POST Jan 17, 2015 EVENT

[jaball77]

Waiting UNPATIENTLY for the results. LoL. It was absolutely amazing. This was my first auto-cross ever and I couldn't be happier about it. I learned a lot from both of the instructors that rode along (I'm horrible with names) and I gained a second nearly every pass. I did not expect to place or anything like that. Just wanted to have fun but I am curious where I ended up. I hope to be there again in two weeks.

Why FAST is successful. Well said.

I couldn't agree with her more. best autox experience to date for me as well. looking forward to doing many more with you guys.

we were discussing tonight that it would be great if there was actually a way to "practice". unfortunately, we don't have an large open areas near us and the cops would have us in jail right quick even if we did. Any suggestions?

Between SCCA, FAST, PCA, BMWCCA, Gulfcoast Autocrossers, Martin SCC, and Florida Corvette Racing Club, I'm pretty sure you could do at least 52 autocrosses a year if you wanted to. No real reason to put yourself or your car at risk by screwing around on the streets. :-)

[jaball77]

I think we need to create a new class just for modded S2000s.

We won't have a class just for S2000's, and this may not separate your MX-5 from them at all, but there may be room for another Mod class next season. M1 and M2 have been pretty big. Something to think about.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humor

I know, I know. But, several people have mentioned the fact that the two classes that make up our current M2 are not actually the best fit. We ponder such things from time to time. And we'll be pondering them more seriously a couple months before the end of the season to decide if we should make any changes.

So, your comedy was just a good segue into mentioning that possibility.

Yeah I guess if we change the rules to mirror the grouping in SCCA that won't help me at all, haha.

[jbrannon7]

I think we need to create a new class just for modded S2000s.

We won't have a class just for S2000's, and this may not separate your MX-5 from them at all, but there may be room for another Mod class next season. M1 and M2 have been pretty big. Something to think about.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humor

I know, I know. But, several people have mentioned the fact that the two classes that make up our current M2 are not actually the best fit. We ponder such things from time to time. And we'll be pondering them more seriously a couple months before the end of the season to decide if we should make any changes.

So, your comedy was just a good segue into mentioning that possibility.

Yeah I guess if we change the rules to mirror the grouping in SCCA that won't help me at all, haha.

The "modded" S2000s are not really that modded, they just practice in a much larger pond, so they race against faster drivers. They have shorter springs, better shocks, stiffer roll bars, exhaust can be modded from headers back but must keep catalytic converter, cold air intake, 9 inch wide wheels and 255 tires. John's NC mx5 is setup almost the same and would be in the same class.

[jaball77]

The "modded" S2000s are not really that modded, they just practice in a much larger pond, so they race against faster drivers. They have shorter springs, better shocks, stiffer roll bars, exhaust can be modded from headers back but must keep catalytic converter, cold air intake, 9 inch wide wheels and 255 tires. John's NC mx5 is setup almost the same and would be in the same class.

I understand all of that. My NC technically belongs in STR as well. But the NC is very much an underdog in STR, even the fully prepped ones at the national level. Just look at the results from Nationals...the fastest NC was out of the trophies and 1.3 seconds per run behind the leader. The chassis is capable, but I think it's just too big a deficit to overcome in terms of power. All the lightness and chassis tuning in the world won't make up for a 70hp deficit.

All that said, the NC really doesn't belong in STS with the NA either. It's a tweener car. Whatever happens it doesn't make much difference to me. I know I don't really have a chance in M2 as long as there are S2ks and I'm fine with that. I stand more of a chance against the FRS/BRZ but even that's a tough row to hoe. I feel bad for the NA/NB guys in M2 that really REALLY don't have a chance...

I'll stick with my current goals of "Beat Ron and Drew and Loren and John." If I get a sticker, then that's great too.

[Professional_Slacker]

the mr2 spyder makes less than 150BHP... I don't know what all you guys are complaining about. lol

[jev61]

I'll stick with my current goals of "Beat Ron and Drew and Loren and John." If I get a sticker, then that's great too.

Beat Ron, Drew, Loren, John, and Jason. Get a sticker if I can.

[Indian srt-4]

i had a blast! best runs so far. i was surprised how an alignment helped.

[twistedwankel]

Here's a side by side of Jamie's and my best run. I got him by .2, it looks like he was slightly ahead at the turn, but I exited the slower section faster.
http://vimeo.com/117135219

It's really cool to see side by side racing comparo's.
Here's my question? How do you synchronize with the timer? at the start?

MPH = FPS = Actual Feet@.2 sec

60 = 88 = 17.6ft (which I don't see anywhere?)
55 = 80.7 = 16.1ft
50 = 73.3 = 14.6ft

You should have beaten him by more than 1/2 a concrete slab at the finish?
If I use my imagination I might see 6 ft at both the start and finish?

Just curious. It looked really close back and forth watching the video. More like only .1 second difference?

Maybe the flux capacitor Ron uses in the timer changes time to keep things exciting?

Wow when I used stop action it looks like left side is a full slab 25ft faster at the finish so I'll shut up now. You might have been going 70+ mph?

[garage west]

I'll stick with my current goals of "Beat Ron and Drew and Loren and John." If I get a sticker, then that's great too.

Beat Ron, Drew, Loren, John, and Jason. Get a sticker if I can.

You're entirely welcome!

[jaball77]

Here's a side by side of Jamie's and my best run. I got him by .2, it looks like he was slightly ahead at the turn, but I exited the slower section faster.
http://vimeo.com/117135219

Interesting comparison. It looks like you were more aggressive and Jamie was smoother, and aggression won out by a little bit.

I'm surprised that it looks like you're getting a lot of understeer. I thought these cars were all about balance and being tailhappy... Does it have a giant front bar on it or something?

[d4rizob]

Here's a side by side of Jamie's and my best run. I got him by .2, it looks like he was slightly ahead at the turn, but I exited the slower section faster.
http://vimeo.com/117135219

Interesting comparison. It looks like you were more aggressive and Jamie was smoother, and aggression won out by a little bit.

I'm surprised that it looks like you're getting a lot of understeer. I thought these cars were all about balance and being tailhappy... Does it have a giant front bar on it or something?

22mm Strano front bar, 18mm is stock., and I'm trying to smooth it out.


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[d4rizob]

Here's a side by side of Jamie's and my best run. I got him by .2, it looks like he was slightly ahead at the turn, but I exited the slower section faster.
http://vimeo.com/117135219

It's really cool to see side by side racing comparo's.
Here's my question? How do you synchronize with the timer? at the start?

MPH = FPS = Actual Feet@.2 sec

60 = 88 = 17.6ft (which I don't see anywhere?)
55 = 80.7 = 16.1ft
50 = 73.3 = 14.6ft

You should have beaten him by more than 1/2 a concrete slab at the finish?
If I use my imagination I might see 6 ft at both the start and finish?

Just curious. It looked really close back and forth watching the video. More like only .1 second difference?

Maybe the flux capacitor Ron uses in the timer changes time to keep things exciting?

Wow when I used stop action it looks like left side is a full slab 25ft faster at the finish so I'll shut up now. You might have been going 70+ mph?

I just tried to eyeball the start to sync the videos.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jamie]

Here's a side by side of Jamie's and my best run. I got him by .2, it looks like he was slightly ahead at the turn, but I exited the slower section faster.
http://vimeo.com/117135219

Interesting comparison. It looks like you were more aggressive and Jamie was smoother, and aggression won out by a little bit.

I'm surprised that it looks like you're getting a lot of understeer. I thought these cars were all about balance and being tailhappy... Does it have a giant front bar on it or something?

Could be. I definitely had to wrestle it through the "pinch", which may have been from driving it too much like a Miata. The other thing was on my fastest (third) run, I hadn't started shifting to third yet. Left in second, it hit the limiter going into the finish chute, which is death in this car...it doesn't bounce off the limiter like the Miata or Prelude, it just dies. I didn't start going to third until the next run, and between coning that one away and overcooking the "pinch" on the last, it didn't make a difference. Should have done it sooner!

Understeer wasn't bad -- it pushed a little right at the limit, but it's easy to steer on the throttle.

Seriously fun car -- were I in the market, I'd be looking hard at it.

[Jamie]

Here's a side by side of Jamie's and my best run. I got him by .2, it looks like he was slightly ahead at the turn, but I exited the slower section faster.
http://vimeo.com/117135219

Interesting comparison. It looks like you were more aggressive and Jamie was smoother, and aggression won out by a little bit.

I'm surprised that it looks like you're getting a lot of understeer. I thought these cars were all about balance and being tailhappy... Does it have a giant front bar on it or something?

Could be. I definitely had to wrestle it through the "pinch", which may have been from driving it too much like a Miata. The other thing was on my fastest (third) run, I hadn't started shifting to third yet. Left in second, it hit the limiter going into the finish chute, which is death in this car...it doesn't bounce off the limiter like the Miata or Prelude, it just dies. I didn't start going to third until the next run, and between coning that one away and overcooking the "pinch" on the last, it didn't make a difference. Should have done it sooner!

Understeer wasn't bad -- it pushed a little right at the limit, but it's easy to steer on the throttle.

Seriously fun car -- were I in the market, I'd be looking hard at it.

Looking at the video again and doing stop action like Doug suggested, we traded back and forth slightly all the way through the "pinch" -- Rob exited that slightly faster, picked up a 25-30 foot lead coming out of the chevrons, and never gave it up.

Don't know if I'll make the next Classic, but I'll be back for revenge with the Miata in the next points event.

[Loren]

Season Points have been updated. There's still a whole lot of undecided going on in almost every class!

[Professional_Slacker]

I have one point. still time for me to win it all. lol

[jesup16]

Here's my 47.7 run. Squeaked into 3rd place in M2 on my last run...

I think we need to create a new class just for modded S2000s.

Jason, just bump up to M1 where the heavy cars are and win M1 class. Oh wait...that's what Jeremy does.

[Jeremy]

Oh wait...that's what Jeremy does.

I don't plan on running in m1 any more. Sorry for any pain this has caused you.

Would anyone in R1 be mad if I ran my POS car with 150 ft lb of torque and an eyeballed alignment on 3 year old Hankook street tires in R1?

This car is obviously prepped way beyond M class guidelines. LOL

[Tim_M]

Jesse: Smooth driving and nice turns-tire feedback tells the tale. I had you in the fishbone (my video showed I was inches straight thru), but you covered me everywhere else. I will have to start working on this left foot brake thing...

Jeremy: I'd drive it like a rental too, if it was **not** my car. Nonetheless-great passes.

Kudos to the staff for sticking with the 5th run even though cutting it would keep us on the published schedule. The extra run makes the difference...

Additionally, the checkered tape on the Novice cars is a great idea-really helps the instructors ensuring no one is missed compared to previously walking around and asking all the unfamiliar faces-can be a bit awkward.

Also, does FAST still pass out stickers for podium finishes? If so, I'd like my badge of honor with M1 getting tough. No interest is waiting until the end of the day either (impossible with the split format anyway).

Lastly, I think the shutdown chute could've been longer and / or included a turn to force slow speeds. I was coming into the finish well into 3rd and going full stop and can't say I had lots of room to spare for my comfort. Saying that...no one was pitted/gridded within striking distance.

[jesup16]

Oh wait...that's what Jeremy does.

I don't plan on running in m1 any more. Sorry for any pain this has caused you.

Would anyone in R1 be mad if I ran my POS car with 150 ft lb of torque and an eyeballed alignment on 3 year old Hankook street tires in R1?

This car is obviously prepped way beyond M class guidelines. LOL

Let's not play dumb. The previous statements about this car say it's been very well sorted over the years and I now understand it belongs in M2. My BS meter says that car dyno's over 150 ft lb of torque...unless you disconnected the boost. Factory specs are at 203 lb ft...and that's stock. I know this car is not "stock". Until we see a dyno graph, nobody knows what this car puts down. It could be ~200, it could be ~300. It sounds and moves like ~300. Aren't you running meth injection too (doesn't really add power, but definitely helps).

Oh yeah, what's that car weigh? a stock 240 is around ~2700 lbs...more in spec with a s2000, BRZ, etc (M2 class). The swap didn't add 600lbs. Stop picking on our porker cars. My car ~3400 lbs, Drews car ~ 3200-3300 lbs, Tim's car ~ 3200-3300 lbs, etc...

This course was very transitional...it lent itself to more balanced and lighter cars. There was really only the finish area to leverage horsepower. Hence why M2 was mostly faster than M1. So the 240 had an advantage over the heavy cars in M1. You're obviously a talented driver...I don't see the need to run the car out of class.

Yes I'm whining, but you're manipulating the class / course to your advantage.

/ temper tantrum