What I Learned At Autocross Today: 2010 Regional #4 - Peterborough

[AlienDNA]

First of all, a huge thanks to Bruce for the loan of his generator and to Andrew’s better half for the ink cartridge. The day would have been much slower and bluer (tending to magenta) without them.

1. When you hear the catering guy is “pounding on his propane tank with a rock”, it’s kinda disappointing not to see a fireball come up over the paddock wall.

2. “Safe” is overrated.

3. Immaturity + insecurity about being overtaken by a Miata + stupid cop moustache and glasses = Dodge Ram owner. Am I surprised? No, I am not.

4. Getting beat in your own car does not suck. It teaches you how much you have to improve as a driver.

5. A vulture circling the driver’s meeting gives me a baaaad feeling with all that concrete around. Good job - everyone, but especially my co-driver - keeping the cars out of the wall.

6. Mike W should have his firefighter calendar, “All Mike, All Year” available for the next regional. Order now to avoid disappointment.

7. The new Camaro and, to a lesser extent, the new Challenger are the automotive equivalents of superhero costumes: they look great in movies and magazines, but people will think you’re a certified half-wit if you actually go around in one.

8. My BMW’s wheel bolts require more torque than my Miata makes.

9. The sun moves. The canopy does not.

10. R888’s and an open car: because I can’t get enough of that groovy vuvuzela sound.

[darcyw]

...i wasn't there...but what i learned is to better organize your summer weekends.

i love these posts. sorry i missed the day.

later
darcy

[yangsui]

When the catering bbq breaks down and a bunch of drivers swamp a food service place all at once, choose one where they prepare the food right in front you...so they are less likely to spit in your food.

[ShadowFlyer]

When the catering bbq breaks down and a bunch of drivers swamp a food service place all at once, choose one where they prepare the food right in front you...so they are less likely to spit in your food.
And then ruin everything at said food service place by draining their supplies...construct additional pylons much...

[Saj5DJ]

Hungover me doesn't like autocross as much as sober me.

He particularly doesn't like passenger rides in grippy r-comp wearing cars.

Suggest a "space-saver" class with a PAX of 0.500 or something. Hungover me would like that better.

[mikewolf]

Thanks so much for the codrive Eric!

[ScubaSteve8]

Huge thanks to everyone who put on the event! Had a great time, and I think I've finally cooled off!

Here is what I learned:

1. When you set an alarm to wake up in the morning, it is wise to actually TURN IT ON!

2. Certain cars (mainly Trung's STI and Gary's RX8) sound amazing when the sound echo's around the walls.

3. Who says you can't autocross an old Buick? Props to whoever that guy was!

4. RX8's are thirsty, especially when trying to make up for #1

5. Finding out you hit a cone after what you thought was a perfect run really sucks!

6. As a result of #5, would love to try some Solo 1 in the near future :cool:

[Fentin_fury]

...i wasn't there...but what i learned is to better organize your summer weekends.

i love these posts. sorry i missed the day.

later
darcy

I agree with this - just too busy this summer.
Q

[StewPiddass]

I agree with this - just too busy this summer.
Q

Ya, ditto on that! But dropping by on the way home from the cottage after a couple of nice cool dips in the lake and then seeing all of you sweating your b@#$s off was somehow worth it. :cool: :p

No really, was nice to see everyone!

[IndyIan]

#1 Its good to show up with enough time to get your race tires on... 8 year old cheap all season tires are kinda fun but not that fast.

#2 When you do put your r-comps on the front and street tires on the back, take it easy in the first braking zone... A spin may result.

#3 Regional courses are fun!

#4 Low profile 14" tires look like spare donuts from a distance.

#5 To quote Harry Hogge (Days of Thunder) "Loose is fast" if a bit nerve racking in a couple spots...

Thanks to Greg and the other folks that put on the event, it was well worth the heat and missing that soccer game.

[Kreutz73]

a honking horn at the end of the day doesn't always mean there's a driver's meeting...

...congrats to Spain on the win.

[6thGear]

1. R-comps that had their pressures set early in the morning then sit baking in the sun until the second run group, heat up quickly after a couple of turns and feel like you're driving on winter tires.
2. Bring more water/drinks than you think you'll need to drink on a hot, sunny day. 4L wasn't enough.
3. Ovals can be very interesting with cones on them (well done, Greg).
4. Banking on the curves can make for some interesting/different reactions from the car. The course walk doesn't quite prepare you for that.
5. I can't remember the last event at which I didn't take out any cones. Now to see if I can keep up the new trend.
6. What soccer game?
7. Spending the evening watching the F1 British Grand Prix and Top Gear seemed like a fitting way to close out the day.
8. Even without a hope in hell of winning (placing, showing - we were in the middle of a horse track) in class, I had fun.

[AlienDNA]

3. Who says you can't autocross an old Buick? Props to whoever that guy was!



Every time the Buick ran, I heard the theme from "The A-Team" in my head...

[miatagirl77]

1. Concrete barriers on a racetrack are way more intimidating than concrete barriers on our highways

2. Even with my new wider rims and tires, SC'd Miatas do not take kindly to ovals surrounded by a horse racetrack that was rained upon a few days before and not cleaned up

3. Slowing down in all the right places really does help you go fast in all the go fast places. The key is to figure out where those places are!

4. Dropping 5 seconds off your time in 2 runs really does feel great

5. Always bring more food and water than what you plan on needing. 3.25L of water, gatorade and frozen water bottles just doesn't cut it sometimes

6. I <3 Auto-x!!:D

[StewPiddass]

5. Always bring more food and water than what you plan on needing. 3.25L of water, gatorade and frozen water bottles just doesn't cut it sometimes



mmmm cookies and ginger ale...