Autocross Chat 2009

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

Oh, and if you really want to be humbled, go down and run with SF region some weekend. They kick our ass big time.

Or better yet, go to a Nat'l Tour event. I went to one at Atwater in 2004. I was Reno's reigning STX champ at the time, and was getting schooled by 4 seconds per lap.

"Humbling" is an understatement. Reno's region is not all that competitive on a national scale... which is why a lot of the Sacramento folks place well up here, and why all the constant arguing over street tires, high altitude, and PAX are so ridiculous. Anyone that wants to win in Reno just needs a fairly well prepped car for their class and the driving chops to use it. In general I'd say Reno cars and drivers are like 6/10 of where they need to be to compete nationally. We've only got a few drivers that are really good at the sport.

...'course that's based on my experience from '03 to '06... I haven't been autocrossing much since then. Maybe ya'll have gotten better than you used to be.

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by 20psiMR

I just looked at the Hawthorne times last year, and generally Rasmus is 1 to 2seconds faster then the top SM guys. I dunno if the SM guys in vegas are just not that fast, but the competition out here is way over my head haha!

Rasmus is definately one of the better drivers I've seen. He usually ends up near the top of the hawthorne results every year.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by 20psiMR

Man you guys are all FAST!!!

Chris, the group in SM is so much fun, the more the merrier...It will be interesting to see where you end up on the 710's, we haven't had a race tire car in SM in ages. I'm really impressed with the speed from top to bottom in SM, everyone's getting good!

[20psiMR]

Too late Dean, I already changed my membership over to Reno Region since I had to renew two weeks ago hehe. Ya the v710's are in and look awesome, Im looking forward to bolting those on. I still think I was killing a bunch of time in that off camber 90* corner. The slalom I felt was WAY fast, the new suspension feels awesome I just need to get more seat time with it. Im used to alot more body roll with just aftermarket springs hehe. Car feels very flat, if anything just a touch of understeer. That was really only in that one corner though, so I think I was just coming in too hot and dont need to worry too much about changing anything except my corner entry =P

[k-dogg39]

Originally Posted by 20psiMR

I still think I was killing a bunch of time in that off camber 90* corner.

That corner was tough on Sat. I was definitely coming in way to hot and screwed it up every time.

[A1337STI]

That was a sick corner I kept getting my car way to loose on exit and instead of modulating the throttle to tuck it back in, i just rode it out until it was time to shift probably lost a lot of time in doing so. but it was a lot of fun Vick out drove me both days, but still we don't have a Subaru on top of AS. we need to step it up a bit!

[20psiMR]

I kept plowing that one too. The car is set up pretty neutral, which I like. Evos can be very tail happy, and for that corner it would have worked out better but being neutral I can slalom faster. Its all give and take I guess. Just need to train my brain to go into that stuff slower, but it already felt like I was crawling through it as is!

[sperry]

Originally Posted by 20psiMR

I kept plowing that one too. The car is set up pretty neutral, which I like. Evos can be very tail happy, and for that corner it would have worked out better but being neutral I can slalom faster. Its all give and take I guess. Just need to train my brain to go into that stuff slower, but it already felt like I was crawling through it as is!

As Dean always like to point out... the slow parts of the course offer you no real lap time gains, but *tons* of opportunities to ruin your lap.

So just go slow in the slow parts and concentrate on going faster in the fast parts. Even if you can go faster in the slow parts, it doesn't help your lap time much, and going fast in the slow parts tends to result in cones or big, time eating, mistakes.

[k-dogg39]

Who else is going to the North/South challenge in Hawthorne? Just wanted to remind people you have to register by tomorrow or the price goes up...

[cody]

Meeeeeeeeee! Chris and Mary are sharing a room with Amanda, Lucy, and I. Should be fun!

[MattR]

I'm going. Don't forget to reserve your room at teh El Crap either.

[van]

Me! Now who else is cheap and wants to split a room?

[szucchet]

I'll be there for sure, with new brakes and maybe an alignment

[20psiMR]

Mary isnt invited anymore, we broke up =p Im back on the prowl and rollin solo to Hawthorne, but definitely still goin! Weekend after that Im moving into the new house on Red Hawk golf course, so although the first part of the month sucked, the latter half will be sick! I got my raise finally too for moving up here, so it all happens for a reason right! Gonna be having some fun install partys and beer pong nights at the new house, I'll keep you guys in the loop when housewarming is!

[wildfirefli]

OT. Definitely.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by 20psiMR

Mary isnt invited anymore, we broke up =p Im back on the prowl and rollin solo to Hawthorne

I've only seen like 4 girls ever in Hawthorne ...total.. But I hear you can pay to "meet" one in Mina! haha


On a related note, I was thinking of heading down Friday around 2 or 3, anyone wanna tag along.

[cody]

Hella Hawthorne Hoochies.

[k-dogg39]

Originally Posted by MattR

I've only seen like 4 girls ever in Hawthorne ...total.. But I hear you can pay to "meet" one in Mina! haha


On a related note, I was thinking of heading down Friday around 2 or 3, anyone wanna tag along.

I thought all the hot chicks hung out there?

I might jump on that caravan down... I am taking Friday off of work!

[cody]

We should be leaving around 5:30ish from Reno.

[van]

Originally Posted by k-dogg39

I thought all the hot chicks hung out there?

I might jump on that caravan down... I am taking Friday off of work!

I'm leaving with Cory whenever he is ready. Should I bring a keg? Can we keep it cool at your camp?

[cody]

Originally Posted by van

Should I bring a keg?

I'm gonna go with "Yes". What's on tap?

[van]

Originally Posted by cody

I'm gonna go with "Yes". What's on tap?

For you? Smirnoff ice
For everyone else I have 1/2 a keg of stout and a full keg of Bee Cave pale ale ready.

[cody]

*Kicks the ground*

[k-dogg39]

Originally Posted by van

I'm leaving with Cory whenever he is ready. Should I bring a keg? Can we keep it cool at your camp?

Absolutely! I know Jason's buddy Pat is bringing one too, but I am not sure what kind...

[MattR]

I worked on the Sti all day today, it's dialed in as best it can be. Should be good enough to run second/ third in SM. I won't have any chance against the race tire guys as far as the NS goes. I still can't figure out what's bent in my front end, I can't get any less than -1.8 camber in the right front, which is over 1 degree less than I had a few month back. Fucking Reno-Fernley. hahaha. Anyway, after Hawthorne I'll have to get it on a lift and check it out. Everything looks fine to the bare-eye...