What No Drivers?

[Trctnless]

All I see is 1/4 mile & 1/8 mile talk around these parts. My good friend with a GSX has Championed and I've been 2nd only to him in my 1995 GST in SCCA AUTO X (Solo II) for the last 2 years in North Carolina in Street Modified class. Hell my GIRLFRIEND even beats down more guys in AWD's on course in my GST than I can count.

My car runs 2.1 - 2.2 60's &mid to low 13's (still untuned) OK that 13 seconds is over now what?

THING IS... I don't understand why there are not more DSM involved in SOLO 1 or AUTOX around here!

A 2G with a half decent suspension set up can clobber Impreza /WRX and EVO all day out there in the cones. (i've done it, I know) DO not fear SUbies even if your FWD.. COme on out and TURN YOUR WHEEL!

Todd

1995 GST (EVO/STI butt kicking Machine)

www.ccr.scca.org
www.thscc.com

 

[Defiant]

I think it's that drag racers talk more than autocrossers. And is the DSM doing much in auto-X these days? Seems like all the little pukey FWD flitbats with no curb weight would come out far ahead.

 

[«Sÿktu|2ºgst»]

I'd be interested in your setup for autox. I too have a 95GST and was interested in SCCA etc. But was discouraged by the lack of AWD So please shed some light on your EVO/STI butt kicken setup..... PM if need be! Thanks

 

[Trctnless]

Heres my set up.. Don't get me wrong, i've had to get alot of seat time to be as competitive as I am. Tire selection makes a huge difference in competittion, as does the NUT behind the wheel

. It of course helps to have a fast spooling turbo that makes some power and yes there have been a few light FWD "flitbats" on occasion that have shut me down. I am still Quaiffeless and Swayless (sortof) but have learned to drive the car and overcome its peg legged tendancies. I've driven LSD'd FWD DSM in competition and easily taken 1 second off my best time. Its inevitable that it will be installed w/sways in the GST and I fully expect it will enable me to continue being competitive as these stock EVO/STI's refine thier set up's over the next year.

Ported FP Big 28
Ported 2G mani & o2
APexi N1 GT DP
GM MAF Translator
1G Throttle Body Body (60mm match port on intake)
RRE compressor inlet pipe,
RRE lower IC pipe
Supra MKIV Intercooler
Brode/RRE Upper IC Pipe RRE throttle body Elbow
1G CBV
K&N w 'Cold" plat e
Extreme MBC 16psi


Fuel pump Rewire
stock injectors
NGK 1 range colder
8.5 Magenecore wires
ACT 2100 lb clutch RRE Lightned Flywheel 14.5lbs

Suspension / Monitoring / Engine Managment

Prothane Motor.Tranny Mounts

Eibach ProKit springs

Tokiko Illumina 5 wayshocks (set to 5 all around on race days) I tune the cars handling w/tire preasures.

Fr STB (unknown) symborski Shifter Kit
Heavey Leather Shift knob
GSX Sway in Rear
RRE Rear STB
RRE Front lower tie bar

245/45/16 Kumho VictoRacers on 16x8 wheels

Digital Tuning Pocket Logger
Boost guage, water temp
Greddy EGT

http://www.ccrsolo2.org/forms/072003/OVERALL.pdf

http://www.ccrsolo2.org/forms/072003/CLASS.pdf

http://www.thscc.com/autocross/events/2003/2003-0719class.html

see SM class

 

[Ludachris]

Here's why you hear so much drag racing talk and no road race/autoX talk:

1. It's easier for someone to learn how to drag race because they can practice on city streets. There's less skill involved, making it easier to get into.

2. 1/4 mile times are the easiest numbers to compare. It's a "tell all" number. AutoX times are course-dependant.

3. Most people who get into DSMs, get sucked into the whole "huge turbo" frame of mind, instead of trying to balance their car for twisties and straight lines.

Not to mention us 1G guys tend to have power steering issues when it comes to the high revs in autocrossing.

 

[mitsufrkr]

so i might be a little off by asking this question but witch would you recamend an awd or fwd for scca racing. and should i be more worried about HP or handling out of the dsm im going too try to race, be it FWD or AWD.

 

[Antilles]

I love road racing, but my DSM is just not capable.

Wheels, tires, suspension, brakes, strut bars. Im a sway bar away from a "full suspension setup" and the car turns like a dog. She just plows through the corners. It cant be helped without losing about 600lbs.

I could live with that though. Not being competetive and just having fun, but unfortunately my car is having none of this. The cooling system straight up blows. It takes just a few pulls to start boiling coolant, and not long afterward the temp gauge just pegs.

Modified DSM = not a road machine.

A stock car with the ultimate suspension setup and cooling system might be able to make more than a few hot laps, but my car is beyond help.

 

[Trctnless]

"Modified DSM = not a road machine"

no, no no no no,...Perhaps that should be reworded. "A built Drag car = not a road machine."

Yes..Battling overheating is just as much a part of the set up as suspension. I fortunatley have maintained a pretty sound stock cooling system and stradegy for keeping temps down. (fan switches, turing the heat on between runs etc etc. I'm not attesting that my car is ready for 20 laps round a 2.2 mile road course. (Needs vented hood and more heat shields, water injection $$$) I primarily Autocross and my car is currently a State Championship contender in the most diverse open class in SCCA racing SM = Street Modified. Just this weekend the car laid down 36.1 second laps to the WRX's, EVo's 37-40 second avg laptimes. THe ONLY SUbie that was able to outrun me by just .04 seconds was a FP (F-prepared/gutted/vishnu tuned track prepped) car driven by a PRO driver. (Jerry is an incredible driver) Call it driver skill or car set up, however you can't argue with the clock. A FWD (stock Diff/still unswayed) being a 100th of a second off a 350 WHP FP WRX is unheard of but prooves that with enough SEAT TIME/and the right set up (tire preasures and all) A MODIFIED DSM = ONE Hell of a Road Machine.

AWD is very well suited for SCCA once you get the suspenstion sorted out. I would not recomend building a FWD DSM SCCA car, unless you like uphill battles for power and traction (have $$ for a Quaiffe) and have a firm understanding of handling dynamics. I got the PUSH tuned out of my car LONG ago. Now My car goes from perfelctly neutral to snap OVERSTEER (fun but innefective in getting fast lap times) with only 1/2 lb preasure differential in the rear tires. (Kumho 245/45/16 VictoRacer, set 43 front 36 rear.) I Chased my best friend (NC SM Champion) in his GSX for a year as I learned HOW to Drive my peg legged GST and set it up to catch him. Latley the only car to beat both Kent, Jenny and I has been the BMW M3m which I have to give props to as those cars just plain KICK ASS>

Keep in mind, Road Racing & Autoxing (especially) require alot of focus and a well honed (instructed) driver. IT's 90% the NUT behind the wheel that needs to be adjusted. I'm very dedicated to campaigning my car and disprooving myths and smack talk about FWD DSM in the racing community. Not to mention I love to see my girlfriend sending Subie owners home to lick thier wounds. MUahahaha! Above all I have HAD FUN and kept it on the level. Which has enabled me to befriend/meet the sort people that could help me set myself and my car up for success.

 

[stuffy1256]

GRNDSM is running (correct me if im wrong) 12 secs in 1/4 mile and is a auto-x car so yes a DRAG CAR can = an AUTO-X car

 

[Antilles]

Well in any case, mine cant/wont/doesnt so i just gave up and bought a miata for a daily.

 

[Trctnless]

DOn't get me wrong I drag race, I know the deal.. WHen I say Built Drag car i'm talking 50Trims and Frank 7's of FP 30 cars... You can't convince me those would be competive Autoxers. WHats you set up? I go to the local 1/8's and 1/4's just like the next guy, I run 9.0 in the 1/8 and mid 13's in th e1/4. I'm happy with that and its a great dual purpose car. I'm sure once I get the fuel tuned and crank the psi up to 20 it'll be even faster.

 

[Antilles]

I have an AFC, VPC, 16G, supra sidemount, and all the little stuff to go along. Plus suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires.
My car ran a best of 12.49 and my cooling system wants to kill itself even at the drag strip. I honestly cant think of what to do to besides get an aluminum radiator. And I dont think that will cure it.

 

[mazdamx6pwr.com]

Antilles,

Thats funny you mention you bought a miata for a daily car. I just picked up a 10AE.

I have a 1G Talon I hillclimb, AutoX, RallX, and Winter Beater.

 

[Antilles]

Nice.

My problem is I cant figure out which car to make my winter beater.
The Miata has seen winters and has a set of snow tires
The Talon is in worse shape and has winter wheels
The Miata is almost too nice for snow, the talon is almost too fast and too breakable for winter driving.

Oh well. Looks like its time to buy another car

And now back to your regularily schedualed topic....oops.

 

[Trctnless]

Miata's kick ass at autoX and there a hell of alot more fun to drive than my car albeit faster. Rally x is cool.. I wish the local SCCA club would start doing those here

.. My partner and I just got into Pro Rally with a purpose built 1990 GSX. To be used for Group 5 or Open Class. Hoping to simply finish a rally at this point. I'm getting alot of my cooling and set up ques for my 2g from that car. It is simply a matter of ISOLATION (of the intake and other temperature sensative items & INSULATION. Pretty easy stuff to do with some sheet metal, tin snips and used Nascar heat shielding & CF air ducts. (Which is abundant and cheap in NC).

 

[GRNDSM]

>THING IS... I don't understand why there are not more DSM involved in
>SOLO 1 or AUTOX around here!

That is a good question, but the answer is not unique to DSMs... AutoX in general requires more commitment than drag racing. You can show up at the drag strip once a year for just a couple of hours and make a few decent passes. For AutoX, you need to commit an entire day to make 3-5 passes and if you want to be good, you need to do this at least once/ month.

My car is set-up for dual duty, but this year I choose to not partake in AutoX because with 2 kids, it is difficult for me to spend a day away from the family. Drag racing is much easier to participate in, I can do it on Wed or Friday nights or I can bring my son with me to the track for a couple of hours, I can not do this at the AutoX course...

So it looks like there will be no AutoX for me for a while .

>GRNDSM is running (correct me if im wrong) 12 secs in 1/4 mile and is a auto-x car so
>yes a DRAG CAR can = an AUTO-X car

Who are you calling a "12 sec car"? I haven't been that since '99 . Not even on a 14B .

Leon

 

[Bohrn]

and no one mentioned the cost factor.

I'd LOVE to go on a track with corners, elevation changes etc, but I cannot afford brakes, tires etc plus the entry fees etc every time I want to go.

Drag race costs me $23 canadian, lasts 4 or 5 hrs, and I have fun.

Road racing costs WAY MORE.

yea and who you callin a 12 second car hehe That two toned terror should be a 10 second car by now??

 

[GRNDSM]

Road racing? Who is talking about road racing, here? That sport has a HUGE cost difference! (10-15 times more per day). Not to mention, that you can easily total your car at the RR course . And uless you happen to live next to a RR track, it is usually a pretty long drive for most people.

He was asking about AutoX, which costs roughly the same as drag racing. And I am also surprised that more people are not doing it. I think that many people would have a humbling experience when they try it and realize that they are not as good as they thought...

Leon
RR

 

[1997RS]

well, I dont care if anyone bashes on me for loving SCCA instead of Drag Race for the simple reason I love that type of battle around the corners and coming out second or third in my class which is Novice but hey guys I have a 1997 rs and got beat by 1 second to an mr2 out of tennesse, everyone came up to me congratulating me for my driving after all it was my second race ever and my car was purely stock back then about a year ago, now has Sportline Spring Eibach, front and rear Strut bars, cold air intake, EVO cat back exhaust no header etc. it really depends on the nut behind the wheel like trctnless said at the very top of this page, sure I cant compete with STI's or EVO's but having fun is the key to this sport, and ofcourse knowing your car is very important. When I first started i was doing around 5 seconds slower than some guys in their mustangs and camaros, now there 1/2 slower than I am its all do to set ups and your ability to drive the car you only know, I love SOLO 1 its is fun, When I race and go to the streets I feel the need of not racing since I already know what my car can do on track why even show off to some stranger and have the possibility of wrecking my daily driver, nah is just not for me lets go to the track and see what you can do is my attitude towards SCCA. BTW by summer of 2004 I should be having Turbo kit stage 3 from hahn in it and will have to learn to drive my car again but will be beating my own timing Wooo Hooo
Happy Motoring Guys.

-George

 

[1997RS]

oh BTW I know I dont like Drag Race not because I felt like saying it but because I have tried it and didnt loose to an NA 4 banger but to a 6banger sporting out turbo home made it was an Z-34 and got me by 2 seconds big time, but I left home happy after seeing my friend with his 96 GSX taking him down by a whole 1/2 second I did one time at the 1/8's 10.344 and just recently did 10.1's but burned up my new tires and I decided it was enough 10.1 was good enough for me, dont get me wrong after i get Turbo in I will run again and see where I stand, take care guys and Happy Motoring.

-George

 

[GRNDSM]

George,

This makes perfect sense. NT DSM make much better AutoX car than Drag Racing car.

BTW if you like AutoXing, remember that there are other car clubs that put together AutoX events, some of which are better than SCCA events. But that does depend on an area. Around here BMW CCA has a better AutoX, IMHO .

Just a little heads up

Leon
RR

 

[Bohrn]

oh yea, AutoX sounds good

I hear there is one nearish to me(1.5hrs each way), might have to check it out one time.

I DO like to have a car that handles well too and really enjoy carving the canyons.

 

[Raph]

oh yea, AutoX sounds good

I hear there is one nearish to me(1.5hrs each way), might have to check it out one time.

I DO like to have a car that handles well too and really enjoy carving the canyons.

i fell that my suspension setup is great..it has really sharp handlöiung and its nose follows the direction in which i turn the wheel..no plowing thru corners here..and if it gets too twisty..it just wags its tail a wee bit..nothing nobody cant handle..but the car drives thru corners as if it lost 200kgs compared to befor..a huge difference

even throwing it around in the rain(although thats stupid) is fun

we dont got canyons here..but twisty forest roads

 

[stuffy1256]

sorry to burst your bubble but this thread is over a year old. Make sure to check the dates on threads when you search next time

 

[Raph]

sorry to burst your bubble but this thread is over a year old. Make sure to check the dates on threads when you search next time

thats weird..i didnt do a search..i just replied to the thread. .but my post date was in 2004 ..the one before in 2003..somebody must have dug this one up ,i replied..then they realized how old the thread was..and erased their post..leaving me to look like an idiot :thumbdown


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