Adventures of a rookie in Autocross

[djfuller]

So this thread is mainly here to post videos of my runs throughout the season. I actually started Autocrossing last season partway through the year, but this will be my first full season. Last year I ran CS/RCS and basically did nothing to the car. This year I'll be running STX, mainly because some of the things I want to do to the car aren't legal in CS. I'm really not concerned with being competitive at this point, I'm just out there to have fun. I didn't buy the car to go Autocrossing, I Autocross because I have the car and it's a riot, if that makes sense to everyone.

Feel free to critique, give pointers, etc. I'll be happy to learn as much as I can.

This will probably be pretty much just videos as I'm really not the type of person to keep a diary/journal/captain's log etc.

I did start off last year by taking an autocross school, which was a huge help. I'm signed up to take two more classes this year at the end of March and I'm really looking forward to it.

[djfuller]

Thus far, here is a list of the modifications I've done to the car (performance based)

Magnaflow exhaust (love it!)
Kartboy shifter bushing
Whiteline transmission bushing
Ferrodo front brake pads
ATE brake fluid
Stoptech front and rear stainless lines

[djfuller]

Here's my best timed run of the day. I ran a 51.379, which put me second in novice. A couple of the other FR-S/BRZ guys were running in the upper 49's, low 50's on the stock tires. At the end of the day I did fun runs and I turned a 50.545. Not sure if that was me just getting better throughout the day, or the track warming up. Overall I had a ton of fun, and even though the Michelin's suck for grip I had fun sliding around on them.

[ame]http://youtu.be/BwLbPTRTgP0[/ame]

[heeltoe86]

Welcome to the sport and the addiction of driving these cars! It may just start off as autox for you but you may get the bug to put in on the track one of these days. Mark my words. It is very addicting!

[Anthonytpt]

Awesome, I can't wait to start doing the same. My helmet arrives tomorrow. I'm planning on getting the pads, lines and fluids changed shortly.

[MTCRX]

Originally Posted by heeltoe86

Welcome to the sport and the addiction of driving these cars! It may just start off as autox for you but you may get the bug to put in on the track one of these days. Mark my words. It is very addicting!

Addicting! At some point you will have a great run and get out of the car buzzed and shaking, that is great! But then you will crave more. You will spend hours searching the web for other races, you will consider staying overnight someplace just to race far from home, you will shop for upgrade parts and your wallet will take a hit. But man is it worth it. Are you prepared for this? The best part is most club members are pretty fun to hang around with.

[Tt3Sheppard]

This is getting me even more excited for autocross next month!

[heeltoe86]

MTCRX you are absolutely correct. I'm going through that process right now with my pseudo STX on a budget build or lack there of money.

[MTCRX]

I know, I have the same problem, went from CS to CSP to SMF with my CRX, $$$$. Oh sure I saw big improvements, but you always want more. Unfortunately, what started as basic upgrades for my FR-S has developed into a long list for CS to STX upgrades. For instance, I though the list for STX was fairly short, wider wheels, tires, coilovers, swaybar, engine tune, catback, and intake. And now I see I will need a header and overpipe too! Here we go again!

[djfuller]

So this past weekend I took my local region's level 1 and level 2 classes. The level 1 course I had taken before, but it was my first time with the level 2. I got a ton of seat time, and learned quite a bit too, especially with the figure 8 and slalom drills in the morning of the level 2 class. I spun out a ton in the morning of day 1, 5 times in 3 runs. But I came back in the afternoon and killed it. My best time in the morning was a 70.9, while my best time of the day was a 66.60, which was very close to my instructor's time in the morning. Of course it was 10-15 deg warmer in the afternoon, which I'm sure helped me out tremendously.

My best run was actually in the afternoon of the level 1 class, but my camera battery was dead, so I didn't get it on film. This is my best run of day 2 right before the rain moved in. It was a little cooler so my time was worse, plus I don't think my lines were as tight as the previous afternoon. Had an absolute blast though. So far this is my favorite course that I have ran on.

[ame]http://youtu.be/M12sbk6oM7Q[/ame]