My first Autocross

98banana · 07-12-2004, 02:27 PM

Looks like I'm about to do my first Autocross. I just registered for the SCCA event at the Fairgrounds in Columbia. It's this Saturday, the 17th.

Some of you long time Autocrossers need to come down and join me so I can get some pointers.

By the way, I'll be in the Focus, not the Ramcharger.

John, bring down one of them Foci you have!

SIUNARA · 07-13-2004, 12:33 AM

Good luck Tom!

A few tips:

1.) Go fast where you are supposed to go fast and slow where you are supposed to go slow. Many autox people try to go fast where they should go slow and it ends up killing your time.

2.) REAR STEER!!! It helped me give many headaches to the import guys and really helps negotiate some of the tight turns you see in an autox course.

3.) Walk the course...as many times as you can. You'll see things walking the course that may help when you get out there.

What class will you be in G-stock or STS? If you're on street tires STS is where you should be. It is tough to keep up with the G-stock cars unless you're on R's.

Kick some butt!!

98banana · 07-13-2004, 07:22 AM

Thanks Don. I signed up for GS. I just went off of what was on the SCCA site. I have no idea about the particulars for the groups. I'll look in to changing the classification. The guy that won overall (pax) at the same event last month is in GS and he is registered for this one too.

I'm hoping that the experience I had with the Focus at CMP doing quite a bit of sliding the rear end out in the "autocross" section will help me at this thing.

Good tips, by the way. I'll make sure to walk the course all morning. I've heard that is a great thing to do.

beerkat · 07-13-2004, 07:40 AM

Don't forget to raise your tire pressures. I did an AX in a Focus once, never got out of 1st gear.

98banana · 07-13-2004, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerkat

Don't forget to raise your tire pressures. I did an AX in a Focus once, never got out of 1st gear.

Good advice. Thanks. You coming up for the event?

**cobrabitn** · 07-16-2004, 12:16 AM

Tom,

If you can, inquire a little about the AX event and what it would take to run one if you don't mind. We may have one in the near future if we can get everything to work out right.

Thanks,

Tony

98banana · 07-16-2004, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrabitn

Tom,

If you can, inquire a little about the AX event and what it would take to run one if you don't mind. We may have one in the near future if we can get everything to work out right.

Thanks,

Tony

Be glad to.

There's probably a few people on this board that could run one because of their vast experience with Autocrosses. Calvin_1976, SIUNARA and probably quite a few others.

justagt · 07-16-2004, 09:31 AM

Hey Tone-E ( NY , right)

Jim Pantas would be a good source of info for an autocross.

SIUNARA · 07-16-2004, 09:55 AM

I'd be glad to help out. I've helped the central Pa. region of SCCA run events before. Let me know if you need any help.

**cobrabitn** · 07-16-2004, 09:31 PM

Okay y'all,

I just want to know a good place to have one. I know they use Knight's stadium. Have any of you ever run there? I'm trying to get the same layout that they have in Knoxville. That course is like a mini road course with fast straights. I wish some of you would go there for the day and check it out.

Anyway, where is a good place? I'm not worried about the logistics as we have plenty of competent people on this board that I know will help organize it. I guess what I want to know is if there is a paved track where we could set up and won't cost us a fortune?

All suggestions are welcome, even Panta's.

J/K

Don, if you know of something up there in PA then I think we should pursue that too. You need something to spark y'all up there or someone I should say!

Thanks for your input!

98banana · 07-16-2004, 10:31 PM

I can already tell you that I don't like the Fairgrounds here in Columbia because the chair lift they built in the middle of it. There are huge steel posts in the middle of the autocross track that I question the safety of.

I would think the thing to look for is any almost abandoned shopping center parking lot. The owners would be willing to rent it out for cheap, if not free.

**cobrabitn** · 07-16-2004, 11:30 PM

There's an old abandoned airport somewhere in the NC/SC area, they run wide open on it. That's what we need to rent. Do you know the one I am talking about?

98banana · 07-17-2004, 06:47 AM

That's the one I was asking about a few months ago. I thinks it's near Fayetteville, if I'm not mistaken. I can dig up the info on it again. That's the place the Hayabusa (sp?) club goes to open up their bikes.

Just about any shopping center parking lot would do. One with lots of open space and no light poles. I'll do some looking around.

I think they have them at the Midlands Tech parking lot near the Columbia Airport now and then.

cowboyharry · 07-17-2004, 06:55 AM

What is rear steer???

98banana · 07-17-2004, 05:13 PM

Okay, that was fun. It wasn't quite as exciting as open track, but it was fun.

I ended up 7th out of 15 in GS. We had 4 run groups and it rained during the entire run group 2. It was dry for all the other 3. And guess what group I was in... yeap, run group 2.

But, it was fun. The winner of the group ran a 48.xx. My best was a 54.xx which I was pretty happy with. The faster times were definately faster prepared cars. Fast time of the day was 46.xx.

We had fun runs at the end of the day and I ran another 53.xx and a 52.60. That was right up there with many of the faster cars, so I'm happy with it for a first time out.

BUT, the highlight of the day was driving my cousin's '03 10th Anniv. Cobra. It's got about 440 rwhp. It was a blast!!! I ran a 55.xx in it, but had a hell of a lot of fun doing it. Talk about rear steer... not a problem with that car. There was a 180* turn in the course. All I did was squeeze a little throttle and it just snapped right around. Fun, fun, fun!!!

07-12-2004, 02:27 PM	#1
98banana Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: North, SC Posts: 1,789	My first Autocross Looks like I'm about to do my first Autocross. I just registered for the SCCA event at the Fairgrounds in Columbia. It's this Saturday, the 17th. Some of you long time Autocrossers need to come down and join me so I can get some pointers. By the way, I'll be in the Focus, not the Ramcharger. John, bring down one of them Foci you have! __________________ Tom Lewis Nothing fun to drive...

07-13-2004, 12:33 AM	#2
SIUNARA Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: State College, Pa. Posts: 374	Good luck Tom! A few tips: 1.) Go fast where you are supposed to go fast and slow where you are supposed to go slow. Many autox people try to go fast where they should go slow and it ends up killing your time. 2.) REAR STEER!!! It helped me give many headaches to the import guys and really helps negotiate some of the tight turns you see in an autox course. 3.) Walk the course...as many times as you can. You'll see things walking the course that may help when you get out there. What class will you be in G-stock or STS? If you're on street tires STS is where you should be. It is tough to keep up with the G-stock cars unless you're on R's. Kick some butt!! __________________ Don Page 95 Cobra

07-13-2004, 07:22 AM	#3
98banana Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: North, SC Posts: 1,789	Thanks Don. I signed up for GS. I just went off of what was on the SCCA site. I have no idea about the particulars for the groups. I'll look in to changing the classification. The guy that won overall (pax) at the same event last month is in GS and he is registered for this one too. I'm hoping that the experience I had with the Focus at CMP doing quite a bit of sliding the rear end out in the "autocross" section will help me at this thing. Good tips, by the way. I'll make sure to walk the course all morning. I've heard that is a great thing to do. __________________ Tom Lewis Nothing fun to drive...

07-16-2004, 12:16 AM	#6
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,649	Tom, If you can, inquire a little about the AX event and what it would take to run one if you don't mind. We may have one in the near future if we can get everything to work out right. Thanks, Tony __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

07-16-2004, 09:31 AM	#8
justagt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Salisbury, NC Posts: 299	Hey Tone-E ( NY , right) Jim Pantas would be a good source of info for an autocross. __________________ Will #32 joegibbsracingoil.com

07-13-2004, 07:40 AM	#4
beerkat Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 471	Don't forget to raise your tire pressures. I did an AX in a Focus once, never got out of 1st gear.

07-16-2004, 09:55 AM	#9
SIUNARA Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: State College, Pa. Posts: 374	I'd be glad to help out. I've helped the central Pa. region of SCCA run events before. Let me know if you need any help. __________________ Don Page 95 Cobra

07-16-2004, 09:31 PM	#10
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,649	Okay y'all, I just want to know a good place to have one. I know they use Knight's stadium. Have any of you ever run there? I'm trying to get the same layout that they have in Knoxville. That course is like a mini road course with fast straights. I wish some of you would go there for the day and check it out. Anyway, where is a good place? I'm not worried about the logistics as we have plenty of competent people on this board that I know will help organize it. I guess what I want to know is if there is a paved track where we could set up and won't cost us a fortune? All suggestions are welcome, even Panta's. J/K Don, if you know of something up there in PA then I think we should pursue that too. You need something to spark y'all up there or someone I should say! Thanks for your input! __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

07-16-2004, 10:31 PM	#11
98banana Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: North, SC Posts: 1,789	I can already tell you that I don't like the Fairgrounds here in Columbia because the chair lift they built in the middle of it. There are huge steel posts in the middle of the autocross track that I question the safety of. I would think the thing to look for is any almost abandoned shopping center parking lot. The owners would be willing to rent it out for cheap, if not free. __________________ Tom Lewis Nothing fun to drive...

07-16-2004, 11:30 PM	#12
cobrabitn Dr Jekyll on the street, Mr Hyde on the track Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rock Hill SC Posts: 14,649	There's an old abandoned airport somewhere in the NC/SC area, they run wide open on it. That's what we need to rent. Do you know the one I am talking about? __________________ Cobrabitn 2016 Ruby Red Metallic with Caribou accent F-350 Crew Cab Stump Puller! 6.7 Diesel Automatic with Chrome Package, Off Road Package, 3.55 Locking axles, and Ultimate Lariat Interior Trim Package! 2017 Shelby GT350 Coupe - track car! Mods: JLT True Cold Air oil catch can 2009 Vista Blue Shelby GT 500 Coupe - Garage Queen Tinted Windows JLT True Cold Air Kit Pro-Dyno Tune 526 rwhp - 511 rwtq 1994 Rio Red Indy Pace Car #22 "Runabout" Snake in the grill MGW shift knob 1996 SVT Cobra Wheels 1969 New Lime Mustang Mach 1 Sportsroof - Second owner - bone stock with shaker. One SVT Cobra, one Shelby GT500, one 69 mach 1, and a Shelby GT350 is better than nothing! Custom Data Plates for your Mustang or Ford! Buy "Cool Merchandise" at Data Plates Plus www.dataplatesplus.com See my MSR Video here!

07-17-2004, 06:47 AM	#13
98banana Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: North, SC Posts: 1,789	That's the one I was asking about a few months ago. I thinks it's near Fayetteville, if I'm not mistaken. I can dig up the info on it again. That's the place the Hayabusa (sp?) club goes to open up their bikes. Just about any shopping center parking lot would do. One with lots of open space and no light poles. I'll do some looking around. I think they have them at the Midlands Tech parking lot near the Columbia Airport now and then. __________________ Tom Lewis Nothing fun to drive...

07-17-2004, 06:55 AM	#14
cowboyharry Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Knoxville Tn Posts: 355	What is rear steer???

07-17-2004, 05:13 PM	#15
98banana Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: North, SC Posts: 1,789	Okay, that was fun. It wasn't quite as exciting as open track, but it was fun. I ended up 7th out of 15 in GS. We had 4 run groups and it rained during the entire run group 2. It was dry for all the other 3. And guess what group I was in... yeap, run group 2. But, it was fun. The winner of the group ran a 48.xx. My best was a 54.xx which I was pretty happy with. The faster times were definately faster prepared cars. Fast time of the day was 46.xx. We had fun runs at the end of the day and I ran another 53.xx and a 52.60. That was right up there with many of the faster cars, so I'm happy with it for a first time out. BUT, the highlight of the day was driving my cousin's '03 10th Anniv. Cobra. It's got about 440 rwhp. It was a blast!!! I ran a 55.xx in it, but had a hell of a lot of fun doing it. Talk about rear steer... not a problem with that car. There was a 180* turn in the course. All I did was squeeze a little throttle and it just snapped right around. Fun, fun, fun!!! __________________ Tom Lewis Nothing fun to drive...

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