going thru driving withdrawl
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Haul'n the Family
Joined: Dec 2001
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going thru driving withdrawl
I haven't been to an auto-x event in forever...maybe a year??
I recently attended a track day at Sebring, I was shooting a story for a TV show, and took the SVTF out for a few laps, that was super fun....but I haven't been autocrossing in sometime and it makes me sad.
My car seems to be handling crappy too. I guess the shocks and struts are going soft after 50K miles (lot's of autox action and spirited driving, could it wear 'em out early?)
Also, sick of wearing out street tires, I have extra wheels now, but have been too cheap and broke to buy race tires.
So anyway...I know I'm whining and complaining...I 'm just in the crapper about it.
I'm also sick of driving far to get to a fast venue (Z hills, G-ville).
I miss the fair grounds, it was pretty fun. *sigh*
Oh well....
I recently attended a track day at Sebring, I was shooting a story for a TV show, and took the SVTF out for a few laps, that was super fun....but I haven't been autocrossing in sometime and it makes me sad.
My car seems to be handling crappy too. I guess the shocks and struts are going soft after 50K miles (lot's of autox action and spirited driving, could it wear 'em out early?)
Also, sick of wearing out street tires, I have extra wheels now, but have been too cheap and broke to buy race tires.
So anyway...I know I'm whining and complaining...I 'm just in the crapper about it.
I'm also sick of driving far to get to a fast venue (Z hills, G-ville).
I miss the fair grounds, it was pretty fun. *sigh*
Oh well....
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cone junkie
Joined: Jul 2002
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I scoff at this "driving far" concept. 
It's 2 hours from Riverview to the Gainesville Track. That's an extra 2 hours earlier you have to wake up once a month. Terrible...
As far as wearing out street tires... one thing I've learned and learned well.
Cars can handle well on long lasting tires. However, in this relative sense, handling well, and having a LOT of grip do not go hand in hand. Get some really basic summer performance tires and they'll last you awhile. Especially in a spirited driving setting, the less grippy tire is safer since you'll have a bit less momentum.
Thumbs up for Kumho 711s, and the like. "Performance tires" that will last awhile.
It's 2 hours from Riverview to the Gainesville Track. That's an extra 2 hours earlier you have to wake up once a month. Terrible...As far as wearing out street tires... one thing I've learned and learned well.
Cars can handle well on long lasting tires. However, in this relative sense, handling well, and having a LOT of grip do not go hand in hand. Get some really basic summer performance tires and they'll last you awhile. Especially in a spirited driving setting, the less grippy tire is safer since you'll have a bit less momentum.
Thumbs up for Kumho 711s, and the like. "Performance tires" that will last awhile.
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-93 MR2, #129 ES
-93 MR2, #129 ES
The Fat Cobra
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Bah. Some of us have driven much further for an autox.
I'll put in a vote for the 711s, as well. One of these days, I might get tired of buying Falken Azenis twice a year and those would be my choice.
I'll put in a vote for the 711s, as well. One of these days, I might get tired of buying Falken Azenis twice a year and those would be my choice.
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Haul'n the Family
Joined: Dec 2001
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Never tried the 711's but I had the 712's...hated 'em. Terrible. I went back to the OEM equiped Contisports that came on my car, nice balance of street and performance, and at $115 each, the price was right. I've heard only good about the 711s though, maybe I should give Khumo another shot.
I've been auto-xing off and on for 9 years now. So, I'm not new to it. I believe I've developed well enough to consider upgrading tires. I think I'm ready for the better meats, and I really think a stickier compound is in order to progress as a driver.
Still searching and saving for now though.
I guess I was a bit spoiled by having the fairground venue close by me a while back, It was an easy and fun place to get my race fix, I could race and make it to work at night, all in one day. That was nice.
I realize I'm bitching....it just sucks that we can't find a place within' the immediate Bay area thats willing or able to be used for race venues.
I've been auto-xing off and on for 9 years now. So, I'm not new to it. I believe I've developed well enough to consider upgrading tires. I think I'm ready for the better meats, and I really think a stickier compound is in order to progress as a driver.
Still searching and saving for now though.
I guess I was a bit spoiled by having the fairground venue close by me a while back, It was an easy and fun place to get my race fix, I could race and make it to work at night, all in one day. That was nice.
I realize I'm bitching....it just sucks that we can't find a place within' the immediate Bay area thats willing or able to be used for race venues.
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Last edited by fastforward; Jul 12, 2005 at 09:34 PM.
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There are a few places in the Bay area, they're just smallish, insanely expensive or haven't been pursued yet.
SPC is cheap(ish), but small. I think the lot over at SPI airport is still available, but it's not any bigger and has poles in it (never been there, just what I've heard). Tropicana can be had... for a price. Tampa Bay Downs can be had for about $1500... almost doable for a BIG event until you look at the insurance... they require $5M of coverage, which would cost about $8k (at least through our insurer). One I haven't heard of anyone checking into yet is the dog track on Gandy. They've been running "driver improvement" courses there, so it's possible that they might be open to autocross use.
Where else... GM ran a driving event at some inactive shopping mall in Tampa. I think there's another inactive mall in SP somewhere. Those are possibilities if someone has the right connections.
One of the SunRiders is working on getting the Honeymoon Island parking lots. They seem open to it, especially if we can get them some good PR out of it. Very bureaucratic and slow process dealing with a public park, though. Would have to be after-hours, the park closes at sunset.
The sites are out there, we just need someone with the right connections, plenty of time and a golden tongue to acquire them for us. I'm not one of those people.
SPC is cheap(ish), but small. I think the lot over at SPI airport is still available, but it's not any bigger and has poles in it (never been there, just what I've heard). Tropicana can be had... for a price. Tampa Bay Downs can be had for about $1500... almost doable for a BIG event until you look at the insurance... they require $5M of coverage, which would cost about $8k (at least through our insurer). One I haven't heard of anyone checking into yet is the dog track on Gandy. They've been running "driver improvement" courses there, so it's possible that they might be open to autocross use.
Where else... GM ran a driving event at some inactive shopping mall in Tampa. I think there's another inactive mall in SP somewhere. Those are possibilities if someone has the right connections.
One of the SunRiders is working on getting the Honeymoon Island parking lots. They seem open to it, especially if we can get them some good PR out of it. Very bureaucratic and slow process dealing with a public park, though. Would have to be after-hours, the park closes at sunset.
The sites are out there, we just need someone with the right connections, plenty of time and a golden tongue to acquire them for us. I'm not one of those people.
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