mrexotica
04-16-2008, 10:08 AM
5:30 am, the alarm went off.
The coffee was already going.
My clothes were laid out the night before.
I made lunch the night before, since there are no food vendors at our location.
My better half woke up about 6 to come & watch me drive.
It was still sleeting/snowing when we left about 6:30am.
We arrived at Rt66 about 7:30.
It was still damned cold & still sleeting.
I registered, got my car teched, & got my work assignment right away.
I wanted to chase cones, thinking I'd stay warm that way.
Cristy joined me for my first walk of the course. I pointed out everything I SHOULD do during my runs & all the lines I SHOULD take...)
(There is no practice at an autocross - it's all by memory)
I was driving in heats 2 & 4, so I volunteered to chase cones in heat one.
I figured I could also watch the cars run & figure the good lines.
I was so cold, my legs & fingers were stiff.
Cristy was smart & sat in the XA.
The course had dried over the course of heat one, so I was ready.
When it came time for my first run, Cristy headed out on course with my film camera (remember those?)
I hit the course & I was understeering all over the place.
I came back to my grid spot & checked my tire pressure. The fronts were only 35.
The Hankooks like to be at 40.
I aired them up & headed out for run #2.
Still sliding all over the place, but a bit less.
I've never OVERsteered so much in a FWD car!
I almost spun twice, but saved it twice by punching the gas.
after my 3rd run, the best i could do was around 59 seconds.
I checked the times in my class.
There were 16 drivers in STS on this frigid day.
First place had a 54
Second had a 57
Almost everybody else had 59s
I was 7th out of 16.
I was pleased.
Last October, I was off the back by about 5 seconds
after the break, I wanted to be sure to improve my time & possibly make it to 5th, the last trophy spot. At the very least, I wanted to keep 7th (And stay in front of an Eclipse Convert)
4th run, I had an experienced driver ride with me, which is common practice.
He gave me some tips, & I was going to do my best to use them.
5th run, one of my competitors asked to ride along. He was a nice guy & helped me with tips before, so I said OK.
He drove an auto civic & was a few spots in front of me.
I spun out at the end of the course. 67 seconds.
I had one more chance.
I slowed down to speed up. (seriously)
I pulled a 58.
Unfortunately, the rest of the field improved a bit more than me.
I ended up 14th of 16.
14th isn't great, but it's not last!
Can't wait for the next one on 11th May. It should be warm & my tires will be warm & sticky!
The coffee was already going.
My clothes were laid out the night before.
I made lunch the night before, since there are no food vendors at our location.
My better half woke up about 6 to come & watch me drive.
It was still sleeting/snowing when we left about 6:30am.
We arrived at Rt66 about 7:30.
It was still damned cold & still sleeting.
I registered, got my car teched, & got my work assignment right away.
I wanted to chase cones, thinking I'd stay warm that way.
Cristy joined me for my first walk of the course. I pointed out everything I SHOULD do during my runs & all the lines I SHOULD take...)
(There is no practice at an autocross - it's all by memory)
I was driving in heats 2 & 4, so I volunteered to chase cones in heat one.
I figured I could also watch the cars run & figure the good lines.
I was so cold, my legs & fingers were stiff.
Cristy was smart & sat in the XA.
The course had dried over the course of heat one, so I was ready.
When it came time for my first run, Cristy headed out on course with my film camera (remember those?)
I hit the course & I was understeering all over the place.
I came back to my grid spot & checked my tire pressure. The fronts were only 35.
The Hankooks like to be at 40.
I aired them up & headed out for run #2.
Still sliding all over the place, but a bit less.
I've never OVERsteered so much in a FWD car!
I almost spun twice, but saved it twice by punching the gas.
after my 3rd run, the best i could do was around 59 seconds.
I checked the times in my class.
There were 16 drivers in STS on this frigid day.
First place had a 54
Second had a 57
Almost everybody else had 59s
I was 7th out of 16.
I was pleased.
Last October, I was off the back by about 5 seconds
after the break, I wanted to be sure to improve my time & possibly make it to 5th, the last trophy spot. At the very least, I wanted to keep 7th (And stay in front of an Eclipse Convert)
4th run, I had an experienced driver ride with me, which is common practice.
He gave me some tips, & I was going to do my best to use them.
5th run, one of my competitors asked to ride along. He was a nice guy & helped me with tips before, so I said OK.
He drove an auto civic & was a few spots in front of me.
I spun out at the end of the course. 67 seconds.
I had one more chance.
I slowed down to speed up. (seriously)
I pulled a 58.
Unfortunately, the rest of the field improved a bit more than me.
I ended up 14th of 16.
14th isn't great, but it's not last!
Can't wait for the next one on 11th May. It should be warm & my tires will be warm & sticky!