(Pittsburgh) AutoX -- North Park

[SLSduke82]

Cool. I read the handbook on their website. Pretty helpful.

Sp00n, any general tips, so I don't make a complete ass outta myself the first time?

I think the hardest thing to do will be to trust the brakes

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by SLSduke82

Cool. I read the handbook on their website. Pretty helpful.

Sp00n, any general tips, so I don't make a complete ass outta myself the first time?

I think the hardest thing to do will be to trust the brakes

Don't worry about your times for the first 2 runs... depending on how many you get. In particular, don't worry about the cones you knock over. Get the line, drive is as precise as possible, and worry about the cones on the last run or two... you best times will usually come from almost knocking over every cone.

Oft times, it feels like the slowest run you'll make all day end up being the fastest. Most runs that I'm sure I screwed up, are my fastest runs.

Do not hold the wheel like it's a rope saving your life. Do not put the seat in your normal driving position. You want it nearly straight up. Do not put the seat back as far as normal either. You should be able to rest your wrists on the top of the steering wheel, and have both knees bent when pushing the pedals down fully. It's an odd position to sit in the first couple of times, and you might need to deviate a bit from what I'm saying here, but as a rule...

Depending on the size of the course, you might not have to worry about trusting your brakes. I never got over 40mph, I don't think. Use this to figure out exactly how hard your brakes will stop you, and in how far.

My first time out I had two goals, not to finish in last place, and not to have any DQ's... I did both. This is autox mind you.

Don't be afraid to admit you're wrong in a particular setup or driving style, if you feel like your tires are too squishy or too full, change them. Regardless of what you were told before hand.

Rotate the tires before you go... and after!

[Freakazoid]

sorry I missed it jon, let me know how it went. I couldn't (and still can't) find my stupid power cord to my camcorder. I'll find it by the next time you do this, so we can actually record what goes on . Sorry again! next time! freaking power cord... don't even knwo where to look

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by Freakazoid

sorry I missed it jon, let me know how it went. I couldn't (and still can't) find my stupid power cord to my camcorder. I'll find it by the next time you do this, so we can actually record what goes on . Sorry again! next time! freaking power cord... don't even knwo where to look

It went well!! The five minutes (or less) I spent actually driving were a blast...about 125 cars were racing, so it took a while between races...started at 10 and didn't finish until 7.

Got lost the first run...second I went 61 seconds. Third run, 58 seconds...fourth run, missed a gate...last run...56 seconds!!! Felt amazing!! That put me about 6 seconds behind the STX's class leader, a slightly modded WRX. A big gap...but I bet with some stickier tires and maybe stage upgrade--and driver mod--I could close that gap.

Alley ran in her Balt SS/sc...did really well. Except WHO beat her by what, a half second? Representing the IONS! Just playing, of course.

Damn...what a blast. The RL LOVES to be pushed. I was hesitant at first, but by the last run I hardly touched the brakes, let 2nd gear slow me, and just pushed that damn car. Really hard to break it loose. The stock Lops hold really well when they're warm.

All in all, a heck of a day. Next event is in two weeks from today. I WILL be there...addicted already.

Oh yeah...some NICE rides there, otherwise. Some insane WRXs, and the FTD was held by an older 5.0 Mustang (46 seconds, I think) that was absolutely sick. Not to mention the guy who brought out his brand new Maserati and AutoXd it. A lot of the highly modded Hondas (older hatches w/ B16 engine, etc) ran VERY well. I think the best engine note, IMHO, goes to the Teg Type-R (at least, best four cyl). Just something about it, after you hear the VTEC kick in. Pretty nasty, in a good way. Or the WRX w/ the exhaust cutout. Sounded like a muscle car.

Pics and video to come! I'm still pumped up

[alleycat58]

Originally Posted by SLSduke82

A big gap...but I bet with some stickier tires and maybe stage upgrade--and driver mod--I could close that gap.

Not to be the burster of bubbles, but if you go staged....you'll be in street mod chasing down the 46-second FTD Mustang you were talking about.

Originally Posted by SLSduke82

Alley ran in her Balt SS/sc...did really well. Except WHO beat her by what, a half second? Representing the IONS! Just playing, of course.

Doesn't take long for you to brag! And exaggerate...we were to the hundreths. You had a 56.0xx and I had a 56.1xx. Oh well, all that matters is that we beat the Teg.

Grudge match the 21st...

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by alleycat58

Not to be the burster of bubbles, but if you go staged....you'll be in street mod chasing down the 46-second FTD Mustang you were talking about.




Doesn't take long for you to brag! And exaggerate...we were to the hundreths. You had a 56.0xx and I had a 56.1xx. Oh well, all that matters is that we beat the Teg.

Grudge match the 21st...

Ah, splitting hairs :-p haha...this outta be fun, next time. Balt vs. ION war

What'd that Teg run? I can't remember...seems like he was fast. Might've just sounded faster than he was haha.

[Freakazoid]

who ended up doin the video btw jon?

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by Freakazoid

who ended up doin the video btw jon?

Guy named Wes from the Cobalt forums. He's working on editing them.

I'm gonna post some pics now.

[SLSduke82]

Next event is this Sunday, May 21. North Park pool parking lot. Easy to get to; if you're heading up 279, from downtown Pittsburgh, take McKnight Road exit. Drive until you see signs for La Roche (~ 4 miles). Take that exit, onto Babcock, head past the school, then look for a sign for the pool.

Registration opens at 8:30 and closes at 9:30.

If the weather's nice, I'll be there.

But today, I have the day off. Going back to sleep.

[Freakazoid]

i'll probably be there laterish, i'll be coming from bedford