Vert as an autox car... :P

[onosqv]

Although I've already posted about this stuff in the past, I finally took some in-car video & there's a nice pic of my car, so thought I'd share, haha.

"Myths":1) You need a manual, auto sucks2) If you have low hp, there's no need for wider tires3) Convertibles are not competitive

The reason why myths is in quotes, is that these are partially true: after a certain point, you'd want a manual, the lightest car, the least unsprung weight per unit of grip, etc, etc... however, until the driver catches up, it's not needed. I believe that's the part most beginners miss, the driver is the weakest link in the car for a LONG time. I've been doing autocross (and more recently visited Horse Thief Mile (hpde) where I got destroyed by a lot of the guys there) for just over the past 2 years as often as I can & there is still so much I'm learning every time I get out there.

That being said, found a picture someone took of me on autoblog from GReddy Performance Festival this past weekend (and most of you vert guys don't visit the local forum, so weee):Autoblog link & the rest of the pics

Basically stock drivetrain (w/ hi-flow cat & rs-r exhaust), full suspension, & 265/35R18's all around, hee hee - Federal 595RS in front, Hankook RS-2's in back on a staggered setup (yea, don't worry about it, haha). And yes, I'm competing on 18" rims, .

Got my *** handed to me by the SCCA regulars who attended the event (including the 2 girls who've been racing the past year or two), but beat nearly all the "noobs" - in all their manual/350z/s2000 glory. -> goes to show that these drivers were the weakest links in their cars.

And here's an in-car vid:GReddy Performance Festival Autocross run in S13 vert

Car's still being worked on, it's getting there. Driver's slowly improving, too. I'm positive my car could have gone faster w/ a better driver. So off to more events I go!

*As a side note, 265/35R18's fit in the front of the s13... with some work. Took me a good week of massaging and fine tuning, and it's still rubbing at a couple points, o well.

[slip69]

awesome video dude!!! nice to see some verts representing out there!!!

[onosqv]

awesome video dude!!! nice to see some verts representing out there!!!

Only @ events like this I'm representing, haha.

When I go out to play with the "big boys", they make me look like I got lost and just came by to cruise through the country side.

Now that I finally figured out my "system" for doing videos, expect more vids in the future & from multiple cars .

[slip69]

yeah dude keep them coming!! that way i can get motivated to get going on my car!!! then i'll just need the cash!!! sucks being poor

[Hijacker]

When I first started auto-crossing, I consistently placed near the end of my class (Street Modified). In my region, SM is a tough class to compete in as it includes modified SVT cobras, miatas, etc. We even have an awesomely set up Corvaire in the class. By the end of the first season, I had moved up to top 5 contention. My last outing was in a CA powered coupe, which I took 4th in class (out of 11). The top spot was given to the corvaire driver, but he was using a car that was competing in a higher class (unfair IMO, but whatevs). The other two ahead of me were my co-drivers.

I've been out of the game for a year or so now. Primarily between fixing issues such as my braking system and being dirt a$$ broke. I plan on being back out in my region and competitive now that the motor is sorted, I have a good set of khumo race tires, and my braking issue is solved. I think the biggest problem that the verts has as far as stock setup goes is an ill equipped rear sway bar. We got the smallest bar available, and it really shows in the way the car can plow under braking (at least mine always did)

On a side note, is that the rollbar that FRSport offers for the verts? I'm really digging seeing it in that pic. I may have to consider it before the summer season heats up.

[onosqv]

Yes it is. It's the prototype roll bar that FRSport sells. The one you'll be getting is even better (TIG welded, laser cut base plates, etc). The roll bar definitely tightens up that rear half of the car.

I'm still in the lower section of my class (California Street Modified - local class that is in between Street Mod & Prepared). As long as I'm still improving, I'm okay with it... for now.

Funny, we have a top place SM Corvair guy in our region too.

[DeXteR]

Awesome. You should do a write up after each event to let us know how you're doing.

I really want to get into Solo events - I always have. Most events in my region are on Sundays though and being the consistent church-goer I am, i cant' make it to many events, if at all. I wanted to auto-x my Prizm SO badly last season, but things were just too crazy with the vert project and buying a house...

This year there's a lot more events on Saturdays and I've got my NA 4g63 DSM I'd like to run at a few events. Eventually, I'd like to run a boosted AWD DSM after I get around to building one. My region is EXTREMELY competitive. One of the friendly rival car clubs here is very much into the Solo events. Jarrod Hoops is the man to beat in our region. He's been to nationals the last few years and done very well. He's piloting an Evo with dealership sponsorship!

Anyways... Keep us updated and good luck to you, sir.

[onosqv]

Awesome. You should do a write up after each event to let us know how you're doing.

I really want to get into Solo events - I always have. Most events in my region are on Sundays though and being the consistent church-goer I am, i cant' make it to many events, if at all. I wanted to auto-x my Prizm SO badly last season, but things were just too crazy with the vert project and buying a house...

This year there's a lot more events on Saturdays and I've got my NA 4g63 DSM I'd like to run at a few events. Eventually, I'd like to run a boosted AWD DSM after I get around to building one. My region is EXTREMELY competitive. One of the friendly rival car clubs here is very much into the Solo events. Jarrod Hoops is the man to beat in our region. He's been to nationals the last few years and done very well. He's piloting an Evo with dealership sponsorship!

Anyways... Keep us updated and good luck to you, sir.

- Actually, for the most part, I have - in the autocross/motorsports section.

Next month is an informal autocross school & then my first Pro Solo, so there will definitely be some writing on that.

[Hijacker]

Yes it is. It's the prototype roll bar that FRSport sells. The one you'll be getting is even better (TIG welded, laser cut base plates, etc). The roll bar definitely tightens up that rear half of the car.

Nice. I'll probably add it to my list for after paint and body but before fuel management for turbo upgrade.

One of my friends has designed SCCA legal roll bars and cages in the past, and we have been planning on doing up one for our verts, but we've never moved forward on the idea. I'm kind of sick of the project going no where, and so long as the FRSport bar will retain the interior, I'm all for it.

[onosqv]

Sounds good - you may want to get it all welded in just before paint, then you can have the roll bar painted as well.

As a note, interior panels are retained (and if you really want the bottom cushion of the rear seat), but the upper portion obviously can't unless you mod your upper rear seat rest - the roll bar has to go through something to get mounted .

[DeXteR]

- Actually, for the most part, I have - in the autocross/motorsports section.

Next month is an informal autocross school & then my first Pro Solo, so there will definitely be some writing on that.

Can we get some linkage here?! You know the vert people don't venture out of here much...

PS. More pics of your bitchin' helmet please.

[onosqv]

Can we get some linkage here?! You know the vert people don't venture out of here much...

PS. More pics of your bitchin' helmet please.

HAHA, of course - I'm updating events now on my site (http://www.bewbews.com/), copied a few from forum -> my zoints. I didn't do writing on the last 3-4 events since I didn't have any pics or anything, but I'll start doing them again.

AutoXing No Matter What (took the Civic out, but it was fun)Autoxing Feb 2007 event w/ vertFirst time w/ vert back in 2006

here's a couple from prev events:

my lil bro wearing my helmet:

And I just love this pic, borrowed little sister's sentra for the weekend, haha:

[slip69]

dude all this sounds hell of fun. how does one get started on these circuits? and can one join with a semi modded track car?? you may be to blame for me picking up another hobby!!!!....oh my wife will not be happy with you

[onosqv]

dude all this sounds hell of fun. how does one get started on these circuits? and can one join with a semi modded track car?? you may be to blame for me picking up another hobby!!!!....oh my wife will not be happy with you

Just don't expect to win your first year (or in my case, much longer). Autocross is a very friendly sport. Even competitors will help you (up to a certain point of course) get faster times.

For you, since you seem to be in Nor Cal area, check out:http://www.sfrscca.org

And for classing your car, either ask the guys on there, check out scca.com & look @ the solo section rule book.

You can use this unofficial one to get a general idea of where your car falls:http://www.sff.net/people/dburkhead/prepcompare.htm

One guy on Zilvia made a Solo Classification under the Motorsports section directly tailored to the 240sx if you want to check there.

[slip69]

thanks dude i appreciate that

[onosqv]

Found some videos so you can see other cars (some autox, some drift, car show):

http://www.speedandmotion.com/pages/vid ... ent08.html

[1SickSilvia]

nice !! dude, it look like fun, but whats with the tigger ears helmet yo??????????????????????????????

[DeXteR]

Thanks for the pictures! Your helmet must be pretty popular with the kiddies and the ladies.

If you're thinking about getting into auto-x, here's my suggested path:

1.) Use a bone stock car (if possible) 2.) Enter a few local events3.) Decide if you like it. If yes, proceed to #5; if no, proceed to #44.) Quit (go watch nascar...)5.) Join the SCCA - this will make participating in future events cheaper as there's usually a premium to participate in SCCA santioned events for non SCCA members.6.) Get out and race as much as possible as often as possible. 7.) Climb the leader board8.) Move into a different class9.) Repeat #5 - #8 until you're the national champion10.) Participate in a rally-cross occasionally if you have a vehicle capable of slinging some dirt/mud/gravel

That's how I'd do it.

[onosqv]

Who the hell's crazy enough to rally-x a 240



I concur w/ your outline above, I advocate running what you brung in almost all my autox related posts (bone stock or not) - possibly just getting at least decent tires so your experience is a little more fun.

Cept,

1) Use a bone stock car (or whatever you have - doesn't matter in the beginning)2) Enter your first event3) You'll realize you love it, proceed to #5

[DeXteR]

Who the hell's crazy enough to rally-x a 240

AWESOME!

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