John's CS BRZ progression

[bimmer635csi]

Originally Posted by markw

If you haven't done this before, get an instructor driver to go with you, or go for a few rides at a practice. It will help immensely. If John is comparable to Andy Hollis, who I assume is the "Andy" mentioned, then he's one of the fast guys. If you can get within a couple seconds of him, you'll be doing great. Don't be too proud to not ask for an instructor though, or even a ride as passenger. It will reveal all sorts of things that you are missing.

There seems to be some rumor that I'm new to autocross.

Just for you all to know, I did get 2nd place overall in RTF last year in the Great Lakes Solo Series, so while I'm not nationally competitive, I do alright.

Thanks for all the advice though.

Cheers,

[markw]

Originally Posted by bimmer635csi

There seems to be some rumor that I'm new to autocross.

Just for you all to know, I did get 2nd place overall in RTF last year in the Great Lakes Solo Series, so while I'm not nationally competitive, I do alright.

Thanks for all the advice though.

Cheers,

Ah, kind of like me. They won't let me run "novice" this weekend for some strange reason. I do ok locally, considering the talent in San Diego and socal in general. Looking at the results, John smoked CS and STX by a good margin on raw time and he out paxed them. Waiting to see how these do at nationals. It does look like an EF Civic Si was quicker on raw time. My magic 8 ball says they bump the 370 up to BS, or leave it alone. Locally, it's a Miata and 370Z are the fast guys in CS.

Mark

[chkltcow]

Finally joined the forum today and started reading your build thread. I'm someone shocked and amazed you're pinching a 245 onto a 7" wheel. I was told by someone I trust that anything wider than 215 in the RS3s is a squishy mess when you try to put it on that narrow of a wheel... but... seems to be working for you guys. I've been happy at the 2 events I did on my 215 RS3s... definitely not as sloppy as I expected Hankooks to be.

Will definitely be keeping up with this thread, and I hope to meet you at Nationals this year. I'll be driving in FSP there in a friend's Rabbit.... and the FRS will be for locals and probably Dixie Tour next year.

[AustinTX]

I didn't really have much expectation of the tires working/not working. I just wanted to make sure I did something different so I could do some comparisons to people that went the traditional route. I think Hollis has everyone so scared about street tires being pinched that the idea sounds insane, but they are actually working quite well. I hope to try swapping to 225's for a run or so this weekend just to see what happens, but I don't expect any improvement

[Jawnathin]

Originally Posted by chkltcow

I'm someone shocked and amazed you're pinching a 245 onto a 7" wheel. I was told by someone I trust that anything wider than 215 in the RS3s is a squishy mess when you try to put it on that narrow of a wheel... but... seems to be working for you guys.

I too was concerned about this width on this size wheel, seems quite pinched. Should be on at least an 8" wheel, but apparently folks are getting it done and it seems to be working.

My order is in place now at TireRack, but the 17x7 RPF1s aren't in stock yet, so I'm just waiting for my order to be fulfilled. Funny enough, TireRack gave me a call and questioned the tire size on that wheel. Had to confirm with him it was for competition use, not street, before they would 'OK' the order.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

I didn't really have much expectation of the tires working/not working. I just wanted to make sure I did something different so I could do some comparisons to people that went the traditional route. I think Hollis has everyone so scared about street tires being pinched that the idea sounds insane, but they are actually working quite well. I hope to try swapping to 225's for a run or so this weekend just to see what happens, but I don't expect any improvement

I will point out one thing that so far has been a consistent annoyance for me driving on 235/40/17 R1Rs


the first drive through, especially in tight slaloms, it feels like just drove into a pool of molasses.


by the 3rd run it clears up, but when cold the really wide tire (at least mine) have some funny characteristics

[AustinTX]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

I too was concerned about this width on this size wheel, seems quite pinched. Should be on at least an 8" wheel, but apparently folks are getting it done and it seems to be working.

My order is in place now at TireRack, but the 17x7 RPF1s aren't in stock yet, so I'm just waiting for my order to be fulfilled. Funny enough, TireRack gave me a call and questioned the tire size on that wheel. Had to confirm with him it was for competition use, not street, before they would 'OK' the order.

You could buy Eric's Kosei's from the Spokes FB page...

[Jawnathin]

Strongly considered the Koseis (as they're in stock, a little lighter, and a little cheaper) but I wanted the wider offset of the RPF1s. I heard there is less fitment issues (tire rubbing against the spring) and a wider track may help a little too.

[Jawnathin]

Just looking through a few posts and realized you switched from Strano bar to the Perrin bar. Did the bigger Strano bar make the car too pushy?

EDIT: Reread the whole thread. Yup, looks like it got a little pushy. Hmmm, wish I would have read a little more about this before getting the Strano bar for myself. Arrives today. Wonder if I should bother with installing it or just go for something smaller. I did like the fact it was black and subtle (for trips to the dealer).

[bimmer635csi]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

I didn't really have much expectation of the tires working/not working. I just wanted to make sure I did something different so I could do some comparisons to people that went the traditional route. I think Hollis has everyone so scared about street tires being pinched that the idea sounds insane, but they are actually working quite well. I hope to try swapping to 225's for a run or so this weekend just to see what happens, but I don't expect any improvement

I have 225 front / 235 rear on stock wheels. And will be at CoTA this weekend. Maybe some arrangement could be made (but I cannot allow you to make my wheels chartreuse )

[AustinTX]

Originally Posted by bimmer635csi

I have 225 front / 235 rear on stock wheels. And will be at CoTA this weekend. Maybe some arrangement could be made (but I cannot allow you to make my wheels chartreuse )

Haha - Actually, I've already secured a deal to swap my fresh 245's for Aaron's fresh 225's. Not sure if I'll be able to do it, but that's the plan. One run, swapping tires in grid. Should be a blast.

[bimmer635csi]

Originally Posted by AustinTX

Haha - Actually, I've already secured a deal to swap my fresh 245's for Aaron's fresh 225's. Not sure if I'll be able to do it, but that's the plan. One run, swapping tires in grid. Should be a blast.

No problem. To make it a balanced comparison, will you run the 225s first, then swap to your 245s so that you compare both at the same temp? Assuming the timing works out, I might be able to help with the "pit stop" if needed.


Cheers,

[AustinTX]

Originally Posted by bimmer635csi

To make it a balanced comparison, will you run the 225s first, then swap to your 245s so that you compare both at the same temp?

That's the plan. 245's up front and 225's out back while all tires are cold.

[chkltcow]

Originally Posted by bimmer635csi

No problem. To make it a balanced comparison, will you run the 225s first, then swap to your 245s so that you compare both at the same temp? Assuming the timing works out, I might be able to help with the "pit stop" if needed.


Cheers,

Run the 245s first to get rid of the "confirmation bias" of going faster as you learn the course. And run data so you can actually see the lateral Gs and compare segments between 225 and 245 runs.