by "t0ast" (t0ast217)
Published 09/25/2017 at 14:55
by "t0ast" (t0ast217)
Published 09/25/2017 at 14:55
No Tags
STARS: 3
Wrapped up my Autocross season with another 2 day event at Heartland Park Topeka. I had a shot at winning STR class for the year if I won both days, but given my record against the two quick M3 drivers in my class, it wasn’t going to be likely. Again, pardon the shoddy camera mount.
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3rd place STR (of 9) and 16th overall PAX (of 116). For the first time ever, my first run was my fastest. Everything just lined up well and I couldn’t find a good way to consistently push any faster without making a small mistake elsewhere that negated it. All of the other runs were just a few tenths or hundredths behind, including all of my additional fun runs after the event had concluded.
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Basically a repeat of Saturday, but better. 2nd place STR (of 9) and 12th overall PAX (of 111). I did get one much better run in at the end but spun my way through the finish and took out some cones afterwards (which still count). The time I got still wouldn’t have won me the class, but it would have at least bumped me up a few spots overall. Oh well. Video of that run below:
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There’s one more event in the region, but my upcoming trip to Japan unfortunately overlaps with it, making my end-of-year championship points settled for the most part. If the faster of the two M3 drivers shows up to that event, I’ll get pushed down to 2nd in STR, but thankfully nobody else can catch me at this point. Overall PAX will depend on how a few other drivers do at the last event, but my best guess at this point puts me around 7th. Not too bad for my second year of doing this.
The fiance with his D Street FR-S came away with yet another strong finish in Novice class (which runs purely off of PAX). He won it on Saturday and took 2nd on Saturday out of about 20 drivers. He has enough points to win Novice class for the year, but unfortunately not enough events to qualify for a trophy. He keeps making some decent fundamental improvements with each event but is still about 1-3 seconds behind the fastest regular drivers in DS, so next year for him should be a pretty good challenge.
As for my next year, the plan is to run the NC again since it’s been decently competitive. I’ll definitely hop in the Exocet for test/non-points events to feel it out (since rain ruined my only chance last month) and see about transitioning into it the year after.
Bonus “Holden SSV” for your time. Unfortunately it didn’t participate.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/25/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 1
Must be nice to have tires that heat up fast enough to get the fastest run first! Thats the downside to running 100TW slicks, it will always take 1/2 a run or more even on the hottest days before the tires are usable. No way could I try to earn my fastest run then unless I want to spin it lol.
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
09/25/2017 at 15:49, STARS: 2
I really struggle to put down power on cold tires. RE-71Rs heat up pretty quick, but I’ve pretty much accepted my first run is going to be a dorifto exhibition. And I had quite a drift yesterday...I need to upload that video.
"t0ast" (t0ast217)
09/25/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 0
Haha, if only. I think Saturday was mostly just a case of me not being able to keep it together for a full run once the tires were warm. I only managed to pull the same feat Sunday on account of getting a rerun on my first run due to timing issues. Going by my own video, the first attempt would have been about a full second slower if it had counted.
I know I have slicks in my longer-term future with the Exocet. I bet temperature management with that combo will be interesting to say the least.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/25/2017 at 16:17, STARS: 1
It depends on the temperature, length of course, pavement type, and the rubber compound. Some slicks are better created for Autocross, like the Hoosier A6/7. And if its hot out, then things are good anyways. But short courses on ~70 degree or less days with long times between runs, and then I will maybe get 2 runs with warm tires.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/25/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 0
I just hate how much understeer I get with cold tires. It makes me feel like my setup is wrong. But once they heat up it is just right on the edge of under/over steer.
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
09/25/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 1
Have you tried running lower pressure in the fronts until they warm up?
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
09/25/2017 at 16:47, STARS: 0
Hmm, good idea thats worth trying. I kind of just always consider my first run to be shit and then hope the tires just warm up eventually. But yeah on cooler days this would be useful to try as well. Too bad I probably wont get to autox the Miata again until the Spring but one can hope I get it back in time for the late season events.