deamicls

iTrader: (1)

At least you still have a hot car at the end of the day.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

I was lucky to get that given how severe the oversteer is in my car there. After my second run on day 2 my confidence in the car and myself was completely shot . It was only due some inspiring words from DKNV that I managed to run a decent time on my last run , and even then I was hanging on the ragged edge of spinning while broad-sliding through most of the course

More importantly I want to congratulate Jason on a great win in B Stock. I didn't give him much respect over his Championship last year, but winning this tough class 2 years in a row is no fluke. He did a great job driving and his car is setup extremely well

DKNV was 2nd on the first day running my car in STUL, and fell back to 3rd on day 2 mainly from being overly-cautious to avoid spinning my crazy-f'ing-loose driftmobile. Still, she scored her first-ever Nationals trophy

ps: IMO if you insist on running Hoosier A6's for B Stock you need to be using the 225/40-18 size, not 245/35 and certainly not 285/30

Imp

Can you make that picture any bigger?

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

Thanks.

I wish the RX8 would have had a better showing in STU, I am sure it is just a matter of time to get it worked out. I still think, except for prosolo, it may be the car to beat in STU. Watch or drive any of the StiEvos and they are doing it on pure power and strait line speed, they do not handle.

Might I suggest some rear -camber to help with your oversteer.

kwescott

Jason, you ever driven with Max....the black Stu-baru? I wonder if he drives the same way...all power and no handling. He seems to hit the courses in Fontana pretty well compared to the other 20 Stu-barus in the class.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

LOL, thought it would appropriate for the pic size to match my ego but I fixed it just for you

trust me, I tried more rear camber along with everything else you can imagine. The on-course pics from Nat's clearly show much more front suspension roll than rear, which given my setup compared to the off-the-shelf springs/sways has left me a bit baffled. I just ordered the super-stiff Speedsource adjustable front sway bar from Motorsports and from there I'll start upping the front spring rate and as a last resort drop the rear spring rate.

shinronin

what sort of balance were you striving for? neutral? touch of understeer or oversteer? perhaps not enough rebound in the front? i'm going full STU attack next year mod-wise so i'd certainly like to help work through your setup woes if i can for your sake and mine. ;-)

the ohlins PCV coilovers have spring rates of 450/280 and last i read i think you were 50 north of that front and rear so i can see what you mean re: spring rates probably not being the issue.

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

I have gone for a few rides with him, lots of point and shoot, he does not carry a lot of corner speed none of the awd cars I have seen do. I think the weight balance of the awd car forces you to setup that way, kind of like a fwd car. However when you have a real short 2nd gear and lots of power you can pull that off. The lack of tq in the RX8 will force you to carry speed if you want to go fast.

CRX Millennium

iTrader: (1)

I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread thus far. While I'm too new and unskilled to try THE National Championship this year, I will make it my goal for '07. Good to know that Jason will be looking for his third consecutive BS title next year, with the loss of Keith, John, and Clyde to other classes.

Thank to Philly region to help me preparing for the tough battle ahead. You all inspired me to do better!

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

don't count clyde out yet

John V

iTrader: (1)

You're not too unskilled to go to nats. That's what I thought in '03 and why I didn't go (that plus lack of funds) even though I should have, just for the experience. It's not about winning your first time out (unless you're GJ Dixon).

JV

clyde

I'm sorry, but I just don't get this. The only things that should keep anyone from going to Nats is lack of time or budget. The only "skill" requirements should be knowing how to generally drive on course and how to work a course (or other worker position). Point being, as long as you aren't *so* new as to get in the way and unnecessarily delay the event, you're skilled enough to go.

My driving at Nats has spoken for itself. First year out was in my third year of autocrossing and the car I drove (TeamRX8's Z4) was one that I wasn't terribly familiar with and it was my first time on concrete. I was 39th of 49. Second year (last year), I really had high hopes and wound up 14th of 32. It was a long drive home. This year, I just wanted to drive as well as I could and find myself in whatever position. The first day was the worst driving that I've done in the past three or four years. I overthought everything leading up to the first days runs, tried to stick with a plan that my first run should have showed me was wrong, battled a car that was overly loose without any effort to fix it, and then after my second run was almost as bad as my first, I just went through the motions of a really poor run for my third...and found myself in 27th of 36. We fixed the car for the second day, I got red flagged about 3/4 of the way through my first run (after someone who shall remain nameless got stuck in the finish lights) which had felt really, really good up to that point. On my subsequent runs, I tried even harder and just got a little greedy on each run, blowing what would have otherwise been respectable runs. Still, I think I was 14th on the day and that pulled me up to the lofty (not) position of 23rd of 36. Meanwhile, John turned the 3rd fastest time of the day for the class in the car.

I was embarrassed, depressed, and just have never felt so awful about how I've driven. Even now, more than a week after, I still feel like utter crap about how I drove. I haven't gotten to bringing the videos into the computer because I don't want to relive it. Just thinking about it now is kind of bringing me down. I mean, I really feel lousy about it. The idea that I spent 10 days away from my wife and children for this is...ugh. But...

And here's where I finally get to my point...

I had a total ******* blast and can't wait to get out there next year to redeem myself in the Boxster (and win the A Stock Jacket that Jason gave up on ). It's a fantastic time of hanging out with friends, eating and drinking with them, helping them, watching them, and making new friends as well as putting faces and cars with screen names on various forums. If you're someone that really only wants to run, win, and go home, there's not much reason to drive halfway across the country for six runs...even if you honestly believe that you will win. It's a hell of a lot of time, money, and effort for a jacket and bragging rights. IMO, it's not at all worth it.

One of the other things to be said for going to Nats before you really have any aspirations of doing well is that it lets you learn about how the event works, what to expect and such so that you aren't also hit with first time jitters when you expect to do better. Moving to HPT was a big adjustment for just about everyone. The wonky grid setup, the unique surface.

Now, this is the bottom line. Earlier I said that this year I just wanted to drive as well as I could. If I had done that and found myself in 23rd (or 27th for that matter), I wouldn't have been bothered. Instead, I left everything on the table, and that's what's upsetting. And that's the challenge... To go out and drive as well as you can when you're up against most of the best from around the country. If you do that, the rest of it takes care of itself. Frankly, if I'd driven as poorly as I did and done well in finishing position, I'd still be about as upset as I am.

My failure wasn't that I finished so poorly. It was that I didn't come anywhere close to accomplishing what I know that I'm capable of. Still, everything else about going to Topeka made the trip worthwhile.

clyde

(although I am concerned about the Boxster's ability to win the Pro Finale at HPT)

CRX Millennium

iTrader: (1)

Thanks John and clyde for your encouraging advises on-and-off-track always. Hope to see you guys at Ripken before winter takes over east coast.

*cough* I should have said not committed enough to do it this year (fund/timeoff). I know winning is not everything, since that takes time/money/natural talent. Knowing myself as a purist/perfectionist, driving crazy miles to Topeka while still playing catch-up to fast guys like Ridgick & Savini at Philly local events calls my sanity into questions. Life is too short to worry about finishing position and jacket, so I'll make '07 with my Philly jacket (baby-step) and enjoy myself =)

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

I waited to go to natls until I thought I could trophy, started in 93' went to natls in 98' and just missed the trophy. After I went once I was hooked and really bummed that I missed going the previous years. It is an awesome experience when you see 1000+ other idiots that travel all that way and spend all that money for 6 runs.

mwood

Let's see...
Last year, my first autocrossing, I went back for Nationals, but not the Pro...and sucked.
This year, I went back for the Pro, but not for Nationals, and sucked, but not as badly.
Next year, I plan on doing both...and sucking much less.

Now, given that I've yet to really do well, after going to the expense (time and money) to travel to beautiful Topeka, why would I go back again? Because it's just a kick...it's a little crazy, a lot of good people and just fun.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Admit it, you want to keep the RX-8 and redeem yourself in 2007

clyde

Yes, but not enough to actually do it. If I could afford it, I'd keep the car (although probably still not compete with it next year), but if I want to get a Suburban/Tahoe/Armada, I need to sell the car.

altiain

iTrader: (3)

I'll second that. I've been autocrossing since '99, but this year was the first year I made the trip to Nationals (something always seemed to get in the way). Wish I'd gone sooner. I'll definitely be back next year.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

forgot to mention that I'll also be installing a 2:1 aftermarket LSD for next year, which should also help tighten up the handling

Here's a slew of National photos:

STU - East Course, Day 1

STU - West Course, Day 2


BS - West Course, Day 1

BS - East Course, Day 2

MazdaRich

Sweet! I can see the guy running after one of the cones I mowed down on the backstretch.

Obviously i didn't do so hot this year, but I learned a few things and I'm hoping to be in mid-pack contention next year. My car setup could not have been more wrong. The RX-8 is a fine platform for STU, so don't let our results scare you away. On the other hand, B Stock makes a lot of sense if you want to be competitive for fairly cheap. STU requires another set of wheels AND more expensive than v710 tires. I ended up in the class as a stopgap before B-Stock, and it turned out to be a really fun class in Colorado. I'll see how things go for the next few months before deciding which class to go in next year.

Overall I had a good time, despite my driving! Should be back next year...

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

LOL, those are the inexpensive pieces ...

this Pro Finale pic courtesy of TeamWTF?!

Imp

Mark...

We ran East on day 1 and West on day 2.

--kC

edj

Maybe you did but the rest of BS didn't...

Cito

I think KC is pointing out that the labels above for BS are backwards?

Mark, thanks for the links. I looked for the pics soon after Nationals and sorta gave up on them. Has anyone seen any of the video that DRP took?