Woohoo! Autocrossers and HPDE enthusiasts sound off

[Slow Paul]

I'm going to be signing up for my first auto-x in the M2 tomorrow. It's an event run by Speedventures where you pay $80 and you get as many runs as you want. The only catch is that it is not timed. Seeing as how I have not auto x'ed in over 3 years this event will be a good stepping stone into the sport again. I will be getting a set of wheels and tire shroud with Kumho XS for this event and will use those as my dedicated set of wheels/tires for a few seasons. If anyone else will be attending the event on Saturday August 13 @ California Speedway let me know. There is also a pretty big event on the road course that day too from what I hear.

 

[Richard_rsp]

Ok Finished 33 out of 44 overall PAX and 35 out of 44 overall in Raw Time.

I believe with more experience and building the car a bit for the ST class (better tires, ECU, intake) I should do decent in the 2.

Here is a listing of RAW times...


Class No. Car Raw Time
1 DM 189 1960 Austin Mini 39.813
2 DM 87 1960 Austin Mini 42.814
3 PROCP 138 1965 Ford Mustang 42.933
4 PROCP 38 1965 Ford Mustang 43.803
5 BS 97 2008 Honda S2000 CR 44.657
6 BSP 55 1999 Porsche 996 44.979
7 GP 737 1964 Triumph TR4 45.078
8 CP 38 1965 Ford Mustang 45.220
9 BS 197 2008 Honda S2000 CR 45.862
10 ESP 77 1999 Ford Mustang GT 46.395
11 ESP 81 2008 Ford Mustang 46.420
12 STPFS 05 2010 Chevrolet Camero 47.921
13 PROHS 96 2010 Mini Cooper 48.031
14 STS 442 1992 Mazda Miata 48.366
15 AS 53 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 48.382
16 STS 42 1992 Mazda Miata 48.684
17 STPHS 17 2006 Mini Cooper 48.733
18 FJB 67 Kart Margay 48.862
19 SSM 415 1992 Mazda Miata 49.269
20 FS 18 2008 Ford Mustang 49.593
21 STPCSP 253 2003 Mazda Miata 49.726
22 NOVDS 12 2008 VW GTI 50.600
23 ESP 16 2011 Ford Mustang GT 50.720
24 STPSM 27 1991 Nissan 240SX 50.930
25 STPHS 43 2011 Honda Fit 50.990
26 STPFS 105 2010 Chevrolet Camero 51.076
27 STPCS 67 2006 Mazda Miata 51.154
28 NOVFS 113 2011 Ford Mustang 51.379
29 NOVDS 24 1992 BMW 325is 51.735
30 TISMF 4 1997 Honda Civic EX 52.114
31 TIDS 11 2011 Subaru WRX 52.276
32 NOVCS 17 2008 Mazda Miata 52.282
33 STR 12 1999 Mazda Miata 52.414
34 STPDS 61 2008 Mini Cooper S 52.560
35 NOVST 10 2011 Mazda 2 53.247
36 TISSM 71 2000 Honda Civic 53.303
37 TISMF 77 2001 Acura GSR 53.346
38 AS 50 2000 Chevrolet Corvette 53.452
39 NOVFS 11 2011 Ford Mustang 53.535
40 NOVHS 19 2008 Mini Cooper S 54.298
41 NOVGS 33 2003 VW GTI 54.560
42 SM 71 2008 Subaru WRX 55.759
43 CS 155 1991 Mazda Miata 55.912
44 TICSP 007 1981 Mazda RX-7 56.269

Its always nice to beat GTIs, Cooper S', WRXs and Mustangs with a 100HP car.... plus the Integra was turbo'd which made me feel a little better.

 

[Joker2]

Pic from mine:
Some instructor was wondering through the paddock area and asked me if I needed some instruction. I replied NO, but if you want to go for a ride, just ask!

 

[cojsl]

I know this is a 2 thread, apologies... Been autocrossing for several years and am fairly accomplished regionally- class champ, top 20 for the season, mid pack at SOLO nationals, Solo Safety Steward, etc.

Looking forward to next weekend- Pro Solo!!! We have a local National Tour at the end of the month too. Going to be an awesome month of autocross.

My old Protege on course (sold to a local Mazda club member, so still in the "family")

Current DD on course

My normal co-drive. Far more competitive than the P5. Drive it like it's trailered!!
Consider the wheel lift in context of front springs so stiff that sitting on a fender doesn't compress the suspension at all

 

[Joker2]

Awesome!!!
Need more PICS and results!
Let's keep this thread going with various Autocross results, pictures and especially coments. Also please list your set-ups: tires, spring rates, shocks/dampers, etc.

 

[CorkSport]

I was an an event this weekend for the oregion region. I am still losing to the civics in the ST class. The margin of victory for them is getting closer though.

1m ST 23 Brad Czopek 89 Honda Civic 84.702+2 81.959+5 > 82.652 T: 82.652
2m ST 71 Derrick Ambrose 11 Mazda 2 85.243 84.111+1 > 83.963 T: 83.963
3m ST 123 Leah Nagengast 89 Honda Civic 88.339+6 > 86.665 92.633+5 T: 86.665
4m ST 32 Tyler Rakes 08 Toyota Coroll 90.005 89.211 > 86.777 T: 86.777

-Derrick

 

[fam]

thats incredibly awesome to be in the ballpark as those proven beasts...what all have you done to her? Im staying in HS (just got the 2 and the next event is the 17th) but will be eventually maxing out the HS with R compounds and sway bar when I get the $$$. Im coming from a 3 to a 2 in HS, any pointers in stock form for autox to watch out for (rear end come out easier?).

 

[Slow Paul]

Derrick, that is some good stuff right there. Imagine the results next year when those pesky Civics get moved.

Fam, the sway bar debate on a front driver is as old as time. In my opinion it is personal preference. My previous car (MINI Cooper) was classed as an ST car, but I had a few chances to drive an HS Cooper with a large front sway and another Cooper with a smaller than stock front sway. I felt that the car with the smaller than stock front sway bar was easier and faster to drive than the other car. All these experiences took place on asphalt. The Cooper and the 2 are completely different beasts on paper, but after being a MINI owner for nearly 8 years and just completing 4500 miles in my new 2 I can say that they share very similar driving dynamics.

All said, I am beside myself as I have my wheels and tires on order. I hope to give the guys in my local ST class some hell very soon.

 

[CorkSport]

thats incredibly awesome to be in the ballpark as those proven beasts...what all have you done to her? Im staying in HS (just got the 2 and the next event is the 17th) but will be eventually maxing out the HS with R compounds and sway bar when I get the $$$. Im coming from a 3 to a 2 in HS, any pointers in stock form for autox to watch out for (rear end come out easier?).

The back end will not come around on the 2. You have to go out of your way to get it top happen, like the e-brake. At this point I have note driven a 2 with race rubber in anger. I would guess based on the way the car handles you will want to look at something in the rear.

I hope to see more small cars next year on the autox courses.

 

[fam]

Right now im really torn, get the arguably best street tire dunlop star specs for 103 each +80 rebate for 4, or an R compound for 110 (toyo r1r).

I will only use to autoX and will not go to more than 10 events per year. I do want these to last 2 years (80-95 runs). Mazda3's in the HS class are alredy on Hoosier A6's so im torn. I want to win but I dont know that its worth it, I can be 3rd in HS and still trophy and be under the hoosier 3's....ugh....

 

[Slow Paul]

Well for what it's worth I'm gonna be giving a set of Kumho XS a try. Got them today along with my new wheels. Had to snap a shot....

 

[fam]

what tire and wheel package did you end up getting (sizes too) and how much?

 

[Slow Paul]

I got a set of konig britelites from good-win. They are 15x6.5 and weigh 12 lbs a piece. They are currently on sale for $89 each. For tires they are 205 50 15 kumho escata xs. $102 each on tire rack. This set of wheels will on grace my 2 on auto x weekends though. Once they are mounted I'll get some pics.

 

[fam]

Im in the same boat needing a light set plus tires but I might go a tad more aggressive on the tires and get some toyo r1r's as had a lot of really good autox folks so they are the shiz on lighter cars.

The site says this on your wheels
"Takes a 73/67 hubcentric ring also available on this website. Stock lugs are a tight fit, we strongly recommend a narrow extended length lug such as our spline drive lugs."

did you end up buying the ring and lugs on their site? I was planning on ordering a sway bar\exhaust from that same site anyway.

 

[Slow Paul]

They are right about the lugs being a tight fit, but I have a thin-wall 21mm deep socket that works fine with the oem lugs on these wheels. I've used hub-centric rings in the past and they made life a ton easier when I was swapping wheels around as my previous car used lug bolts instead of lug nuts. These wheels fit have such little play before they are bolted, that I think hub centric rings aren't really needed with this set up. They wouldn't be a bad idea, but not necessary. I got great service from Good-Win too. They are in San Diego and as that is only 2 hours south of where I live I got my wheels the next day. They have pretty good prices too.

 

[Slow Paul]

So these are nice..... I'm happy.

 

[fam]

Can you do me a favor and do some hard cornering and make sure those 205s arent rubbing the shocks anywhere? PS be sure to post some in car vids with those tires...I look forward to you rocking some autox courses.

 

[Slow Paul]

I've only driven a small amount this afternoon. No rubbing at all. The tires are a little noisy though, but it can easily be over-looked as the handling is transformed to a VERY planted feel. I can feel the body roll a bit more. I plan on taking a trip to the local canyons a little later and give 'em a true whooping. As for in car video besides my phone I have no recording devices, so we'll see what I can come up with.

 

[fam]

Can be done with a phone

Here are some phone videos from my car...just need to buy the windshield mount (droid x)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJGkwq1jbI4

 

[Racebrewer]

Hey Paul,

Mulholland Drive by any chance? I did that about 8 years ago in an Oldsmobile Aurora. The tires were smoking by the time I was done<LOL> What a pig that was. When it saw a corner the tires started screaming.......

John