Jan 3 - FAST Classic

[Loren]

What a great day! Perfect weather. Really long and fun course, and 8 runs!

My apologies to anyone who was expecting the usual 2:30pm Classic finish. I should know better, but I let "time creep" bite me today. We started 15 minutes late (not unusual, and well within the tolerance of the schedule), but then I wasn't paying enough attention and let the first run group go 15 minutes long by allowing 8 runs. And, of course, the other two run groups ran 15 minutes long, which put us a full hour off at the end of the day. Instead of being done at 2:30 and packed by 3:00, we were done at 3:30 and packed by 4:00. All-in-all, not bad for what we accomplished.

Thanks to all for coming out and having fun with us!

But, what you really want to see is

The Results

[Native]

It was a good day! I really enjoyed the course - even the slow parts!

Jamie - enjoyed the codrive and direct competition - my record stands as always being beaten in my own car! And thanks for the feedback on the brakes... And if any of the video of me on your camera reveals anything of interest, I'd be curious.

Nils - thanks for running for lunch. Also didn't realize until too late that when you mentioned your Subaru you meant a new one... Nice STI!

Was nice to see you all again - it looks like I might actually make a few more events than last year...

Nicole had a good time watching her first autocross (and "enjoying" her first spin), and getting to meet some of y'all...sorry we had to cut out too quickly to say goodbye.

See youse next time!

[Solar]

Sounds like at good day, finishing by 3:30 is never a bad thing; very pissed I missed it.

I got to Hilsborough on the Veterans this morning had to get a tow back home, not the way I wanted to spend the day. Started running rough, got a backfire coming of the gas exiting the Verterans, then got a CE light. Worked on my car afterwards for a few hours dealing with a check engine light, thinking the way it was running it was a intake/vacuum issue. Turned out the number four spark plug was cracked, looks like detonation issue, not sure why though. Didn't feel like a engine miss, more like a fuel issue. Hopefully it was just a plug going bad, runs good again, going to drive it more this week to make sure the problem is fixed.

[Loren]

We missed you today, Brian. I was wondering what happened.

[aw614]

Had a good time. Thanks to Loren for driving my car today, it gave me a goal to try to get down to and to see his driving line, didn't get there, but nearly did. Wish I had the mic on when I recorded the run he drove, no sound, but still can learn from it.

Course was tough in the 2nd half, really had to listen to my tires to know that slowing down through the tight sections was faster than overdriving it and rolling over the sidewalls and had to really set my self up earlier for it or I would pay for it.

Here was my fastest run at 71.126, glad I got that time since the other 71 seconds I got 71.365, I am almost certain I hit a cone on the slalom and it wasn't recorded on my time. Question, would it have been a bad decision if I shifted into third in the area after the slalom? I think you can hear Im on the limiter, but it doesnt seem long enough to take the risk. I know on my GTI I would probably shift into third and just use the boost to carry speed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm80jjPSYm0

This was my last run, not sure what happened at the end when I plowed into 3 cones. Only thing I can think of after comparing the two videos was I was a little late in the transition and I just plowed straight into the cones. Other than that, that run felt a lot really good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFDZkOGAut4

Outside of new tires, and the want for VTAK and a different engine, Im happy with the setup, though I think I will probably get adjustable camber arms because it bugs me that my alignment the camber isnt even on both sides and it'd be nice to minimize outside corner wear if I ran -2 to -2.5 degrees of camber.

[aw614]

Sounds like at good day, finishing by 3:30 is never a bad thing; very pissed I missed it.

I got to Hilsborough on the Veterans this morning had to get a tow back home, not the way I wanted to spend the day. Started running rough, got a backfire coming of the gas exiting the Verterans, then got a CE light. Worked on my car afterwards for a few hours dealing with a check engine light, thinking the way it was running it was a intake/vacuum issue. Turned out the number four spark plug was cracked, looks like detonation issue, not sure why though. Didn't feel like a engine miss, more like a fuel issue. Hopefully it was just a plug going bad, runs good again, going to drive it more this week to make sure the problem is fixed.

Damn that sucks, there was good M3 competition today too, would have been great if you had come.

[Loren]

Andrew, I found your car very enjoyable to drive! I sort of wanted to take another run it it just to see if I could get a 69 in it.

If you were hitting the rev limiter for long enough, it might have been worth shifting to 3rd. I did in my car... didn't stay in 3rd for long, I was immediately on the brakes and back to 2nd. But, I think it was probably worth a couple tenths for me. But, it comes with risk. I think I did that shift 4-5 times and only really got it right twice. (other times I missed my shift and was slow getting into 3rd, which negated the benefit)

[aw614]

Glad you enjoyed it, it's been a slow and tedious process in getting the suspension and bushings replaced/upgraded to get it to feel new, but its fun to learn on and cheap to run. I think a 69 is possible. With the lower powered cars, Im finding it a lot more fun since it gives me a smaller room for error to get to drive it right.

I should have tried 3rd at least once, at least to practice rev matching and/or downshifting, since it still gives me a bit of trouble. (The FCRC events give me some practice in up and down shifting 2-3-2). Looking at a few older videos I had, some bmwcca autocrosses I've done I've been on the limiter a lot longer than todays event. I think it might have been Joe Vance's car, but I could hear him on the limiter during his runs when I was working, I don't recall him upshifting as it looked like he had to adjust for the crossover when he hit it.

Looking at new tires, it looks like if I went down to a narrower and slightly taller 195/55/15, I would slightly lose out on acceleration, but gain slightly on top end, and for most courses that slight increase in top end might be worth the trade off, plus more responsiveness in steering at the expense of overall grip. Decisions to make since dunlop seems to make the only 195/55 200 tw tire and my current choice for my next tire.

[dbeng]

An absolutely great day of autocross. I had a complete blast starting with learning to set up the course with Ben, Nate & Joe, all the way to the end of the day. It was worth the early start to see how the course is put together, I thought setting up may have given more insight into the course but in reality I was so focused on positioning every individual cone to match the map it was not so easy to see the big picture.

Having said that, with my relative noob status for some reason I lost confidence in navigating such a long course so I set out to get as many passenger runs as possible. Thanks to everyone who graciously let me ride along, it was great fun and a good learning experience. It was a pleasure getting to meet so many of you.
When my time came I made it around every run with no DNF's so something must have sunk in!
I was pleasantly surprised to see I did not finish dead last which I was sure was the case based on most of the times I saw during the day!
There is still a hell of a lot to learn but it is so much fun I can't wait to get out and try again.

See you on the 17th
Dan

[twistedwankel]

https://plus.google.com/117731661315038 ... VRckA4yLnX

This is too funny. The very last run when Les turns a whopping 67.721 and beats Drew in my RX8 stock other than rims car.

I have 14 decent videos but this one is the funniest with a Les "selfie" included.

I'll post a "real" time when I get more patient. I don't know how I turned off the sound? Just as well I swore a lot today.

At least it took Les 6 runs to beat my 69.67 I did on my 5th. Then he figured stuff out with fenders and stopped hitting stuff.

Les beat me by 1.949 seconds in my own car. No one has EVER done that large a killing and I finished 14th overall today and 4th in a crazy fast S2 class. Even in the 10 best in RX8 in 2014 I still pulled out a 4th place....GEESH.

https://plus.google.com/117731661315038 ... 5038287505

Here is my best 5th run 69.670 nice try made him work his butt off until the bottom of the 8th:) At least I stayed clean all day.

Hey let's hear it for my $77 in car video:) Honestly the audio works I just bumped something by accident?

[Loren]

Les laid down a serious run!

[NervesOfThrill]

Great day. Had fun and learned a lot.

Doug-thanks for the assist on calibrating tire pressures. It was a long walk to end up back where I started. Should have never touched them....... The search continues.....

Loren-thanks for taking a spin behind the wheel of my car. There really is no better way to learn for me. Also appreciate you jumping in for my drive. Biggest takeaway, work on setting up earlier/better for corners and maximizing late apex to your advantage. Watching Andrew's video in addition to the ride with you is very enlightening.

Overall a great day where I stunk it up and had a helluva lot of fun. Can't wait till next time.

[lddavis91]

https://plus.google.com/117731661315038 ... VRckA4yLnX

This is too funny. The very last run when Les turns a whopping 67.721 and beats Drew in my RX8 stock other than rims car.

I have 14 decent videos but this one is the funniest with a Les "selfie" included.

I'll post a "real" time when I get more patient. I don't know how I turned off the sound? Just as well I swore a lot today.

At least it took Les 6 runs to beat my 69.67 I did on my 5th. Then he figured stuff out with fenders and stopped hitting stuff.

Les beat me by 1.949 seconds in my own car. No one has EVER done that large a killing and I finished 14th overall today and 4th in a crazy fast S2 class. Even in the 10 best in RX8 in 2014 I still pulled out a 4th place....GEESH.

https://plus.google.com/117731661315038 ... 5038287505

Here is my best 5th run 69.670 nice try made him work his butt off until the bottom of the 8th:) At least I stayed clean all day.

Hey let's hear it for my $77 in car video:) Honestly the audio works I just bumped something by accident?

That video is hilarious, too bad it doesn't have sound, not that that car makes any sound anyway. :-) It also doesn't make any torque, which took some getting used to. On that last run I probably touched the brake in some manner at least 10 times and it was the only run where I didn't massively screw up the super tight section, I finally figured out that was the only way I could make the damn thing rotate a bit, serious, hard jabs at the brakes. Finally worked it all out, I could be a national champion if I could get 9 runs on every course and everyone else just got their normal 3. LOL Since that is never gonna happen I guess I'll just have to settle for state championships.

Thanks again Doug for letting me flog "grey eight" I could never buy one of those cars as I love torque too much, but they are wonderful cars no doubt. One of the best chassis I've ever driven.

[Loren]

Loren-thanks for taking a spin behind the wheel of my car.

Jeremy, your car was a hoot to drive, too! Thanks for letting me take a whack at it. Very composed and easy to drive.

[nathanwilliams617]

Great event, having 8 runs was awesome despite going over scheduled time.
The return was challenging for me as it was for many. Comparing my problem elements spacing/offsets to previous b'ville course maps, where I did poorly and well, I'm starting to see a pattern, and I'm noting what needs work. Seems my perception of what is tight, slow, and/or requires super early setup is skewed. When I walk the next course, I'm going to start pacing of the distance of the elements and make mental notes, comparing to past events and see if I can refine perception.

Even after driving the course a few times Its hard to believe that certain spots require me to be super slow to be quicker overall, that disbelief led to over driving those areas every time.
I tend to think the car is not setup correctly, then Loren drives it and clarifies that it's the driver not the car, bahahaha

No videos this time, could not find my gopro mount yesterday. Would have been nice to catch the rallycross action

[rrath]

Thanks to everyone who made this event another great one. I really liked this course - the contrast between the left and right side. Lessons learned:
1) Brake at the last moment, don't lift early - (Learned when Loren took out Nate's G8, filled with all three G8 drivers and promptly spanked all our times)
2) Patience in the tight stuff, else face the slow wrath of understeer

This was the first event with new shocks and springs - love the improved composure. However, driving the course somehow mucked up something with my alignment. I'd say it doesn't appear to be anything serious, but I don't want to jinx myself.

[twistedwankel]

The return was challenging for me as it was for many. Comparing my problem elements spacing/offsets to previous b'ville course maps, where I did poorly and well, I'm starting to see a pattern, and I'm noting what needs work. Seems my perception of what is tight, slow, and/or requires super early setup is skewed.

Nate,
Condolence card in mail Monday with instructions on how to yell "Coming About" for the course worker's safety.
Now do you see why I have always managed to keep 2 totally different dedicated autocross cars? Even Shamu was skinnier butt than the Grey8.

Doug

[aw614]

Thanks to everyone who made this event another great one. I really liked this course - the contrast between the left and right side. Lessons learned:
1) Brake at the last moment, don't lift early - Thanks, Loren
2) Patience in the tight stuff, else face the slow wrath of understeer

This was the first event with new shocks and springs - love the improved composure. However, driving the course somehow mucked up something with my alignment. I'd say it doesn't appear to be anything serious, but I don't want to jinx myself.

Tie rods up front slipped out of alignment?

I had a left outer tie rod constantly slip out of alignment most of 2012/2013 on my integra, ended up narrowing it down after I replaced a bunch of bushings my front end has. It was just the right outer tie rod under hard driving would slip after any autox. There was no play or anything on that tie rod either, must have just been the original and 120k+ miles I guess.

[Loren]

when Loren took out Nate's G8, filled with all three G8 drivers and promptly spanked all our times

Hah, I didn't even realize that all of the passengers were G8 drivers. Awesome! And... sorry.

The reason I wanted to drive Nate's car (which was fun) was just to gauge the course. If all of the entrants in an autocross were Miatas or other narrow cars, designing a course is easy for me. I know what works for small cars. But, with so many G8's and other larger cars showing up, I'm trying to be sure things aren't too tight. I feel like I've been pretty good lately at making the courses where the tight parts are "challenging, but not painful".

And, of course, as much as some people lament them, a course HAS to have some tight stuff on it to manage speed. If you could easily fly through it all in a G8... then a smaller car would never lift until they reached the turn-around or flew off into the grass at 80 mph. So, it's all about speed maintenance. As long as this course was, it was a challenge for me to keep the speed reasonable! I was pretty happy with the result. No 1st gear downshifts required, and most people stayed out of 3rd.

[nathanwilliams617]

The return was challenging for me as it was for many. Comparing my problem elements spacing/offsets to previous b'ville course maps, where I did poorly and well, I'm starting to see a pattern, and I'm noting what needs work. Seems my perception of what is tight, slow, and/or requires super early setup is skewed.

Nate,
Condolence card in mail Monday with instructions on how to yell "Coming About" for the course worker's safety.
Now do you see why I have always managed to keep 2 totally different dedicated autocross cars? Even Shamu was skinnier butt than the Grey8.

Doug

Yeah, I hear yah...