can run 3 degrees. But, balance is important. If you get 3 degrees in the rear and only 1 degree in the front, you're going to have maddening understeer issues.

I'd leave things alone as much as possible and just focus on driving the car.

[CLRH2O]

One step at a time for sure. Ah, also Cheney suggested I notify you in advance that I'll need a club helmet to use day of. Her's has arrived - I haven't been able to get one in time yet :/

[Loren]

We've got plenty of loaners, no worries.

[dbeng]

Have fun everyone, wish I was there with you, the course layout looks like it will be great to drive. I'm off to a charity fundraising walk this morning or I would have signed up to drive.
See you on Dec 6th
Dan