Anybody at the Auto-x at WA on sunday?

[4BNGRBimmer]

Holy crap! Just got back from one of the most entertaining auto-x's I've ever been to. Rained HARD all night long saturday night in the Springs- then proceeded to lightly drizzle/mist all morning Sunday, which slowly turned into heavier rain, and ultimately, quite a bit (read: a Lake.) of standing water on the course.

I got to run 1st heat, and ended up avoiding a lot of the bad visibility and huge puddles that were to come later. Which isn't to stay I wasn't dealing with my fair share of a little excess throttle on/off oversteer... :) I'm not one to complain, though.
At one section later on, people were getting thrown off course in the midst of a total straightaway due to hydroplaning. Not a good day to be running slicks. In fact, some people were rallying their posse and actually switching back to street tires on grid, between runs.

Anyway, thought I'd see if any of you guys were out there too...and maybe had some decent stories to share. I've got a few pics I'll see about posting, but (obviously) conditions weren't exactly optimal for photography.
I wish I would've brought my vid camera, as the pony cars (and anybody with RWD, for that matter- including myself) were producing some pretty entertaining runs.

peace!
Fraser

[Weston]

Yeah, I was there... I remember seeing you running in STS. I just switched over to DSP myself. My completely bald tires were definitely kicking my ass, and my recently installed lightweight flywheel just made it easier to spin the tires, but if I set my suspension soft to begin with and wasn't such a grandma on the throttle, I think I could have done much better. Either way, it was still a pretty entertaining day. I really liked the lake by the crossover, and I'm glad it wasn't nearly so bad during the first heat!

It looks like some of the RWD guys did pretty well... the 325 IS that took 1st place in DSP ran a 61.695. David Fauth, who is always fast, ran a 63.113 in his 325 IS on slicks, and in the very much flooded 3rd heat.

I have a few pictures from the day that I'll post in this thread later...

[4BNGRBimmer]

Yeah, I couldn't believe it when people were pulling 62's and 63's in the 3rd heat. (I imagine 4th was bad too, but I wouldn't know- got done corner working and got the hell outa there...) I always love watching David's 325IS, there was a pretty good article in a recent GRM about it. I think his wife was pulling some pretty decent times in that car as well.

I am so happy I ended up in the first heat- I forgot to remove my riceboy CF lip from the front of my car, and I don't think it would've been happy flying through that lake at the crossover...

What kind of times did you end up with? I pulled about a 66.00X on my last run, but still felt like I was being a little too conservative. I'm more than happy to be mid-pack in STS, though.

I need to blow up and crop most of the pics that I've got (my friend is a retard with a camera.), but I'll post em when I get around to it.

[Weston]

I ended up with a 66.9, and took 3rd place in DSP. I was kind of surprised that I wasn't pulling much higher times considering how carefully I was driving. Oh well, maybe that means I'll be a terror on dry pavement next time... or more likely, I'm just imagining things, lol.

[djet820]

Hrmmm, how do you find out about autox events? It sounds like it's fun. Lets see some pics and yeah, yesterday was horrible. Here in the springs from about 5-8am, you couldn't see 20 feet in front of you.

[Weston]

SCCA: http://www.rmsolo.org

Pikes Peak Sports Car Club: http://www.ppscc.net

Rocky Mountain Region BMW CCA (autocrosses are open to all): http://www.rmcbmwcca.org

Rocky Mountain Region PCA (Porsche club; autocrosses open to all): http://vista.pca.org/rmr/


I've only done SCCA autocrosses, but I hear that you get more runs with the other organisations because there's less of a crowd.

[Mario]

I would like to try AutoX.... I know it takes a lot of skill, any sites that touch upon it? How much is it to watch an event? Sounds like fun... :)

[djet820]

man, there's an awful lot classes and different rules for each...My little head cant' take it lol.

[4BNGRBimmer]

I think there's a few links on the rmsolo.org or scca.org sites that go over the basics. Driving well does take a lot of skill, but anybody can go out and do it.
You can come out to watch for free- just like hanging out in any other parking lot.
There's pretty much an event at least once a month, you should definitely come check it out.

Weston, are you going out to 2nd creek for Solo trials on the 21st (22nd?) ?

[Weston]

I'm not entirely sure yet, but I think I'll be going to Solo Trials, assuming I get off my ass and order some decent brake pads first... I'm the idiot whose brakes burst into flames at Solo Trials #1. ;UgH: I did manage to still place 6th out of 8 in STS with flames coming out of both front brakes though... they were glazed to begin with and then became faded so badly that I spent more time on the brakes than on the throttle, lol.

A word to the wise... don't go out there with AutoZone pads or anything else that has the shims held on by adhesive, because it can and will burst into flames. I'm thinking Axxis Ultimates for this event... my friend had good results with them out there before.

iirc, I'd need a roll cage and shit to run in DSP at Solo Trials, so I'd have to bypass that rule by going to OSP, which means I wouldn't stand a chance (I'd be competing with the SM Supra and SM2 911). So, it'd be a just for fun event if I go...

[4BNGRBimmer]

That's hilarious! I think I remember you posting (or someone...) on the RMSOLO mailing list about the "flaming brake pad fiasco"...
If I end up going out for trials, my old pads and rotors will probably be considered a write-off, as they're gettin down there as it is. (hopefully I won't have to worry about them combusting, though.)

BTW, I'm sure you can take out that Supra in OSP at 2nd creek- he probably only has ~4 times as much power as an LS... :p

What did you do to your car to put you in DSP? I'm still so shaky on the rules, I'm lucky I haven't gotten protested for something I'm not even aware of... (like running my old car in STS for a few races w/LSD...)

[Weston]

I went to DSP because I installed an aftermarket clutch (not that it really helps for this) and a lightweight flywheel. I did a throttle body coolant bypass too, since intake manifolds are unrestricted in DSP, but that's only a small improvement. Future plans include a limited slip differential and maybe some other stuff. I'm thinking I need the LSD if I want to keep up with those 325's.

I wanted to finish this season in STS so my final points wouldn't suck, but I had to replace my engine so that was obviously the ideal time for the flywheel and clutch.

[4BNGRBimmer]

Wow, I was actually planning a flywheel/clutch swap earlier on (ha! my car has a 28lb dual mass flywheel stock) , but hadn't looked into how it would affect my classification at all...ended up doing springs and shocks instead, which just bumped me out of GS.
I've been in two cars and 2 classes just this season, so (obviously) I'm not really that concerned with points...maybe next season I'll manage to stay in the same class for at least 4-5 events.
LSD is a MUST, I feel so pathetic in this car absolutely roasting the inside wheel when you step on it...but on the other hand, I don't really feel like competing with the STX guys.

How's the flywheel swap treat you in the teg? My ex-GF has a 2nd gen LS, fun little car to drive, just the right amount of juice for my tastes. (she's in Longmont actually, look around for a hippy-girl driving a bone stock teal integra with steelies/wheel covers...)


edit: BTW, does anyone else on this site auto-x? Doesn't really seem like it... :confused:

edit again: Wow, just went over the mod list on your site- I'm running good 'ol H&R sports on my bimmer, I always was under the impression that H&R was more of a euro-specific company...guess not.

[Weston]

The flywheel seems to make a nice improvement in acceleration in the lower gears, and the revs drop really nicely when I shift (ie RPM ends up where it should be in the next gear, so smooth quick shifts and no beating on the synchros). It's hard to tell how much faster it is since my car was dead in my garage for a month and a half before, but it does seem to be quicker.

My stock flywheel is said to be 18lbs, the new one is 9.7lbs. But the clutch assembly weighs about as much as the stock flywheel, so it's really only about a 25% reduction in rotating mass (not considering the load from the transmission, of course).

There are some other autocrossers here... Tai Kahn (STS) is here, so is Tommy303 (303 GS), Hsun Chen (STS) just showed up, and Keith Pizio (CSP) was here but mysteriously disappeared after he blew his engine at Solo Trials #1. I think there are some other people who occasionaly autocross too.

I've always wondered why more imports don't sport H&R's. I know the Euro car guys seem to love them, and they are the only quality springs I found that have the spring rates I wanted. Most aftermarket import springs are soft in the rear, which was my biggest complaint about the stock springs... you get on the throttle and then you're in a world of understeer. That's great for the average person's safety, but it's hardly something I'd want to race with. My H&R Sports have the same front and rear rates, so I don't have that problem now. They're also all slightly progressive, so the ride isn't bad, they don't abuse the shocks so much, and they still act like linear springs in the turns. I'm very happy with them.

[hsunchen]

Fraser -

Hello - I'll try to remember to introduce myself if I see you at the next event.

I'm trying hard not to be beat out in the season championship in STS, so I'll be at the last two events this summer season for sure.

Hsun Chen
STS 61
Boulder

[taikahn]

I was there... running 67 second DNF's -- I had a shitty day... shittiest yet for sure... I dont know why, I was just out of it... Ive been stressed lately.

Ill introduce myself at the next event... and yes, Im going to trials. I ordered EBC Green Stuff brake pads, a dash tach, DC header, and a short shifter.. all should be on by next event. I also just swapped out to a Comptech Icebox instead of a DC short ram... way better low end torque while retaining and gaining in the top end.

Anyway, later on.... nice to see a bmw in STS.

(I was the retard who asked you if it was RWD)

[Weston]

BTW, Solo Trials registration is now open. I just signed up. Looks like I can even run in DSP... I though I needed a rollbar and stuff, but I searched the RMsolo archives and it turns out that rule applies to Prepared and Modified classes, but not Street Prepared. :) Not that I really stand a chance in DSP, but at least I wont be against the Supra and 911.

[taikahn]

Originally posted by Weston
BTW, Solo Trials registration is now open. I just signed up. Looks like I can even run in DSP... I though I needed a rollbar and stuff, but I searched the RMsolo archives and it turns out that rule applies to Prepared and Modified classes, but not Street Prepared. :) Not that I really stand a chance in DSP, but at least I wont be against the Supra and 911.

yep - registered today

cant wait

[4BNGRBimmer]

Sweet, thanks for the heads up guys...*goes to register now*

Taikahn- if there every was a "write-off" day, that was it. I wouldn't be too down about not-so-great times...besides a 67.xxx was really pretty good if you look at what a lot of people were running. Just be glad you weren't in that 600hp firebird...

Hsun, are you gonna be out at 2nd creek? If not, I'll prob be at the next solo II, just track me down... (it's easier to track down the ONE bmw hatchback than look around for an integra... )

Can't wait to see you guys at Trials!

BTW, I didn't have the heart to mention that BMW has never produced any FWD vehicles... ;) (short of the Mini and the AWD models, but neither of those really count.)
Good question nonetheless.

Peace fellas
Fraser

[Weston]

I have a few pictures here: http://www.apeximportracing.com/misc/apps/yappa-ng/index.php?album=ApexAutoXPics%2F%2F20030831&