First STX autocross big success. Crappy Move inside.

[DistantTea]

My wife and I were quite unprepared on how to start the new season... we just up and went down to Cincy for the hell of it on short notice even though it was around 40 degrees out and raining... bleh.

We had to stand around in the cold rain, then we had to work in the cold wind and then the heavens opened and dried the track off for us to run.(rockon)

My first run I just went for it... no pussy footing around and turned a time that beat the D stock WRXs by six seconds... ok so they had to run in light rain two hours ealier(sssh) .

The falkens worked so flawlessly that I was starting to get major wood over the amount of control we had. I'm now positive the stock tokicos work better with the higher spring rates because the car was so much better ballanced than last year... we were flying.

I finished the day in first for STX (not many showed up for the class) and thanks to the rain I beat Danny Popp in his Z06 by nearly 4 seconds. If I had to guess I'd say I paxed in the top 10 to 15 out of 80 to 100 people. I was just barely running behind the SM WRXs in those conditions.

I still messed up two corners pretty bad over and over... which tells me that I really need that evolution school in May. Something is just plain wrong with my corner entry sometimes and I don't see the problem until corner exit... by then its too late.

Here's a video of my fastest run, I had a newbie passenger on board to introduce him to the wacky world of cone running. I hope I didn't scare him away because he was shaking when he got out.

Right click and save as please.

http://www.goodhumorracing.com/04cpe1/cpe13.wmv

I have HUUUUUGE hopes for STX this year. I need a good warm day to learn how to deal with those tire pressures.

 

[KBicknel]

Tom forgot to mention the four cones on his last run!

The car was much better than last year. The only differences are the ground control coilovers, 16" rota slipsteam wheels, 215 Falkens and a new alignment. Money well spent!

 

[shinzen]

Nice run, looks like the problem corners you were starting to get a bit of understeer, with practice you'll whup up on them!

 

[DistantTea]

Those corner exit problems were entirely related to corner entry. In this case the understeer was caused by driver mistakes, because when you nail that corner just right the car is neutral with a slight oversteer bias... which is perfect for me. Evolution school will really help... there's just some corners I don't slow down enough for and I pay for it on the other side. Its irratating though that I don't see myself doing it until after the race is over.

 

[shinzen]

I couldn't agree with you more. I wasn't commenting on the car's understeering, but the little too hot of speed combined with not swinging the corner quite right is exactly the issue that I was having in my first race last year. I had the opportunity to go to a "test and tune" in december with my snow tires on, and let me tell you, being able to do tons of laps really helped me out a lot, it also allowed me to follow some guys from a local driving school and watch their lines- it was awesome.

 

[scapamouche]

Tom, I just finished watching your vid, and I saw 2 things which are hurting you a bit right now. One is an easy fix, the other is NOT...

First the easy one: When the car starts to push on you, don't crank the wheel over harder. On that run, I saw 3 or 4 spots where you got in a bit of trouble, then made it worse by cranking the wheel. Instead, thry easing up on the wheel just a bit- maybe 2 or 3 degrees when the front starts to slide. That will help the tires get a bit of grip and start pulling the car around the turn. What I do is saw the wheel back just a little when I feel the front let go. I also try to roll INTO the power just a little as I do it too, because that LSD will pull you right around the corner if you let it... The wonderful thing about FWD and LSD: "Oh... you're pushing? Give it some power..... Oh, you're loose? Give it some power..."

The hard one: You're looking out the front window too much, therefore you're not looking ahead enough. Look where you want the car to be after the NEXT turn, not the apex you're getting to now. Very hard, believe me... I've been fighting this one for about 9 months now: I think it's the next step for me to improve. Fortunately for you, one of the KEY elements of the Evo school is this look ahead technique: they will POUND it into you until you get it.

Interesting sub note: Jason Hart (the Pro at MRIU) was talking to me about the Falkens at the SF event 2 weeks ago. He said that you need to hear the tires howling, or you're not making the most of them. What you want is a constant howl, but not a shriek. When they start to shriek, you've gone too far and you're in trouble. He said he'd rarely driven with another tire that was so clear and vocal about its limits... Just something to think about

 

[KBicknel]

First the easy one: When the car starts to push on you, don't crank the wheel over harder. On that run, I saw 3 or 4 spots where you got in a bit of trouble, then made it worse by cranking the wheel. Instead, thry easing up on the wheel just a bit- maybe 2 or 3 degrees when the front starts to slide. That will help the tires get a bit of grip and start pulling the car around the turn. What I do is saw the wheel back just a little when I feel the front let go. I also try to roll INTO the power just a little as I do it too, because that LSD will pull you right around the corner if you let it... The wonderful thing about FWD and LSD: "Oh... you're pushing? Give it some power..... Oh, you're loose? Give it some power..."

Yikes...if you think he turns the wheel too much, my wheel turning is just embarrassing. I just can't break the habit. Take a look. I also have a rider who has never autocrossed before. This is my best time of the day which was 1.6 seconds from first place. (I am not in the ladies class this year).

http://www.goodhumorracing.com/04cpe1/CPEk1lg.wmv

 

[DistantTea]

... When the car starts to push on you, don't crank the wheel over harder. On that run, I saw 3 or 4 spots where you got in a bit of trouble, then made it worse by cranking the wheel. Instead, thry easing up on the wheel just a bit- maybe 2 or 3 degrees when the front starts to slide. That will help the tires get a bit of grip and start pulling the car around the turn.

Yes MOM. I know I know... we're breaking down bad habbits and its hard. But our 1 season improvements are pretty great I think. Once upon a time (and an Audi S4 ago) I would have cranked that wheel a full 1.5 turns and wondered why the car wasn't turning any farther. I'm getting better.

...The hard one: You're looking out the front window too much, therefore you're not looking ahead enough.

I'm using my extrasensory perception to look ahead... ok then its a complex series of mirrors inside my glasses... not going to fall for that one either? Ok I don't look very far ahead. I also stare at cones right before I hit them. Still good for first that day... but if I don't break those bad habbits I won't see that trophy at the tours or at the divisional championship. Hello Evo School.

(first)

... What you want is a constant howl, but not a shriek. When they start to shriek, you've gone too far and you're in trouble. He said he'd rarely driven with another tire that was so clear and vocal about its limits... Just something to think about

Strange but my fastest run was filled with a much more verbal tire squawk. I'm going to have to head off to a parking lot and listen to those tires.

Thanks for the insight. Hopefully this will be the year I really pull ahead from the pack. This car will definately take me there as I get better.

 

[scapamouche]

Tom: On a (maybe) helpful note, the only way I've found to look further ahead is to do it during the course walk... I tend to walk alone, or at least quietly, and I try to look ahead the way I'm supposed to be as I walk- I spend very little time looking straight in front, and LOTS of time with my head swiveled past 90 degrees.

Yikes...if you think he turns the wheel too much, my wheel turning is just embarrassing. I just can't break the habit. Take a look. I also have a rider who has never autocrossed before. This is my best time of the day which was 1.6 seconds from first place. (I am not in the ladies class this year).

http://www.goodhumorracing.com/04cpe1/CPEk1lg.wmv

Yup, Kristi.... you're right, you are turning the wheel too much, but you look pretty good... try lightening up on the wheel when you start to push, like my post above...

I do have a few suggestions...

1. Can you sit comfortably any closer to the wheel? It looks like your arms are at full extension when you turn the wheel. That makes it harder to keep control of it and react quickly. My own seating position is as close to the wheel as I can and still fit my legs inder the dash, plus a little room because I left-foot brake.

2. How can you say the MSP ABS sucks?!?!?! It DOES have ice mode issues because the MSP can lift a rear wheel off the ground while cornering: if you touch the brake while a wheel is up, the system gets confused and thinks you're on ice, and that's where the awful lack-o-brakes and noise come from. Solution: use as little brake as possible while cornering. When you are at full load, using the brakes will tend to make you push anyway... The ideal case is to learn just how much brakes you can get without hitting the ABS and go to that point, so the ABS never engages, but it's still there if you make a mistake and have to panic stop, so you don't flat spot your tires.

3. You are not using all the track that is available to you. In several cases, you came out of a tight turn in the middle of the track, instead of near the outside corner. Because of this, you are not carrying all the speed through the corner that you can. Try to enter corners from as wide as you can without adding lots of distance to the run (another autox skill: balancing corner speed against distance traveled...) Apex the corner late, and then let the car run wide as you exit, on the gas. Ideally you will be at full throttle just after the apex, not all the way out at the corner exit. Your car will help you here: the LSD will allow you to power out of the corner, using the gas to steer the front where you want it.

4. In a slalom, you want to be DONE with turning before you even get to the cone you are passing. You are on the right track in this run, but you could carry more speed through the long slalom near the end if you had set up a little better, and been able to turn in EARLIER for each cone, rather than still be turning as you passed it. This is another one that is easier to say than to do...

In my experience as an autoxer, with my wife and a couple of other husband/wife driver teams, the male is generally faster, but not because of any inherent skill: they have more aggression, and push the car closer to its limits. I am usually 2.5-3 sec quicker than Teresa, and it's all because I drive harder, and spend less time on the brakes, and more in the power.

My suggestion is NOT to spend your first run getting a 'feel' for the course. Do that during the course walk. Use the first run to attack the course ALL OUT!!!! It is usually easier to ease up a little if you overcook the course than it is to speed up and reach the limit on later runs if you didn't push them early.

Lots o words in this post, aren't there? the key: You are out there with Tom, racing the car. Just look at how few other couples there are out having fun with the car together! Definitely make the most of it... Resa and I do...

 

[Micaspeed!]

Great run Tom! I come more from a road race background and have been diagnosed with cone dyslexia! Just kidding, I am still learning ,one day I can beat the zo6 vettes and vipers then the next, I want to walk home!

I agree with going for it the first run, I know I am fast when I feel myself carrying speed through the turns. Not how fast you enter the turn, but how fast you come out.

Read an interesting article where two drivers drove the same car through a course. Telemetry recorded all actions, in every case, the pro was breaking earlier, exiting faster. He would settle the car early, and drive through. Easy to type, bit more difficult to do! Thanks for the video.

Godspeed!
Dave
www.delsingmotorsport.com

 

[03Speed]

DistantTea- those azenis kick ass. I am running them on the stock racind harts and man do they stick. I am looking for a set of 16s right now to throw some azenis on those.

I also have GC coilovers on my car. I do like them alot, but I think I am going to go ahead and get some tein coilover set-up. Just because I have Gainesvile, Sebring and Virginia Events coming up.

BTW, Do you ever do any road course events or just auto-X?? I have never done an auto-x and I really want too. And if so, so much different are the two racing wise??

 

[MSPRO]

I definantly have to get some pointers on how to drive the MSP for autox. Next week at Scarlet Oaks will be my first event with this car and I'm running in SML class to see how it goes. Not really sure which class to run in to be honest. I hope to see you there.

 

[ARunto]

what size tires are you using tease?

 

[scapamouche]

Amy:

#1 key: DON'T get frustrated! Have fun!!!!!!

#2: Get all the seat time you can, and find a mentor to talk to. Most people at an autox will be very friendly, and willing to help. Find someone, or ask at registration. Go for as many ride alongs as you can, and get more experienced drivers to ride with you and give feedback.

#3: You get the hookup! Tom and Kristi are LOCAL for you! Take advantage of it!!!!!

#4: Have fun!!!!

AS for class: it shouldn't matter too much when you start. In time, or when you start to win ( ) THEN it really matters.

If you have no mods: D Stock
If you have exhaust, or intake, or different size wheels, but nothing that changes boost: STX probably
If you have done anything to affect boost: Street Modified. Since you already mentioned SML, I assume you DO have that kind of mod...

 

[MSPRO]

I don't really get frustrated, I get nervous to the point that I have butterflys in my stomach, but when the run is over I want to do it again.

I have raced the past 4 seasons, but not very much b.c of moving out of state, then car problems, and rain lol. I do pretty well ,but I could always use some more help.

I didn't get a chance to talk to Tom or Kristi when I was there b.c it was raining and I stayed in the car most of the time, plus they were busy when I was there. I did love the car though.

Fun is a must ,I love watching and racing Road racing is my fav though

I have run in E Stock, STS, and Novice so SM and STX will be new for me. I would be in either of those classes depending on a couple things

 

[KBicknel]

I didn't get a chance to talk to Tom or Kristi when I was there b.c it was raining and I stayed in the car most of the time, plus they were busy when I was there. I did love the car though.

Dont worry if we LOOK busy. Feel free to come over and talk to us ANYTIME. JUst come over and say that you are from the Mazda board.

 

[DistantTea]

I'm not a very good instructor unless you learn by watching mistakes. I took a novice for a ride at KilKare once the conversation basicly went like this:

"Ok entering this optional slalom the faster entry is on the right... but as you can see I'm on the left and that didn't work very well... now its important to turn in early and be done turning before the next slalom cone... which I just ran over. Now here I'll just tap the brakes, bring the rear around aaaaaannnndd go into the grass... huh, that shouldn't have happend. And here I need to turn in early and obviously running over that cone is optional as well but this braking point that I just missed really isn't. Whats that noise? And when you finish don't look anyone in the eyes, go back to your grid spot and pretend to be listening to the radio so nobody makes fun like I'm about to do."

That was early last year though. I got kinda better. Its wierd but even with those mistakes I'm still winning my class. I just know if I can break those corner entry habbits, trying to overdrive the car, and looking ahead I could hold my own at the national tours with this car, even with no power mods.

So far I feel like I made the right choice with the 16" wheel setup... it was like a rocket up through 2nd.

If there is anybody on here who would like to ride along with me I'm more than willing to be an autocross cheufer. I need my wife in the for the first run (like a rally codriver) and I want my last two runs to myself. But anything in between in fair game. Also ever since we decided on STX we have very little prep to do at events. Matter of fact we're about to distill our entire autocross paraphanialia into a single rubbermaid box. Street tires... LOVE 'EM!

 

[Teamzero]

Good Luck in STX this year Scapamouche!! Watch out for those WRX's!

I actually grabbed 4th in STX in Pennsylvania States last year. 1.6seconds behind 1st place in a Subbie. I know... should have been a little better but my MSP was still bone stock. Based on times, I would have been 4th in DS also so going to stick with STX for 2004.

 

[mazdaowner123]

Hey Tom, what type of camera mount are you using? Got any pics? I'm trying to decide how I want to do mine. It'd be easiest just to buy one online, but I can't find a good headrest mount one. Thanks.

~brian

 

[DistantTea]

I use the cruisecam from www.chasecam.com and I really wouldn't use anything else. If it wasn't for my wobbly seat it would be perfect. But the wobbly seat was fixed with straps... so I guess it is perfect. Love it and its cheap.