FAST Novice School - March 11 - SPC

[Native]

FAST is holding a Novice Autocrosser's school on the driver training pad at the St Petersburg College Allstate Campus! The $60 entry fee includes the world-famous FAST Lunch and more than twice the seat time of a regular autocross!

To provide quality instruction, the class size is limited to 24 students, and preregistration and prepayment by 4 March is mandatory. The event will run from 7:30am - 5pm.

Please note that drivers under age 18 will require a parent or guardian to sign the insurance waiver allowing them to compete. For insurance purposes, everyone must sign the waiver.

To register go here: FAST Spring Novice School (http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=6704&psrnd=.05907285655843966195765061470780730517)

[robofunc]

Would someone who isn't a novice, but only autoxed maybe 10 times over the last 4 years and needs seat time be welcome? I did one of these forever ago and I remember it being very worthwhile.

[Native]

Heck yeah!

Anyone who wants some tips, pointers, refresher seat time, whatever, can sign up. Understand though, the instruction provided will be aimed at the true novice/noob/rookie/virgin.

[RoadRacer]

Where the heck is crazy eyes!

This is a great deal for anyone looking to get involved in Auto-x

[Native]

This is a great deal for anyone looking to get involved in Auto-xayup. Couldn't have said it better myself. I was a student at this school when they last did it 2 years ago. It was excellent, and since many of the same folks are involved, I fully suspect it will be excellent again. And fun, too. :D

so someone tell crazy eyes, and any other folks who have been talking about autocross but haven't tried yet...

[Crazy Eyez]

Im here,thanks for the info,im gonna try to make it.Well after I get my brakes fixed.

[Native]

Cool. We'd be glad to have ya.

[Jordan Y.]

Ok, I'd like to ask for some advice.

I'd really like to attend this school, but my car is still a few months away from being in shape for autocross. Tires nearly bald and brakes go away completely after one or two hard stops. So, would it benefit me to borrow a family car to attend the school (possibly even telling them what I intend to do with their vehicle :lol: )? Will I learn the basics I need to know to autocross a 300whp AWD turbo car in a 120whp automatic Honda Accord without putting too much wear and tear on said Honda Accord?

My only auto-x background is a day at a Mazda Rev-it-up event, a few hours spectating at the Fairgrounds back in the day, and a lot of reading into the basics on the internet. I'd like a bit more than that before I start going out to events if it's possible.

[AScoda]

Probably would be more beneficial to learn in a low power fwd honda because you will need to place the car properly and keep it on the right line in order to be quick. You can then apply those same basics to another car. Starting out with 300whp awd may cause you learn some bad habits that you won't realize because the car is still allowing you to be fast.

[Native]

Ascoda speaks the truth.

While different types of cars will have different handling traits, the basics of autocross will still be applicable regardless.

It isn't about power - FTD at our Jan. event was set in a '90 Miata with stock drivetrain! SO, sign up and bring the Honda - the auto tranny actually may help 'cause you'll be able to focus on positioning, line, smooth gas and brake, etc, instead of shifting...

oh, and there won't be any "wear and tear" - just wax the front bumper and rocker panels so any cone scuffs will come off easily :D

[budakinns]

do these classes happen often? i am really looking into getting some seat time after i rebuild my car

[pullg]

Irregularly, depending on who has the energy to set one up. While they're very valuable, though, school isn't a requirement to get onto an autocross course -- sign up for a regular event as soon as you're able. Most of the area clubs are happy to plug an instructor in with you during your runs, if you want to.

[Jordan Y.]

Oh, I know that power is of minimal importance at the lower and middle levels of autocross. I'm kinda stuck with that power because I've built this car for fun on the street and at the drag strip. I'm actually looking at picking up a 94-96 Miata in the next few months as a daily driver, which I would mostly leave alone except for better tires, shocks, brakes, and other maintenance/upgrades within stock class rules.

I talked to my folks and they're OK with the idea, surprisingly. I might try to get a few of my friends who are interested in Auto-x to sign up as well. What are the rules on car sharing? If two of us came out in one car, would that work or would it be like events where you get half the runs if you share a car (at least, that's how I understand it to work)?

[w0rd]

You get ALL of your runs if you share at an regular event. They call it "co-driving".

You will probably be driving the entire time at the Novice School, so sharing wouldn't work so well, unless you didn't mind forfeiting 50% of your seat time.

[Loren]

Yeah, car sharing will not work at the school event. Sorry.

(rent a car!)

[Jordan Y.]

Really, that's good to know. I've been trying to convince a few people I know to come out with me to try out an autocross event, even offering to share my car once I completed my maintenance. They objected, saying that if you shared a car you got half the runs. I couldn't find anything to disprove that in a quick search. Now I have a good argument to use to get people to come out with me to co-drive the car.

Oh, I actually looked into a rental, and if it weren't on Sunday and/or I wasn't under 25, I would do it in a heartbeat. Only 31.49 a day from Enterprise for a basic Chevy Aveo. However, the only location that's open on Sunday is TIA, and they're also the only location that would charge me a 20 dollar under-25 fee along with a 7 dollar "airport access" fee. It added up to 72.46 doing one day rental from them, and 72.50 doing 2 day rental from the other locations. :lol: I'm going to give my sister's Altima a quick once-over, see if it's up to snuff, then borrow it if it is. If not, y'know what, I'll buy some cheap Discount Auto pads to put up front just to hold my car over for the event. Won't fix the runout on the rotors or the problems with the rear calipers but it will make the car stop well enough for one school event... hopefully. And the tires do still have a good 1/16" of tread in some places.

:lol:

[treekiller]

The Spec-V will Be Availble for School Rental. As myself and loren are both instructors at this school, therefore will not be driving it untill the end of the day. rental includes Gas brakes tires etc. and anyone familiar with the car knows it's a "Wicked Pisser"

[Jordan Y.]

What is the helmet situation? I've got one friend as a "maybe" who already has a helmet and I can probably borrow another friend's helmet. The problem is my sister's boyfriend. He doesn't have a helmet and honestly, he's not a real "car guy", just a casual enthusiast, so I doubt he will buy one. Will there be loaners there?

[treekiller]

fast's insurance allows ANY DOT helmet this is diffrent but better then most

[Loren]

The club has loaners, but only about 8... not enough for all of the students. And it would be difficult to share helmets at this event.

[D-Roll]

Sounds like fun

[Muddy]

If I remember, I will bring an extra helmet. :D

[Bjptiburon]

Count me in what all do you need from me as far as info please P.M.

[pullg]

If I remember, I will bring an extra helmet. :D
I have an extra I can bring as well.

[Loren]

Count me in what all do you need from me as far as info please P.M.

You can register online, follow the link in the first post.

If you'd rather not do that... stay tuned, we're working on a flyer and mail-in registration form.

[pullg]

Mail-in? What is this...the 20th century...?

[Native]

Yeah, we might even have a few folks pay with ink-stained paper called "checks." You might remember...

[Loren]

I don't believe in such things, myself... but we have to make ourselves available to "those people".

Here:
http://wedrivefast.com/NoviceSchool.pdf

Print lots of them and give them to all of your friends!

[treekiller]

The mail in was my idea. as bad of an idea as it is... the people online allready know about fast. it's the non-online we need to find.

[budakinns]

well if i have cash left over at the end of this month and there are spots still open i will be there only problem i have is no helm but ill beat up jlude for his

[Native]

When I was a student at this same novice school two years or so ago, there was a helmet shortage. We just traded between runs - not so bad, unless you're squeemish about swapping hats...:roll:

[TheFLB]

I just signed up! This will be my first auto-X event ever. WOOT!! Hopefully some other newbs will sign up so I don't look quite as foolish out there.

[Native]

You will all look equally foolish, at first...;)

[Silvia]

I am definately signing up for this. I was going to go to an Auto-X event on March 3rd and just wing it, but a friend told me about this school and I am all in!

[Native]

That's great - we'll be glad to have you. You're gonna learn a lot, get a lot of seat time, meet some great people, and have a ton 'o fun!

[Driftz28]

I’m in! I just heard about the school and I know I need all the seat time I can get…. I love drifting and can’t get my brain to switch gears so to speak. It’s hard for me to press the gas GENTLY… I look forward to meeting all the other newb’s.

[Loren]

Driftz, you get around the course quite well in that car. Great car control. You might consider doing some setup changes that will allow you to autocross faster without changing your driving style as much.

I don't know what all you have done to the car, but there are things you can do to help it "anti-drift". Get it to want to hook up on corner exit instead of being eager to let go.

Sure, you need to be a little more gentle with the throttle inputs, but some of the "problem" might be the car in this case.

[Alizarin]

Driftz, you get around the course quite well in that car. Great car control. You might consider doing some setup changes that will allow you to autocross faster without changing your driving style as much.

I don't know what all you have done to the car, but there are things you can do to help it "anti-drift". Get it to want to hook up on corner exit instead of being eager to let go.

Sure, you need to be a little more gentle with the throttle inputs, but some of the "problem" might be the car in this case.
We should get that guy who drives the yellow GTO to give him a lesson on the beautiful application of mash-throttle oversteer. :D

[Native]

^^^^ +1 :lol:

Actually, that guy, Tom I think, has gotten a lot better about that tire-smoking oversteer. He's fun to watch!

[Muddy]

We should get that guy who drives the yellow GTO to give him a lesson on the beautiful application of mash-throttle oversteer. :D
I took a ride with him last month. He doesn't "mash" the throttle. He is much more precise than that. :cool: I think if he did "mash" the throttle in that car, he would just do donuts. :lol:

[treekiller]

Loren, As a fan of big hairy chested mens cars. I enjoyed instructing the "heavy metal" group very much driftZ has a ot of power. kinda power that breings a tear to this mans eye. I'll be the first to admit it's HARD to learn on a powerful car. but yes if he smoothes out he will be brutially fast.

[Alizarin]

I took a ride with him last month. He doesn't "mash" the throttle. He is much more precise than that. :cool: I think if he did "mash" the throttle in that car, he would just do donuts. :lol:
Well, I didn't mean it like that, but I think you got my point. I wanted to use different wording by I ham-fisted it. :lol:

[Jordan Y.]

I just signed up. There was an error when I submitted the paypal payment, though, and I didn't want to go back and click "pay" twice, so let me know if my payment didn't go through. Jordan Young is the name.

Since the discussion is on the topic of power, I have a question. By turning my boost up or down and by closing or opening my cutout, I can change the power of my car from around 200 whp to around 300 whp. Would it benefit me to run it at the lower power level?

[Shadytrixta1]

Man I am very interested in this class, Hopefully I can have one of my cars running by that time!

[Native]

Jordan, thanks for the heads up. We'll check. Most folks will tell you less power is gonna be easier to learn with - especially if your boost comes on suddenly. Another way to look at it, I suppose, is learn the car the way you will be autocrossing it...I'm sure others may offer advice.

trixta, and anyone else thinking about it, we're over half full and still two weeks to go. I wouldn't wait too much longer...

[treekiller]

Having adjustable power is amazing. I am a believer untill you can drive the car at 99% it does not need more power. but it does allow you to creap up on the cars potential. in a seriously underpowered car you have no choice but to drive a smooth line since if you get out of shape your run is toast. power can hide many sins. not so much in autocross because the straights are short but with the track time I have been getting this year I've noticed usually the drivers with the higher power machinery drive a horrid line since they "make it up" on the straights.

[Loren]

My first thought was: "Yeah, turn the boost down and concentrate on driving technique." But, if you're going to autocross a really powerful car, you're going to have to learn throttle modulation at some point.

I guess what's more important than the ultimate horsepower you're pushing is how it is delivered. You need to be able to modulate the power. If your 300 hp boost setting means the throttle behaves as an unforgiving on-off switch, then maybe a lower setting would be better. If, even at 300 hp, it is still well-behaved and controllable... might as well learn to drive with it.

[Jordan Y.]

It's a small turbo, so boost hits pretty hard, but at the same time it has part-throttle boost capability a big turbo doesn't have. It's not an on-off switch by any means- it's quite possible to modulate the throttle to have control and useful power. I would turn the boost up for future events, and the higher boost setting is what I drive with every day, so I guess I'll leave it there and take advantage of instruction in the car set up the way I'll be driving it. I'll just wait for the Miata to get my low-power drive time in. :)

[Silvia]

I am registered.. This is going to be fun :)

[treekiller]

only one spot left. hurry!

[Native]

Actually, due to popular demand and availability of instructors, we've increased the limit to 32. So, there's actually 9 more spots left...

And don't worry, with more instructors, the planned instruction and seat time with the extra class size will not change!

[Driftz28]

Thanks all for your input. I am going to try and not be a gas-stomping, tire-spinning, bad –line taking auto crosser. I just have a lot more experience drifting than auto-Xing. And your right the car isn’t set up the best for auto-Xing, it could really use some suspension adjustment.

On a different note I am a little concerned with the increase in the class size. I was mostly interested in the class because of it’s small size, i/e lots of time with instructors and lots of seat time, two things I desperately need. If my concerns are unjustified than just let me know.

Thanks
Jonathan

[Loren]

What we've done to add more students is create a fourth group (we had three) of 8 students. We'll be going through the same set of exercises with the same instructors with some added "classroom" time, and we've added an hour onto the day's schedule to ensure that everyone gets ample time.

Trust me, we had people completely worn out at our last school... you'll get plenty of seat time!

[Driftz28]

Thanks. that sounds great.

[Little Nicky]

If i would pay cash on the spot i would go.I never use my CC online.

[Loren]

If i would pay cash on the spot i would go.I never use my CC online.
I'd suggest you email the registrar, ask to be put on the list. He'll probably do it, but he's not going to hold that spot for longer than it takes for you to mail payment.

Then print this, fill it out and send it:
http://wedrivefast.com/NoviceSchool.pdf

[Silvia]

It would be nice to see you there Nicky :)

I am trying to get 2 of my girlfriends to sign up, but they are going to loose out because they are hesitating.

[Little Nicky]

It would be nice to see you there Nicky :)

I am trying to get 2 of my girlfriends to sign up, but they are going to loose out because they are hesitating.

Girls there,now i have to go lol,i may come to watch if i dont sign up.:lol:

[Silvia]

Tim isnt going to register unless there is a spot open tomorrow when he gets paid. I allready did mine just to be sure I got in there. If he dosnt get a spot he is still going to come with me :)

[Gus]

It would not take 1 of my cards either, the card I use every single day. I don't know if there's a problem with the system or not but there's definately not a problem with that card. I signed up with a different one a couple days ago anyways, so see you guys out there!

[Little Nicky]

Tim isnt going to register unless there is a spot open tomorrow when he gets paid. I allready did mine just to be sure I got in there. If he dosnt get a spot he is still going to come with me :)

good i'll have someone to talk to when i come to watch lol

[Vash350Z]

Is there still a spot? Ive been wanting to learn how to auto-x forever!

Also, is bringing a nearly 400whp car appropriate for a noob? Or should i bring something slower?

[treekiller]

Vash, Bring it, apparently we have quite a bit of 300 and 400 hp machinery coming out.

[Hondaman7000]

ya so i live in st.pete can i go register at the school or can somebody tell me who to talk to

[Silvia]

If my husband gets a spot he will be in a 550hp car

[Hondaman7000]

um ya so I WANT A SPOT RRRRRRRRR ha ha ha ha ha please someone tell me where to go who to talk to I deal only in cash or id use other methods and everybody reading this that might know where I live its not a good idea but then again you prob already know like lil wayne said I GOT ARMY GUNS info please

[Alizarin]

Shoot an email to wedrivefaster@yahoo.com or you could probably send a PM to Native.

[Loren]

Dude, you don't own a checkbook? You can't write a check and send it in with an entry form?

[Muddy]

They have free money orders at Amscot! :lol:

[Little Nicky]

I'm to cheap for a free money order.

[DareDevil]

I'm to cheap for a free money order.

:lol: Daaaammmnnnn!

[DSM Powered]

i've really been wanting to get into autocross, i am really going to try and make it to this event, but if i dont make it to this one, will theyre b anymore later on?

[pullg]

While school's a great way to improve your performance, it's not a prerequesite to drive in an autocross -- feel free to come on out to one of our regular events (see FAST - Autocross (http://wedrivefast.com/)).

[Native]

^^^^ +1

There's plenty of folks willing to help out a novice at a regular event - all you have to do is identify yourself as someone who wants help.

The school is not a regular thing, at least lately...so if you think you can go, there's still 6 spots available.

[treekiller]

only 2 spots left!!!

[pullg]

Not anymore...it's full.

[Jordan Y.]

I'm getting psyched. I just need to solidly mount my battery, replace my front brakes, and get a helmet and I think I'm ready for the event.

Does anybody have any recommendations on where to buy a cheap helmet? I've heard of people getting DOT helmets for 60 bucks and I'd go that route except that I really want Snell certification for the race organizations that require it.

[Shadytrixta1]

^Walmart? think thats where my friend got his for Bradenton.

[w0rd]

Automotive Engineering. Get at least a Snell m2005.

[treekiller]

look online I made the mistake of buying a motorcycle helmet once and had to re-purchase to attend some track events. G-force makes a decent cheap helmet Sa2005 it's an investment somthing you'll own for > 5 years if you buy a DOT you will not be able to use it with SCCA. and like I said if you ever have aspirations of racing a SA is required. I'm an open face type of guy. plus I have an airbag. open face is easier to comunicate and cheaper but useless if you ever are going to drive a formula car or cart.

YMMV

[Silvia]

What exactly are the helmet requirements? I was told that it only has to be 2000 and newer :dunno:

[Alizarin]

IIRC, and correct me if I'm wrong, but for FAST its just DOT approved. If you're going to be participating more in auto-x and other events, just lay down the money for a good helmet. I auto-x once a month and having a quality helmet is worth everything I paid for it.

[Native]

FAST requirement is DOT. We do recommend the helmet also be Snell-approved.

It's my understanding that other organizations will require Snell approval, and not more than 2 generations old - so Snell '95 is out - either Snell '00 or '05. Some are even stricter, requiring an SA rating - for an automobile, as opposed to M, for a motorcycle. Those with more knowledge can confirm or correct me...:D

[w0rd]

snell m95 or better for SCCA events.
snell m2000 or better for PCA/BMWCCA events.
dot or better for FAST.
snell m2000 or better for Chin Motorsports.
snell sa95 or better for SAFE motorsports.
snell m95 or better for NASA HPDE.

:)

[Jordan Y.]

So I should be good with an M2005 since my eventual goal is NASA HPDE 3. I think I'll get an open-faced helmet- I've borrowed closed-face helmets for the drag strip and I can't imagine wearing one for more than 12 seconds at a time.

[Silvia]

Is it ok if my husband comes along if he is just going to watch? and... I have a crack in my windshield on the bottom of the passengers side....is that ok? I will post a pic of it tomorrow.

[treekiller]

The crack should be fine. It's not going to cause any problems.

Jordan, the major Diffrence between SA and M is

1: flame retardancy, motorcycle helmets are not flame retardant, from the linings to the paint they are diffrent.

2: construction. Motorcycle helmets are designed for a single forceful impact and are designed to fail while asorbing the impact. where a SA or auto racing helmet can withstand multiple smaller impacts like are found in a rolling car.

[Silvia]

Cool.

Is it ok if my husband comes with me?

[Loren]

As long as he stays out of the way. It's really not a spectator event. (autocrosses usually aren't) We're going to be very busy that day!

[Silvia]

eeeh..he decided not to come

[Driftz28]

FAST is holding a Novice Autocrosser's school on the driver training pad at the St Petersburg College Allstate Campus! The $60 entry fee includes the world-famous FAST Lunch and more than twice the seat time of a regular autocross!

To provide quality instruction, the class size is limited to 24 students, and preregistration and prepayment by 4 March is mandatory. The event will run from 7:30am - 5pm.

Please note that drivers under age 18 will require a parent or guardian to sign the insurance waiver allowing them to compete. For insurance purposes, everyone must sign the waiver.

To register go here: FAST Spring Novice School (http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=6704&psrnd=.05907285655843966195765061470780730517)

I just want to get this right... We need to be there ready to run at 7:30am and be able to stay till 5pm... Is this still the plan???? I know we do lunch there but what about dinner;)

Thanks
Jonathan

[Driftz28]

O and do we need numbers???

[Loren]

Plan on being there until 6pm. We expanded the schedule when we added more students.

You don't need numbers.

Dinner? Sure, you can buy me dinner.

[Driftz28]

OK... 7:30am it is...

[richsrq]

I had a great time out there with you guys. I look forward to upcoming events. I had to leave early because of alot of cords showing on the inside my rear tire. It would not have been safe to carry on. I will have new tires for next month though. For those I acctually met today it was my pleasure and those I did not I hope we will in the future. Rich Van Dillen

[Silvia]

I suck, I couldnt go :cry: My stupid car :rant:

[Gus]

Nice meeting you today Rich, sucks about your tires but. We all killed some rubber today. BIG thanks to all the volunteers who ran around the track all day picking up the cones, sorry about all of those in the slalom ;)

-Chad

[Jordan Y.]

That was simply awesome. I'll go into more details on how it was awesome tomorrow after sleep. I was running on about 1:45 of sleep all day and it's caught up with me. Sorry to any of those subjected to the random rambling tangents I tend to go off on when tired.

[Driftz28]

Nice meeting you today Rich, sucks about your tires but. We all killed some rubber today. BIG thanks to all the volunteers who ran around the track all day picking up the cones, sorry about all of those in the slalom ;)

-Chad

^^^^^^ +1

I can't say thanks enough for all the help from volunteers today... both corner workers and instructors. I got a lot of seat time and had lot's of fun!

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[Driftz28]

Richsrg, glad to meet you today, it was fun riding along. It's refreshing to see top end cars scrubbing cones with the rest of us... I meant to get a picture of your car but when you left early I missed out. Can you send me one?

Thanks
Jonathan
DriftZ28@Yahoo.com

[richsrq]

Richsrg, glad to meet you today, it was fun riding along. It's refreshing to see top end cars scrubbing cones with the rest of us... I meant to get a picture of your car but when you left early I missed out. Can you send me one?

Thanks
Jonathan
DriftZ28@Yahoo.com

Likewise Jonathan. I had a great time riding along throwing your rear end out getting around that track. It was a little scary being in the passengers seat today. I am just used to me being the one driving. I can't wait for the next event. When I have tires that is.

[D-Roll]

I suck, I couldnt go :cry: My stupid car :rant:

Oh no...What happened?

[ImportLuv]

Fu*k i missed it again...grrr.
When is the next event at SPC again?

[pullg]

When is the next event at SPC again?
14 April. Registration's open on Automotive Events - Competition and Racing Calendar with Online Registration (http://www.myautoevents.com) -- don't wait too long, because SPC events are limited to 60 drivers.

[TheFLB]

Results are in !! Go check it out the times at The Results Page (http://wedrivefast.com/srfiles/11Mar07_School_Results.pdf) (.PDF file)

[Rosko]

Looks like a good event. Sorry I missed all that seat time.

One of the students pretty much kept up with the masters, hey? Mark Jones. Hmm. I don't recognize that name.

And Jeff nipped Loren. Hahaha. Sweet! :)

[Alizarin]

I was running on about 1:45 of sleep all day and it's caught up with me. Sorry to any of those subjected to the random rambling tangents I tend to go off on when tired.
Don't feel bad, Jordan... I think I was the same way. I'd had about 15 hours of sleep over the past 4 days. We probably were rambling together. :lol:

I also would like to say thanks to the cone shaggers (heh) who worked the slalom. You were definately busy, and I thank you very much for your efforts and patience.

[Jordan Y.]

Yeah, thanks a million to the guys on the slalom. I knocked over the fourth cone in that slalom probably 5 runs in a row during practice :lol:. Thanks in general to everybody who volunteered to help put the school on. It was a great introduction to autocross and the massive amount of seat time and personal instruction was invaluable.

My rundown on the day (ADD warning)-
The reason I got less than 2 hours sleep was that I was replacing broken wheel studs and welding up a battery bracket so I could actually pass tech until about 4:00 AM. I got there about 30 minutes late after driving 25 minutes on some horrible 35 mph road parallel to the interstate. It turns out there's a 22nd North and a 22nd South and I got off at the North exit.

I somehow managed to miss my first run of the course while in the restroom, teaching me the first lesson of the day- avoid the super-size gas station coffee no matter how tired you are. My other pre-runs were really sloppy and didn't feel great, but I stayed on course which was good enough for me as I had trouble visualizing the course layout just from a walk through.

After the first runs we broke up into run groups and started doing practice exercises with instructors at each of the elements of the course. There were groups at the slalom, the figure 8 skidpad, and a braking exercise accelerating hard toward the offset start, braking for the 45 and then taking the two 90's to the first straight. I did pretty well in the figure 8 and the car was surprisingly neutral at the limit. I was pretty bad at the slalom to start with but after practicing it over and over again I got the hang of it and the slalom is where I pushed hard enough to get that first two-feet-in experience under my belt :). I think that's where I improved most of all. I was really bad in the sharp 90's at the offset start but I finally got a decent line through there. The value of breaking up the course into single elements and being able to run each element 10 or even 15 times in a row with instructor guidance cannot be underestimated.

About the time I was starting to figure out the offset start my car broke. I'd had some fuel starvation on the skidpad earlier that was simply poor gas tank design needing more than 1/2 tank of gas to keep the pump submerged. Easily fixed by a quick trip to the gas station. This second problem was not so easily fixed. After running to 8500 rpm and braking for the offset, when I got on the gas in the offset the car cut out and sputtered. I tried it again, it did it again. The 4G63 can take 8500 no sweat, and I found no signs of valvetrain or bottom end damage, so I then theorized that it was loading up on fuel or something when I hit the rev limiter entering the braking zone so I made a normal run shifting to second instead of running first out. It still cut out in the offset. I pulled over and let the car cool down because everything in the engine bay was red hot from repeated runs and no wind speed to cool it down. Still didn't fix it. I eventually figured out that it was a broken wire to my mass air flow meter that was giving a sporadic connection and losing connection completely when I went around turns, especially tight first gear turns. I'd had this problem previously a few months ago and I'd just fiddled with it until it made a connection and left it at that. Street driving, that was fine, hard 90 at speed, not fine :lol: .

Even with this problem I was not going to give up. If I part throttled it the car would sputter but not die completely, so for my final runs of the day I just had to drive around the problem. On my final runs I came out of the starting gate, went into the hard 90s, sputtered my way around taking the outside on the first and cutting to the inside on the second to set up for the turn on the straight, came out onto the long straightaway and sputtered through first at part throttle. Second was better than first as the g-force was less sharp and I could get to about 75 percent throttle, then it was braking into the slalom. I didn't push it as hard as I had in the exercises because I was focused on making good clean runs without hitting that daggone fourth cone. Then it was into the short straight struggling to accelerate, then braking for the figure eight. The car didn't struggle as much here because it was all part-throttle anyway. Finally I exited the figure eight and had a short burst of speed to the finish, in which the car would actually accelerate full throttle as it was in a straight line.

The last runs of the day felt great despite the car problems. It was a huge improvement from the beginning of the day, so much smoother and faster that I was amazed at the difference. I definitely got my 60 dollars worth of quality instruction and seat time. I hope these events can become a semi-regular happening, as I think it would be of great benefit even to a more experienced autocrosser.

Overall I had a blast driving my car to the limit, everybody out there was friendly and very helpful, and I'm going to start coming out to least one event a month. Hopefully the first one will be the April 14 event at SPC, which I'm now looking forward to with great enthusiasm.

[Loren]

I did the 22nd St. North exit thing at least once. :)

Good write-up, Jordan. Glad you had such a great day!