Well I said I'd post more about my first AutoX so here I go! Unfortunately there aren't any times posted yet(I spoke to other competitors and said that it sometimes takes awhile). Ah well this is more for me to just talk about the time I had....a lot of this will seem pretty repetitive for guys like cj and dolphin I'm sure, but I think it could be useful for others who want to try it out.
I was quite clueless when I first got there. It was about 10:00 am and there were already a ton of cars. One of the officials came up to me and told me to remove all the loose items such as my floormats and basically anything that wasn't tied down and place it on the gravel next to the cement parking lot the course was setup on. I decided because it was so easy to remove my sub as well as my spare tire. After that I lined up and opened my trunk/hood for the tech inspection. I had some idle chat with other cars while standing by my car(don't go too far as the inspectors don't like to wait around). I was filled with pride as usual because people were paying me compliments on my car.
For the most part I didn't really know anybody. I'd met a bunch of them tho on a Sunday night cruise the week before so that was cool. There were a bunch from this one driving crew here in Winnipeg and these guys are super great to hang with. They are not into rice and totally into racing on the track not on the street.
The tech guy came and inspected my car. He kinda forewarned me that I *may* get juggled around into different classes throughout the season altho that kinda confused me as I was pretty sure I was considered G Stock class.
After the inspection, I parked my car on the gravel on the side of the cement padded area and grabbed my registration and my driver's license to go pay and to show I had a legally registered car. The "paystation" was a Honda CRX parked right near the starting line with it's hatch open...it was a cold morning.
After paying I chatted some more with some other new guys. Another first timer who owned a Spec V and I talked about how nervous we were. He had got there early and was assigned number 2 so was even more nervous as he was going twice...so he thought.
I walked the entire course twice just to get a good idea of what I'd need to be doing on the course....I'd suggest doing that at least twice if not more....if you don't go the right way around pylons you get an off-course which kinda sucks because it's a wasted run in a way.
Once everyone was done with course walks we had a driver's meeting. The officials split us into odds/evens based on our car numbers. The evens were to go first so in fact the Spec V guy would be going first overall! Meanwhile the rest of us split up and went with more experienced autocrossers to stations set up around the course. If someone during the race went off course or hit a pylon we'd call it in with 2-way radios as well as quickly setting the pylon back up for the next run. The actual running of the first group was great.....a lot of off-courses tho as the course was just a bit confusing. It was a very wide-open course so it was sorta slanted towards cars with more speed.
After the first group had completed two runs, it was time for the odd numbered cars to run...including myself. I was really nervous by now....basically I just didn't want to look like an ass out there. There were a lot of sweet cars in my group...here's a real nice shot of me in line with a WRX, Boxster and a nicely done up 240SX and another closeup just of me in my baby:
Hehe I made sure my car was nice and clean for the race!
When it got to my turn I strapped on a helmet and prepared for my run. The official told me it was ok to go and I took off. Going through the course in advance really helped as I knew in my head all the time where to go next. I took it somewhat slow the first time tho just to get my bearings better. I didn't hit any pylons and I didn't go off course. Finished the first run at about 1:01....not bad I guess but I knew the best times so far were like 56 seconds so I was disappointed. I immediately came back after the run and chatted for a few minutes before lining up for a second run. This time I pushed the car a lot harder and made no major mistakes. I got a 56.9. I was decently satisfied with that altho by now I knew the best time mark was a lot faster than that.
We switched so that the even people could do their last two runs. I paid a lot more attention this time to the lines people took as well as when they were braking etc.
It got to my turn again and my third run. I pushed it really hard this time being quite agressive in all the turns. I had a great run going....until my inexperience finally showed. After a high speed slalom on the way to the end of the course, there was a sharp almost 90 degree turn to the left....all I can say is I had a brain fart and didn't turn right away...I ended up slamming on the brakes and locking them up and drove straight forward into a wall of pylons and hit just one thankfully and sent it flying apparently.....and to top it off.....I was still in gear(what a goof) and stalled the car!!!! I was just swearing at myself for being so dumb...I started it back up and putted to a pathetic 1:06. I think if I didn't do that, it might have been my best overall run.
My last run, I didn't get discouraged....I pushed it quite hard again and this time remembered to turn and not lock the brakes. I cruised over the line for a time of 55.159...my best time of the day. Overall the best time of the day was posted by an S2000 at 48.6 I believe....but the next closest after that was in the 51.5 second range by a souped up Honda Prelude..so I don't think overall I did too badly overall. Like I mentioned previously, I was able to nudge out the Spec V, the WRX and the Boxster so I was generally happy with my performance, although I still expect better next time.
After the racing was all done, I chatted some more with a lot of new friends. I spoke at length with a Protege ES owner and he was a super helpful guy who I'm sure I'll be talking with a lot more this upcoming Sunday.
Overall the experience could not have been better. I had a great time, met a lot of knowledgeable people and got to see what my car could really do.
I was quite clueless when I first got there. It was about 10:00 am and there were already a ton of cars. One of the officials came up to me and told me to remove all the loose items such as my floormats and basically anything that wasn't tied down and place it on the gravel next to the cement parking lot the course was setup on. I decided because it was so easy to remove my sub as well as my spare tire. After that I lined up and opened my trunk/hood for the tech inspection. I had some idle chat with other cars while standing by my car(don't go too far as the inspectors don't like to wait around). I was filled with pride as usual because people were paying me compliments on my car.
For the most part I didn't really know anybody. I'd met a bunch of them tho on a Sunday night cruise the week before so that was cool. There were a bunch from this one driving crew here in Winnipeg and these guys are super great to hang with. They are not into rice and totally into racing on the track not on the street.
The tech guy came and inspected my car. He kinda forewarned me that I *may* get juggled around into different classes throughout the season altho that kinda confused me as I was pretty sure I was considered G Stock class.
After the inspection, I parked my car on the gravel on the side of the cement padded area and grabbed my registration and my driver's license to go pay and to show I had a legally registered car. The "paystation" was a Honda CRX parked right near the starting line with it's hatch open...it was a cold morning.
After paying I chatted some more with some other new guys. Another first timer who owned a Spec V and I talked about how nervous we were. He had got there early and was assigned number 2 so was even more nervous as he was going twice...so he thought.
I walked the entire course twice just to get a good idea of what I'd need to be doing on the course....I'd suggest doing that at least twice if not more....if you don't go the right way around pylons you get an off-course which kinda sucks because it's a wasted run in a way.
Once everyone was done with course walks we had a driver's meeting. The officials split us into odds/evens based on our car numbers. The evens were to go first so in fact the Spec V guy would be going first overall! Meanwhile the rest of us split up and went with more experienced autocrossers to stations set up around the course. If someone during the race went off course or hit a pylon we'd call it in with 2-way radios as well as quickly setting the pylon back up for the next run. The actual running of the first group was great.....a lot of off-courses tho as the course was just a bit confusing. It was a very wide-open course so it was sorta slanted towards cars with more speed.
After the first group had completed two runs, it was time for the odd numbered cars to run...including myself. I was really nervous by now....basically I just didn't want to look like an ass out there. There were a lot of sweet cars in my group...here's a real nice shot of me in line with a WRX, Boxster and a nicely done up 240SX and another closeup just of me in my baby:
Hehe I made sure my car was nice and clean for the race!
When it got to my turn I strapped on a helmet and prepared for my run. The official told me it was ok to go and I took off. Going through the course in advance really helped as I knew in my head all the time where to go next. I took it somewhat slow the first time tho just to get my bearings better. I didn't hit any pylons and I didn't go off course. Finished the first run at about 1:01....not bad I guess but I knew the best times so far were like 56 seconds so I was disappointed. I immediately came back after the run and chatted for a few minutes before lining up for a second run. This time I pushed the car a lot harder and made no major mistakes. I got a 56.9. I was decently satisfied with that altho by now I knew the best time mark was a lot faster than that.
We switched so that the even people could do their last two runs. I paid a lot more attention this time to the lines people took as well as when they were braking etc.
It got to my turn again and my third run. I pushed it really hard this time being quite agressive in all the turns. I had a great run going....until my inexperience finally showed. After a high speed slalom on the way to the end of the course, there was a sharp almost 90 degree turn to the left....all I can say is I had a brain fart and didn't turn right away...I ended up slamming on the brakes and locking them up and drove straight forward into a wall of pylons and hit just one thankfully and sent it flying apparently.....and to top it off.....I was still in gear(what a goof) and stalled the car!!!! I was just swearing at myself for being so dumb...I started it back up and putted to a pathetic 1:06. I think if I didn't do that, it might have been my best overall run.
My last run, I didn't get discouraged....I pushed it quite hard again and this time remembered to turn and not lock the brakes. I cruised over the line for a time of 55.159...my best time of the day. Overall the best time of the day was posted by an S2000 at 48.6 I believe....but the next closest after that was in the 51.5 second range by a souped up Honda Prelude..so I don't think overall I did too badly overall. Like I mentioned previously, I was able to nudge out the Spec V, the WRX and the Boxster so I was generally happy with my performance, although I still expect better next time.
After the racing was all done, I chatted some more with a lot of new friends. I spoke at length with a Protege ES owner and he was a super helpful guy who I'm sure I'll be talking with a lot more this upcoming Sunday.
Overall the experience could not have been better. I had a great time, met a lot of knowledgeable people and got to see what my car could really do.
