95maxrider's 2013 Auto-x results
 

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The odometer keeps spinning on my I30, and another racing season is upon us. The season started with some refreshing of my front suspension (check out my build thread) and a truly custom alignment courtesy of PTuning.

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Here's what I'll be running this season:

1. BC Coilovers, 9k Front, 8k Rear springs, usually run at full stiff (30/30)
2. Dropped about 1.5"
3. FSTB, RSTB, Stage 2 SFC, fender braces, panhard rod conversion, RSB
4. Street tires: 45f/45r, Hoosier A6: 42f/38r
5. -2.5* camber and -0.1* toe out, ~4.7* caster
6. Street tire: 245/45/17 Michelin Pilot Super Sport, Race: Hoosier A6 245/40/17

Total vehicle weight with 160 lb. driver and almost full tank of gas is 3290, with a 60.0% Front/40.0% Rear split. 50%/50% side to side.

Here are my racing results from 2012. I won my class with the BMW NCC club and also won EP in SCCA (although I was the only one in the class :slant: ).

For 2013, I've decided I'm tired of auto-xing on street tires, so I probably won't be doing much racing with the BMW club anymore. They made my decision that much easier by choosing to hold events at the tiny and super rough Bowie lot. No thank you. I may run a few at Waldorf, since that lot is big and smooth, but I'm in no rush.

That means I'll mostly be doing SCCA Solo. Since I would like to be in a class with other people, my only option is to jump up a class into XP (Unlimited) with all the Cobra replicas, because SCCA thinks that SFCs warrant that bump. Have I mentioned how much I hate SCCA classing? Well, I do. With a passion.

So sit back, relax, and watch me get my ass handed to me by a bunch of ~2300 lb, 400+ HP monsters.

SCCA Solo Event #1 4/13/13
 

The season got off to a fast start with back to back races on a Saturday and Sunday. After 8+ months of not using Hoosiers, I was a little rusty and had forgotten how hard they can be pushed. It was time to relearn how to drive on these things.

I snapped some pictures of cool cars at the event, but first, the results.

As I mentioned, I'm now running in the XP class with all the Cobra replicas. It's going to be an uphill battle, but I have some things in mind that may help me a little later in the season.

I came in 4th out of 8 cars in my class, and managed to beat two Cobra replicas and a C4 Vette. I was excited that I was only about half a second behind the Cobra in third place. The two fastest Cobra guys are stupid quick, but I was hoping I could eek my way into third place and get a trophy for the season, but it's not going to be easy.

Here's a video of my last and best run. Before the run I had to really remind myself that I was leaving a lot of time on the course by not driving at 10/10ths, and I wasn't pushing the Hoosiers to their limits. I made an effort to really push the car, and I was rewarded with a 2 second reduction from my third run. I know the car has more left in it, but it takes me a few runs to remember just how far I can push the Hoosiers.



The car is feeling really good and pretty much did exactly what I wanted it to do, so overall I'm about as pleased with the car as I can be.

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There were some awesome cars there that day, so here are some more pics!

My competition:
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This M Coupe is one of my favorite cars at the event. I just love these things!
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SCCA Solo Event #2 4/14/13
 

Right on the heels of the first event came the second. I was better prepared to drive on the Hoosiers, but apparently so was my competition. I had hopes of stepping up my game and squeezing into third place, but other people clearly had the same idea, and I slipped into 5th out of 9 in XP. I would have had 4th if I hadn't clipped a cone on my last run :slant: Unfortunately, 3rd place looks to be out of reach if the same guys keep showing up.

I put together a video with both interior and exterior shots of my final run. I can't find a video editing program to do picture in picture, so you will have to watch them back to back. Enjoy!

Wow the one at FedEx field looks so much faster than the one at Bowie!

Your eyes do not deceive you, it is. Compared to CDC, SCCA might as well be a road course. The average speed must be like 15 mph higher at FedEx, and peak speeds are even greater.

I see you don't list a RSB in your sig. I think that if you want to be able to drive at all aggressively, a RSB is a necessity!

i wanna start doing this, i think id get lost out there tho

It's not as bad as you think it is. The SCCA events at FedEx are somewhat of an anomaly in terms of lot size. Most lots are 1/4 the size of this lot, so there's less you have to keep track of. You can usually walk the course 2-3 times before you go out, and if you're still unsure of the course design you can always ask to ride along with someone before your first run to see the course at speed. I really recommend going to an SCCA school if one is available, as you will get more seat time in one day of schooling than you would in a whole season of racing!

SCCA ProSolo June 7+8, FedEx Field
 

If Solo racing is fun, and drag racing is fun, then ProSolo has to be great, right? ProSolo combines a drag strip start, complete with Christmas tree, with a Solo event. Unfortunately, the results of this, at least at FedEx field, were less than impressive, at least in my opinion.

Last year I waited too long to register for the lone ProSolo event in the region, and have been dying to get to one ever since. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be doing it again next year when the tour comes through. Allow me to explain.

At a normal Solo event, you either race in the AM session or in the PM session, and can plan on spending about 6 hours at the event. At the ProSolo event, you run in both morning and afternoon sessions, and with early tech inspections and waiting around in "impound" after a heat, I was there from 7 AM to 7 PM. Now, this might have been a little more acceptable had I gotten twice as much seat time as a normal event, except because they use mirrored courses at a ProSolo event, the course is roughly half the size/length as it usually is at FedEx Field, so instead of 70 second runs, you got 35 second runs. As a result, while I got twice as many runs in compared to a normal event (8 vs 4), they were half the length. And as a result of that, the course design was limited and ended up looking like a puny CDC or BMW event with low speeds and no real exciting sections. Apparently this is less of a problem at bigger venues, but at FedEx field, it rendered the course unappealing and tight.

That was Saturday. On Sunday, you get one more heat and another four runs, and thankfully were able to leave by the early afternoon.

Since this is considered a part of the national tour, which is apparently sponsored by Tire Rack, all entrants were required to have a Tire Rack banner across the windshield as well as other SCCA stickers. I'm not super keen on having stickers and logos all over my car, so this was another unwelcome surprise.

On to the actual event....

As I was getting the Hoosiers on the car, some guys came up to me and asked why my car is in XP. I explained it was because of the chassis bracing (SFCs and fender bracing). They were in SM and were looking for one more person to join the class so there would be enough people to qualify for earning contingency points/money. Since I'm not competitive in any class, I said sure and went through the process of switching classes. The other three cars in my class all had co-drivers, and were some of the fastest cars at the event. They were a gutted Evo with 400+ whp on 315 Hoosiers, a gutted STi with 350+ whp on 315 Hoosiers, and a gutted, turbo KA S14 240sx with 400+ whp on 315 Hoosiers. Needless to say, my 210 whp and 245 Hoosiers were going to loose, and badly.

Not having a co-driver turned out to be quite a disadvantage, as runs are made pretty much back to back with no cool down time, so there was no time to get out of the car and adjust tire pressures. Cars with co-drivers had the non-driver bleed the tires between runs, while I had to drive with ever-increasing tire pressures since I couldn't get out and bleed them fast enough. Thankfully, on Sunday one of the 240sx guys was nice enough to lend a hand and bleed out my tires between runs, and it was a great help. I could feel my front grip decreasing on Saturday towards the end of my runs as the front tires got too hot and over-inflated. Rear pressure didn't seem to jump nearly as much. Again, I found that 38 in the front and 42 in the rear worked pretty well. I also noted that I think the car responds better when the coilover are set at full stiff, as opposed to 20 or 25 out of 30.

I also had some issues with my brakes not doing what I was asking them to do, and as a result, they locked up on one run (it felt like the ABS was overwhelmed) and went off course. I'm not sure if it's the ABS system itself, or the fact that these one year old rotors are so worn out from the Carbotech AX-6 (auto-x) pads, or the pads themselves, but I didn't have a ton of confidence under braking. I'm considering running the Carbotech XP-8 track pads at auto-x events, as they worked fantastically well last year at one event the day after a track event and I hadn't taken the pads off yet. These AX-6 pads ate through my rotors and have ruined the finish on my wheels, so I'm thinking I should go back to the Hawk HPS for street and swap pads for auto-x events. Not being able to rely on your brakes to act consistently is a huge confidence sapper, since you never know where your braking point will be.

As I knew I wasn't going to be at all competitive, I wasn't really trying to kill it at the tree, and as a result of 60' times were pretty pathetic. It also didn't help that the course started on an uphill section, so you had to stage, pull up the e-brake, and release it at the exact right time while working the clutch. Needless to say, with absolutely zero practice (most people went to the practice the day before on Friday- I had to work), getting off the line wasn't as much fun as it would have been on level ground. So basically, this event was a combination of a compromised drag strip start and a compromised auto-x course design, and as a result, just never really felt all that fun. Again, I'm sure it would be better at a different venue, but it just didn't work at FedEx.

Anyways, on to the pics and videos!

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NWP powah!
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This is what impound looks like after you make your runs. Other competitors have a chance to look over your car and contest anything they think might be bending the rules.

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And this is a bunch of S2000s in grid:
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I freaking love these wheels:
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This car was nuts:
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So THAT'S how he got the 285s to fit...
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Awesomeness
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My competitor in SM:
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This is a local guy who is always very fast. I love this car.
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No, it didn't race....
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There were quite a few cars looking like this:
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This is what custom $6,000 fenders look like on an E46:
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Seems like everyone and their mother had Motons in this class...
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More secks:
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So I probably should have made it clearer that the two courses are as close to mirrors of each other as possible, and are run at the same time against a competitor. Here is a video of my final and fastest run on the right course:



And on the left course:



After looking at the videos, I realized how much space I left in some areas of the courses, especially at the finishes. I think I could have carried a lot more speed into the finish had I taken a better line and cut it closer to the cones.

So, to sum it up, I'm glad I got to experience a ProSolo event, but I don't think I'll be doing another one at FedEx field. Until next time....

nice - I've always wondered what it'd be like to autox my maxima

Looks fast and a lot of fun

Wow, those courses were short. They should've run a regular or Match Tour at FedEx. I'm no expert on east coast sites, maybe that was one of the larger available. Was your car not ready in time for the Dover tour in April? Kudo's to you for trying a ProSolo -yeah a helper is critical for air and spraying the front tires. I did 4 Tours but never a Pro; talk about long days 9hrs onsite for 3min seat-time. Regarding decals, throw the side logos onto or over old magnetics. The front bumper one gets hidden by your plate. I kept my windshield banner year round and would run into fellow enthusiasts all over town both from my local clubs and BMW ones.

6/30/13 SCCA Solo #3
 

I'm clearly falling behind on my posting duties!

The June Solo event was pretty uneventful aside from a very full XP class, with a total of 11 contenders. Of them, I came in 6th with a 56.8+1 (58.8). I would have had 5th if it were not for that pesky cone that I hit in the slalom.

Right before our group ran we had a 30 minute rain delay, so my first run was very wet, and from there the course dried up pretty quickly to the point where my last run was pretty much fully dry. I've been having trouble with my braking again this year, where it feels like the first pedal application results in a dead spot in my pedal travel where nothing happens, which resulted in one off course run and a general lack of confidence in my braking points. I'm re-doing my brakes yet again very soon with different pads and front rotors, so we shall see if that makes a difference.

I'm posting a video of my third run because the tail came around very nicely after a quick left-right-left transition, and I was able to hold it out for a good few seconds. The slide was due to a still-drying course with areas of dry pavement and areas that were still wet. Unfortunately, I had forgotten my in-car camera that day, and the roof-mounted GoPro doesn't show the full extent of the slide. All I can say is that it was glorious and I was cackling like a maniac for a good 10 seconds afterwards. Hopefully we get to run in wet conditions again this year, as I seem to have a relative advantage over the Cobras in the wet.

Check it out- the slide is at the 0:38 second mark.



For some reason, the youtube video player isn't working, so for now, .

And for once a photographer got some nice pics of my car, but I had forgotten to remove my front plate. Oh well. Enjoy!

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looks good! You have fun?

Thanks! Aside from my brake-related frustration, I had a great time! It's hard to not have fun when you're beating the piss out of your car :laugh:

7/21/13 SCCA Solo #4
 

Ok, so this event was not so fun.

My group ran in the second heat of the PM session, and right as we began to run it started to rain. My first run was mostly dry, but as I pulled up to the line for my second run the lightning started and we had to wait around for over an hour for the torrential downpour to stop. After that, the rest of the event was cancelled due to more thunderstorms supposedly coming through. My subwoofer box got soaked and as a result split at the seams two days later, so a new box is on the way :slant: Note to self: Put your sub in that big Rubbermaid container if there's a chance of rain!

I took some pics before it all went south, and put together a vid of my first and only run. Note: the interior camera mount wasn't as secure as I thought and moved around quite a bit during the run, so you might get dizzy watching it :laugh: With that one run, I was able to beat 3 of the 5 Cobras in my class (3rd place), but the points aren't going to count towards the season totals. Either way, I think I'm still in 4th place for the season, which is good enough for a trophy due to the high number of participants in XP, so :Party:

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This 350z is stupid fast.
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Let's see if the Youtube link works this time:



Click on the little link at the top of the video screen:

Sorry to hear about the sub box.

Be thankful you don't have a moonroof. I once left mine "popped-up" on a Saturday during a rainstorm with the sunshade closed. The next day at autox I had water streaming down the inside windows as the car leaned on the turns. I even heard the corners radio it in. :rofl:

8/11/13 Solo #5
 

Finally, a dry event!

I'm realizing as I try to write this that I should probably do it much sooner after the event so I don't forget all the details.

Anyways, not much to say except we had a nice fast course with fast slaloms (which I love), and the car did pretty well. I experimented with dragging my brakes on the way up to the line (bad idea, I know) but it seemed to help with the pedal feel throughout the run. I've been plagued by a brake pedal that doesn't do anything for the first 1-2" of travel on the first application during a race, which really saps confidence, but I don't remember experiencing it this day nearly as much.

I thought I drove pretty well, but the Cobras were out in greater numbers and pushed me back to 7th out of 11 in XP. The "Miata" that came in 6th was actually a full race-prepped Camaro, which I have some pics of. The guy isn't a regular, and I was only about 0.1 behind him. The next car in front of him was one of the Cobras, who was about one second ahead of me. Now I might be delusional, but I'm thinking that with the 3.5, Quaife, and new brakes, I might be able to stay with that "slow" Cobra. But that is likely going to have to wait for some time.

Results

On to pics and the video!

The Camaro:
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I believe this is the dry-sump setup
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We don't get many of these out here very often
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This car is stoopid fast
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I just liked this one
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One of these things does not belong...
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On to the video

Nice! I have to fix up my car so I can come to FedEx again!

Looks like they changed up the course?

Are you talking about fixing up the I30, or did you buy something new?

They change the course for every event man!

I got a different car ;) not on the road right now though

Oh word

An awesome photographer and fellow driver has gotten some great shots of my car over the last few events and was nice enough to give me all of them to sift through. Check it:

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9/15/13 Solo #6
 

We had another day with beautiful conditions for the sixth event of the year, and a great course to go along with it. Unfortunately, there was also a lot of extra competition (Cobras) in XP with me, so even though I felt pretty good about my runs, I still came in 10th out of 12 :o Whatever, I still beat the C4 Corvette on massive Hoosiers :laugh:

Anyways, in watching the video of my best run, I can see a few spots where I didn't enter corners perfectly, but overall I was pretty happy with how I ran and how the car performed. I again did a "no-no" and lightly dragged my brakes when pulling up to the line, and again, it seemed to help with the pedal feel and bite throughout the run.

New stickers from the rally car
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I saw these lying around the paddock :laugh:
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The RX7 on the left had an aftermarket turbo kit installed back in like 1987 and has been running it since. It is unbelievably immaculate.
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Awesomeness
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And the the interior/exterior video


And since the youtube video function doesn't seem to be working very well....

Your. Car. Look solid. Fast. Nice. Big track. What tires. Are you on.

Nick, didn't know you are on GRM as well. I recently joined, such an awesome forum!

Lol, I rarely visit the forum, I mostly just read the awesome magazine :D

Solo #7, Final
 

When the final Solo event came around, my front brakes were metal to metal and the new Wilwood pads/rotors hadn't arrived yet, so I decided to bring the E28 out on its snow tires and have some fun. I'm pretty sure I set the slowest times of the day, but the car sure made people laugh! Three other people from rally-x also come to Solo events and they got a kick out of seeing the E28 come out. Anyways, times didn't matter this day, so I'll let the pics and video do the talking. Watch the video to the very end!!

One of these things is not like the other
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Here we go!
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And finally a video of that magnificent run

Nice! I like the guy running for cover when you spin out! haha