Autocross today

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
06/15/2014 at 19:40 • Filed to: AUTOX

This camera angle was a bad idea. Oh well, next time I'll put it on the roof

I was really happy with my performance today. Middle of the pack as usual, but in the morning heat I came in 6th out of 15 or so with the PAX adjusted score. The Sonic just isn't fast enough to really vie for a lead overall, but I beat a few WRXs, BRZ, FR-S, and Miatas. I need a proper sports car. If you're curious, see the times !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Obviously I'm in the Sonic.

Run 1 was mediocre, but it's the first run. Out of the start I think I picked up some water and that made me get loose in the first slalom-like section. You can see the oppo where I nearly spun. The turnaround was a pond, I was very timid until the last run about hitting it with any measure of speed

Run 2 was alright. Hit a cone, went too hard into the turn before the crossover. That was my weakest area by far on every run. I got it right on the last run

Run 3 was actually really good. Couple mistakes though, again those two turns before the crossover I overcooked. I need a higher camera angle to make it more clear what was happening, but I was braking far too late and understeering past the apex

Run 4. A big positive I took away from today was consistency. I was constantly improving and staying around the same time, which is great. I can't help but think I'd be faster with a longer gear ratio. You can hear me bounce of the rev limiter a bunch, and the last slalom is in 3rd gear.

Best run was run 5. After running 61.5ish the last two runs, I was determined to get it down into the 60s. Considering the best times were around 55-56 seconds, 60 would have been something to be proud of in the Sonic. I did it, a perfect clean and smooth run at 60.875. Felt fucking awesome to make my target. Something I took away from this last run and today's course was a better understanding of steering response. My car has decent response, but when pushed to the limit it could be faster. On the last slalom if you watch my earlier runs you can see a bit of jerkiness because I would turn the wheel too late forcing me to correct. On this run I gave steering input earlier than I normally would which allowed me to take the slalom smoothly and quickly

My next autocross won't be until the end of July as I'm going to be out of town for the next one unfortunately. Looks like the stock wheels will be going back on :(

DISCUSSION (9)

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Jayhawk Jake
06/15/2014 at 19:44

Look below you.

desertdog5051 > Jayhawk Jake
06/15/2014 at 20:26

You were having way too much fun. Critique yourself all you want, it was much fun, wasn't it.

Jayhawk Jake > TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H!
06/15/2014 at 20:31

I see carpet. What am I looking for?

Jayhawk Jake > desertdog5051
06/15/2014 at 20:32

Oh fuck yes, autocross is the best

Brian Silvestro > Jayhawk Jake
06/15/2014 at 20:56

Damn that's a long course! Nice.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Jayhawk Jake
06/15/2014 at 21:10

The post below yours.

Philbert/Phartnagle > Jayhawk Jake
06/16/2014 at 04:24

Fun, You had it!

Jayhawk Jake > Philbert/Phartnagle
06/16/2014 at 08:41

Everyone should autocross. Unless you drive a truck or SUV you have no excuse not to. Someone ran a Mazda 3 yesterday. Not a speed 3, just a normal Mazda 3 sedan

sketchcat > Jayhawk Jake
06/18/2014 at 03:25

i ran my o5 mazda three a couple of times its first summer with me. normal sedan with a manual. not fast, but tons of fun.