As far as more grip, I dunno, but his contact patch will be a different shape with a 16 high profile. Actually, I wonder if his total tire height from ground to tire top is lower than the standard 18" wheel + lower profile tire... That would let him have a lower center of gravity too.

But yes, the car felt great through the slalom, I think it had more grip than he was getting out of it to be sure... It was wet outside tho, so he wisely stayed in a safe margin... but let it be known that the auto 8 is no slouch on the autox course. From what I gather the Bridgestones just have better grip than the Dunlops. Everyone who I have ridden with (IIRC) had bridgestones and they were laying down more consistent initial bite than the dunlops on my 8 were.

I didn't get to ride with Jamie, but he seemed to have 4 good runs in the wet (no DNFs) so he's doing real good.

----

As for classing, I think that Wes is all stock, so after his 2nd novice run, he'll probably go to bstock. However, he may be happier in STU, even without the additional mods he can do, since that is the only class that does not have race tires (slicks).

I think Jamie, because of the Turbo, will go to SM (Street Modified). It is a race tire class and he should consider getting a set of autox wheels and tires with slicks, especially with a turbo installed. Jamie, you can ask on the forums at www.soloatlanta.com and the experts will let you know. I am pretty sure I am right, though.

Keep in mind that you can always run Time Only if you just want to go have fun.

 

The next regular event is on July 10th @ Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. However, there is a really cool all-day practice session ($50) with instructors Jun 17th that I think I am going to do. You guys may like to sign up as well... (not the normal signup place tho, as this is done by a "company" that teaches autocrossing)

-T

 

That's the class that I was looking at and I thought I remember you saying that one was it, but just making sure. I almost DNF'd my last run on the slalom but managed to just kill a few cones due to the rain. The ink from the orange numbers on the side of the car ran after they got wet and stained the side of my car. I'm going to wax it again and see if it wont come off. Looks nasty though on the yellow.

That class sounds like fun. I think all my friends would like to participate in that also. Could you post a link to where I can sign up?

 

Here you go, Jamie

http://www.boomplustoys.net/autoexe_rx8.shtml

 

Yep, you can find this on myautoevents.com (you'll have to create a log in). It's in atlanta on the 17th and is called EVO practice day or something like that. There is also another evo calss that day for a select few people, but this is the one you want.

Right now, they don't have enough signed up, so they may cancel if they don't get any more in the next few days. Try to get folks to sign up quickly if you have interest. It will make a huge difference.

 

Thanks for the links. Just wondering whats on the schedule for possible future meets? The members of my car club are wanting to hit nopi nationals this year and I'd love to see more 8s there than last years turn out of 4. It's a great way to spend a weekend, plus you can register for the dyno compitition which is $35 for 3 dyno pulls. There's tons of different classes that we can participate in. One including best turn out for a car club. If you've never been, you should at least go and check it out. There's thousands of car crazy people there and it's a neat experience. It's going to be on sept. 17 and 18. For more info go to www.nopinationals.com

 

Just got an email from Jean who runs these EVO events:




You cannot register on My autoevents.. it is thorugh me and now has to be done by paypal. I am moving out of my house and the office is packed up. Before friday if it is to happen.

Jean



Jean Kinser-Dana
Evolution Performance Driving School
1693 Golfside Village Ct., Apopka, Fl 32712
www.autocross.com/evolution jean77@evolutionschool.biz
407-889-9976

 

So do we email him if we want to register? When do we have to do it by?

 

yes, email or call... if they don't get another 6 entries before Friday, they will cancel the event. So you'll need to complete the sign up by thursday.

From what I have heard from folks, this will make a huge difference in your performance, especailly for a novice.

-T

 

Are any of you guys looking at doing the event on July 10. I am up for it, I will probably drive in Novice again. Since I only have one more chance in novice to get a little better, I might as well take the opportunity. No one from our group has signed up yet, Splan, are you doing this event, did not see you listed either.

 

I'm planning on taking the rest of the guys down there again. They are hooked just like I am now.

 

Welcome back Travis,
I just looked into the autox on July 10 and the registration is closed already. Guess I won't be doing this one ;(

 

Is it closed or has it even opened yet?

 

I had not noticed that it is closed already. There is no entry limit, so I wonder if it has even opened for registration yet. Let me see if I can contact someone about it.

 

I don't think it is opened yet, but yes I will be there. I think if you see people signed up, those are folks with a season pass, they automatically get registered for every event.

The second divisional race is at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds this weekend, so if you are close to there, you may want to stop by and watch or sign up for that. I won't be competing there but will be meeting up with a couple of guys out there.

Anytime you guys want to go back to andretti or meet for dinner, etc, in the next few weeks that would be cool. I really want to get the miata out behind Nabil on the mtn roads too.


Edit:
Just checked, it isn't open for registration yet. They usually do it within two weeks of the event. Also, I'll be running in the morning that day since I am in CSP. Wes and Jamie have to move out of novice, Wes should go to Bstock and Jamie to STU unless he gets his turbo on then it will be SM.

Bstock and SM are "Yellow run group" (afternoon this time)
STU is "White run group" (morning this time)

 

I think I have one more run in novice since I have only competed once. Unless they think I am that good of a driver which I highly doubt.

 

I will sign up as soon as it is open for registration. I figured that the 40 signed up for every event were season pass folks. I am looking forward to it, more tire shredding fun. My tires were extra grippy for about a day and a half after the last event. Quieter too, then they smoothed over, and got loud again. The wife may even come take pictures. We will see.

 

Hey guys, is this something I could join in on. I've never had any instruction and I'm looking for the best opportunity to learn how to drive on the track. Is this good for first timer's?

Splan, lets get another andretti's going. What works for you? I also want to run in the mountains again.

 

Hey silver,

Yes, this is great for first timers, I did the Turner Field event a few weeks ago, my first. IT was awesome, and shows how well the car handles, and teaches you a lot. I got to try the power on oversteer, almost a drift, but not that extreme or cool. Come out and join us, it is a lot of fun, and it will be addicting. It is not really track driving, it almost feels like an obstacle course. It help to learn course memorization, car control, and course planning. Come join us, I assure you that you will have fun.

Andrettis sounds cool too, that was a lot of fun the last time I got to do that.

And a mountain run is always fun. I have the itch right now, because I drove a very twisty road in Hawaii this past week, and wished I had my 8, 30 miles of first gear twisties. Supposedly the most scenic highway in the world.

 

OK, you talked me into it. I'm in for this weekend. Now, please hold my hand and tell me what to do to get into the driving school, what I need to prepare for it and what not to do.

Thanks!

 

Hey Silver, I'll PM you and we can chat to get you up to speed...

 

OK, thanks!

 

I think I may have misunderstood you Silver, were you refering to the autocross event, or the Driving School? Sorry, I thought you were refering to the autocross. I wish I could have signed up for the instruction on June 17th, but that is a Friday, and I am out of vacation days for the year. But the autocross event is a lot of fun, and great for learning.

 

I will be going to the Gwinnett fairgrounds as an observer Saturday and will hook up with Splan. Sunday is a run in the mountains with a small group. All are welcome.

As far as autocross or driving school... I want some formal instruction on driving and I'm open for when ever and hope one of you will guide me to the best schooling opportunity for a novice.

 

good thing about autocross is that most everyone is friendly and willing to help.

before each session (morning/afternoon) there is a novice meeting, in which one of the more advanced drivers will go over some pointers and then lead the novices on a walkthrough of the course, pointing out different things to look out for, how to set up for a specific feature on the track and give an idea for a good driving line.

another thing you can do is ask someone who's available to ride along with you and give you advice on what you are doing right/wrong.

its a good way to get some informal coaching and a safe way to really learn about your car.

as for formal training, i think its offered 2x a year, but there is a novice school that is offered and every driver has coach that rides along. registration is usually limited.

there is also the Evolution School, but i've never done it so i can't same much about it.