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Initial D World - Discussion Board / Forums > Automotive Discussion > Beginners guide for getting into motorsports


Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 20 2010, 07:38 PM
Intro:
At the time that this is being written, it is late January, which is a perfect time to start preparing yourself for the next season if you're new to motorsports. Most veterans start a month or two before this, but January is just fine for beginners. If you haven't logged at least 10 autocrosses/HPDE events (a small season), you're a beginner.

What do I need?

To start off, you'll need a car. Any car will suffice, you dont need the most modified car on the block because either way, you will not post good results as competitive driving is not easy and it'll take a while to get the hang of it. Drive your mom's car, your car, a rental car (not recommended for HPDE's, and yes, we'll cover HPDE's later), whatever, as long as it has insurance (some places check).

If you have a stock vehicle, leave the thing alone until you read the rule books for the respective hosts. A stock vehicle is perfect, as you haven't out-classed your car yet. Example? Sure. Lets say you have a bone stock 96 Corolla, perhaps the least interesting car on the planet. If you did something small like remove the rear seats, you've already put the car in one of two categories, SM (Street Modified) or Prepared (both of which are massively out of the Corolla's league).

Aside from a car, here are some other things you'll need:
-Colored tape (for numbering on your car)
-Assorted tools (for problems on the track, adjustments, or loaning to people)
-Tow strap (not really needed, but I always bring one and it's come in handy quite a few times)
-Air pump and tire gauge
-Sun screen
-Water
-A hat
-Helmet, Snell SA rated (they'll have loaners at the track, but they smell like other peoples head sweat)
-Pants (dont wear shorts to an event unless you already know everyone else there wears them)
-Last but not least, a good attitude. Dont be a jerk or sulk. Show interest and effort and it'll pay off in your times

One of my favorite places to get gear is: http://www.soloracer.com/. They carry a lot of affordable stuff and most of it is approved for track usage.


How do I start?

It's a lot easier now than it used to be. Back in the day, a lot of the events you went to were via newsletter or word of mouth, but now we have the great internet to guide us.

There are two main organizations that host amateur racing events; SCCA and NASA. We'll start with SCCA as it is the group I'm most familiar with. I'm a long time autocrosser and have been going to these events for years. For the purpose of this write-up, we'll focus on their Solo II division, or known by it's name now, autocross.


SCCA
http://www.scca.com/hub.aspx?hub=3 That is the website for the SCCA solo division.

http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=61 That is the link to their rules, DOWNLOAD THE LATEST RULES AND READ THE WHOLE THING! In the rule book, you can also figure out what class your car will be in, dont sweat this too much, as you shouldn't worry about competing, just learning.

http://www.scca.com/events.aspx?hub=10 This is the link to their event's listing. You can find the upcoming events for your local region. You also would probably want to find your local chapter's website. Case in point, Washington DC's site (my chapter) is http://66.235.178.15/ and I mainly stick to that one for my local info.



NASA
NASA hosts things called HPDE's, which are High Performance Driving Event. This is actual track driving. You'll be stuck in something called HPDE-1, meaning you'll have a trainer in your co-pilot seat and passing will be almost non-existent.

Controlling your car on an autocross course is VERY different to track driving. On a track, there is usually only one proper line to take, where as with autocross it's more of an idea of how to attack the course. Autocrossers make decent track drivers (once they get used to other cars on the course) but track drivers struggle at first with the transition to a cone based arena.

http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/ That is the website for HPDE's. Read and learn it. There is also a rules document on that link, download that and study it.

https://www.nasaproracing.com/event This is the page where you can find events in your local area, both HPDE track and autocross.


Regional events
Regional events are how I fill my calendar on non-SCCA or non-NASA weekends. How you find your regional clubs is by one of two ways; Googling or word of mouth at the track (just like back in the day). I'm lucky in my area, DC has the Porsche Club, the BMW Club and the Miata Club that host events (just because you dont own one of those cars doesn't mean they wont accept you, just ask).


How many events should I attend?

This is really up to you. 10 is a decent beginner schedule, but always remember that the more seat time you get, the better you become. An advanced schedule will be around the 30 area.

To give you an idea, here is my tentative schedule for this coming season, you can browse this and see how my weekends are filled (32 event day's so far):
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=james.newman%40flohtingpoint.net&ctz=America/New_York


Now that I've registered and attended events, how do I get faster?

You first stop should be a book store or Amazon and pick up http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Solo-Racing-Techniques-Autocrossing/dp/0962057312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264101699&sr=8-1. Everyone has read this and while the book is a little dated, the information is still pertinent.

Now that you've read that book, if you still want to read other material, I suggest:
http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Autocross-Techniques-Speed-Secrets/dp/0760331561/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_3

http://www.amazon.com/Competition-Driving-Alain-Prost/dp/0905138805/ref=sid_dp_dp

http://www.amazon.com/Race-Win-Become-Complete-Champion/dp/0760331855/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264102462&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Win-Essential-Guide-Driving/dp/0965160009/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c

Reading aside, there are several autocross courses you can sign up for each year put on by the SCCA or local associations. In these schools, you have trainers drive your car along the course, showing you the vehicles capability and then you attempt to match it. The instructor will be in your cockpit a times, giving you advice on turn-in times, braking and such. I highly suggest looking into these, as even I attend them each year that I can.


Do's and Dont's

-DO show up early (I suggest 1 hr early, I show up 2 hrs early). Event start time can usually be found on the respective webpage you got the event from.
-DO ask plenty of questions. If you have them, fire away. You're only going to learn that way.
-DO study your course map (if given one at registration) and pay close attention at the course walk (where you get to walk the course).
-DO pay attention during the drivers meeting before the event kicks off.
-DO bring lunch money. You WILL get hungry.
-DO study how everyone else attacks the course. I walk to several vantage points to spectate lines that people are taking and braking points.
-DO introduce yourself to people. Make as many friends as you can and don't pretend to be anything other than a rookie. Ask for advice, show your ignorance, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

-DONT leave without working the course. If you drive, you have to work the course. Ask during the drivers meeting if they dont cover this.
-DONT litter.
-DONT talk/brag about street racing or any run-in's with the police.
-DONT party the night before. Get a good rest. I crash out at 9pm on the night before an event.
-DONT wear shorts. I covered this already, but I cant stress how many times I've seen folks sent home because they didn't wear pants at several events I've been to.
-DONT wear anything other than closed toe'd shoes. NO sandals.
-DONT talk on the phone when you're staging to drive, driving or working the course. I turn my phone off the whole time I'm at the track.
-DONT be a f**kbag.
-DONT leave the course to go home without checking your tire pressures.


Where can I get more info?

Read more is the best way. Check out Grassroots Motorsports magazine http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/, I get it monthly and read it cover to cover. It's an excellent magazine for your amateur racer. They also have a forum on their website that you can scour for tips and tricks, or even join it to ask questions.

The main point of these events are to have fun. Be safe, and good luck.

Posted by: JaeMok Jan 20 2010, 07:51 PM
Oh this will be helpful once I finish high school and get more time. Thanks for posting this! Lots of good information.

Posted by: MattW Jan 20 2010, 08:01 PM
I race a different kinda discipline, so this doesn't apply....mostly. tongue.gif

Posted by: Kiroshino Jan 20 2010, 09:00 PM
Good things to keep in mind. A bit far into the future for me, but still good information to know nonetheless. Thanks. smile.gif

Posted by: Shirogane Jan 20 2010, 09:02 PM
QUOTE (MattW @ 1 hour, 0 minutes ago)
I race a different kinda discipline, so this doesn't apply....mostly. tongue.gif

As long as it works. laugh.gif

Thought about doing just one race with the XT6, most of the important bits are mended. Though I'm not too sure since the FT4WD feature did take its toll on the first XT6. sad.gif

Posted by: Yoshida Seiji Jan 20 2010, 09:05 PM
QUOTE (MattW @ 1 hour, 4 minutes ago)
I race a different kinda discipline, so this doesn't apply....mostly. tongue.gif

I dunno man. A lot of the shit he mentioned is pretty basic stuff that you should be doing no matter what type of racing you take part in.

Also video game racing doesn't count. :x

Posted by: MattW Jan 20 2010, 09:28 PM
QUOTE (Yoshida Seiji @ 22 minutes, 44 seconds ago)
I dunno man. A lot of the shit he mentioned is pretty basic stuff that you should be doing no matter what type of racing you take part in.

Also video game racing doesn't count. :x

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wink2.gif

I only turn one way. tongue.gif

Posted by: djmisio85 Jan 20 2010, 10:15 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 2 hours, 36 minutes ago)
-Last but not least, a good attitude. Dont be a jerk or sulk. Show interest and effort and it'll pay off in your times

-DO ask plenty of questions. If you have them, fire away. You're only going to learn that way.

-DO pay attention during the drivers meeting before the event kicks off.

-DO study how everyone else attacks the course. I walk to several vantage points to spectate lines that people are taking and braking points.

-DO introduce yourself to people. Make as many friends as you can and don't pretend to be anything other than a rookie. Ask for advice, show your ignorance, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

-DONT be a f**kbag.

Those are the most important bits of advice smile.gif Especially the first one and the last one wink2.gif

Nice write up cool.gif

Posted by: Möbius Jan 20 2010, 10:23 PM
*Topic Pinned*

Thanks , floht. smile.gif

Posted by: toyoguy Jan 21 2010, 03:10 PM
kk im a noob, what does working the course mean?

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 21 2010, 03:22 PM
QUOTE (toyoguy @ 12 minutes, 37 seconds ago)
kk im a noob, what does working the course mean?

Everyone gets a job assignment at an autocross. New folks will more often than not be shagging cones. Its stuff you'll find out about when you actually go to an event. They cover work assignments in the drivers meeting.

Posted by: MetalMan777 Jan 21 2010, 03:38 PM
Cactus's guide to getting into motorsports.

Step 1: Post a thread on the 24 hours of lemons forum offering your services as a mechanic/driver who will pay money/prostitute/liquor distribution specialist.

Step 2: Wait for people to email you.

Step 3: ??????

Step 4: -REDACTED-

Posted by: WRX DEMON Type R Jan 21 2010, 05:42 PM
QUOTE (djmisio85 @ Yesterday, 3:15 PM)
Those are the most important bits of advice smile.gif Especially the first one and the last one wink2.gif

Nice write up cool.gif

Yes, very informative.

Thanks Floting. happy.gif

Posted by: Trasher_54 Jan 21 2010, 05:49 PM
This one's very helpful since I might try out motorsports in the future.

Thanks for the guide. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Spaz Jan 21 2010, 07:18 PM
This is a good write up. How many times do you walk the course, floht? I always do 3 at least.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 21 2010, 07:27 PM
QUOTE (cmspaz @ 9 minutes, 3 seconds ago)
This is a good write up. How many times do you walk the course, floht? I always do 3 at least.

At at lot of regional courses, I help set up (hence the at least 2 hours arrival time), so I'm quite familiar with the courses. We also do dry runs to clock average times for classes and I get to do this for my car(s). I also video tape my runs and watch the footage between runs to get a better idea of how I should attack the course on my next run.

At NASA auto-x's we sometimes do a parade lap in our cars, which is ridiculously beneficial.

It's odd, my hero is Aryton Senna, but I relate more to Alain Prost in terms of my setup. I'm extremely precise about everything and very meticulous about my prep.

Posted by: Alex Jan 21 2010, 07:58 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ Yesterday, 11:38 PM)
Where can I get more info?

Read more is the best way. Check out Grassroots Motorsports magazine http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/, I get it monthly and read it cover to cover. It's an excellent magazine for your amateur racer. They also have a forum on their website that you can scour for tips and tricks, or even join it to ask questions.

I'd like to point out (something Stevolopolous pointed out to me) that a popular IDW member from the old days, SlickDizzy, was quoted on page 28 of the February issue of GRM in their "Words of Wisdom from the GRM Message Board" column.

Posted by: Spaz Jan 21 2010, 08:29 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 1 hour, 2 minutes ago)
At at lot of regional courses, I help set up (hence the at least 2 hours arrival time), so I'm quite familiar with the courses. We also do dry runs to clock average times for classes and I get to do this for my car(s). I also video tape my runs and watch the footage between runs to get a better idea of how I should attack the course on my next run.

At NASA auto-x's we sometimes do a parade lap in our cars, which is ridiculously beneficial.

Holy hell would a parade lap help.

I normally work registration, so I'm there hella early as well, but I don't have to worry about working the course and can run around with my camera or sit with a soda during other run groups.

Posted by: Möbius Jan 21 2010, 10:47 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 3 hours, 19 minutes ago)
It's odd, my hero is Aryton Senna, but I relate more to Alain Prost in terms of my setup. I'm extremely precise about everything and very meticulous about my prep.

Sorry floht, I just have to quote that. worship.gif

Posted by: MattW Jan 21 2010, 11:54 PM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 1 hour, 6 minutes ago)
Sorry floht, I just have to quote that. worship.gif

I highly doubt many members on this board will know who those two people are though. Sad, isn't it.

Posted by: Spaz Jan 22 2010, 06:17 AM
QUOTE (MattW @ 6 hours, 23 minutes ago)
I highly doubt many members on this board will know who those two people are though.  Sad, isn't it.

Very much so.

Posted by: Möbius Jan 22 2010, 07:29 AM
QUOTE (MattW @ 7 hours, 35 minutes ago)
I highly doubt many members on this board will know who those two people are though. Sad, isn't it.

And even in saying that, it's one thing to know who those two are, and quite another to recognize the relevance of that statement. smile.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 22 2010, 07:45 AM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 16 minutes, 5 seconds ago)
And even in saying that, it's one thing to know who those two are, and quite another to recognize the relevance of that statement. smile.gif

It is hard to say, as you're either a Prost guy or a Senna guy, so saying I relate to Prost is rough.

Some folks may know Senna/Prost, or at least the names on this board. Now, if they know Piquet/Mansell, then they get a cookie.

Posted by: MattW Jan 22 2010, 09:49 AM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 2 hours, 3 minutes ago)
It is hard to say, as you're either a Prost guy or a Senna guy, so saying I relate to Prost is rough.

Some folks may know Senna/Prost, or at least the names on this board. Now, if they know Piquet/Mansell, then they get a cookie.

Nige just needs to tell his boys to stop racing, they're ruining the family name.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 22 2010, 10:16 AM
QUOTE (MattW @ 27 minutes, 33 seconds ago)
Nige just needs to tell his boys to stop racing, they're ruining the family name.

Nelson too after his sons debacle at singapore and then ratting out Renault like a spoiled child. Latest on Piquet Jr has him racing NASCAR. Wonder how long before he rats his team out there over some deviation from the rules?

Posted by: MattW Jan 22 2010, 11:42 AM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 1 hour, 25 minutes ago)
Nelson too after his sons debacle at singapore and then ratting out Renault like a spoiled child. Latest on Piquet Jr has him racing NASCAR. Wonder how long before he rats his team out there over some deviation from the rules?

Yeah, but at least he'll be starting in the Trucks, not jumping full hog into Sprint Cup. At least he knows it'll be a HUGE learning curve.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 22 2010, 12:00 PM
QUOTE (MattW @ 17 minutes, 39 seconds ago)
Yeah, but at least he'll be starting in the Trucks, not jumping full hog into Sprint Cup. At least he knows it'll be a HUGE learning curve.

Definitely. He's no natural talent like Montoya. I'm positive that Juan Pablo can drive anything with wheels on it and be successful.

Posted by: MattW Jan 22 2010, 03:13 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 3 hours, 13 minutes ago)
Definitely. He's no natural talent like Montoya. I'm positive that Juan Pablo can drive anything with wheels on it and be successful.

I'm still waiting for him to get another win. Sonoma '07 was far too long ago. =[

Posted by: brian mayhem Jan 22 2010, 03:20 PM
QUOTE (MattW @ 6 minutes, 35 seconds ago)
I'm still waiting for him to get another win. Sonoma '07 was far too long ago. =[

Nascar is increasing HP and changing the bump draft rule.

Maybe he can be more aggressive this time around.

Posted by: MattW Jan 22 2010, 03:21 PM
QUOTE (brian mayhem @ 1 minute, 33 seconds ago)
Nascar is increasing HP and changing the bump draft rule.

Maybe he can be more aggressive this time around.

Only increasing power on the 'strictor plate tracks.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 22 2010, 03:22 PM
QUOTE (MattW @ 8 minutes, 25 seconds ago)
I'm still waiting for him to get another win. Sonoma '07 was far too long ago. =[

Same. I miss JPM in F1 quite a bit. It's just too bad he (and Kimi for that matter) couldn't get a consistent car from McLaren.

Posted by: MattW Jan 22 2010, 03:31 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 9 minutes, 12 seconds ago)
Same. I miss JPM in F1 quite a bit. It's just too bad he (and Kimi for that matter) couldn't get a consistent car from McLaren.

Hell, even Lewis really couldn't last year until the mid season upgrade. That car was a dog.

Posted by: Nappy Hared Azn Jan 22 2010, 04:14 PM
I love where this thread is going.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 22 2010, 04:38 PM
QUOTE (Nappy Hared Azn @ 23 minutes, 42 seconds ago)
I love where this thread is going.

First post is all that matters. We could talk about our favorite cheeses for the rest of the thread and it wont change anything. I'll update the first post occasionally though as I think about more helpful tips.

BTW, my favorite cheese is pepper jack.

Posted by: MattW Jan 22 2010, 05:16 PM
I'd have to second the pepperjack notion. Shit's so goooooooood.

Posted by: MetalMan777 Jan 22 2010, 08:52 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 8 hours, 52 minutes ago)
Definitely. He's no natural talent like Montoya. I'm positive that Juan Pablo can drive anything with wheels on it and be successful.

JPM is my favorite driver, he'd have won the Brickyard this year for sure if he wasn't "speeding in the pits." I was there, I saw it. He's so aggressive it's a wonder anybody ever gets in front of him.


Also, Feta ftw.

Posted by: MattW Jan 22 2010, 08:57 PM
QUOTE (Cactus @ 4 minutes, 34 seconds ago)
JPM is my favorite driver, he'd have won the Brickyard this year for sure if he wasn't "speeding in the pits." I was there, I saw it. He's so aggressive it's a wonder anybody ever gets in front of him.


Also, Feta ftw.

Me and you are now best friends.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 24 2010, 06:53 PM
Just finished my first Auto-X of the season. Ran with a new NASA chapter so they put me in "novice" class for some odd reason. I won the class today, awaiting updated results to verify.

Class consisted of a Z06, Evo 8, S4, TT, STI, 2 RX8's and a FC with some other low end cars in the mix.

Posted by: Drew Jan 26 2010, 01:34 PM
QUOTE (MattW @ Jan 22 2010, 03:54 AM)
I highly doubt many members on this board will know who those two people are though.  Sad, isn't it.

Second one's a little more excusable, but if you don't know who Senna is...for shame.

BTW, anyone gonna be going to any Grand Am Rolex events this year?

Posted by: MattW Jan 26 2010, 03:26 PM
QUOTE (Thir13Teen @ 1 hour, 52 minutes ago)
Second one's a little more excusable, but if you don't know who Senna is...for shame.

BTW, anyone gonna be going to any Grand Am Rolex events this year?

Grand Sham sucks cock. I go to the ALMS round at Lime Rock.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 26 2010, 03:31 PM
QUOTE (MattW @ 5 minutes, 23 seconds ago)
Grand Sham sucks cock. I go to the ALMS round at Lime Rock.

One of these days I need to get myself on that track. Lime Rock is one of my favorites in iRacing. Too bad it's so far from DC.

Posted by: MattW Jan 26 2010, 04:02 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 30 minutes, 49 seconds ago)
One of these days I need to get myself on that track. Lime Rock is one of my favorites in iRacing. Too bad it's so far from DC.

The iRacing one is pre-reconfiguration/repaving. It's such a great track though, I'm only 45min from it.

I'll also be at the NASCAR Camping World/Whelen Modified event up there a week before the ALMS races.

Posted by: Kelvin Feb 18 2010, 05:22 AM
I'm driving a manual transmission cressida. Just wondering where are good places to put air flow-ers.
user posted image

Posted by: flohtingPoint Feb 18 2010, 05:30 AM
QUOTE (Kelvin @ 8 minutes, 2 seconds ago)
I'm driving a manual transmission cressida. Just wondering where are good places to put air flow-ers.
user posted image

Anywhere you want. Did you grab the stage-1 kit that came with the air flowers, Silvia badge, GT wing and vinyl graphics?

Posted by: Kelvin Feb 18 2010, 05:35 AM
Nope. I just bought the flowers cuz they're have bargain prices. I'm don't know much bout how it affect car performance either.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Feb 18 2010, 05:38 AM
Less than the extra drag they'll cause.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Mar 20 2010, 02:54 PM
Just got back from the opening of my autocross season (ie: first real points event) and had a blast. Hopefully some folks read this and will get out there this year.

YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYpj_UGpJj0 )

Posted by: Spaz Mar 20 2010, 05:36 PM
First big meet is in two weeks, first cruise is in 4, official season start for me is May 8th with a dual-event weekend. I will be running both days, I'm shooting to be points competitive this season.

Posted by: Drew Mar 20 2010, 07:01 PM
Vids of the Evo...will be very much rewarded. smile.gif

Posted by: Spaz Mar 20 2010, 09:42 PM
I'll have to see if my camera does a better job on the Roof of the Evo than it did on the Talon. You couldn't even see cones the angle was so narrow.

Posted by: Möbius Mar 20 2010, 10:01 PM
Roof? Just mount to side of passenger headrest. smile.gif

Posted by: biggamehit Mar 21 2010, 04:48 AM
Good runs floating

I mounted my camera on the rear glass and side mostly with my sticky pod.

Examples from my SCCA region/Porsche Car Club when I was still state side.

My cars are pretty much set primarily for drifting and has very solid rear ends.. vibration from the road surface is magnified alot. I didn't properly brace the camera either. I am about to buy a Go Pro... small zero vibration........excuse my language also.

in car

YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eI7DETp40Y )




side mount

YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lghqdc24Xc )

Posted by: Spaz Mar 21 2010, 05:22 AM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 7 hours, 21 minutes ago)
Roof? Just mount to side of passenger headrest. smile.gif

I've only got a suction cup mount for it. Also, I think the viewing would be worse from inside.

Posted by: Möbius Mar 21 2010, 07:23 AM
QUOTE (cmspaz @ 2 hours, 0 minutes ago)
I've only got a suction cup mount for it. Also, I think the viewing would be worse from inside.

It would show you driving, I think it is better, actually. It is closer to driving view, also.


Posted by: flohtingPoint Mar 21 2010, 08:49 PM
Cone death by brake lock.

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Posted by: flohtingPoint Mar 29 2010, 02:42 PM
4 events attended so far this season. Get off your asses and get out there!

Example of what you're missing:
YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtVlrh80MzU )

Posted by: Möbius Mar 29 2010, 04:00 PM
Maybe he didn't like that guy and wanted you to run him over? tongue.gif


Posted by: MattW Mar 29 2010, 07:39 PM
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck walls. f**k them hardcore.
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Posted by: flohtingPoint Mar 30 2010, 03:53 AM
No "rubbing's racing" jokes going on in your crew? I got a hefty amount of them when I stuffed my S13 at Spa.

Posted by: MattW Mar 30 2010, 08:13 AM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 4 hours, 19 minutes ago)
No "rubbing's racing" jokes going on in your crew? I got a hefty amount of them when I stuffed my S13 at Spa.

We brought three brand new racecars to the track, and all three came home wrecked, lol.

Posted by: Manifesto Mar 30 2010, 10:06 AM
is it expensive to do racing? it seems really cool, and i want to try it out. I have a cheap car even, but i dont have a lot of money to spare.

i talked to one local racing club, and they wanted $2000 to join them. is that normal? it seems like way too much money...

Posted by: MattW Mar 30 2010, 10:08 AM
Racing is one of the most expensive hobbies one can get into.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Mar 30 2010, 11:18 AM
QUOTE (MattW @ 1 hour, 10 minutes ago)
Racing is one of the most expensive hobbies one can get into.

Matt is dead on but there are exceptions. You can race a bone stock car and have some success. There are stock classes in most nationwide amateur motorsports. The only thing you have to pay for is the entry fee for the event.

Posted by: Möbius Apr 2 2010, 06:04 AM
You would still have higher maintenance costs with it though.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 2 2010, 10:45 AM
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Weekend is coming up, get the f**k out of the house and get to a track. Step away from your crappy cartoons, put down the d-sport and go kill some cones!

Posted by: peemyTNBow Apr 2 2010, 07:41 PM
Professional Racing is expensive.

Having fun and improving your driving does not have to be.

Posted by: MattW Apr 2 2010, 10:21 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ Yesterday, 1:45 PM)
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Weekend is coming up, get the f**k out of the house and get to a track. Step away from your crappy cartoons, put down the d-sport and go kill some cones!

I'm just hoping all three cars make it home in one piece this week, haha.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 3 2010, 05:41 AM
Matt and I are at the track this weekend. No excuses folks, get out there and lay some times.

Posted by: Möbius Apr 3 2010, 05:44 AM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 3 minutes, 6 seconds ago)
Matt and I are at the track this weekend. No excuses folks, get out there and lay some times.

I have one good excuse I was and will be working. tongue.gif

Posted by: Nappy Hared Azn Apr 3 2010, 04:29 PM
^Ditto... and I drive a RAV4.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 4 2010, 03:42 AM
QUOTE (Nappy Hared Azn @ Yesterday, 4:29 PM)
^Ditto... and I drive a RAV4.

I drove the Kia Soul I rented for laughs on two runs. Vehicle is no excuse.

Posted by: backalleyracer Apr 4 2010, 04:25 AM
auto cross isn't worth it to me

I'd rather spend the extra money and get hours upon hours of track time than 10 30 second runs

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 4 2010, 04:34 AM
QUOTE (backalleyracer @ 9 minutes, 32 seconds ago)
auto cross isn't worth it to me

I'd rather spend the extra money and get hours upon hours of track time than 10 30 second runs

They also kick you off the course if you're getting m4d sidewayz yo.

Posted by: backalleyracer Apr 4 2010, 04:35 AM
not around these parts, must be an east coast thing

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 4 2010, 04:45 AM
QUOTE (backalleyracer @ 10 minutes, 4 seconds ago)
not around these parts, must be an east coast thing

SCCA/NASA will boot drifters quite quickly regardless of location. It's a matter of safety hazard on a circuit and at an autox the idiots knock over tons of cones because the gates aren't set up to hold that type of width.

Either way, if you're afraid of competition that is based off time and PAX instead of opinion, it's fine.

Posted by: backalleyracer Apr 4 2010, 04:59 AM
I'm not afraid, competition is tough are these parts too, but you have your boats and I have mine. as I stated, I'd rather be driving more than less wink2.gif

and I used to go out to autox events back in 05' and drift the course, me and a good friend of mine went to many events and did this. In fact, one time, they even set up what they decided to call a "fun course"

they set it up for drifting, and everyone had a go at it, quite fun indeed smile.gif



Posted by: Spaz Apr 4 2010, 06:58 AM
Watching the drifters try to grip around corners in autox is hilarious. Understeer city.

Posted by: peemyTNBow Apr 4 2010, 09:39 AM
Out here we just all pool in and rent out the track for a whole day. Then we do w/e the hell we please.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 4 2010, 10:06 AM
QUOTE (BmwNeoType @ 26 minutes, 53 seconds ago)
Out here we just all pool in and rent out the track for a whole day. Then we do w/e the hell we please.

Which is good if you have a data logger or if you need to make adjustments to you car to stabilize it to your driving style. It's hard to tell off feel alone if you're doing anything correctly to improve your driving. Without timing devices and splits, you might be doing more harm than good.

Posted by: peemyTNBow Apr 4 2010, 10:46 AM
We just focus on accurate consistency more than just getting the fastest times. Usually one of the guys has some datalogging stuff.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 4 2010, 11:47 AM
QUOTE (BmwNeoType @ 1 hour, 0 minutes ago)
We just focus on accurate consistency more than just getting the fastest times. Usually one of the guys has some datalogging stuff.

Are you all driving his car? Data loggers are ingrained into a vehicle, or at least the ones I've worked with. Shock travel monitors, brake monitor (throttle can be spliced off tps), etc.

Consistency is key and a great area to focus on thumbsup.gif. Nailing a good flying lap is one thing, but if your times are erratic, then it's pointless.

Posted by: backalleyracer Apr 4 2010, 03:41 PM
QUOTE (cmspaz @ 8 hours, 43 minutes ago)
Watching the drifters try to grip around corners in autox is hilarious. Understeer city.

its even more funny to see grip guys trying to drift

accident city laugh.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: MetalMan777 Apr 4 2010, 03:54 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 4 hours, 7 minutes ago)
(throttle can be spliced off tps)

Get a real throttle.

And why don't most drifters know how to drive? You can cure understeer pretty easily.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 4 2010, 04:04 PM
QUOTE (backalleyracer @ 22 minutes, 53 seconds ago)
its even more funny to see grip guys trying to drift

accident city  laugh.gif  laugh.gif

Because "grip guys" dont know anything about car control and drifting is super duper ooper hard! How else could 18 year old's with hardly any wheel experience get onto national drift circuits?

Also, there is no such thing as a "grip guy"... I'm pretty sure 'Nando didn't turn to Massa after Bahrain's 1-2 finish and say, "Felipe mi hermano, it's a great thing we were 'grip guys'"

Posted by: MattW Apr 4 2010, 04:12 PM
Definitely a better weekend this one than last.

Sr won his heat race, and finished third in his feature in the mini, which was able to be pulled instead of re-clipped. Steve won his heat race, and finished second in his feature, in the Street Stock.

Posted by: Möbius Apr 4 2010, 04:28 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 23 minutes, 47 seconds ago)
Because "grip guys" dont know anything about car control and drifting is super duper ooper hard! How else could 18 year old's with hardly any wheel experience get onto national drift circuits?

Also, there is no such thing as a "grip guy"... I'm pretty sure 'Nando didn't turn to Massa after Bahrain's 1-2 finish and say, "Felipe mi hermano, it's a great thing we were 'grip guys'"

That last part made me spit on my screen, thanks. laugh.gif

Posted by: Spaz Apr 4 2010, 04:35 PM
I wish the season here didn't start so late. Iowa's already underway, and I can't afford to take whole weekends off to go down there.

Posted by: MetalMan777 Apr 4 2010, 05:59 PM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 1 hour, 31 minutes ago)
That last part made me spit on my screen, thanks. laugh.gif

Makes 2 of us. That was pretty good.

But seriously, drifting is like painting. It only takes minutes to learn, but ages to master.

Actually racing is like the game go. It takes forever to learn how to do it right, and it takes even longer to get good at it. It's also like sex, everybody thinks they're good at it.

Posted by: backalleyracer Apr 5 2010, 02:01 AM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 9 hours, 57 minutes ago)
Because "grip guys" dont know anything about car control and drifting is super duper ooper hard!  How else could 18 year old's with hardly any wheel experience get onto national drift circuits?

The same way 18 year old's race in your racing circuits wink2.gif

You can say whatever you want, until you go out and do it, competitively. I've done autox competitively wink2.gif

There are certain sports I don't understand, or get why someone would want to do it, but I'm not a hater and wouldn't hate on someone for having there share of fun.

At the end of the day, that's what I'm doing, having fun, I am not here for social acceptance, I am here to have my fun with my cars, in my own way. I could imagine of one day going pro, but for now, I am an amateur, although I'd like to say I'm great at it, and given the chance, I could be better. But When that opportunity comes, I'll run with it.

I can't speak for you, But just like me, you aren't going to be pro anytime soon, even if you ever dream that high. I am sorry I don't keep up with whatever racing series you watch, and you for sure don't keep up with what I watch, instead you choose to make assumptions and base your opinions on a subject you are not knowledgeable about at all, good job.

In the mean time, I'll keep honing my skills, in something you can't even fathom, since you are creating your own wall of impossibility through your own hatred towards something you don't even full understand - or at least have a very simple idea of how it works.

And to think "drifters" don't know how to grip is a joke too.

don't fret though, I love haters wink2.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 5 2010, 03:28 AM
QUOTE (backalleyracer @ 1 hour, 27 minutes ago)
The same way 18 year old's race in your racing circuits wink2.gif

Most professional drivers start off in karting at a very young age (pre-teen) and work their way up from there. They, of course, dont have the illustrious background as this douche-bucket: http://www.formulad.com/drivers/patrick-mordaunt.html


QUOTE
There are certain sports I don't understand, or get why someone would want to do it, but I'm not a hater and wouldn't hate on someone for having there share of fun


I dont "hate on" someone for the sport they participate in. Drifting isn't a sport though. It's graded on a thumbs up or thumbs down scale, this isn't a sport, it's figure skating. Real motorsports begin and end with the timer and dont look to a bunch of losers for their 1-10 scale rating. Now there Oksana Baiul, run along.

Posted by: backalleyracer Apr 5 2010, 03:44 AM
Last time I check, figure skating is not only a sport, it is an competitive on an Olympic level

what were you saying about sports ?

keep on hating

and that "douche-bucket" is a friend of mine, and a pretty cool guy. Only reason he is around is because his family is fortunate enough to allow him to go to these events. Pat is decent at best, to be honest though, nothing Forrest Wang level about him.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 5 2010, 04:09 AM
QUOTE (backalleyracer @ 24 minutes, 49 seconds ago)
Last time I check, figure skating is not only a sport, it is an competitive on an Olympic level

It's also the joke of the Olympics (not like the winter olympics isn't already boring enough). The only people who take it seriously are the people competing and housewives with nothing better to do because they hate their life.

QUOTE
and that "douche-bucket" is a friend of mine, and a pretty cool guy.


Keep writing, I'm sure I'll start caring about something you scribe sooner or later. A blind guy will hit the bulls-eye sooner or later if he throws enough darts.

Posted by: backalleyracer Apr 5 2010, 04:18 AM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 8 minutes, 53 seconds ago)
It's also the joke of the Olympics (not like the winter olympics isn't already boring enough). The only people who take it seriously are the people competing and housewives with nothing better to do because they hate their life.

Because your opinion is so much more valued than the world who watches it. Riiiiiigghhhtttt

btw - thank you for proving my point in that you have no idea what you are talking about.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 5 2010, 04:35 AM
QUOTE (backalleyracer @ 16 minutes, 23 seconds ago)
Because your opinion is so much more valued than the world who watches it. Riiiiiigghhhtttt

btw - thank you for proving my point in that you have no idea what you are talking about.

Shhh.... Listen... It's the sound of nobody giving a shit about you.


Anyway, folks, that was a fun detour with the "drift community". You can see what they have to offer by their chairman, backalleydumbass. Motorsports seasons are really kicking into full gear, so check SCCA.com and see when their points events start in your area.

Posted by: backalleyracer Apr 5 2010, 04:38 AM
thank you for your concern.

But I doing beautifully over here

smile.gif

thanks for the chairman position, your truly to kind.

Posted by: MetalMan777 Apr 5 2010, 05:35 AM
The forums are awfully flamey these days, I admit I've played my part, but jeez.


Anyway, drifting is something I do for fun. I do it about as competitively as going up to my buddies and saying "I bet you can't do better". Seeing as how they don't have an FR like I do, it's not saying much.

My motorsports involvement is much more mechanical. I'd prefer to be a pit guy rather than a driver. I'm not saying I don't have driving skills, but I'm too fat to look good in nomex, so I don't bother driving. I do kinda want to break into karts or something, that could be a lot of fun.

Posted by: impreza0109 Apr 5 2010, 05:39 AM
thanks for the write-up. with this, nobody would think at first that motorsports is a too-expensive of a sport. =)

Posted by: MattW Apr 5 2010, 07:56 AM
QUOTE (impreza0109 @ 2 hours, 17 minutes ago)
thanks for the write-up. with this, nobody would think at first that motorsports is a too-expensive of a sport. =)

If you think it aint expensive, you're gonna get a serious kick in the dick when you start doing it.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 5 2010, 08:15 AM
QUOTE (MattW @ 18 minutes, 58 seconds ago)
If you think it aint expensive, you're gonna get a serious kick in the dick when you start doing it.

1st and 2nd place for the Washington DC region in G-stock at years end cost them a set of whatever wheels, a set of A6's and entry fees for the events. They used their daily driver Mini. There are cheap avenues, and they're a lot less headache than dealing with the crap I put up with my two aging Toyota's.

Posted by: JKaiba Apr 5 2010, 03:38 PM
I've done both expensive and cheap. To expound on the cheap:

I used to autocross my Jetta all the time. Had nothing but suspension stuff and tires. Did better than a lot of heavier or high power sports cars or folks who were still learning car control. It was fun but I wanted to do real track stuff and go a lot faster instead of just running around a skid pad. Still nothing quite like 10-20 bucks for autocross to learn basics at low speed. Did take the Jetta out for SCCA/NASA events at PIR and Firebird in Arizona. It was obvious to me though that for what I wanted I needed a chassis that would handle track because the Jetta was getting all sorts of messed up from hard driving. It's still lots of fun even if you don't own a performance automobile.

Just curious- what is with your deep seated hatred with drifting floh? I'm not a big fan of a lot of the new stuff myself since it got bastardized by a lot of factors but it doesn't mean I feel those drivers have no real skill or talent. Or is it just your personal beef with backalley? Don't get me wrong, I have a great deal more respect for someone who can optimize track times. I know how hard that is compared to just getting the car to look cool sideways. However drifting I feel is just another art form created by the automotive culture we live in. I think it's rather improper to discourage folks reading this thread to stay away from sanctioned legal drift events and education. Some folks might read this and think: This floh guy thinks drifting sucks as a sport. I should only do it illegally so I'm not ghey like these people paying for track time to do it.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 5 2010, 05:39 PM
QUOTE (JKaiba @ 2 hours, 1 minutes ago)
Just curious- what is with your deep seated hatred with drifting floh? I'm not a big fan of a lot of the new stuff myself since it got bastardized by a lot of factors but it doesn't mean I feel those drivers have no real skill or talent. Or is it just your personal beef with backalley? Don't get me wrong, I have a great deal more respect for someone who can optimize track times. I know how hard that is compared to just getting the car to look cool sideways. However drifting I feel is just another art form created by the automotive culture we live in. I think it's rather improper to discourage folks reading this thread to stay away from sanctioned legal drift events and education. Some folks might read this and think: This floh guy thinks drifting sucks as a sport. I should only do it illegally so I'm not ghey like these people paying for track time to do it.

To be honest, I mainly say stuff about drifting/rotarys because backalley gets all pissy about it. He usually logs on with sand in his vagina and cant wait to get douche-chills when he reads a post of mine so he can refute it with garbage and throw out his favorite line of "you dont know anything". One of these days he'll learn to roll with the punches and joke around about it, but I dont see that day coming any time soon.

Do I think drifting is a joke? Sure, but I dont hate it. I pretty much "nothing" it. Aside from when I'm creating a new garfield sig, drifting doesn't even cross my mind. Formula 1 is in full effect, the autocross season has kicked off and club racing/NASA HPDE's are about to start getting underway so I have little time to dwell on something as insignificant as drifting.

Posted by: MattW Apr 5 2010, 06:12 PM
Steve winnin his heat race Saturday.
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Right before the heat we had to make some big adjustments, cause the car was too low on the left front, so we adjusted the whole thing on a whim, and it handled even better than before.

Finished 2nd in the feature.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 5 2010, 06:43 PM
I really hate the fact that I'm still stuck at work doing a massive server farm upgrade and can only see a big red x =( I'll make sure to scope it out when I get home.

Posted by: Alex Apr 5 2010, 07:19 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 36 minutes, 33 seconds ago)
I really hate the fact that I'm still stuck at work doing a massive server farm upgrade and can only see a big red x =( I'll make sure to scope it out when I get home.

Nothing to miss really, haha.

Posted by: MattW Apr 5 2010, 07:28 PM
QUOTE (Alex @ 9 minutes, 13 seconds ago)
Nothing to miss really, haha.

Yeah, just a shot of his Monte under the flag.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 6 2010, 05:11 AM
QUOTE (MattW @ 9 hours, 42 minutes ago)
Yeah, just a shot of his Monte under the flag.

Ah, I see it now. Someone needs a better zoom lens!

Posted by: impreza0109 Apr 7 2010, 03:50 AM
QUOTE (MattW @ Apr 5 2010, 07:56 AM)
If you think it aint expensive, you're gonna get a serious kick in the dick when you start doing it.

it's not that i'm saying that it's cheap. the write-up here makes entering into motorsports look easy. =)

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 11 2010, 03:03 PM
Won my class today. Get the **** out of the house folks and get to an event.

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Posted by: Shirogane Apr 11 2010, 03:04 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 1 minute, 23 seconds ago)
Won my class today. Get the **** out of the house folks and get to an event.

user posted image

Give me $1,000 so I can buy a stickshift XT6 for AutoX use. tongue.gif

Posted by: MattW Apr 11 2010, 03:56 PM
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Sr's car all repaired after the wreck two weeks ago. Went out in the heat and got wrecked, stuffed in the back, we just taped up the bumper, and sent it back about, the whole ass end was out of center by a good six inches. Came back to finish fifth in his heat race. Then proceeded to finish fifth in the feature. Not too bad with how haggard the car looked after gettin wrecked in the heat.

Posted by: peemyTNBow Apr 12 2010, 07:18 AM
ALMS is at long beach this Sat, I'll be at the track from Wed.


Posted by: Möbius Apr 12 2010, 08:25 AM
Split some posts from this thread as it was getting rowdy.

Keep it clean guys. smile.gif

Posted by: Yoshida Seiji Apr 12 2010, 08:35 AM
It ain't a race car unless it got some o' diss!!!

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Dr. Pepper. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh.

Floh what all is done to your car anyway? I'm curious. It has a 20v right? I think that's just about all I know about it.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 12 2010, 09:00 AM
QUOTE (Yoshida Seiji @ 25 minutes, 20 seconds ago)
Floh what all is done to your car anyway? I'm curious. It has a 20v right? I think that's just about all I know about it.

20V Chernobyl'ed while putting the initial heat cycle into my new set of V710s. Friday night was spent transplanting a 16V I built and broke in during the winter and then had sitting in the back of the shop as a reserve.

Too much has been done to the Corolla to care to discuss. I never made a thread about my car because most of the time I get sick looking at it, thinking about what I have to rebuild next and to be honest, the times I genuinely like the car are few and far between. http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo_Rules/2010_scca_solo_rules.pdf

Posted by: Möbius Apr 15 2010, 06:11 AM
And the thread went dead after I split off the nonsense. sad.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 15 2010, 07:05 AM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 54 minutes, 2 seconds ago)
And the thread went dead after I split off the nonsense. sad.gif

Here is a revival then. Clip of my class winning lap.

YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK_AuCWtfbQ )

Posted by: Möbius Apr 15 2010, 08:23 AM
Haha, nice time, what a coincidence. laugh.gif

Posted by: MattW Apr 15 2010, 08:29 AM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 1 hour, 24 minutes ago)
Here is a revival then.  Clip of my class winning lap.

YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK_AuCWtfbQ )

I think you might AutoX with two people I know. They race in Street Modified. Ben Kaplan and Mike Towery, Ben has a beige Volvo 240 wagon with domo fenders, and Mike has a white '87 Volvo 240 Sedan.

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Posted by: Yoshida Seiji Apr 15 2010, 09:29 AM
omfg US Drift? That's og. laugh.gif I knew a couple guys involved with them that used to autox

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 15 2010, 10:48 AM
QUOTE (MattW @ 2 hours, 18 minutes ago)
I think you might AutoX with two people I know. They race in Street Modified. Ben Kaplan and Mike Towery, Ben has a beige Volvo 240 wagon with domo fenders, and Mike has a white '87 Volvo 240 Sedan.

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user posted image

I've seen both in fact. One of them has some killer fenders that look like monster teeth. Both are beastmobiles.

Posted by: MattW Apr 15 2010, 10:50 AM
Yeah, Beige Against the Machine has the domo teeth fenders.
user posted image

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 15 2010, 10:56 AM
I cant see any of the pictures you posted, all proxied at work. When you said two volvos one wagon and one sedan and both 240's, I figured those were the only folks it could be. Both of their vehicles are animals. I think they're reg'ed for this sunday in fact at Fed Ex.

Edit now that I'm at the hotel and can see the pics: Yep, I've seen both of those folks at Fed Ex Field. Never talked to them, as they usually run in a different heat than I do, being SM and whatnot. If I see them there I can say "hi" for you if you want.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 18 2010, 02:37 PM
Great weekend. Took 2nd in the NCCBMWCCA autocross (due to their classification I was put up against WRX's and EVO's) and 1st in my class with the SCCA. As it stands right now, there is a very good chance that I'll be the regional champion at years end for my class in two major SCCA chapters.

I could have sworn that there was some kid in the DC area that said he was going to contact me about getting into motorsports. Whoever he is, get on the ball kid. Points event number two is in two weeks.

Posted by: MattW Apr 18 2010, 02:43 PM
Racin rained out this weekend.

Posted by: Möbius Apr 18 2010, 02:44 PM
That kid is from IDW? confused2.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 18 2010, 03:05 PM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 21 minutes, 38 seconds ago)
That kid is from IDW? confused2.gif

Yea, some kid with a 350Z that was like "I'm one of you guys now" or whatever in his posts.

QUOTE
Racin rained out this weekend.


Today may as well have. It was cold on a freshly paved lot. My V710's were chirping while turning at 5mph, let alone the sliding and skipping that was experienced the rest of the day. I'm positive that everyone there spun at least once, I know I did (and went through a gate backwards in fact letting me not go off course). It was very hectic and frustrating driving in such conditions.

Posted by: sideways Apr 18 2010, 03:12 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 34 minutes, 26 seconds ago)
Great weekend. Took 2nd in the NCCBMWCCA autocross (due to their classification I was put up against WRX's and EVO's) and 1st in my class with the SCCA. As it stands right now, there is a very good chance that I'll be the regional champion at years end for my class in two major SCCA chapters.

I could have sworn that there was some kid in the DC area that said he was going to contact me about getting into motorsports. Whoever he is, get on the ball kid. Points event number two is in two weeks.

This in the rolla or you rocking something else for the time being?

Posted by: Möbius Apr 18 2010, 03:14 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 8 minutes, 21 seconds ago)
Yea, some kid with a 350Z that was like "I'm one of you guys now" or whatever in his posts.




Oh, the guy with the weird username Sk758 or something.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 18 2010, 03:14 PM
QUOTE (sideways @ 2 minutes, 38 seconds ago)
This in the rolla or you rocking something else for the time being?

Rolla as always (although the car is very different now...). The way it looks, it'll probably wind up as my primary car. The MR2 is still being built, but I think I may use that to train my roommate on autocross (he's already going halves on the car). He's coming along well as a driver and does rather well in poor conditions (an area where I lack patience and give a crap).

Posted by: MattW Apr 18 2010, 03:37 PM
QUOTE (BmwNeoType @ Apr 12 2010, 10:18 AM)
ALMS is at long beach this Sat, I'll be at the track from Wed.

For the record, that was a great race.

Posted by: Möbius Apr 18 2010, 03:46 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 31 minutes, 39 seconds ago)
Rolla as always (although the car is very different now...). The way it looks, it'll probably wind up as my primary car. The MR2 is still being built, but I think I may use that to train my roommate on autocross (he's already going halves on the car). He's coming along well as a driver and does rather well in poor conditions (an area where I lack patience and give a crap).

Must be nice having a roommate with similar interests. smile.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 18 2010, 03:54 PM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 8 minutes, 31 seconds ago)
Must be nice having a roommate with similar interests. smile.gif

I had to force him into it. He used to make comments about he thought he was a good driver and would get upset when I would tell him he was anything but that. Fast forward to his first track day and after his runs he came up to me and told me he was a terrible driver, to which I replied, "We'll work on that."

After a dozen or so events, he's coming along rather quickly. Like I said he's already rather formidable on poor conditions, fully capable of beating me and did two weeks ago. He seems to have a knack for that area of driving that I have very little interest in.

Posted by: peemyTNBow Apr 18 2010, 04:13 PM
QUOTE (MattW @ 35 minutes, 41 seconds ago)
For the record, that was a great race.

Yeah it was a good race.

Unfortunately didn't take GT2 but one of our teams got GTC (1st and 3rd). It was stupid that Falken passed Risi on a yellow caution and IMSA didn't give it back.

Time to move on and prepare for Laguna Seca.

Posted by: Möbius Apr 18 2010, 04:48 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 53 minutes, 54 seconds ago)
I had to force him into it. He used to make comments about he thought he was a good driver and would get upset when I would tell him he was anything but that. Fast forward to his first track day and after his runs he came up to me and told me he was a terrible driver, to which I replied, "We'll work on that."

After a dozen or so events, he's coming along rather quickly. Like I said he's already rather formidable on poor conditions, fully capable of beating me and did two weeks ago. He seems to have a knack for that area of driving that I have very little interest in.

Future rainmaster, perhaps ? smile.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 18 2010, 06:01 PM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 1 hour, 12 minutes ago)
Future rainmaster, perhaps ? smile.gif

Maybe. I really dont have the patience for that type of stuff. Cold days, bad traction, precipitation, dirty tracks, etc, none of this matters to me and I usually just throw away runs because I dont care. Tony, however, gets pretty into it and I'm not sure if it's just because he has a chance of beating me on those days or what, but he lays down pretty good times compared to the field.

Posted by: Spaz Apr 18 2010, 07:13 PM
Yeah, just don't let him get too confident in poor conditions, that's what can cause things like this:

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Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 18 2010, 07:39 PM
QUOTE (cmspaz @ 25 minutes, 37 seconds ago)
Yeah, just don't let him get too confident in poor conditions, that's what can cause things like this:

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If it happens it happens. Gives me a reason to get a Flyin Miata or Locost. I dont have any emotional attachment to any of my cars, they're there to take abuse and get destroyed, either slowly or expediently.

The Corolla has an FIA approved roll cage (put in this week) and the rest of the safety equipment (seat, harness) is also FIA approved and still in it's service date. We also have an extinguisher and electric/fuel cuts easily reachable in the car. If something like that happened, he'd be a little bumped and bruised but the car could survive a train wreck right now.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Apr 28 2010, 04:22 AM
Compilation of footage I gathered while instructing at the BMW Autocross School.

YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfsvHm9Iogs )

Posted by: flohtingPoint May 2 2010, 09:09 PM
YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZM5yZxZUOM )


Chalk up another class win. You cant win unless you get out of the house and actually attend an event.

Posted by: Möbius May 5 2010, 04:57 PM
But on the flipside, getting out there does not guarantee a win. tongue.gif

What happened to having fun? cool.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint May 5 2010, 05:56 PM
Well, winning is fun =P

Posted by: Möbius May 5 2010, 06:10 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 14 minutes, 13 seconds ago)
Well, winning is fun =P

That indirectly implies that not winning means you're not having fun? tongue.gif

j/k wink2.gif

Posted by: Spaz May 5 2010, 08:02 PM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 1 hour, 51 minutes ago)
That indirectly implies that not winning means you're not having fun? tongue.gif

Exactly.

I will go home crying if I don't get myself kicked out of the novice class on Saturday. It was understandable that I didn't do it in the Talon, but it's been done in stock Evos on the driver's first event before, so here's hoping.

Posted by: Möbius May 6 2010, 12:33 AM
QUOTE (cmspaz @ 4 hours, 31 minutes ago)
Exactly.

I will go home crying if I don't get myself kicked out of the novice class on Saturday. It was understandable that I didn't do it in the Talon, but it's been done in stock Evos on the driver's first event before, so here's hoping.

I don't get that, or it is too early in the morning. confused2.gif

Posted by: Spaz May 6 2010, 05:15 AM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ 4 hours, 42 minutes ago)
I don't get that, or it is too early in the morning. confused2.gif

You get kicked out when you win wink2.gif

Posted by: backalleyracer May 6 2010, 05:34 AM
that seems like a waste of money

Posted by: Spaz May 6 2010, 02:55 PM
QUOTE (backalleyracer @ 9 hours, 20 minutes ago)
that seems like a waste of money

Of that specific class. After that I'll be running B Street Prepared.

Posted by: Möbius May 6 2010, 02:55 PM
QUOTE (cmspaz @ 43 seconds ago)
Of that specific class. After that I'll be running B Street Prepared.

But why would you be in Novice?

Does it go by car?

Posted by: Spaz May 8 2010, 03:07 PM
QUOTE (Apex Carver @ May 6 2010, 05:55 PM)
But why would you be in Novice?

Does it go by car?

No, I'm choosing to run Novice because I want to win Novice.

Which as of today I still haven't f**king done. 25 people in that class today, so top two got kicked, and I was .3 behind a Porsche Cayman for 2nd until a dude in a Miata dropped 5.5s on his last run for .2 on the Cayman. Game over.

If I could take tomorrow off and try again tomorrow, I would.

Posted by: Möbius May 9 2010, 07:42 AM
QUOTE (cmspaz @ Yesterday, 6:07 PM)
No, I'm choosing to run Novice because I want to win Novice.

Which as of today I still haven't f**king done. 25 people in that class today, so top two got kicked, and I was .3 behind a Porsche Cayman for 2nd until a dude in a Miata dropped 5.5s on his last run for .2 on the Cayman. Game over.

If I could take tomorrow off and try again tomorrow, I would.

Crap, missed by 0.1. >_<

Posted by: Spaz May 26 2010, 07:00 PM
Well, time to bump this again.

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How's the season going for people?

Myself, I've only been to the one event, shit went down at work, we lost a couple people, and so I've been having a hard time getting weekends off. But that's given me time to work on the car a bit, I'm getting close to a well prepared BSP car.

Posted by: MattW May 26 2010, 07:46 PM
Lots of damage. Lots and lots of damage.

Posted by: Möbius May 26 2010, 09:53 PM
No damage on this end.

Posted by: MattW May 26 2010, 10:18 PM
It's funny, none of it has actually been our fault. Just wrong place at the wrong time. That's racin' though.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jul 15 2010, 05:27 PM
YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWmkQvh4s7I&hd=1 )


Because it's been a while. Good instructional on sweeper exits to slaloms.

Posted by: Kiroshino Aug 3 2010, 12:17 PM
YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7iUKaPlBl8 )


Haven't been to an event yet, but I suppose you don't want to act like that. ^^

Posted by: MetalMan777 Aug 3 2010, 12:33 PM
These things are painfully slow to watch. I'd rather read the same text.

Posted by: Spaz Aug 3 2010, 09:45 PM
Don't act like me and the rest of the EvoMN guys acted at Brainerd IR last month. That's the first step.

I can count 3 fights we were almost in, countless people crossed the road to not walk right by our campsite, we ran the quarter mile at 2am on foot and woke up a ton of people, screamed way too much (STOCK TURBO, SON!) and other similar things. But the majority of the people there were off of the asshole of the local automotive community, so the opinions of anyone who saw us act like that are null and void anyway.

Posted by: Möbius Aug 5 2010, 10:52 AM
QUOTE (cmspaz @ Yesterday, 12:45 AM)
Don't act like me and the rest of the EvoMN guys acted at Brainerd IR last month. That's the first step.

I can count 3 fights we were almost in, countless people crossed the road to not walk right by our campsite, we ran the quarter mile at 2am on foot and woke up a ton of people, screamed way too much (STOCK TURBO, SON!) and other similar things. But the majority of the people there were off of the asshole of the local automotive community, so the opinions of anyone who saw us act like that are null and void anyway.

So is there an instructional video coming out soon? tongue.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 25 2011, 09:52 AM
If you're planning on getting into motorsports this year, NOW is the time you should be acting. Planning out your schedule, figuring out finances, putting in your order for tires and of course, winter testing!

Winter test from a NASA autocross this past weekend (time sheet: http://www.get-fast.net/nasacross/012311res_raw.htm ), class win, 6th overall.

YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slcLJP-e3pM&hd=1 )


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First image I've had of wheel lift
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Last season is done, don't let another one pass w/out getting out there and getting some experience.

Posted by: MattW Jan 25 2011, 10:40 AM
Winter testing...that'd be nice if the track wasn't under two feet of snow.

Posted by: MetalMan777 Jan 25 2011, 01:55 PM
Yeah, this doesn't apply to a lot of us. I'd winter test, but it's too damn cold to fix my cars, let alone test them. Speaking of tires, what's good this season? I'm going to invest in RA-1's and be done with it unless anybody can come up with something better. Not sure what I'm going to put on the rallyx saab yet, it still needs a new bearing. Warm the hell up already.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 25 2011, 02:03 PM
QUOTE (Cactus @ 7 minutes, 44 seconds ago)
Yeah, this doesn't apply to a lot of us. I'd winter test, but it's too damn cold to fix my cars, let alone test them. Speaking of tires, what's good this season? I'm going to invest in RA-1's and be done with it unless anybody can come up with something better. Not sure what I'm going to put on the rallyx saab yet, it still needs a new bearing. Warm the hell up already.

I traveled 3 hours to test, well outside my region, with no heater. You do what you have to do to get things done.

Tires are going to depend on what you're doing. RA1's are just fine if you're testing, or schooling or taking practice runs. For anything else, an R6 is going to be optimal for long stints, A6/V710 for short stints. If you can run bias ply, it opens up the door to a lot more options.

Posted by: MetalMan777 Jan 25 2011, 02:56 PM
My 635 doesn't fit into any class I'd have any hope of winning. It's going to be my trackday car, and if I run it in autos, it'll just be for the fun of it. I guess Toyo's will fit the bill well enough. The Saab on the other hand is eligible for g stock. That car could be very competitive, assuming I get the chance to rebuild the engine or stick a new one in. I'm tired of it being too cold to fix it.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 25 2011, 03:03 PM
QUOTE (Cactus @ 7 minutes, 5 seconds ago)
My 635 doesn't fit into any class I'd have any hope of winning. It's going to be my trackday car, and if I run it in autos, it'll just be for the fun of it. I guess Toyo's will fit the bill well enough. The Saab on the other hand is eligible for g stock. That car could be very competitive, assuming I get the chance to rebuild the engine or stick a new one in. I'm tired of it being too cold to fix it.

If you're talking about g-stock autocross, then no, it wouldn't be competitive in the least. It'd get crushed by SRT-4's, Mazdaspeed Protege's, Spec V's, etc.

If you dont have a class, run whatever crap you have and whatever is accessible. Surf sccaforums for used tires, buy them, run till cord. No sense worrying about what's best, as your car is just out there going through the motions so you can garner seat time.

Posted by: MetalMan777 Jan 25 2011, 04:03 PM
Sorry, I meant h stock. Don't know if I want to keep it stock or not for rallyx anyway. If I can do some internal engine modification and manage to fit it in prepared, I'll do that. I think that's where they draw the line for the prepared class, though. I need to go through the rules with a fine comb, otherwise it's staying stock. Without a turbo, the only easy way to up power is to upgrade the cam/valvesprings. Thankfully cheap on a 4 cylinder.

H stock is full of a bunch of NOC cars anyway, that's how the Saab fits in.

Posted by: JKaiba Jan 25 2011, 04:06 PM
Floh- out of curiosity; with the cut fenders to allow wider track and lower center of gravity; what are the rules on that on your class?

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 25 2011, 05:01 PM
QUOTE (Cactus @ 57 minutes, 56 seconds ago)
Sorry, I meant h stock. Don't know if I want to keep it stock or not for rallyx anyway. If I can do some internal engine modification and manage to fit it in prepared, I'll do that. I think that's where they draw the line for the prepared class, though. I need to go through the rules with a fine comb, otherwise it's staying stock. Without a turbo, the only easy way to up power is to upgrade the cam/valvesprings. Thankfully cheap on a 4 cylinder.

H stock is full of a bunch of NOC cars anyway, that's how the Saab fits in.

H-Stock it'd be a suck car too. I've never seen a Saab run with any efficiency because I've never seen a Saab run. Nobody uses them as they're not worth the time.

QUOTE
Floh- out of curiosity; with the cut fenders to allow wider track and lower center of gravity; what are the rules on that on your class?


My car is a Street Prepared build car, cutting fenders is legal and usually encouraged amongst folks who own older cars, as you cant fit a decent wheel/tire size in them. Any wheel size/width/offest is allowed in my class. This year I'll be running 15X10's with 275's on.

Posted by: Kiroshino Jan 26 2011, 06:10 PM
Dumb question, but aren't you assigned a particular stock class depending on the vehicle you drive?

http://cms.scca.com/documents/2011%20Tech/2011%20stock%20listings.pdf

Not that it matters a lot for the Novice Class. Just curious.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jan 26 2011, 06:17 PM
If the only thing you've done is tires/shocks/battery/brake pads/catback/front sway bar, then stock classes will apply to you. If you've gone beyond that, you need to dig through street touring/street prepared/prepared/modified.

Posted by: MattW Jan 26 2011, 06:41 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ Yesterday, 5:03 PM)
I traveled 3 hours to test, well outside my region, with no heater. You do what you have to do to get things done.

Tires are going to depend on what you're doing. RA1's are just fine if you're testing, or schooling or taking practice runs. For anything else, an R6 is going to be optimal for long stints, A6/V710 for short stints. If you can run bias ply, it opens up the door to a lot more options.

To test it would require us going south of the Mason Dixon Line, haha.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jul 4 2011, 07:08 PM
The season is already half over, only a couple months left of track time out there. If you're not running, get off your couches, shut off your stupid cartoons, put down the D-Sport and find at least a local event you can go to.

Video from the SCCA Toledo National Tour
YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGKn7cEsVMs&hd=1 )

Posted by: Spaz Jul 4 2011, 07:21 PM
Yeah, no kidding, I'm scrapping for change and I still got out last weekend to rape some face in the Evo. If I can make it happen where I am right now financially, so can you.

Posted by: Type 100 Jul 4 2011, 10:09 PM
Might as well throw my hat into the thread...

This was from last month.
Circuit Showdown 2011 Round 4 @ Batangas Racing Circuit. Haven't been to BRC in 15 months prior.

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Qualifying times in the morning. My car's #100.
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Final times in the afternoon.
2:21.077 via transponder is just two-tenths off my personal best of 2:20.8 via stopwatch set in February 2010. Not bad
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I'm never gonna break any bracket records with the Fit 1.3; BRC has too many long straights. I'm just in it for fun and to maximize my lap time on a stock car with 82 HP.

Missed out on Round 5 @ Clark International Speedway. Kind of a shame since CIS' short-track version has less straightaway and more turns. Round 6 goes back to BRC though. Good chance I might show up then.

Posted by: DigiBunny Jul 4 2011, 11:08 PM
I'm a tad curious. How does the fit handle around the track?

Posted by: Type 100 Jul 4 2011, 11:27 PM
QUOTE (DigiBunny @ 18 minutes, 48 seconds ago)
I'm a tad curious. How does the fit handle around the track?

Quite well. smile.gif

The balance is more toward understeer, but you can effectively trail-brake for some rotation at the rear end because the Fit's quite front-heavy.

Lack of straight-line oomph is the only real downside. On BRC, I found to my surprise I can corner as hard and as fast as a well-driven Impreza STi at the long, sweeping double-apex Brian's Corner, but the Scooby will leave the Fit for dead as it exits into the back straight.

Posted by: Jardim Jul 5 2011, 03:01 PM
ITB kit and a full exhaust to make the fit more hearty and rev freely would help on BRC.

Posted by: Type 100 Jul 5 2011, 04:40 PM
QUOTE (Jardim @ 1 hour, 39 minutes ago)
ITB kit and a full exhaust to make the fit more hearty and rev freely would help on BRC.

A well-known shop here does an intake/headers/Unichip piggyback FC package for the Fit, good to liberate ~25 WHP or so.

Unfortunately the Fit's engines just don't lend themselves well to releasing more power, especially via the NA route. You could, but it's really not cost-effective. I'm not sure who makes ITBs for L-series engines; I don't think anybody does! Most Fit people would just add a turbo, swap the header, tune it properly and call it a day, but shelling out serious coin for 120-150WHP on boost is also kind of disappointing.

Long story short, it's either K20 swap or boost, and both are prohibitively pricey. I'd rather spend my money on more seat time. Definitely won't be getting out of Bracket F, but I figure I can still beat 2:20 on BRC before my Kumho Ecsta SPTs go bald. smile.gif

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jul 5 2011, 06:34 PM
QUOTE (Type 100 @ 1 hour, 53 minutes ago)
A well-known shop here does an intake/headers/Unichip piggyback FC package for the Fit, good to liberate ~25 WHP or so.

Unfortunately the Fit's engines just don't lend themselves well to releasing more power, especially via the NA route. You could, but it's really not cost-effective. I'm not sure who makes ITBs for L-series engines; I don't think anybody does! Most Fit people would just add a turbo, swap the header, tune it properly and call it a day, but shelling out serious coin for 120-150WHP on boost is also kind of disappointing.

Long story short, it's either K20 swap or boost, and both are prohibitively pricey. I'd rather spend my money on more seat time. Definitely won't be getting out of Bracket F, but I figure I can still beat 2:20 on BRC before my Kumho Ecsta SPTs go bald. smile.gif

Way too much talk about power for someone on really bad tires. Fix your tire situation first, that'll find you way more time.

Posted by: Type 100 Jul 5 2011, 07:06 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 32 minutes, 26 seconds ago)
Way too much talk about power for someone on really bad tires.  Fix your tire situation first, that'll find you way more time.

Nah. Not overly concerned with power, I was just responding as best as I could to the suggestions. Cost-wise, I already know upping power is not a viable avenue for me to get my laptimes down. Any gains will have to come from rubber or suspension.

Agreed on the tire issue, they're nice for daily-driven street tires but I do feel them holding me back. Then again, if I can extract the maximum out of them first, that'd bode well for any stickier rubber. My instructor drove my car with me riding shotgun, and he squeezed out a trio of scorching 2:17.2 laps...but also boiled my brake fluid in the process.

Advan Neova AD08s are way too pricey and don't last long enough...considering Goodyear Eagle RS-Sport rubbers once the Kumhos get worn as they're the next best thing available here.

Posted by: Jardim Jul 5 2011, 08:06 PM
Well at least you should get a different set for the streets im sure you could find some decent honda alloys for a street set and a track set.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Jul 5 2011, 08:07 PM
kosei wheels are dirt cheap and fairly light. I'd invest in a set for track tires. I have them on my time trial car and they're rather nice.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Feb 28 2012, 08:37 PM
YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COyZVplqVpc )


The season is just starting, you dont want to miss the fun!

Posted by: Perry Feb 28 2012, 09:01 PM
How do you get those lateral acceleration skidpad and the speed on the video? Do you get raw feeds from the sensors completed with timestamps? How do you synchronize the data with the video footage? Just curious.

Posted by: Spaz Feb 28 2012, 09:04 PM
As far as days off planned so far...

MitsuStyle Cruise
'Style dyno day
MAPerformance Proving Grounds
MAPerformance Boost for Boobies charity dyno event
Autox School (my dad's running his STi)
Mitsubishi Owners Day Texas (flying down)
Iowa Subaru Club Marshalltown autox (private event at the go kart track, ALL OF THE SEAT TIME!)

I'll decide on other stuff as time gets closer, I really don't want to be that guy that goes through and asks for every weekend off without giving others the chance to get in. Should be at least 12 local autox events so I won't have any issues picking and choosing. Also looking at doing the Amery Airport run this year (and hopefully not losing an engine right before it again).

Posted by: sideways Feb 28 2012, 11:17 PM
QUOTE (Perry @ 2 hours, 15 minutes ago)
How do you get those lateral acceleration skidpad and the speed on the video? Do you get raw feeds from the sensors completed with timestamps? How do you synchronize the data with the video footage? Just curious.

The camera itself does the data logging (common now on a lot of GPS-cameras), and if i recall last I heard he was using software that pulled all the numbers from the raw data and puts them into pretty graphs for us to enjoy.

Posted by: flohtingPoint Mar 1 2012, 10:22 AM
QUOTE (Perry @ Feb 28 2012, 09:01 PM)
How do you get those lateral acceleration skidpad and the speed on the video? Do you get raw feeds from the sensors completed with timestamps? How do you synchronize the data with the video footage? Just curious.

Matt pretty much nailed the answer. I was not driving my own kart since the head gasket decided to go during the winter. On my kart I have a very sophisticated data-logging system consisting of a 10hz GPS, accelerometer, throttle/brake position sensors, EGT and Water temp sensors, RPM sensor all in my MyChron 4 2T. I also have a ContourGPS camera which provides a dumbed down version of data-logging with a 2hz GPS in it. For the data overlay I use a program called "DashWare" which allows me to import the .csv files and sync the data with gauges.


QUOTE
As far as days off planned so far...

MitsuStyle Cruise
'Style dyno day
MAPerformance Proving Grounds
MAPerformance Boost for Boobies charity dyno event
Autox School (my dad's running his STi)
Mitsubishi Owners Day Texas (flying down)
Iowa Subaru Club Marshalltown autox (private event at the go kart track, ALL OF THE SEAT TIME!)


You should do the Toledo Pro Solo ( http://www.scca.com/solo/content.cfm?cid=44512&tag=62 ) and the Peru National Tour ( http://www.scca.com/solo/content.cfm?cid=44511&tag=60 ), they are fairly near you. It'll give you a good idea of what national level talent is like and it's a lot of fun. Also, Toledo is known around the country as THE BEST grip you'll get. The airport runway is amazing concrete.

Posted by: Spaz Mar 1 2012, 02:59 PM
QUOTE (flohtingPoint @ 4 hours, 36 minutes ago)
You should do the Toledo Pro Solo ( http://www.scca.com/solo/content.cfm?cid=44512&tag=62 ) and the Peru National Tour ( http://www.scca.com/solo/content.cfm?cid=44511&tag=60 ), they are fairly near you. It'll give you a good idea of what national level talent is like and it's a lot of fun. Also, Toledo is known around the country as THE BEST grip you'll get. The airport runway is amazing concrete.

I'll take a peek and see if they're in the cards. Texas is mostly paid for as of now but that doesn't mean the drinking won't kill any extraneous travel funds.

Posted by: MattW Apr 17 2012, 10:13 AM
Welp, we're at it again for this year.
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Posted by: susanperkins Jan 29 2013, 10:09 PM
Thanks for this. very informative indeed!

Posted by: Spaz Jul 16 2013, 07:54 PM
Not anything I should post in the build thread, since this is in my dad's car. Here, has some watches.

YOUTUBE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDNyMwkIVXE&feature=youtu.be )

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