Yup, that was me.

It was a great time. The only bad part is that in the evening, I managed to curb 2-3 feet worth of wheel lip.

 

Was that your red 8 that said "next-gen" on it?

 

Definitely a great way to spend a sunday morning, especially since it's free. I had a blast posting crappy times!

Food/drink prices were not bad - as someone posted earlier. $4.50 for a can of soda and a cheese burger.

 

Nex-Gen yes that was me.

 

That was fun. They let me park my RX8 under the tent right up front, which was cool.

I've driven the MS6 before and I was shocked when I saw that they were using it for the autox event (instead of the MX5 or RX8). The MS6 is not suited for autox at all... it's not poised, it's heavy, it understeers, its brakes are not the best, throttle response is poor, and turbo lag is severe. I was there with a dozen friends, and when we talked afterwards it was clear that no one was impressed with it. Though to be fair to it, the ones there had worn tires and badly-abused clutches in dire need of replacement.

Out of our group, I was the only one to get under the time-to-beat in the MS6 autox so I took home bragging rights

 

Definite turbo lag, but I was still pretty impressed with it. Maybe seeing a few of the strong runs would've changed your opinion. The guy sporting all his subie gear had a hell of a run in Mazdas awd beast, as did Imp. Seeing those 2 runs under 40 seconds may have changed your mind.

Did anyone else feel like they should have been writing down all the VIN's on those cars to ensure they never owned one? In one of the 8's I drove I swear the clutch was crunching at the catch point.

 

I believe they take them back and tear them down looking for signs of fatigue and wear.

--kC

 

Nope, I saw a couple runs at around 40 flat. An MX5 or RX8 could've done better. My point was not that the MS6 can't be fun, but rather that it's not suited to that type of event.

 

Wilst waiting in line, one of the pros took a run and came in with a 39.5 ... they said it was his 1st, possible 2nd time ever in the car (!).

Skill IS everything, even tho this was not exactly an auto-x type car....

 

Skill is everything. CLEARLY.

 

I can agree w/that. Rally, anyone?

 

<--- 39.668 on Sunday.... in the wet, 2nd time in the car. 1st time was my 1st run at 40.7 (also in the wet). Later did a 39.7 in the dry with a passenger in the car (which is worth about 2-3/10ths.) Stu was funny to listen to as they were setting up the timing on Sun morning (before anyone ran but many people in line) saying that the course was set to 42.5 from the day before and they were going to let it stay that way for Sunday too and see what happens. Continuing on that the wet could have changed things and made it slower. Wet/dry.... whatever. Why? Continue reading....

Agreed, skill is everything for auto-x. Knowing when to slow down, when to get on it, when to make adjustments ahead of time before anything catches you by surprise.. all of this comes from the 'feel' of the car.

That course only had one way to drive it. One 'line' so to speak wet OR dry.. it was the same line. That's why my time wasn't far off from the dry times. It was slow enough that braking and inputs weould be identically the same. The course didn't allow anyone to take 'a different line'... different enough to hang themselves. It drives the same way, wet or dry.

But that realization is something that comes along with seat time and being able to recognize it in the 1st place.

Example: within the 1st couple corners I noticed that the power steering couldn't keep up with the inputs. Expereince in driving other peoples cars tells me that for quick transitions with slow power steering, I have to turn the wheel even earlier than normal.

What this translated to in the 6 was that for the final bit of offests before the finish, as soon as the car started rotating one way, I was already turning the wheel the opposite direction to counteract the slow power steering (the steering goes from light finger touch to heavy as if power steering didn't exist, and then back to light again when it's caught up) It took that long for it to catch up to the inputs.

The 6 isn't a sports car. And you're right, it's not a car I'd own to auto-x. I didn't expect it to be. It's a powerful sedan with ok handling for those that like a spirited daily drive. However, I would consider one for a daily driver.... but there are other cars that would fit that bill nicely too.

--kC

 

IMP how long have you been AutoX'ing? I've never AutoX'ed but would like to try it sometime. Are there upcoming events for beginners around our area?

 

This is my 9th year. 5th 'full' year as the 1st few I was like almost everyone else just doing a few events a year.

Beginners are welcome at any event, with any club. I haven't heard of one club that didn't allow beginners. Everyone has to start someplace.

There's a New England Region SCCA event Sunday at the parking lot at NHIS in Loudon. (There's one Saturday, but it's a non points event).

You can find more information here: http://www.ner.org/Solo/solo.htm

Most of the 'faster' events are held at Ft. Devens in Ayer Ma.

Here's the rundown....

Each club has their pluses and minuses.

http://www.ner.org
NER SCCA lets anyone run, member or non-member. (Non members pay $40 per event where members pay $30). In that regard, you can have anywhere from 100-200 people show up on any given event day (NHIS events usually less). What this translates to is generally less runs for everyone. However, the upside to the club is the novice program and it is also a more competitive club. You want to run with the best of the best in New England? (those that compete at the National Level) You want to learn from them? NER is it. In the spring, they do a Solo School for novices. A very good program.

http://www.boston-bmwcca.org
Then there's also the Boston BMW club. They let anyone run with them too, BMW or not. However, you need to 1) be a member and 2) pre-register early for the event because they limit entries to maximize seat time (about 8 runs). They run only at Ft Devens. A very good club that is also very open to novices. However, no separate class for novices. They run a good ship with a good balance between competiton and relaxation.

http://www.renegademiata.net
Almost the same thing as Boston-BMW. Need to be a member to pre-register, and the limit entries even further. However, if all the spots aren't filled through pre-reg, day of registration is open to anyone that is an SCCA, BMW or Renegade Miata member (but you have to be a member of one of those). I have never run with them, but I hear they're a fun group too.

http://www.wmc-bmwcca.org/
Another BMW club, this time up NH way. They primarily auto-x at NHIS. Don't know much about them, and nothing is listed about them doing auto-x, but they do do it there.

There are other clubs that auto-x at Devens (SHO club/SVT club... etc) that allow others to run, but you have to also be a member of those particular clubs.

Ultimately, I encourage anyone to try the different clubs and find the one that suits you best. I used to auto-x primarily with the BMW club and only do a couple SCCA events.. until I wanted to start doing national level auto-x. Then I became an SCCA member and they're like a 2nd family to me now. (3rd, if you count my wifes family).

I still run with other clubs for additional seat time.

It's the safest type of motorsport out there. Courses are generally designed that you won't hit solid objects, or other cars while on the course. But this is still a motorsport... things *can* happen if you lose focus.

If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

--kC

 

Nice, thanks for the info! I drove the 8 and the Miata around the course in the Zoom Zoom event and it was a lot of fun. I'm not planning on AutoX'ing hardcore, but I'd like to go every couple of months. I went on Saturday so I didn't really see the good drivers but I wish I'd gone Sunday to see the pros.

 

Show off. j/k

Definitely right about the wet dry though. My first run on dry pavement was a stellar 50.1+. Second run when they reopened after the downpour (when I had only 6 people left in front of me in line ) was a much more acceptable 43.5. But I think that was enough to hook me.

 

I was told they crush them or something at the end.

 

Astral, damn dude what happened that evening? I ended up doing a 2nd run and I got a more respectible 43.1 after you called me once it stopped raining. I got myself a baseball hat from matching the 35 sec too so that was cool

Imp, were you there with an Asian gf? I think I was right behind you in a red shirt and we talked a little bit. Then you "jumped the line" and took the auto on the course?

I had a good time, I'm sure everyone else did as well. I didn't drive the 8s there but I tried one of the Miatas.

 

Nope, that wasn't me. Green "Big Dog" t-shirt.

--kC

 

Are the times messed up online? The results at www.zoomzoomlive.com don't match what's been posted in this thread. The official results for Boston are:
Personally, I got a 42.4 during my one run, which was a bit sloppy. If I had time to do another and didn't have 450-pounds worth of passengers in my car, I think I could've shaved a second off my time. For years, I've been wanting to try out autox... I really gotta make it out to one of those club events that kC summarized (BTW, thanks!)

 

Ok now I remember, it was Ryan Powers. Saw him on deslock's list.

 

Yes they are. That 41.x listed for me (Keith C) was my 4th run in the car where I messed up horribly, and with a passenger. I ran.. 1st) 40.7xx, 2nd) 39.668 Bothin the wet. THen later I went back and ran a 39.7xx with a passenger and then the one on the list as top times for sunday 41.x again, with a passenger.

Those that were there know as Stu was talking about it all day, and there were people in line at the time. (Check MSProtege.com in the NEPOC section of the forum for Zoom Zoom. They saw it.

Trust me... 39.668 was the time. THere are people saying that Sat times are messed up too.

--kC

 

I was there and I can testify! 39.668! It was fast. Heck, people couldn't quite believe 40.7 the firs trun.

 

I remember after that 1st run ... "Stamp me now!!!"

--kC

 

Tomorrow 10am for bxb40 and me. Thanks Big Dog for the driving tip, sure will come handy to put me on the chart =P
The car is going into the shop for rear wheel stud replacement, so this may be only action I will get this weekend.