hihoslva

Excellent, excellent points. Fact is, when we are all 17, we feel invincible. We think we are the greatest drivers on planet Earth. And the fact is, none of us are. The greatest drivers are the ones who run the pro rally races every year. NONE of us can touch the skills they have.

I remember a story recently, about a guy who went to an autocross event. And some older dude who wasn't an entrant hopped in a stock Chevy Cavalier automatic, or some other lame car like that, and posted the FASTEST TIME OF THE DAY, beating out plenty of Porsches, Miatas, and other "sports" cars and their drivers. Justt o show that SKILL matters, while horses are for show-off tire smoke.

Dude - you are 17. David is 100% correct when he says "you don't know ****". Don't take offense to it, because 99% of ALL drivers don't know ****, regardless of age. Probably 75% of the people on this board don't know **** about REAL driving. I'm probably one of them. I'm no racer - just a guy who drives a LOT, so I have experience. I consider myself an experienced driver - but that doesn't make me think I'm a GREAT driver. Read my signature, for crying out loud - that's a true statistic. But it is impossible that 80% of people are above average.

If you want to have some fun while gaining valuable driving experience that could even save your life someday, take his advice. Learn the car. Learn to control a skid - find a parking lot (a SAFE one) while it's wet or snowing and spin your car around until your head hurts. Go to an auto-x event and see how you do running the cones. Get some experience.

Skilled and fun driving has nothing to do with the power on tap. Drag racing is BORING, and pure HP is just for bragging. It grows stale after a while.

Be safe, and have fun - in that order.

~HH

ZoomZoomH

you guys are chewing up the young fella!

Tony, don't be offended by their bluntness, take it as honest advice on what you can do with your Protege to maximize its performance and fun factor.

let them silly Honda drivers go drag race in their hybrid cibics w/ stolen b16 motors, you'll have more fun running around cones in autox, trust me on that one

David

Thank you hihoslva. ZoomZoomH I know that it sounds mean but bluntness works some times. 80% of drivers think thier above average. I think it's closer to 3-5%. mayby less. I wish I could say I'm an above average driver. I'd be happy with average, and i've been driving for 17 years and autocrossing. But if you drive in the snow it will help make you a good driver.

Tony don't get mad you might make me eat my words some day. but when that happends you'll know hihoslva, ZoomZoomH, and my self were right. then you can tell some kid he doesn't know ****.

have fun and let the love follow
eace:

Jas00x

I say take the car racing WITH your parents.
I started autocrossing when I was 18. 6 years later, my parents are hooked and so are two of my little brothers.
I race my 2000 Protege ES in H-stock and do really well. My parents just bought an old MR2 turbo to race, but my Mom likes to drive the Protege the best, because she's faster than the MR2.

In Solo 2 you can have up to 2 drivers per class, so you and Dad can race in H-Stock, and Mom can drive H-Stock Ladies. The end of the day you see who really knows what about driving. Best part about having Mom and Dad drive- maybe they get into it, and want to fix up the car on their dime.

In Solo 2- the Protege is best in H-Stock or Street Touring (STS).
Check out the motorsports discussion board here. Then check out www.scca.org for a region or event near you. The Motorsports Discussion Group has some other experienced drivers and we are always looking to help out a new autocrosser.
Don't worry about car setup or anything for your first event, just go out there early and ask alot of questions.