Zero Bar
15+ Year Contributor
- 456
- 6
- Jan 14, 2005
-
Columbus,
Ohio
I Freaking did it!!!!!!!
Yesterday was our last points event of the year and I only had 1 other car to compete with and it was just a gutted crx that was not a problem for me to dispatch. None of the other points competitors even bothered to show up as, if I tallied the points correctly, I had the class tied up with the last event. 
Event Summary: We had our points event #11 yesterday at National Trail Raceway. It was our first time at this facility but most people seemed excited as we had the place to our selves making for a huge area, and a lot of it was recently repaved. This was a charity event benefitting the Lynn Stanberry fund for cancer research. All of our race fees went to the fund and the track also donated some money as well.
I get there and begin my last time putting the slicks on my Laser. I get the car ready and walk shivering to the course for a walk. It was a cold morning somewhere around 40 degrees. The course is big, wide, and fast for what were used to. It starts as a quick right/left/right, then a very short straight to an uphill, off-camber right to enter the 6 cone slalom. The slalom is nice and long but the gap between the cones shortens half way and you have to reduce your speed slightly. Next is a right hairpin leading into a straight with a no-lift kink. Then on the brakes hard for a 120 degree left turn, another quick kink into a 90 degree right to another very wide right 120 degree turn where you have to go wide to avoid getting sideways across the finish. Most cars are in the mid 40 second range with a few under 40 and ftd a 36.xxx by a shifter kart.
I don't run until the last heat thankfully as it's quite cold in the morning and the lot is quite smooth asphalt with little grip. I finally convince my dad to come out to an event and he rides passenger with me on my first 2 laps. I spend those learning the course and trying to keep my rear end in place. My tire pressures shot up quickly and kept causing wheel hop in the front and the rear on ice. I have my best time on my 4th lap of a 41.4 secs. With the class locked in I get the camera out and mount it outside the car and have passengers with me so I can only manage 42.0 and a 41.9. Didn't matter as I had times far faster than the crx.
The season in review
It was a great feeling having the victory in my hands and no pressure. I was able to just relax and have fun. I was also able to score a huge K&N banner from the charity auction and another event trophy was just icing on the cake. I've waited so long to finally start winning something and it feels great. I won a total of 4 events of 11 this year with a couple 2nd places and some 3rd and 4ths as well. I did it on points and consistency making every event excpet 1 I had to drive my friends car when mine failed to start because of the ecu. My Laser did everything asked of it and more only letting me down the 1 event. The car took a lot of abuse and never complained even as I drove the car frequently on the street. I will miss this car a lot.
Here's the in-car video from yesterday and I'll be adding more as I get it online so keep checking back. I also will be working on the all dsm autox video once the season is all over as we still have a fun event in 2 weeks but I will be drigin my roommates S2000.
Enjoy.....
http://media.putfile.com/Oct-21-Autox-at-Trails
Be patient as the video is larger than I normally do and it takes a few mins to dl.
Yesterday was our last points event of the year and I only had 1 other car to compete with and it was just a gutted crx that was not a problem for me to dispatch. None of the other points competitors even bothered to show up as, if I tallied the points correctly, I had the class tied up with the last event. Event Summary: We had our points event #11 yesterday at National Trail Raceway. It was our first time at this facility but most people seemed excited as we had the place to our selves making for a huge area, and a lot of it was recently repaved. This was a charity event benefitting the Lynn Stanberry fund for cancer research. All of our race fees went to the fund and the track also donated some money as well.
I get there and begin my last time putting the slicks on my Laser. I get the car ready and walk shivering to the course for a walk. It was a cold morning somewhere around 40 degrees. The course is big, wide, and fast for what were used to. It starts as a quick right/left/right, then a very short straight to an uphill, off-camber right to enter the 6 cone slalom. The slalom is nice and long but the gap between the cones shortens half way and you have to reduce your speed slightly. Next is a right hairpin leading into a straight with a no-lift kink. Then on the brakes hard for a 120 degree left turn, another quick kink into a 90 degree right to another very wide right 120 degree turn where you have to go wide to avoid getting sideways across the finish. Most cars are in the mid 40 second range with a few under 40 and ftd a 36.xxx by a shifter kart.
I don't run until the last heat thankfully as it's quite cold in the morning and the lot is quite smooth asphalt with little grip. I finally convince my dad to come out to an event and he rides passenger with me on my first 2 laps. I spend those learning the course and trying to keep my rear end in place. My tire pressures shot up quickly and kept causing wheel hop in the front and the rear on ice. I have my best time on my 4th lap of a 41.4 secs. With the class locked in I get the camera out and mount it outside the car and have passengers with me so I can only manage 42.0 and a 41.9. Didn't matter as I had times far faster than the crx.
The season in review
It was a great feeling having the victory in my hands and no pressure. I was able to just relax and have fun. I was also able to score a huge K&N banner from the charity auction and another event trophy was just icing on the cake. I've waited so long to finally start winning something and it feels great. I won a total of 4 events of 11 this year with a couple 2nd places and some 3rd and 4ths as well. I did it on points and consistency making every event excpet 1 I had to drive my friends car when mine failed to start because of the ecu. My Laser did everything asked of it and more only letting me down the 1 event. The car took a lot of abuse and never complained even as I drove the car frequently on the street. I will miss this car a lot.
Here's the in-car video from yesterday and I'll be adding more as I get it online so keep checking back. I also will be working on the all dsm autox video once the season is all over as we still have a fun event in 2 weeks but I will be drigin my roommates S2000.
Enjoy.....
http://media.putfile.com/Oct-21-Autox-at-Trails
Be patient as the video is larger than I normally do and it takes a few mins to dl.
Another Laser takes top honors! I can truly appreciate all the time and energy you've put forth for this season, and I know it ain't easy.
