SCCA Solo C Street Discussion

[des]

Originally Posted by SeanRTR

On paper the Fiesta ST seems like the car to have in GS...but no one seems to be running one.

Quite a few out here (SF) and we are rapidly finding out that the FiST is the FRS, and the FoST is the 350Z.

[Rexpelagi]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

Anxiously awaiting the brain dump from spring nationals Rexpelagi

This would imply that I had useful things in my brain to share. :-p

Originally Posted by SeanRTR

+1 to that, fantastic driving on day 2 Mr. Laughlin

So I noticed like EVERYONE has jumped on board to the new Hankook RS3 V2 tires....what's the verdict on those tires at that surface? Better than ZII's? I wonder if a set of shaved R1R's will still be faster?

Trevor Jones (TREV) noted that last year spring nationals the Rivals were actually better than the ZII's, but that was the polar opposite at Solo nationals when the course was more 'rubbered in'. I see he's bailed on the BRZ to run a Focus ST. Seems like a much less enjoyable car to autocross, but probably has a much better chance of winning the class at nationals than a twin in CS.

Thanks for the compliments. Day 2 went much better than day 1, as I didn't get a great run on the west course. I was able to put a pretty good run together on day 2 though, and I don't think there was much time left on course. I wasn't running video on day 1 but here is my day 2 fastest run:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XQGCQYnhuU"]2014 Spring Nationals - 57 CS - East Course - YouTube[/ame]

I tried both the 235/40R17 ZII's and the 225/45R17 R-S3 V2's during the Pro. I started on V2's, having never run them before, and was initially less than impressed. They are very similar to the V1's in the way they respond, and I'm used to the ZII's. I didn't know where to set the pressures so I tried 35 square - I came to the conclusion that this was too low. In the afternoon I switched the ZII's and they felt so much more precise but the times didn't show much of an improvement - only ~.3 per side on a faster course.

On day 2 of the Pro it rained so I swapped to V2's to see how they would do and I was thoroughly impressed! The car was a blast to drive and felt very well controlled. I effectively matched Fenter's wet times which I was very happy with. I wouldn't hesitate to treat the R-S3 V2's as acceptable wet tires, although probably slower than DW's.

For the Tour I stuck with R-S3's for the contingency potential. Day 1 didn't go well, as I made mistakes on run 1 and 2, and then had what seemed to be overheated V2's for run 3 (2 drivers in the Tour). On Day 2 I was able to throw down a good run on run 2, but again felt like the tires gave up a little bit on run 3. On both days I sprayed the tires from run 1.

225/45R17 R-S3 V2 Summary: Very pleased with the wet and dry performance, but managing heat seems to be similar to the ZII where they must be cared for. The tires are slow to respond like the V1's and you must turn earlier than you think. The balance tends more towards understeer than oversteer and is difficult to shift.

Here were my setups if anyone is curious.

235/40R17 ZII
Front Pressure (PSI): 32~33
Rear Pressure (PSI): 29~30
Front Konis (Turns from Soft): 1
Rear Konis (Turns from Soft): 1

225/45R17 R-S3 V2
Front Pressure (PSI): 39
Rear Pressure (PSI): 44
Front Konis (Turns from Soft): 1
Rear Konis (Turns from Soft): 1.5

[Rexpelagi]

Originally Posted by des

Quite a few out here (SF) and we are rapidly finding out that the FiST is the FRS, and the FoST is the 350Z.

From what I've seen, the FoST tends to be the car to have in most situations over the FiST, although the Celica can still compete with either. The FiST can't put down power well, which is the main complaint I've heard. The FoST isn't great either, but better than the FiST.

[SeanRTR]

John, after decent time in each car now, do you think the BRZ is faster/slower/no difference than your RX-8?

So it's safe to say that most drivers were on the RS3's due to rain/contingency reasons?

[TRev]

Originally Posted by Rexpelagi

Trevor even raw-timed everyone in CS except Fenter on the east course and probably would have done the same on the west if not for the rain. Definitely excellent driving Trevor!

Thanks for the kind words John and from the driving I saw you do, same to you! I think it was even closer in the Pro and I got Chris on the right side thanks in large part to the drag starts.

Originally Posted by des

Quite a few out here (SF) and we are rapidly finding out that the FiST is the FRS, and the FoST is the 350Z.

Well said. I think I would definitely wan the FiST in wet conditions as well. The weight and power of the FoST becomes a handicap.

Originally Posted by Rexpelagi

From what I've seen, the FoST tends to be the car to have in most situations over the FiST, although the Celica can still compete with either. The FiST can't put down power well, which is the main complaint I've heard. The FoST isn't great either, but better than the FiST.

The Celica definitely will be a tough contender. I would also add the Genesis R-Spec and Neon SRT4 to the mix of potential cars to have.


One more thought on tire experience at Lincoln. Last year at Fall Nats, the OPR was thick on corner entry on the East course due to the threshold braking required. There were a few corners like that again on the East course at Spring Nats by the time I ran in 5th heat. I missed my braking zones twice on the Federals (felt like I was trying to stop on wet pavement). The same thing happened to me on my third run last year at Fall Nats on the Z2's too but to an even larger extent...felt more like I was on the lake ice racing. I have only noticed this where the OPR is heavy under threshold braking. The Rivals started to feel like that under lateral load as well but to a much smaller extent. They didn't seem to pick up chunks of OPR like the Z2 and Federals but instead had a glaze of OPR (almost looked like someone sprayed the tire with tire shine).

[Rexpelagi]

Originally Posted by SeanRTR

John, after decent time in each car now, do you think the BRZ is faster/slower/no difference than your RX-8?

So it's safe to say that most drivers were on the RS3's due to rain/contingency reasons?

I actually have only tried the RX-8 at Wilmington, but I plan to try it at some locals coming up. I've been waiting on a front bar for the car for several weeks now and hope it will arrive soon.

Fenter and Harvey are very good drivers, and having tried a Miata last year and finding it 'felt' like crap goes to show that feel isn't a timer. The BRZ feels so much better than the RX-8, but I want to give it a real try at a few events and see how the times compare. If the bar comes in soon I'll let you guys know how it does.

Regarding the R-S3's, I instabought the day they announced contingency since I knew they worked well for others. They are also relatively cheap, so that is another reason. But I would say that generally people got them for contingency.

As a side note some drivers in CS were still on V1's, including the 350Z and Nick/Brandon in their FR-S (maybe others), so some people were just running what they already had likely before the contingency was announced.

[Kido1986]

Is anyone else seeing a trend, not just with Trevor, but other events, Focus ST are running same or better times than the CS cars?

I can't wait to see what the post-national SEB meeting will look like. BRZ to ES, Focus to CS :P

[G_Ride]

Originally Posted by Kido1986

Is anyone else seeing a trend, not just with Trevor, but other events, Focus ST are running same or better times than the CS cars?

I can't wait to see what the post-national SEB meeting will look like. BRZ to ES, Focus to CS :P

I've noticed that too. Those Focus STs are fast! I'd also be okay with the BRZ going to ES.

[Kido1986]

Originally Posted by G_Ride

I've noticed that too. Those Focus STs are fast! I'd also be okay with the BRZ going to ES.

We run similar times to top 99 sports and 03 MR2S' so I think it would be a fair move.

[Biggins]

I have the Nats-winning GS Celica and drivers in my region. I run roughly the same times they do depending on the course, but I agree that GS seems almost as fast and sometimes faster than CS this year (but course dependent).

Nice driving Trevor and John!

[Thrustin]

I'm thinking of picking up a lightly used set of 245/40/17 BFG Rivals to use in CS. Does anyone here have any experience with that size/model tire for autoX purposes (with stock size rim of course)? Thoughts?

[mrazny]

RE: miata feel...

I have no idea if Chris' car feels like crap or not, but Fenter is a damn smart setup guy. It might still feel like crap but with tons of tweak to get it fast.

[7thgear]

just put on fresh R1Rs , 235/40/17, any recommended pressures for a sunny day of autocross?


I'm reading people like to hover between 32-35, I've got a pyrometer to dial it as the day goes by but would like to have a good starting base.

[SeanRTR]

Originally Posted by Thrustin

I'm thinking of picking up a lightly used set of 245/40/17 BFG Rivals to use in CS. Does anyone here have any experience with that size/model tire for autoX purposes (with stock size rim of course)? Thoughts?

I run these in the rear of my car, see page 2 of my build thread.

I've had success with them. I'll be updating the thread with this weekends results soon.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41955