The 2012 Autocross Thread
 

Who is racing this year? I think I might be able to sneak into some events in my official capacity of not timing chief.

What is the autocross tire of choice these days? (besides 400mm wide slicks I mean, Cory!)

It has been at least 4 years since I bought tires since the RE01Rs lasted forever. I guess that Bridgestone must have realised what a bad business move that was, since they don't seem to be available anymore.

The RE11 is the replacement for the RE01Rs. Expensive, but supposedly just as good.

The bang-for-buck tire is still the Dunlop Z1 StarSpec. I think the only reason they seem so good is because they run like an inch wider than the number on the sidewall indicates. I just got 255's for the WRX and they're literally an inch wider than the 255 Azenis RT-615's that were on there... they're even .5" wider than the Michelin SportCup R-comps I have for the WRX... and that tire was retarded wide. So yeah, they seem great, but it might be a factor of the 255 StarSpec actually being the same size as a 275 RE11.

Either way, the Dunlops are relatively cheap, and pretty sticky. Though I'm still waiting on Cory and the crew to get my wheels, spacers, and fenders in order to try them out on the WRX. I've also got a set of 205 StarSpecs on the Miata, but I haven't been able to drive the Miata in anger yet either... the front suspension is too low and the tires rub the fenders well before I can get the car to the limit.

Oh, and as far as autocrossing this year... I plan to come out to some events. Not really interested in running for points, or trying to make a lot of rounds... but with 2 cars and only so many track days, I'd like to use the occasional autocross to compare the WRX to the Miata for fun/$. I want to get rid of one or the other eventually and need something to base my decision on.

Hankook RS-3 is a great cheap tire, they just don't last all that long. Very sticky with a semi soft sidewall.
I'll make it to at least one autocross this summer, Ranee turns 12 in July and she wants to ride in my car.

I'll be out there in my capacity of nobody-has-dragged-MikeK-from-his-cave-to-be-timing-chief again. Dunlop StarSpecs are the tire of choice unless you're shaving/heatcycling for Nats, in which case the best tire apparently varies with what size you can use and how heavy your car is.

I will be there! I just picked up some star specs. They had a $40 rebate if you bought them by today. Now I just have to re learn how to drive the car.

This is awesome! Old-timey autocrossers coming out of the woodwork... I'll be there as always, I'm going to burn up my star specs at the track day later this month, then we'll see what tires end up on the MINI.

This year will mark my return to Solo too. Anybody else in SM? Will be on old crispy 255 615s and maybe RE070s of all things.

If I happen to make the stupid decision of running the FXT at Solo, it will be in TSM. That is definitely not Plan A however.

Don't worry, a Miata driven in anger still isn't very angry. :lol:

Nice! I will be running in SM also.

Step away from my SM trophy! That goes for you too, Kevin(s).

yay! Solo smack talk has returned!

oh how I've missed that!

:lol: Bring it!

Son of a bitch. Now I have to find a complete interior for my wagon so I can move back to SM from FP. Thanks, fucker.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ!
BUUUUUUUUUUUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!

I could beat you in SM with your hands tied behind your back... :P

Perhaps all of you should drag your asses out to the track too!!!

I'm signed up for the 21st at RFR!

I am hoping to get out to the track this year also.

Me too! I'll be out of town for the first event though.

Also considering dusting off Matt R's old SM letters... With Cody gone, it's not likely I'll have any SP competition, and I don't find a drive-through win much fun.

Beware all you bitches. :twisted:

Ditch the interior and run FP with me. :cool: Grip vs. powah!

Nice! Yeah, it looks like SP may have fallen off a bit. Bummer.

Wow, SM might be crazy this year!

Yes! Just like the good old days!

Annual tech this Saturday at Summit, starts at 9. Don't forget the first page of the rule book.

:( I'm stuck in SU in both the WRX and Miata, I think. The WRX would be SM, but it's got a Whiteline ALK. The Miata would be SSM (?) but it's got frame rail stiffeners.

What consolidation class is SU in? I'd still run against all you SM people in the "Street Mod" group, right?

Yes. SM and SU, along with SSM and SMF are run in the same consolidated group, so you would be with all of us too. :cool: Just a different PAX factor.

PAX is for chumps!

It's all about raw time.

I'm hoping to make it out a couple times this year!!

This is becoming the official "blast from the past" thread. :)

Mike you should stay away from autox, they are just gonna make you do timing... now if you want to help out at north nevada rally we could use a timing guy ... :P :P *teasing*

anywho ... wow lots of angry i want to win folks.. I need to play too then.. Don't think the STI is gonna be ready for the opening rounds... looked like i was gonna make 9 of the 13 rounds to try and do a pax podium... but waaah... delays delays.. fun.. :(

Looks like Apr 28th will be my first even ever! I'm pretty excited.

Also, how do I register?

Should be the same link as in the RFR thread. Or you can simply show up for autocross. As long as you're early enough to fill out the tech card, go through Registration (which is only a few minutes), get teched and be rpesent for hte driver's meeting, you're in. Figure 8 AM or earlier for morning groups, and 12 noon for afternoon.

I might get the LeMons E30 out there a couple times to give it a shake down. It's getting all 2006 up in here, the battle in SM, myself racing a car that no business on the road let alone a autocross track. Should be fun.

This is ridiculous!!! I randomly hop on the forums and all of a sudden I feel like I need to be in the thick of the SM battle this year with the evo running at top notch. Too bad I'm in TX

So after all the moving, selling/changing cars, etc., am I going to be the only one running BSP this season?

I am not sure whether you will be the only Subaru, but SP1 has SSP, ASP, BSP and CSP, so you will definitely have competitors.

I don't know whether they will appreciate smack talk or not though :)

I dunno 'bout smack talking... I wanted to move out of N to avoid being spanked by Ariels and AMG SLRs and whatnot. :)

Well you could run in SM and get spanked! :lol:

Lol won't need to up the class for that. :oops:

So who is making it out this weekend for the school and the first event?

You know I'll be there! Have to learn to drive my "new" car...

Me... but no wagon. :( Should be ready for the next weekend, but I need to troubleshoot a P0123 TBS code, and possibly replace the DBW throttle body. :(

I'll be there obviously as chief instructor and co-chair.

Should be good. Some different elements this year. Skid pad, easy/hard slalom, NASCAR Rectangle 8, micro course w/ Chicago box and pivot cone. Should be interesting when put together.

Good day today! Pretty damn big turnout of newbies!

Soon as I can figure out shaving off enough speed on the dirty track, and using ALL of the grip on the clean track, I'm pretty sure I'll be hurting some feelings! :twisted:

I had a great time this morning with the students and then did some tire pressure testing on the skid pad and some tail hanging out in the slalom and rectangle 8. I had forgotten how much power on oversteer I have dialed into the car at least with old crispy 615s. :lol:

I caught them all very nicely except the first one in the slalom where I ended up sideways in the finish gate. No cones though. :)

1 run was not enough at the end of the day. Kevin W. was very fast in only 2 runs. Don't know how Cory did. His wheels scare me though. :)

That figure 8/Nascar loop looked like a lot of fun. I wish I had my car together today just to try that out.
Cory, your car looks mean. I love the wheels and flares.

Okay, today was ridiculous on many levels. Mostly MikeK...discuss.