[motorheadmike]

WARNING: This thread is aimed at people who like to push the boundaries of car and themselves, and those people who choose to erase misconceptions. Hopefully this thread will inspire some folks to do more with their cars by providing some baseline information to help get them off on the right foot. If you are the kind of closed-minded person who believes that these cars "cannot handle" this is not the thread for you. You will find comfort in the status quo elsewhere.

We finally got our local autocross season off the ground (with COVID protocols in place) and got to take the car out. The car proved to be very capable and entertaining, despite me being very rusty (over 6 years removed from competition) and being very unfamiliar with the car in this setting. The temperature peaked around 100*F and I was very grateful for the air conditioning - a big change from my old car.

I have a lot of datalogs to go through once my times get posted to see what's what.

 

[GdBye]

Let us know how you did vs the competition. Autocross is a blast. I used to do it but haven't with the HC yet. Any strategies that you use would be helpful to others that plan on trying this. As I remember, I removed everything from the car that could fly around in the interior and trunk, increased the air pressure in the front tires to minimize understeer, chaulked the tires to guage how much the tires were flexing during cornering and tried to drive as smoothly as possible. Walked the track prior to the event to determine any nuances in the course that could impede times. I noticed what looked like a Toyota MR2 in the lineup. Those cars don't have the HP that some have but are deadly on an autocross track when being piloted by a good driver. Well balanced.

 

[motorheadmike]

In the series, Don't Panic is a phrase on the cover of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.[4] The novel explains that this was partly because the device "looked insanely complicated" to operate, and partly to keep intergalactic travellers from panicking.[49] "It is said that despite its many glaring (and occasionally fatal) inaccuracies, the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy itself has outsold the Encyclopedia Galactica because it is slightly cheaper, and because it has the words 'DON'T PANIC' in large, friendly letters on the cover."[4]

Arthur C. Clarke said Douglas Adams' use of "don't panic" was perhaps the best advice that could be given to humanity.[50]

Results in my class, D class.

Fastest time of the day was a first Gen MR2 cut up into a go kart - it did a 49.9. Here are all of the big dogs since people love to compare apples and oranges.

This was my quickest/smoothest run - but I just nicked a cone transitioning into the stop box. Driving this car is unlike anything I have ever experienced - so much weight over the front axle line - it would seemingly equate to driving a Porsche 911 in reverse as far as balance goes. I am currently running a 6 psi difference front to rear to compensate for the 60/40 weight distribution (36/30). I have been slowly lowering the pressure watching for roll over onto the shoulder... the rears are starting to come around - they are far from under inflated.

Another issue is predicting the car's tendancy to rotate and pivot. Unlike the Buick and Camaros I grew into over most of my "career" the additional 8+ inches of wheel base in this car is taking some getting used to - not to mention that those cars didn't have half the engine forward of the axle centre line.

Last point (excuse?) I will raise is finding a smooth way of applying the throttle. As I discovered earlier the various traction control settings remap the pedal to throttle body - where turning TC completely off creates a better relationship between my foot and the engine. More progressive application of power is ideal - I am happy inducing a controlled slide... and since I have yet to loop the car, I am nowhere near it's limit (grip) or mine (talent).

 

[Rockster]

Pretty impressive run. Smooth. And quick.

 

[motorheadmike]

I was listening to an interesting conversation yesterday about how competitive the club is between classes by comparison to some US clubs (I am sure someone somewhere is taking offense to that subjective observation. Look at how trashy the drivers are in the Optima Challenge). You can see here how the D Class drivers are close to the A Class cars - if I was racing in A Class I would have finished very close to a heavily modified RX7. It is all apples to oranges except where the drivers are concerned.

A Class

D Class

The car was run in Track Suspension and Track Steering with the TC turned OFF. I dropped the cold tire pressure to 32/27 F/R - and that stabilized closer to 34/28 once the car got warmed up. We essentially hot lap the cars by run groups - my first session was 4 runs in about 30 mins and second session would have been 3 runs in about 25 mins if not for an oil down. My quickest lap was after lunch - traditionally that has always been the case for me.

The club's photographer is very talented.

 

[FreddyG]

Nice run and Thanks for sharing the video's. I don't know who picked out your number but 747 was an appropriate number for your car (like the jet airplane).

Did you kill any cones?

 

[motorheadmike]

Nice run and Thanks for sharing the video's. I don't know who picked out your number but 747 was an appropriate number for your car (like the jet airplane).

Did you kill any cones?

No problem, happy to share. I have lots of recorded runs - it is syncing the data from HP Tuners that makes for a fun overlay; it is just a time consuming process. I chose 747 because I was trying to be ironic; I think it is working.

The funny thing is that I have only been averaging a single cone per event (3 events thus far this year) and that is historically low for me... and even stranger considering the size of this car compared to what I used to drive. As my confidence goes up I am sure I'll find myself taking more risks and penalties.

 

[FreddyG]

No problem, happy to share. I have lots of recorded runs - it is syncing the data from HP Tuners that makes for a fun overlay; it is just a time consuming process. I chose 747 because I was trying to be ironic; I think it is working.

The funny thing is that I have only been averaging a single cone per event (3 events thus far this year) and that is historically low for me... and even stranger considering the size of this car compared to what I used to drive. As my confidence goes up I am sure I'll find myself taking more risks and penalties.

The HP Tuners overlay is Cool! I think that you did a Great job driving and was just wondering because it's harder than it looks. One cone per event is Fantastic, so props to you for that especially like you said about the size of the car!

I remember when we bought our SRT and got to go to the SRT Driving Experience (Richard Petty one, not Bondurant) and tried a Jeep SRT on the slalom course. My picture was on the cone post office as a serial killer!

I killed more cones than an ice cream shop!

 

[motorheadmike]

Natasha and the girls stopped in briefly on the weekend to watch me risk their inheritance. Fortunately it was pretty uneventful. Regardless, you know you must be doing something right when fans show up to watch you race.

Their commentary is the best.

First run of the day:

Second run of the day:

 

[TrackDay]

How old is the girl who was doing the extra narration? She was pretty enthusiastic.
I'm curious. What tires are you using?

 

[motorheadmike]

How old is the girl who was doing the extra narration? She was pretty enthusiastic.
I'm curious. What tires are you using?

That's my oldest - she's 7; the inquisitive one is my youngest - she's 5. Our girls love cars.

The tires are the factory stock Summer P Zeros. I am shopping for some 200 UTQG 315/35R20s - that is the biggest/stickiest I can go without being reclassified. There is an advantage to staying as low as possible.

Bridgestone's S007A are the closest I have found to date.

I could also go down to a 19" tire/wheel combo so long as the OD of the tire isn't +/- 1" different from OEM diameter. But, still restricted to 200 tread wear, and I would have to find wheels.

 

[TrackDay]

Maybe a 305/30/19 Rival S or RE71R? Hmm, but those are more than 1in shorter than OE. That kinda screws ya.
Goodyear Supercar 3 tires in 305/35/20. I was impressed with them at Bondurant and they're pretty cheap. Also > 200 TW.

 

[motorheadmike]

Maybe a 305/30/19 Rival S or RE71R? Hmm, but those are more than 1in shorter than OE. That kinda screws ya.
Goodyear Supercar 3 tires in 305/35/20. I was impressed with them at Bondurant and they're pretty cheap. Also > 200 TW.

View attachment 559212

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll add it to the list of options. I am really hoping that someone steps up and makes the "spec" 200 treadwear autocross tires in the preferred sizes for these cars.

Just last year I would have be able to put 325s square on this thing without jumping up a class (which was originally part of the plan), but a new baseline changed that (it's like they knew I was coming). Darnit.

 

[TrackDay]

The largest I've seen is a 295/30/20 in a RE71R but the Supercar 3 gets a lot of rave reviews from Camaro owners. I will either run them next year or get a 315/30 Toyo RR.

 

[hklvette]

SC3 needs some heat to get working: supposedly they "turn on" around 140F, which works for track use or for back-to-back autocross runs.

 

[motorheadmike]

SC3 needs some heat to get working: supposedly they "turn on" around 140F, which works for track use or for back-to-back autocross runs.

Right, and for reasons like that most series dictate a real performance street tire, no allowance for slicks and none for a ringer. If I wasn't going to take "points" for tire compounds I would put some 335 A7s on all four corners and call it a day. But, unfortunately that isn't the reality of the situation... especially on a wet Fall day. It is all one big compromise.

 

[TrackDay]

SC3 needs some heat to get working: supposedly they "turn on" around 140F, which works for track use or for back-to-back autocross runs.

I think that depends on the car and tire size whether you can get to operating temp quickly. That's where our heavy cars excel.

 

[motorheadmike]

For this event I ran the car with full weight and some extra. That means I had all of the seats and interior in the car, a full tank of gas, and the kids steel framed car seats. This was to see what impact it had on the car (balance, acceleration, etc). I must say that augmenting the pedal paid dividends after a feeling out period in the morning session where I was retuning myself to the power delivery (ran the car with some traction control). In the afternoon I took off all the nannies and gave it the beans.

Here are the class results:

Best times are in yellow - and if not for that pesky cone I hit when I got out of shape a little I would have finished in the middle of the class (shoulda, coulda, woulda). There were a lot of surprised faces at how much the car improved (leaps and bounds to be honest) as the day went on. Shaving a full second off between run 5 and 6 is substantial. I am really starting to appreciate this car. On that 55.8 +1 run I was told that my rotors were glowing (in broad day light)... so I may have to lighten the car back up again. LOL.

This is that run:

And in case you were wondering what it says on the sign over the driver's door:

 

[TrackDay]

Such a variety of cars in your class. That seems very unusual. My point in saying that is if you were in a CAM class, or something similar, the cars with your general size and V8 engine RWD, etc. like Mustang and Camaro are right there with you. You shouldn't be in a class with a 350Z, Civic, Golf GTI and Subaru Impreza.

 

[motorheadmike]

Such a variety of cars in your class. That seems very unusual. My point in saying that is if you were in a CAM class, or something similar, the cars with your general size and V8 engine RWD, etc. like Mustang and Camaro are right there with you. You shouldn't be in a class with a 350Z, Civic, Golf GTI and Subaru Impreza.

We are a runwhatchbrung kind of club - with 1/10th the population in this country compared to you folks it is hard to find a strong contingent of racers that would be in like-vehicles to build spec classes around. That being said, the explanation of the club rules are here: Autocross Rules, Classing & Forms While I don't necessarily agree with them, I am not in a position where a title is within reach and it is worth raising a stink about. There are enough questionable mods that would have folks bumped up a class if it was worth whistle-blowing.

If I went with a set of super-wide and stickier meats, moving me up to the next class - I am sure there would be a lot of eyes opened. There is a lot of potential in this car. For now I am content learning on the stock tires and stepping up my game later on.

For now this is purely for fun and excitement.