First AutoX in my BRZ

[Draco-REX]

Took the BRZ out for its first AutoX. I was hoping to have new wheels and tires for this, but the wheels were delayed so I was out on the stock wheels and tires. I wasn't expecting much, but I wasn't out there for points, just fun. A raven FR-S was there as well and he was also on the stock tires. I just ran my car as it sat, but he was paying attention to his tire pressures. He was a half second quicker than me throughout the day, which was probably a mix of his use of tire pressures and my tendencies, honed through years of RallyX, to play outside the traction circle.

The fact that I don't bat an eye when the tires start to let go lead to a rather eventful run:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jw2_Krx_1g"]7/1/12 OVR SOLO (BRZ Drift) - YouTube[/ame]

I learned a lot about how the BRZ likes to behave and I love this car even more.

Suspension: The star of the day. This car loves to turn. It never balked or wanted to pull wide. When I turned the wheel, the nose pointed. Even though the BRZ doesn't have a perfect 50/50 weight distribution, the engineer's attention to detail with the low CG and low polar moment really shows; the nose feels like it weighs nothing.

Steering: Crisp and accurate. It never felt like it was unwilling to turn the car. The only downside is that the electric steering seems to slow the natural centering of the wheels. In the slide I had to help counter-steer; something I would not expect from 5.5 degrees of caster.

Tires: Ok, the guy on the Toyobaru team that chose these tires... GENIUS! They have a surprising amount of grip for their size and type and have a smooth, predictable breakaway. They are a blast to drive past their limits. But they SUCK for AutoX. I can't wait to put some real rubber under this car.

Power: The big question that follows this car around. Would more be nice? Of course. Did I fell I NEEDED more? Not at all, and this was a power course. The power felt natural and proper for the chassis. And the immediate throttle response is so addicting. It makes my turbo cars feel sluggish.

Seats: Wonderful. I bought a Schroth Rallye 3 harness to put in the car because I prefer to concentrate on driving the car, not staying in my seat. I didn't get a chance to install it in the BRZ before the event. I didn't miss it. I was surprised to realize afterwards that I never wished I had a harness.

Head room: Less than I thought. I had to do the "One click forward, one click back" trick to get my helmet to fit. I wonder how close the head liner is to the roof, and if some head room could be reclaimed by an enterprising vendor....

Shifter: Never thought about it.. Which means it's perfect.

I'm looking forward more events with this car. Tires, some suspension work, and this car will be crazy good. With a stock car, blatantly ignoring my tire pressures, and getting on the gas too early in turns my best was a 41.5. The FR-S turned a 41.0. FTD was 35.2 by a DSP M3.

I hope my STI doesn't feel neglected.

[Mitch]

Thanks for the write-up. I got to do an autocross school last weekend; I never got around to posting about it, but everything you said is exactly how I would describe it. Completely agree on one specific phrase you kept using: there are parts of the car that you don't even think about, which means they're perfect. Autocrossing my M3 was a blast, but I was always left thinking about the individual components of the car. With the BRZ, the only things on my mind are the tires and my (ham-fisted) driving.

[Vracer111]

Nice, good to hear you had a great time autocrossing it stock. The stock tires are ok daily but seem much more suited for 'drift work' than autocrossing or track.

Regarding the Schroth 4-point harness, it will probably be more important when you upgrade from the stock tires and are out on a road course. I personally had to brace myself on track in my FR-S running 215/45-17 Kumho XS with my left foot on dead pedal and right leg against center tunnel. My right knee being against the tunnel was sore at the end of the day. I plan to get a Schroth Ralleye 3 or 4 as well (had a Ralleye 3 in another car and it works really well - your torso is absolutely bound to the seat!)

[Miniata]

It was good to meet you out there yesterday. Hopefully I'll be able to get mine out in two weeks if I can get the break-in mileage overwith and some decent tires underneath it.

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

Nice, good to hear you had a great time autocrossing it stock. The stock tires are ok daily but seem much more suited for 'drift work' than autocrossing or track.

Regarding the Schroth 4-point harness, it will probably be more important when you upgrade from the stock tires and are out on a road course. I personally had to brace myself on track in my FR-S running 215/45-17 Kumho XS with my left foot on dead pedal and right leg against center tunnel. My right knee being against the tunnel was sore at the end of the day. I plan to get a Schroth Ralleye 3 or 4 as well (had a Ralleye 3 in another car and it works really well - your torso is absolutely bound to the seat!)

Yup, I use the Schroth Rallye 4 in both my STI and WRX. But looking at how the back of the BRZ is put together, I'm going with the Rallye 3. I just wish the passenger side belt would show up. :P

Originally Posted by Miniata

It was good to meet you out there yesterday. Hopefully I'll be able to get mine out in two weeks if I can get the break-in mileage overwith and some decent tires underneath it.

Sweet. It will depend on when my wheels show up whether I'll be in the BRZ or STI. Though it's looking like it'll be the BRZ.

[Sccabrz192]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Took the BRZ out for its first AutoX. I was hoping to have new wheels and tires for this, but the wheels were delayed so I was out on the stock wheels and tires. I wasn't expecting much, but I wasn't out there for points, just fun. A raven FR-S was there as well and he was also on the stock tires. I just ran my car as it sat, but he was paying attention to his tire pressures. He was a half second quicker than me throughout the day, which was probably a mix of his use of tire pressures and my tendencies, honed through years of RallyX, to play outside the traction circle.

Steering: Crisp and accurate. It never felt like it was unwilling to turn the car. The only downside is that the electric steering seems to slow the natural centering of the wheels. In the slide I had to help counter-steer; something I would not expect from 5.5 degrees of caster

Try to train yourself not to let go of the wheel or let it autocenter for autocross. This should be a very easy car to do so in.

[AlanLGuy]

It was great to meet you on Sunday! It Was awesome to see another toyobaru on the course. I strongly agree with your comments on the cars abilities.

Looking at the video I have to believe the .5 of difference came from tire pressure, overall your input seemed much smoother and you lines MUCH faster than my own. I also have a tendency to use a little too much throttle to early (hard to get in trouble that way with FWD)

Just from the video I can see significant differences in the way my car handled from yours. At the end of the first slalom my FR-S seemed to be a bit unsettled and the rear tended to try to come around on me (probably a mixture of over- aggressive driver input on my part, different spring rates and tires pressure).

Overall I think the BRZ seemed more settled, and slightly more predictable in handling, again some of this is probably my driving but the rear of the FR-S definitely felt a bit more flighty. I also think I should have dropped my front tire pressure a bit more, I was consistently understeering through that turn just prior to the first slalom and the you seemed to do just fine.

My Star Specs should be arriving today so I'll should have them on the car for this weekend, going to try to make it both Saturday and Sunday with the FR-S

[Rampage]

Where are the OVR autox events held?

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by Sccabrz192

Try to train yourself not to let go of the wheel or let it autocenter for autocross. This should be a very easy car to do so in.

You can't in this car. I had to help it along when the rear slid out. It's not a bad thing per se, but I'm used to the wheel reacting faster in a slide.

Originally Posted by AlanLGuy

It was great to meet you on Sunday! It Was awesome to see another toyobaru on the course. I strongly agree with your comments on the cars abilities.

Looking at the video I have to believe the .5 of difference came from tire pressure, overall your input seemed much smoother and you lines MUCH faster than my own. I also have a tendency to use a little too much throttle to early (hard to get in trouble that way with FWD)

Just from the video I can see significant differences in the way my car handled from yours. At the end of the first slalom my FR-S seemed to be a bit unsettled and the rear tended to try to come around on me (probably a mixture of over- aggressive driver input on my part, different spring rates and tires pressure).

Overall I think the BRZ seemed more settled, and slightly more predictable in handling, again some of this is probably my driving but the rear of the FR-S definitely felt a bit more flighty. I also think I should have dropped my front tire pressure a bit more, I was consistently understeering through that turn just prior to the first slalom and the you seemed to do just fine.

My Star Specs should be arriving today so I'll should have them on the car for this weekend, going to try to make it both Saturday and Sunday with the FR-S

Cool. I'm going to try for Saturday again. Though I doubt my wheels/tires will be in by then. The BRZ felt really good. My STI, even with all the suspension work I've done doesn't feel as eager as the BRZ. I wonder if I can find someone to lend me some 5x100 wheels with good tires.....

Originally Posted by Rampage

Where are the OVR autox events held?

This past event was at the Ackerman OSU Lot off 315. Other events are held at National Trails Raceway and I believe they're working on a third location. Ackerman is the better of the current two. NTR tends to come apart when the high power slick-tire cars run.

[MTeator]

I'm pretty bummed I missed this event. I'm out of commission for a few weeks due to a back injury. Would have loved to met you Alan & Draco.

[AlanLGuy]

Originally Posted by Rampage

Where are the OVR autox events held?

We are losing Ackerman at the end of July due to OSU contracting out the management of their lots to a third party.

After July the remaining events will be held at National Trails.

I've only run at National Trails once and The pavement did seem to break up more than I liked

Next year we are hoping to get access to the former Cooper stadium lot to make up for losing Ackerman

[AlanLGuy]

Originally Posted by MTeator

I'm pretty bummed I missed this event. I'm out of commission for a few weeks due to a back injury. Would have loved to met you Alan & Draco.

Same here . Hope the back gets better. It was a good event, lots of runs though it was far too hot!