Auto-X N Charleston Coliseum 9/27/09

[clubracergt1]

It's that time once again. Click Here for registration. Even if you are not running, come on out. I look forward to seeing you all out there.

[cobraetti]

can't wait.......

[///Mcompact]

I will 100% be there.

[clubracergt1]

Originally Posted by ///Mcompact

I will 100% be there.

Shit. I may as well stay home then.

[///Mcompact]

Shit...you saw my pass down the 1/8th mile, right? I haven't driven this car much in '09. It's is like learning how to walk again.

Besides..I thought you were in another class.

[clubracergt1]

Not sure. What class do you run? I am in Street Modified (Street Tire PAX)

[///Mcompact]

SM...full out. The cams put me into the class. I ran street tires for the first 3 seasons, but there were no street tire classes besides STU (not eligible for) back then.

Even if I wasn't competitive in SM or went back to stock cams (which would actually give me better power for AX), I would still stay in that class due to having more competition compared to STU. SM normally has anywhere from 6-10 cars (had 18 @ CHS in '08) competing while STU usually sports 2-4 cars.

You can't get faster running in a class by yourself. I credit my close competitors through the years (Church, Rentz, Mount, BJ, LC, Lokken) for making me faster. Those guys come to win every time.

[clubracergt1]

Just wondering, because you handicap yourself running in SM on street tires. If you run in the tire class as a SM car, you have the PAX index (while flawed) to even out the results. I could probably run in STX, but my gears put me into SM. I really don't feel like competing against WRXs, anyway. Being classed with a car that has more power, less weight, better grip and handling is hardly my idea of a fair fight. Either way, this is just my first year of autocross, and I am still honing my skills. After this season, I hope to be able to make some further improvements to the car; and, hopefully, some improvements to my skill level. I am having fun regardless, and I guess that is what is important.

[///Mcompact]

Originally Posted by clubracergt1

some improvements to my skill level. I am having fun regardless

That is why I do it.

I also switched to R-comps last season. I got tired of beating up my street tires and replacing them every year. I was doing rather well with street tires, but I wanted something "dedicated". The Escta 710s were slightly used for like 325$ on Ebay (they had been used for a couple of qualifying laps for NASA).

Cheaper than my street tires and work great when semi-hot. They net me maybe .75 to 1 second per lap over my RE-01Rs (based on a ~45 second course), but it's more so due to the braking it offers rather than the lateral grip. It stops so damn fast that if there was a passenger without a seat belt in the car, they would go through the windshield without a doubt. Scaring stopping grip. Feels like both back wheels come off the ground sometimes.

Cons are:
-They "flop" more during transitions than a top of the line street tire (DZ-1, RE-01R). They're just not as "crisp" on turn-in due to the sidewalls.
- They absolutely suck in the cold. Good street tires can usually rock out on the first lap -rain, cold or shine. This killed me last December at Michelin in 25 degree weather.
- You have to load them in the car, get there early, mount them and do the reverse before you drive home.

[clubracergt1]

I was actually thinking about putting a light hitch on the car and getting a small trailer. That way, I can keep tires and spare brake parts on hand when I start running PDX and TT events.

[///Mcompact]

I thought about doing that, too. It would make things so much easier.

It's hell getting 4 tires, jack, electric impact and gear in/out of a car. Inevitably, some of it has to go in the back seat, so you always have to vacuum out the car after every event from all the sand and rubber.

[SouthSideSlider]

ill see if i can make it out but if we are on 12s i doubt it.

[cobraetti]

did everyone see the registration list, trucks are allowed?

[clubracergt1]

Oh, yeah. They frown on SUVs, though. And watch out for that guy in the X-Runner. If it is who I think it is, he is fast.

[///Mcompact]

I'm fuggin pumped. Everyone square away their shit and come on out. If it's got 4 wheels, roll that dookie on out. Should be a good one.

[clubracergt1]

Yessir. Looking forward to seeing everyone out there.

[cobraetti]

results are in I need badly

[snakeplissken]

It looked like a good turnout. We came and watched for a bit.

Results: http://www.scsportscar.com/content/a...927&Report=fin

[blkscls1z]

There was more people there this time than the last one. I came out and watched for a few hours. Congrats on the win in the Street Modified Class Kiley.

[///Mcompact]

Thanks, dude. Damn...it was way too hot. I look like a lobster right now.