I'm surprised nobody has started this thread yet.

Nice mix of MX-5 & RX-8s in C Stock. plus a 370Z to keep them honest.

STR looks interesting; MX-5 vs. S2000 battle ground

Only 1 RX-8 in STX.

Can't wait for the season to start...

 

Total entry is now at 300...wow (last year was 259). All stock classes have 10 or more EXCEPT AS-2,FS-4 and GS-6.

 

Not to mention the MR-2 Spyder driven by Bledsoe and Naughton. On the asphalt at SGMP with the runway-style course layouts, I suspect the narrow, mid-engined MR2 could be well suited for that site.

 

My shock parts are backordered in Holland

 

This will be my first Tour, any advice for me guys?

 

Try and stay clean on your first run! Always nice to have that first clean run to build off of.

 

I prefer fast & dirty over slow and clean, at least you know where the limits are as well as your potential. After you get your @ss kicked enough times because of cones, being dirty no longer psyches you out

 

In my first year of national events that kicked my butt, had the speed but drove stupidly. Once you get that balance it really starts to click and the results will come!

 

Try not to psych yourself out. Treat it like a local event. There's a 99.99% chance you'll be off the pace of the leaders (current national champ Bryce Meredith is competing), so don't fret the numbers. Focus on getting the best run you can possibly do on each day of the event. This will give you a true indication of where you stack up.

Btw, don't over think the course -- I'm going to brake here, get on the gas there, etc. Just look ahead, be aggressive and be smooth. This last piece of advice Ian Stewart gave me 4+ years ago at a DC Pro. Some of the best advice I've ever been given.

 

I'm just ready to have some fun and enjoy the weather, it's been too cold in NC lately...And it's snowing out right now!!!

 

Michael, I'll be running CS but if there's anything I can help with let me know.

 

Link to Entry List (CLICK)


Here's the Run/Work order (CS runs 2nd heat, STX runs 3rd):

Run Heat 1: BSL, DSL, GSL, HS, ST, ASPL, DSPL, ESP, DPL, SM, SSM, AML, BM, EM, FSAEL

Run Heat 2: FJA, FJB, SSL, ASL, CS, ESL, FS, STS, STU, BSP, EPL, FP, SMFL, CML, DM, FML, STRL

Course open for walking

Run Heat 3: HSL, STL, STX, CSP, ESPL, FSP, XP, CP, GP, SML, SSML, BML, EML, F125

Run Heat 4: BS, CSL, DS, FSL, GS, STSL, STUL, ASP, BSPL, DSP, DP, FPL, AM, DML, FSAE

Run Heat 5: SS, AS, ES, STXL, CSPL, FSPL, XPL, CPL, EP, GPL, SMF, CM, FM, F125L, STR


Work Heat 1: CSL, FSL, STSL, STX, STUL, BSPL, CSP, FSP, XP, CP, FPL, GP, DML, F125

Work Heat 2: BS, DS, GS, STXL, ASP, CSPL, DSP, XPL, CPL, DP, GPL, F125L, FSAE

Course open for walking

Work Heat 3: SS, AS, BSL, DSL, ES, GSL, ASPL, DSPL, ESP, FSPL, DPL, EP, SMF, AM, AML, CM, FM, FSAEL, STR

Work Heat 4: SSL, ASL, ESL, HS, ST, EPL, SM, SMFL, SSM, BM, CML, EM, FML, STRL

Work Heat 5: CS, FS, HSL, STL, STS, STU, BSP, ESPL, FP, SML, SSML, BML, DM, EML

 

If anyone is interested CS just started running, second drivers are about to start their first runs. http://sololive.scca.com/CS.html

 

Fixed.

Carter laid it down, pretty big gap back to Jason...nothing but RX8's at the top...this event, anyhow

Anyone know what happened in STR? Results look fubar'ed...

 

STR was last to run, Probably finished up around 6 so the results are not actually posted correctly yet.

 

^got it. I didn't know they ran so late...the solotime site has numbers for the class, but they don't make sense.

did you enjoy your first day, first Tour? Looks like STX has one car gapping everyone, then the rest of you guys are fairly close...do well tomorrow

 

First day was fun and the car was great through the first half of the course. After the turn around and slalom, there was a low speed corner that the car just pushed through. I worked on getting my braking done early but it still pushed way more than usual. Looking forward to tomorrow.

 

Interesting to see Bryce over .5 sec back from the lead in STX.

Top 3 cars all BMWs.

 

That's my buddy Eric from Triad leading the way in STX in Cline's BMW. Not too shabby leading the Meredith's after Day 1...

Ruggles must be kicking himself right now. Nice to see he has the speed still...just has to make it clean.

Tovsen is rocking the house in FSP.

 

Nice meeting you today Mike. I really like you car. Good luck on getting that understeer in check and improving tomorrow.

-Jake
HamfistRacing.com

 

Jason's always fast, darn those pesky cones...I wouldn't know anything about cones, RX8's and Tours...

Tovsen straight timed Strano/FS by a ton (similar pax'es)...I think the allowances SCCA has given the Hondas in FSP will prove to have created yet another spec Civic class and wrecked what was an interesting class.

 

Looks like Eric takes the win in STX by a wiiiiiiiide margin. I sincerley hope Bryce was off his game for some reason or another. Otherwise STX just got a whole bunch harder.

Carter also takes CS by an equally impressive margin.

Good job Michael in completing your first tour. Looks like you moved up a spot?

 

Looking at the data more, Eric straight-timed STU by 1.3 secs, and was only marginally slower than ST.

Michael, what were the conditions like? Was there much of a difference between heats 1, 2 & 3?

 

Yay for the new AS! 1 car

 

Team Thompson, w00t-w00t