What you are missing if you're not autocrossing!

[flohtingPoint]

7 years on the forum and I finally met my first NICO member in person this past weekend, and it was by total chance. The Capitol Driving Club (DC region autocross association) had an autocross this weekend and fellow member Krash just happened to be there with his S13 vert. I almost failed him at tech for a loose battery too =P Anyway he happened to be riding shotgun on the run featured in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtVlrh80MzU

[LEMHEAD16]

Funny stuff. "I'll take a dime bag of beard please"

Here's minehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laEsc3E8hAw

[skydragoness]

LOL! TMI!

The 'Rolla sounds good!

I met ONE NICO member at an autocross once (onizuka), actually I think I first met him at the first or second DG Trials drift event in Englishtown, NJ. That was yeaaaaaars ago.

Otherwise, I met a few NICO people at ViR and at Carlisle a few years ago. I plan to be at Carlisle this year. *

*I don't think I'm going to autocross though unless they sweep the lot .. it really chewed up my precious Advans last time I was there


Modified by skydragoness at 8:46 PM 3/29/2010

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I tell you what I didn't miss: 8 hours of standing around for 90 seconds of action...

If I wanted that kind of fun exchange rate, I'd pick up chicks at bars!

[krash]

That run was awesome man!!! Crazy race line at that second to last turn! It was awesome meeting you up there, that was some crazy coincidence haha

Autocrossing is so freakin awesome. You really don't know your car until you compete. My first run was 74, and my second was 63. I thought that was all the body roll I could handle, but I managed to leave with a 53 =D

[troskinatior]

That looks like fun.I can't wait until the summer. My dad clams his z31 can smoke my s13 and my brothers s13, even though my dads car is falling a part.

[flohtingPoint]

LOL! TMI!

The 'Rolla sounds good!

I met ONE NICO member at an autocross once (onizuka), actually I think I first met him at the first or second DG Trials drift event in Englishtown, NJ. That was yeaaaaaars ago.

Otherwise, I met a few NICO people at ViR and at Carlisle a few years ago. I plan to be at Carlisle this year. *

*I don't think I'm going to autocross though unless they sweep the lot .. it really chewed up my precious Advans last time I was there

Modified by skydragoness at 8:46 PM 3/29/2010

lol... The car sounds foolish in person. After a run, you almost expect a ton of clowns to come piling out of it and then spray each other with seltzer water.

Yea, I'll be there at the autocross at Carlisle. I have a set of RT615's that I have no qualms with destroying, so I'll be beating on them mercilessly. I was planning on bringing a set of used A6's or V710's to lay down a hot lap or two, but we'll see.

That run was awesome man!!! Crazy race line at that second to last turn! It was awesome meeting you up there, that was some crazy coincidence haha

Autocrossing is so freakin awesome. You really don't know your car until you compete. My first run was 74, and my second was 63. I thought that was all the body roll I could handle, but I managed to leave with a 53 =D

Yea, CDC autocrosses are always a blast. It's very low key and not something you have to take too seriously in terms of competition. A lot of times I go out there and experiment with different things (later braking, trailing, etc) because I dont have to worry about egos or anything there.

BTW, event this weekend in Bowie, MD. You can sign up on their site. I talked to the Chairman of CDC on the phone today (I rent garage space from him) and he said that the slots are filling up quick. Come on down with the S13 and we can work on getting your driving in shape.

[PEZi]

well while we're at it.... here's me from this past weekend



and the video of course

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNXehJcTs4w

[Mr1der]

I tell you what I didn't miss: 8 hours of standing around for 90 seconds of action...

If I wanted that kind of fun exchange rate, I'd pick up chicks at bars!

so true.

I'm not missing gates either!

[PEZi]

I tell you what I didn't miss: 8 hours of standing around for 90 seconds of action...

i really do hope you're exaggerating here.... we have a lot of fun at ours

when we're not driving... we're working on things and setting things up... some cars of course take more time than other to prep of course... overall... there is no 'standing around' for me at an event... and its not 8 hours either

[troskinatior]

Hey flohtingPoint, I've always wondered what kind of diff do you use? A 1.5?

well while we're at it.... here's me from this past weekend

and the video of course

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNXehJcTs4w

Can you say fender flairs.

[skydragoness]

lol... The car sounds foolish in person. After a run, you almost expect a ton of clowns to come piling out of it and then spray each other with seltzer water.

Quote »Yea, I'll be there at the autocross at Carlisle. I have a set of RT615's that I have no qualms with destroying, so I'll be beating on them mercilessly. I was planning on bringing a set of used A6's or V710's to lay down a hot lap or two, but we'll see. [/quote]Word. There will be bathrooms btw. I thought about getting the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec-something-something tires. I'm still not convinced on Dunlop's wet traction .. lack there-of.. I'm more of a Bridgestone fan. Either way, can't afford new tire ATM.

i really do hope you're exaggerating here.... we have a lot of fun at ours

when we're not driving... we're working on things and setting things up... some cars of course take more time than other to prep of course... overall... there is no 'standing around' for me at an event... and its not 8 hours either

Pff. It's Charlieo. What else does he do?

Also.. it's all in the shoes! Those damn Puma driftcat/variant shoes are AWFUL for standing...not that I own a pair...just the complaining I hear from those wearing them. I have Piloti's and those are no good either, even with gel insoles. So my Saucony's have been awesome for standing around in all day.

[PEZi]

Those damn Puma driftcat/variant shoes are AWFUL for standing...

that's what i have..... i bring a second pair of 'real' for the course setup and such... then use the driftcat's for driving

[skydragoness]

that's what i have..... i bring a second pair of 'real' for the course setup and such... then use the driftcat's for driving

HAHAHAHAH. I never think of this s***. I hate clutter in my car .. it's so cramped inside. An extra pair of shoes is suffocating..

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Pff. It's Charlieo. What else does he do?

Yeah, you're right. 90 seconds would be a new record.

Exaggeration or no, autox lacks the bang for buck of an HPDE or "track day." Granted, now that I don't have a car I'm willing to stuff into a wall so I haven't hit the track in nearly a year. It boils down to autox not being worth one of my valuable weekends.

[Mr1der]

I need to get another windshield and go back...I gotta stop driving like a tool and learn to flog my car proper again.

[Philipio]

I thought about getting the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec-something-something tires. I'm still not convinced on Dunlop's wet traction .. lack there-of.. I'm more of a Bridgestone fan. Either way, can't afford new tire ATM.

There's nothing wrong with them. I daily drive with a set of Z1s, rain and shine, and haven't had any issues, even when it was pouring down. They've also seen a fair amount of road course use.

[4WOFURY]

So I can join in...

Was a heck of a lot of fun.. Stock suspension other than some SFCs... freaking heads/cam throws me in SSM lol.

I beat a modified evo lol... I pick on the guy about how he got beat by a drag car.

I'd like to do some suspension mods and go more lol.
Modified by 4WOFURY at 10:15 PM 3/29/2010

[PEZi]

just figured i'd post this one up as well... this is one of the hopefuls for a national title win for 2010 in SM class

this is the fastest run of the day... as well as the the 1000 point winner

its an evo ix.... running 455awhp/463awtq... AST 5300's... and hoosier A6's 285 width

i'd die to have that much power and suspension work... my poor little truck makes about 1/5 of the power he does with truck suspension :|

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM6xs4Meh8Q

[Red coupe]

It boils down to autox not being worth one of my valuable weekends.

I never realized you were so important!

I think if you took it as corners per dollar autocross isn't too far off from a track day.

I drive a 240 with a stock engine. I have no interest in slowly accelerating to 110, straights would be just a boring reminder of how slow my car is... Last autocross I went to I got 16 runs for like $50-$60 Show me a track day where I can hit over 300 corners for $50 and we will talk.

Yea, CDC autocrosses are always a blast. It's very low key and not something you have to take too seriously in terms of competition. A lot of times I go out there and experiment with different things (later braking, trailing, etc) because I dont have to worry about egos or anything there

Yeah, random autocross groups like that seem to be more fun.The group I started with was the corvair club, even though there were only a few corvairs there. Tons of cool cars, from 911 to a manx buggy with a flat 6 to some guy in an F150 lighting. Always more entertaining when there are plenty of beaters.

The group I live near now is the SCCA, and its almost a turn off how serious they are. I like putting down fast times and seeing who I can beat too... but they are to the point where they complain about people coming to practice days because "They are taking a practice spot away from someone who is trying to win a championship". If I can only make the occasional event I want the one where I can get a ton of runs, not the one where I only get 4... If I am "taking your spot" you should have registered when it opened, instead of waiting a week.

Actually met a nico guy there too, though I haven't seen him on the forums in a long time... Brokeass240 aka QV aka "That pimp my ride guy" Real cool guy, and a damn good driver. Embarrassingly close to my time in a stock automatic late 90s sentra considering the difference in vehicles. Haven't gotten to go to one in a LONG time though... Cause I am a broke motherf***er.

It makes me sad, but also pushes me to fix the schools car so I can autocross on R compounds in our parking lot for free

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I never realized you were so important!

I think if you took it as corners per dollar autocross isn't too far off from a track day.

Not too important, just often busy. Well, often at work, anyway.

Not total corners per dollar. How can it, when last track day I did I nearly emptied the RX-7's full 16 gallon tank?

[PEZi]

Not total corners per dollar. How can it, when last track day I did I nearly emptied the RX-7's full 16 gallon tank?

that's kinda why i don't do actual track days though... there's a lot of extra money invloved from gas to things like brake pads made for the constant abuse from the track... tire wear etc

i'd rather push the hell out of my truck (past the limits most of the time) and not worry about crashing and spendin more money on parts and whatnot

[flohtingPoint]

well while we're at it.... here's me from this past weekend



and the video of course

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNXehJcTs4w

Looks like your vehicle pulls as hard in a straight line as mine does.

i really do hope you're exaggerating here.... we have a lot of fun at ours

when we're not driving... we're working on things and setting things up... some cars of course take more time than other to prep of course... overall... there is no 'standing around' for me at an event... and its not 8 hours either

Some of my days are 8hrs or so, but I dont mind. The autocrosses are spread across the whole beltway, so I usually have to wake up at 4:30 (if it's a group that I'm an organizer for and have to help run it) to 5:30 to get to the lot, prep, tech, etc.

You're dead on with the "there is no standing around". If I'm not prepping my car, I'm helping others, walking the course, watching other cars to see the optimal line, checking the avg time and figuring out my target time for the day, checking and re-checking my car to make sure everything is done, etc. There is rarely a minute where I'm just standing around doing nothing, and if there is, I'll use that time to sleep a little.

Word. There will be bathrooms btw.

Also.. it's all in the shoes! Those damn Puma driftcat/variant shoes are AWFUL for standing...not that I own a pair...just the complaining I hear from those wearing them. I have Piloti's and those are no good either, even with gel insoles. So my Saucony's have been awesome for standing around in all day.

LOL! We had bathrooms there, I was just busy most of the day running the start gate or driving =(

that's kinda why i don't do actual track days though... there's a lot of extra money invloved from gas to things like brake pads made for the constant abuse from the track... tire wear etc

i'd rather push the hell out of my truck (past the limits most of the time) and not worry about crashing and spendin more money on parts and whatnot

Very much so. You can see it when ever the TT or HPDE folks come to an autox, you can see where they're timid from holding 10-20% back on the track.

Hey flohtingPoint, I've always wondered what kind of diff do you use? A 1.5?

Tomei 2-way.

zerothread/107884

The above thread is a detailed past of my 86's, including the current one.

[krash]

You're dead on with the "there is no standing around". If I'm not prepping my car, I'm helping others, walking the course, watching other cars to see the optimal line, checking the avg time and figuring out my target time for the day, checking and re-checking my car to make sure everything is done, etc. There is rarely a minute where I'm just standing around doing nothing, and if there is, I'll use that time to sleep a little.

And helping noobs running 20 psi Yea man, I usually can't make it out on saturdays, which sucks because thats when most of the events are. But I found a few on your blog that I'm definitely going to come to. Its friggin addicting, and I've only done it once.

[krash]

freaking double posts......

[r34 gtr]

While watching your video, Winamp randomly selected "Flight Of The Toyota" by Machinae Supremacy for me to listen to. Thought I needed to share.

[LongBeachCoupe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PeQbmT2yUY

[93coupe]

I need to try my hand at one of these events, though I am pretty sure I wont remember which way to go and I will knock over the majority of cones.

[flohtingPoint]

And helping noobs running 20 psi Yea man, I usually can't make it out on saturdays, which sucks because thats when most of the events are. But I found a few on your blog that I'm definitely going to come to. Its friggin addicting, and I've only done it once.

Yea, it was your first autox. It's not the worst PSI I've seen run by new folk.

http://www.google.com/calendar..._York

Above is the full link to my calendar (subject to change though if a better event comes up or if I forgot to edit it =P ). Feel free to check it out and find me on the grid and I'll work with you to get your car and driving style up to par as long as I'm not working the event as an organizer (even if I am, I'll find some time to help you out).

While watching your video, Winamp randomly selected "Flight Of The Toyota" by Machinae Supremacy for me to listen to. Thought I needed to share.

Never heard of the song before, but you have a sharp Winamp!

I need to try my hand at one of these events, though I am pretty sure I wont remember which way to go and I will knock over the majority of cones.

Check out the link to my calendar above and see if you can make any of those events. I'm sure Krash can confirm that I dont bite and have no problems giving out advice and helping folk. You cant miss me on the grid either, I'll be the only 86 at most events. Come on up, say hi and if you want some help, feel free to ask and I'll find some time for you.

Also, if you're going to be at Carlisle, come on up and hang out for a bit. I plan on being at the autocross for quite some time and I'll be sure to have plenty of time to give you pointers or drive your car for you if you want so you can see what the cars capable time is and we can work on getting your car in that range.

[Bubba1]

that's kinda why i don't do actual track days though... there's a lot of extra money invloved from gas to things like brake pads made for the constant abuse from the track... tire wear etc

i'd rather push the hell out of my truck (past the limits most of the time) and not worry about crashing and spendin more money on parts and whatnot

Loved the videos guys, well done.

To me autocross and HPDE/track days are more like apples and oranges. Both are a sinfully fun, both get your adrenaline flowing. The huge difference with sanctioned autocrosses is they tend to limit the number of runs, and those runs are done in a minute or less. Compare that to multiple 30+ minute sessions at a track. yes, Autox is much cheaper and less harsh on the car, but remember you're driving less too.

The correct answer is do both...

I drive a 240 with a stock engine. I have no interest in slowly accelerating to 110, straights would be just a boring reminder of how slow my car is... Last autocross I went to I got 16 runs for like $50-$60

I used to run a bone stock 240sx (all season radials,baby) at many track events. I had a ball. My S13 was even labelled a "rolling chicane" at VIR by some instructor buddies. But low horsepower cars like 240sx can be far more entertaining on the track as you have to work more to coax speed out of them.