My First Autocross

Looks like a Mazda/Corvette rally... HA!

Good for you...

Ya might wanna page or PM Charlie here (Old Fiat Driver) as he's been Autocrossing since they invented asphalt... I see some suspension tuning that would probably be inexpensive and a big help for you. He can give you a lot of tips based on a lot of experience that would be a great start and make a big difference as well.

CONGRATS on your courage to go out there amongst the "regulars" and vanilla people out there. One car I see obviously missing are the Midgets and Sprites and "Sprigets". I'm told they really can tear up a short course.

Continue having fun and keep those cards and letters coming!
 
Motorcycle helmets might work on fun days but not on a true SCCA event.
I tried it and the official ripped appart the linig of my 500.00 motorcycle helmet which is now a 500.00 pice of crap.
 
SCCA and helmet

I have been going to autox events for 25 years with at lest 10 different clubs including 3 different SCCA clubs and have never heard of an official ripping up someones helmet the only thing that they can do is not pass it for tech . If someone from an SCCA club damaged your propriety you should put in a complaint with with SCCA national . I didn't want to take away from the original post but I want every one hear to know something like this should never happen its ether a pass or no pass for tech .
 
Results

Here are the results from the my best showing so far at an autocross. I am on page 3 at number 73 and 86 out of about 150 timed entrants. #86 is my official spot, but I ran a double heat and improved on my time a bit. Considering that I am running a completely stock X except for coilovers and wheels/tires, I think I did great and I am in good company with a 911 just ahead of me and a boxster just behind me. This was my 5th autocross ever, so I am sure I will do even better with more experience.



Blacktooth: Charlie gave me some great tips as well as some others on my forum posts about suspension and tire setup. I will be using a different setup on my autocross only X when it comes back from the body shop. This car is my daily driver so I am limited to how far I am willing to go with the suspension setup. I have not seen any midgets or sprites yet, most I have seen is an MGB and a couple spitfires, and although it has been close, I beat them.

Turbo: I have not had a problem with my helmet at any of my local events, however, I went to an SCCA regional and they said my helmet would not pass Tech and then offered me a loaner helmet. Everyone was cool about it, although the loaner helmet did smell kinda funky :eek: I will probably spend the money on a new helmet soon, but until then my motorcycle helmet will have to do.
 
All good... and the smelly loaner is encouragement...

to get a new SCCA race-rated helmet of your own.

Maybe take a spray can of Fabreeze with ya until you get a new one... HA!
 
New Pics and Results

Ran two heats at my last autocross on May 18, 2014. Here is a link to the pics from our very own proffessional photographer as well as the results. I got 101 and 105 out of 188 entries. The interesting thing about the results is how close my competitor is to me. The only other person in my class at this race was a guy driving an MGB. He has some engine work, but very little in the way of suspension. He said he is running about 100 hp and he has been racing for quite sometime. I beat him by .018 seconds in my first heat, I did better during my second heat, but those times don't officially count. I also got to go on a ride along in a triumph TR6. It was quite interesting. The TR6 didn't handle as well as I would have thought and didn't have as much power either. Still a very cool ride and the one I rode in was in very good shape. Pics of the TR6 are in Heat 3.

Pictures
Heat 2 - https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/+ChrisCross79/albums/6017877048431251201?sort=1
Heat 3 - https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/+ChrisCross79/albums/6017885428034027889?sort=1

Results
https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/files/SASCA/e05-may2014_raw.htm

My favorite pic of the lot. Notice the way the car is leaning toward the driver's side and the direction of my front wheels. I managed to drift around 3/4 of a complete 360 degree loop. Not the fastest way around I know, but was quite fun.
 
Today's Autocross Results

Spokes Autocross today in San Antonio, Texas. I feel I did quite well and just thought I'd share the results with everyone. I am 62 out of 126 in the raw results. Keep in mind that 18 of the top 25 times are stripped down, all out racecars. I don't really count these as part of my competition considering that my car has a stock engine, AC, interior ect. I am the only car in FSP class this race, so I compare my times to the ES class cars, which are mainly Miatas.

ES class results are
1st - 54.502
2nd - 54.604
3rd - 55.431
4th - 56.141
5th - 58.674

My best time 54.750. Not bad, but I will beat those Miatas soon with a little more tuning of my suspension.

Here are the links ot the results for anyone who is interested.

https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/files/SPOKES/event6_raw.htm final results: https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/files/SPOKES/event6_fin.htm pax results: https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/files/SPOKES/event6_pax.htm
 
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Today's Autocross Result

A couple pics:



Summary - Placed 65 out of 160 entries. 1st place in FSP against a Triumph Spitfire and a VW GTI. Was close to the E Street Miata's with my best time of 27.6. Miata's were running 26.6-29.9.

And the results:
Final: https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/files/SASCA/e08-aug2014_fin.htm
PAX: https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/files/SASCA/e08-aug2014_pax.htm
Raw: https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/files/SASCA/e08-aug2014_raw.htm
Summary: https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/files/SASCA/e08-aug2014_sum.htm
 
So I thought I would close out this thread with the results from the last race of the season:

ES class results are
1st - 42.254 Miata
2nd - 42.448 Miata
3rd - 42.983 Miata
4th - 43.565 Miata

My fastest run - 41.886

I finally beat the Miatas. Particularly the 1st place Miata driver. I had not beat HER time all year so I felt very accomplished by finally beating her. My time put me and #58 out of 142 entries. considering I am in the car with the lowest horsepower of the 142 entrants I think I did pretty darn good.

A few Pics:







I will probably start a new thread for this years Autocross results and pics, as it won't be "My first autocross" anymore.
 
WOW Dennis... that's GREAT! Congratulations!

Do you think you could improve your times by removing some weight... like the guy in the right seat?
 
Black-tooth - Yeah coincidentally all of the pics must have been from my first or second run. I typically only run with a passenger my first and second runs. We usually get 5 run, so I get three good runs by myself. It is nice to bring someone more experienced with you to give you tips. Sometimes its things you don't even realize you are doing. Its also fun to give a ride to some of the novices as they are surprised as hell when I throw my car into the first set of turn as most of them have never been in a car that can change direction as fast as my X 1/9.
 
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