My First AutoX
 

Well it was an interesting day to say the least. when we showed up there was about 25-30 cars and cones everywhere. We got 4 runs.

I was running in FSS class, bumped there given my intake.

One thing stood out that I need to work on: Staying inside the F'ing cones! Out of 4 runs I got 3 DNF for missing a cone. :(

My best time notwithstanding my eratic driving was a 54.8. I was pretty happy with it. My best, and only, official time was a 57.2. Best time of the day was a ~48, by one of the Miatas.

I was convinced my last run was good but apparently I zigged when I should have zagged.

I was impressed by the Protege 5. It handled well and seemed to have plenty of pickup in the mini straights. I don't know if it's me or the tires but the car wasn't hard to put into a 4 wheel slide. I also found my outside tire chirping when accelerating through a longish corner. The suspension felt a little soft but I'm a rookie so it may very well be bad driving.

Anyone who wants to try this sport I would highly recommend it. It was the most fun I've ever had in my car. The people were awesome, even if it was freakin cold.

I will be doing it again. In fact if anyone has any tips for me I would love to hear them.

I must say Mazda's were everywhere with my Pro5, a Mazdaspeed, tons of Miata's, MX-6, and an old RX-7.

very cool!

your main goal right now should be seat time and driving techiques. Look ahaed, be smooth, brake in a staright line, if in a drift with a FWD, accel to stop it.

but most of all, have fun!!

Yeah, just go have fun.

Everytime I go out, which I haven't been able to do for a while, I get pasted. I finish 3-4 seconds off the pace in my class, but I'll be damned if I don't have the best time doing it.

I'll never win my class, I'll never get fast time of the day, I'll never go to regionals. I'll never go to nationals.

I do make friends. I do get better. I do have a good time. :cheers:

Where can you autocross in Nova Scotia anyways?

Just curious. :D

lol I was curious as well. I've been reading all the posts about it and really wanted to try. I figured if I was modifying my car I should back it up with some racing. I'm not much for street racing so the AutoX seemed like a perfect choice.

Here's the website for our regional organization. http://www.armsinc.ca/

it was just set up in the parking lot of a local furniture store.

I forgot to mention I won my class! Of course there was only 2 of us. Me and a '92 Subaru Legacy. I'm really going to try and hit as many events as possible.

Out of curiosity do you guys bump up your tire pressure when racing? It felt like the sidewalls were folding over a bit under hard cornering. I'm pretty new so that sensation may be normal. I was running 32 psi as I normally do.

Now I need to see what I can do to my car without bumping me up a class :)

Looking forward to adding more posts to this section.

Newly addicted Solo II driver :)

if your running stock or stock like wheels/tires, yes you'll most likely have to boost the tire pressures to avoid roll-over.

Not getting into the corners as hot will also help :)

I run 50psi f/r

Bah, that's not the right attitude ;). You'd be amazed at what comes with practice.

How come you won't go to any regional or national events? Those can be more fun and much more competatitve than local events. I just learned that with my first regional back in March.

BTW, you don't have to be good to compete in regional/national events :). I speak from experience, lol.

I don't have the money, or the schedule to allow myself to travel like that. I run stock Dunlops because I can't afford to buy other tires. I wish I could do more, but that'll happen in time.

I just do it for fun. :)

Just for interest's sake here is the link to the entry form checklist. I'm in Super Stock at the moment. looks like i have 6 points to spend before I get bumped.

Do you all use a similar scoring system to determine what class you are in? If so what classes do you compete in?

http://www.armsinc.ca/solo/solo-rules-index.html

Some sports car clubs in the U.S. that are oriented towards a specific marque (Porsche Club of America, BMW CCA, etc.) use a points system, but almost all other clubs use Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Solo II rules. The SCCA doesn't have a points list, just a llist of authorized modifications. See this link for details.