Had an autocross practice today, pics and vids inside!

[R/T93]

Posted this on the other site, but here it is copied for your viewing pleasure ;)


We had the first practice of the season today, what a blast! Took the VR-4. no changes since last year except the SCE brakes.

I worked first and drove 2nd, so I got to see about half of the course to see where people were having problems and how to navigate better. It was WET to begin with, cars were sliding everywhere, it was also very cold, probably high 30's. From 9:30 to 10:45 the first run group ran, then it was my turn. By the time our group hit the track it was beginning to dry up but my first run I was all over the place. I spun out pretty much the first turn of the course, lol. I got better and better throughout my runs but my final run was a 49.9xx, only a handful of people got into the 40's. One of the fastest drivers in the state was in a Pontiac Solstice and he ran a 47.xxx, he was fastest time of the entire morning session. I put on my exhaust cutout, it sounded awesome! It pulls for about 1000 more rpm, too. I never got past 5500 in 2nd gear.

I am running 255/40/17 Dunlop Star Spec Direzzas. The rear tires have like zero tread on the outer blocks, probably the reason I was so tail happy today. Tax return is soon, new tires INC....

Will post in car vids of all my runs when they get loaded into youtube, but for now here are the pics my dad took. He was using my moms point and shoot olympus, I dont know wtf is up with the yellow tint, lol.


http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Ultor2/VR4/2-13-11%20Autocross/P2141201.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Ultor2/VR4/2-13-11%20Autocross/P2141198.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Ultor2/VR4/2-13-11%20Autocross/P2141191.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Ultor2/VR4/2-13-11%20Autocross/P2141189.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Ultor2/VR4/2-13-11%20Autocross/P2141202.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Ultor2/VR4/2-13-11%20Autocross/P2141197.jpg

This one is my new favorite pic of my car!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Ultor2/VR4/2-13-11%20Autocross/P2141203.jpg

Super pimp doin his thing! haha

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/Ultor2/VR4/2-13-11%20Autocross/P2141190.jpg

[R/T93]

Spin at the first turn of the year, YESSSS!! Ok so spinning isnt good but everyone was doing it, it was really cold and damp. I wish you could see how squirrely it really was, but the POV of the camera doesnt do it justice. Ran a 60.xxx

Run 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHkXKdH9FiU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHkXKdH9FiU



No Spin this time!! Didnt spin but didnt do so well, either. Spun through 1st gear on the launch, kind of fun! The 2nd element after the first slalom section I missed a gate, came in too hot, didnt want to try and make it and cut a cone in half with my splitter.... Love the slide before the final turn around. Ran a 52.xxx

Run 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojxCaz4udIA"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojxCaz4udIA



Still having trouble keeping the rear end in check. Lost control at the same place I missed a gate from run 2. Sweet powerslide @ 1:36! Hit one cone in the first slalom. Ran a 55.xxx SLOW!

Run 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CINtYbXkvXs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CINtYbXkvXs



Was a better run than my others, did a perfect trail brake at the first turnaround, its hard to tell through the vid but damn, it was awesome. 51.xxx

Run 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17yEHMKQjoE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17yEHMKQjoE



Best of the day for me, just was a little more aggressive all around and especially the end, 1st gear powerslide and slammed 2nd gear, I am sure that shift if the only reason I made it into the 40's, i ran a 49.907. My dad and I were so damn exited. Wish I could get some footage of that slide from the outside :)

Run 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuiTTip0cIQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuiTTip0cIQ

[green-lantern]

Cool! congrats on the good run. Your going to NG right?

[R/T93]

Most likely I will be there :)

[green-lantern]

Most likely I will be there :)

Cool this will be a good one. I hope to do all the events this time but with my luck my car might not make it. :sad:

[CoopKill]

Nice! Were you using the tires and wheels you picked up from Eric? That was you that got them yes?

[R/T93]

Just had my 17x9 with 255/40/17 Dunlops, just plain ol street tires :)

Yes, I did get Erik's 17x10's (those things are MINT!!!), but the tires on those are some pretty worn out Nitto road racing tires, I think I will rotate them and I can get a couple more dry track days out of them, then I will have to talk to my contact who has some slightly used Rolex cup hoosiers for sale :)

[CoopKill]

Let me know when the auto cross stuff is goin on. I want to journey up and play!

What's it cost and what is needed?

[R/T93]

In fact, on March 12 there is a novice school. Its an all day thing, cost is 55 dollars, but its definitely worth it. I was an instructor for it last year and I have never seen so many smiling faces, was such a good time.

Regular events are only 25 dollars if you pre-register online (takes like 2 minutes) but the first race for points isnt until April sometime.

You dont really need anything except all the clutter and junk removed from your car, a good vibe that your car wont fall apart, and if you have it, a Snell 2005 rated or newer helmet (the track has lots of loaners if you dont have a helmet). Battery needs to be securely mounted, wheel bearings cant be worn, and no cords showing from the tires, thats about it.

[CoopKill]

Is there such a 3S with that vibe out there? :lmao:

I will try and make the March gig, if I remember that is! I want to hit the road course as well this year for some fun...

I have my MX helmets. LOL

[Atrosity]

Loved the video, looks like sooo much fun!!

[mb7050]

yeah nice runs . Damn good looking car too

[DocWalt]

Very nice pics, car looks great!

[J_Parker]

Loved the vids man! I've only done one Auto-X and it was with my Talon, I hope to be able to do it again some day, it's soo much fun!!!

[a2j]

I probably would get lost in the first 10 sec.

[J_Parker]

They usually walk you though it before you go, it's not as bad as you'd think. The first time I went I was scared I would lose track of where I was going and make an ass of myself, but it was pretty well laid out and easy to figure.

[a2j]

oh, good. I'd like to do that one day, I just thought it wasn't for me since I can't figure out where to go without a walk thru.

[dpartinvr4]

I just got on Purdue's Autocross team :) I'm using the talon, not the vr4 but I'll get you guys videos of anything I see out there that looks interesting.

[shmoo]

sick video, thanks for posting!

i really wanna get into some auto x.. where is this thing on the 12th? would it be worth driving hours for? if i did drive hours for such an event, do i have a safe place to park my car/sleep ;)

_isiah

[R/T93]

Lol its in Washington State. I am sure there are similar events in your area. Check out motorsportsreg.com you can search for stuff just like this in like a 300 mile radius from where you live. There are karting events, rallys, hill climbs, autocrosses, lapping days, races, everything you can think of. A lot of racing organizations, even amateur ones have put this site to really good use. I encourage anyone to check their local area for some events that you may enjoy.

Oh, the most important thing for a newbie regarding racing, DONT BE INTIMIDATED. You are new, you are learning, ask questions, LISTEN to what the old timers are telling you. I was soooo intimidated the first time I went to a track, I didnt know what I was doing but a few people led me in the right direction and I havent looked back.

[shmoo]

thanks^

if i made it all the way to washington i could at least stay with my dad.

and i'll check out the cite. i'm dying to use a closed course.

_isiah

ediT: and might you tell me how to get my avatar? maybe i just haven't reached the necessary post count..

[mh3kgt]

I think you just need to post a bunch of pics of Anabel and you can get your avatar :p

[shmoo]

haha, ya think so? and where do you think an appropriate place to post said pictures would be?

_isiah

[mh3kgt]

You could always just make an Anabel sanctuary thread. She'll feel safe there and you can post as many pics as you like.

[dpartinvr4]

this is austin in his rx8, i used the talon, when ever scott gets the videos of me up, i'll post them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgyYITrNtd4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jxSlgcKfIk
http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/dpartinvr4/2011-03-19134113.jpg

[dpartinvr4]

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150133942137637
this is the second week. it's only he first 3/4 of the course, but it's still cool.

[3Srunner]

this is the second week. it's only he first 3/4 of the course, but it's still cool.

That's awesome! I was picturing a much tighter course. I may just have to take a Saturday off work once I get my car back together.

And you need to post up a video of yourself in the Talon.

Shawn..