Yep, that was mine. I was parked on the outer lot until I registered and got the tech inspection. By that time, spaces had opened up on the inner lot. Those 4 zig zag turns? I never hit a cone on those. Actually, during my three runs, I only hit 1 cone, and it didn't knock over or move totally out of it's square. Like my instructor said, the Protege rotated extremely well. Direction transitions were never a problem... I turned the wheel and it went immediately, even though I was only running 32psi on my front tires which have a very high traction rating (420) and terrible grip. As for my times... my first run I ran 61.?? seconds... then the instructor drove and ran 51.?? seconds... my second run I ran 57.?? seconds... and my third was 55.?? seconds. Not too bad considering I have never autocrossed before and most of the novice times (including WRX's, Corvette's, Integra Type-R's, Miata's) were above 60 seconds. Throw in the PAX? mulitplier and I'm sure I placed fairly high.

Meeting for the next run would be totally cool!!

I can't remember what my instructor's name was. However, he runs a totally modified 2nd Gen RX-7 Turbo, gutted with a full roll cage. He was part-Asian, I believe.

I guess I have to start making suspension mods. Because of my +0 tires and cold air intake, I am in the STS class. Might as well take advantage of it. At least next time I will actually prep the car. My instructor showed me how much my front tires were rolling over in the turns... and boy, could you feel it! I could have pushed the car a lot more if the tires weren't rolling over.

Now I have things to buy... an SCCA membership... a helmet... magnetic numbers and class markings... how fun!!

-Jerry

 

it only took me 60 secs to get hooked as well...although took 6 months to get to a race 8 months and counting now, and will probably be doing it till i die!!!

lemme know about those numberplates, i can hook you up. Check out the "decals & graphics" section on my site.

cruise on up to CA Speedway this coming Sunday (14th)

 

4:00am was just a convenient excuse. Spending 2 hours driving there, and 3+ hours coming back, and $35 to run, all for 3 runs in a car I'm not sure would make it there and back. Sorry. My sense of adventure isn't quite that great. Although I've driven 1100 miles each way for the last 5 years to pay $55 for 6 runs, so... I must be at least a little crazy.

BTW, I do go visit friends when I drive 1100+ miles to autocross. I don't go just to race. The race just affects when I go. And what car I drive there.

 

Soooo David, have you found out what's wrong with the car yet??? What has it been doing(or not doing)?

 

I suspect a breaking crank snout, which is a far less common problem than it should be in this car. Braden (Turboge) has a used engine for me, that I'll try to put in in the next week or so.

 

I'm also from San Diego (IB), I have a 93 pro lx. Sliver tint, 17" motegi, Magnaflow Exhaust, and other thing.

 

we are going up to the big mazda show in LA tomm @ raging waters