Autocrossing in my FR-S (bneale)

[bneale]

Hello Everyone,

It's time I finally start my own Autocross thread. So far I've had the car out to 3 different events in the month of July. Each event it has performed extremely well. This car is a great car out of the box for AutoX. All it needs is a proper set of tires. I swapped my stock tires for a set of Dunlop Star Spec's in 235x45x17 size and they are much better.

So far I plan on staying in C Stock class with Road Tire. The only other mods planned right now other then my tires are a set of stock camber bolts and possibly a catback exhaust. Just depends on the cash flow.

Also, I have been sponsered by Scion Racing through their contingency program. Each VCMC event counts towards the contigency plan and those of you who can apply for this, I suggest you do! First in class = 500 bucks!.

At this weekends VCMC event, I placed 2nd overall in C stock. My driving let me down. I know the car can do at least 3 seconds faster then what my driving can do. So I know I need to get better.

My best run of the day was a 48.226. Here are some photos from the event. I will also be posting some videos onto my Youtube account (search bneale84) taken from my iPhone. Hoping to get a Go Pro for future events but I don't have the cash flow right now.

Next event for me is either this Sunday, or Augest 11th and 12th for the VCMC Championships. Just not sure whats happening with work right now. I will keep all of you posted when I find out.

Ben

[VCMC-STC]

Ben was gracious enough to let me drive his car this weekend at autocross and I will back him up, what a fantastic platform from stock!

I wouldn't say your driving let you down sir, you just have much to learn, which you are doing rather quickly!

Ontop of the alignment and catback, I would suggest a FSB and a set of good autocross brake pads (Carbotech AX6's for example). Both of which I would look into before the exhaust.

Really have to thank Ben again as this gave me great testing time at autocross with the FR-S on street tires similar to the ones we will be running on our Scion Tuner Challenge FR-S edition car.

Looking forward to seeing you out more sir!!

Richard

[nubbster927]

looks like fun and that's awesome you got sponsored. you got any pictures or videos of other cars at the event? and i take it from the cruisers and trucks in the background that you're at some sort of police training ground?

[bneale]

Originally Posted by nubbster927

looks like fun and that's awesome you got sponsored. you got any pictures or videos of other cars at the event? and i take it from the cruisers and trucks in the background that you're at some sort of police training ground?

The event is held on the same training pad they use. Not sure if its "their's" per say, but they do train there.

I do have some video of my car and a few others but I didn't take any pictures. I didn't have much time to focus on what the compition was like as Rich and I were both running my car and I was so interested in seeing how well he was doing.

Rich, your more then welcome to run my car anytime. The experience and feedback you provide cannot be found anywhere else. I'm going to look into a set of brake pads before an exhaust for sure. I just want to pay off my credit card first before spending more on the car. I still need to pay the bills after all. This is where I'm hoping Scion will pay me the big bucks!! I just sent my results off this morning to Scion so here's hoping I get the $250 (possibly 500 if they take out the Miata on Slicks).

EDIT: I've made my mind up, I'm going to try coming out to the AutoX this weekend even though I'm on call. I will be there for the UBC Enduro event.

Ben

[bneale]

Just got word back from Scion. They cut me a cheque for coming in 2nd at the VCMC event last weekend. It's offical now! I just got paid for racing my Scion!

Man I love this car!

Ben

[Brett]

Originally Posted by bneale

Just got word back from Scion. They cut me a cheque for coming in 2nd at the VCMC event last weekend. It's offical now! I just got paid for racing my Scion!

Man I love this car!

Ben

Do they have an contingency program? Who'd you send results to?

Brett

[Biggins]

Originally Posted by Brett

Do they have an contingency program? Who'd you send results to?

Brett

He's in Canada. It's apparently much easier to get cash up there.

There is contingency from Toyota for winning SCCA Solo Nats with an FR-S, but nothing else out there from corporate that we've seen.

[edj]

Toyota's contingency program applies to SCCA Pro Solo and the Solo Nationals event.
Nothing for the National Tour events or divisionals.

[bneale]

Originally Posted by Brett

Do they have an contingency program? Who'd you send results to?

Brett

Sorry guys, Life has been crazy busy for me and I haven't had much time to get back and post on here.

In answer to your question, I report to what looks like some sort of marketing firm out of the east coast. I think this firm is in touch with Scion / Toyota Canada and they obviously just run everything for Toyota. I don't even think they report back to them. They just want to see my results and photos from the event and then simply cut me a cheque if I do well.

All they ask me to do is take some photos of the car, fill out a standard results form, and submit them. From there, they decide if my results warrent a cheque or not.

So far, I've taken 2nd place in the first 2 events I've been too. Which means I've made about $600 so far just by Autocrossing (which I was going to do regardless). That pretty much pays for the tires on my car considering they were $664 before tax.


On the upside, I'm working on trying to find a monopod suction cup mount for a digital camera. If I can find one for this weekend, I'm going to take some videos of my runs from inside of the car. That way all of you get to see what a VCMC autocross is all about.

I'll be updating this thread shortly after this weekend. Of course if anyone wants to ask me questions, feel free to PM me on here and I will respond when I have a free minute.

Here's hoping I win some more money this weekend! I love Scion Racing!

Ben

[Klinn]

Originally Posted by bneale

So far, I've taken 2nd place in the first 2 events I've been too. Which means I've made about $600 so far just by Autocrossing (which I was going to do regardless). That pretty much pays for the tires on my car considering they were $664 before tax.

Nice job! I wish I had known about this earlier -- so far this season I have 2 second place finishes and one first, autocrossing in an CASC-affiliated club (Motorsport Club of Ottawa). Would have been nice to pick up some cash for that!

[bneale]

Originally Posted by Klinn

Nice job! I wish I had known about this earlier -- so far this season I have 2 second place finishes and one first, autocrossing in an CASC-affiliated club (Motorsport Club of Ottawa). Would have been nice to pick up some cash for that!

Seriously, just go onto scion.ca and fill out the form. All you need to do is fax the form in after you filled it out and they will get in touch with you. It only took about a week to hear back from them and then another few days before the decals showed up.

You will need to put one large one on the hood, and 1 small one on each side of the car. I stuck them to some large magnetic sheets so I could take them off whenever I wanted and they were cool with this. The only problem I had was the magnet won't stick to the hood. After all the hood is aluminum so I just tape it using some green painters tape and then claybar the tape crap off the car when the event is finished. It only takes 10 minutes or so.

Once your at the event, take photos of all the decals on your car. Then just have someone either take some photos of your runs, or get them to record video (which I've been uploading to youtube under bneale84). When the event is over, you just fill out a results form and send these guys an email with your results and photos.

They will respond and let you know if a cheque is coming or not. After that, they cheque will be there in about 2 weeks or so.

I've made $600 bucks so far off this program and its pretty sweet considering if you're already autocrossing, you might as well get some money doing it. You are required to spread the good word of Scion also and not exactly talk badly about them. After all you're supposed to be representing them.

And to be honest, I love repping for Scion. What other company has such an awesome program right now? I honestly never have anything negitive to say about them. It's been great so far.


Look for my runs from this weekend on youtube. I should either have some in car videos, or outside the car videos. I just found the camera mount I've been looking for.


Ben