El Paso SCCA Autocross 2011

[9!'clipseDOHC]

Ok, turns out that ALL of the Pam American Regional SCCA events are held in El Paso at Cohen Stadium. I wish I had known this a while back! We have already missed the first 5 events of the year but there are still a lot more upcoming! This thread is for info regarding these events, to let us know if you are going, how you did, and any discussion regarding autocrossing in El Paso.

First, the rest of the schedule for the year:

May 29 - 6th Solo
June 12 - 7th Solo
June 25 - 8th Solo (Divisional Day 1)
June 26 - 9th Solo (Divisional Day 2)
July 17 - 10th Solo
August 7 - 11th Solo
August 21 - 12th Solo
September 11 - 13th Solo
October 15 - 14th SOLO (Shootout Day 1)
October 16 - 15th SOLO (Shootout Day 2)
November 6 - 16th SOLO

All of the events are held in the Cohen Stadium Parking lot.

The website for more info is: Pan Am SCCA

Registration usually starts around 8:00am
Racing usually starts around 10:00am
They usually wrap up around 2:00-3:00pm

As far as prices are concerned: Costs for SCCA members is 35 for a single day event, 50 for non members for single day events (price includes the weekend membership). Two day events vary, but generally they are around 70 for a member, and 85 for a non member. Sometimes a little lower, maybe 10 dollars less. Membership in SCCA runs around 85 dollars for a single person. Family (Yourself, Spouse and kids) is a marginal extra, I think that one was around 100. Military gets a discount from the national membership, as do people 24 and under.

Other rules:
- Family and friends are welcome to come and watch free of charge but they will have to sign a liability release waiver and keep in mind this is not a "spectator sport" and they don't want large crowds
- A passenger is allowed in your car with you free of charge but most be over 14 and sign another waiver
- Pets are welcome on leashes

That's all I've got so far. Anyone else interested?

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

My first ever autocross! It was a lot of fun even though I came in last in my class. My buddy in his 400+ hp CTS-V only beat me by 1 second though, so it wasn't too bad. My first pass I spun out on the first turn, had to put it in reverse and back up, and finished in 91 seconds. My second pass I spun out on turn 5 and went off course and finished in 84 seconds. Third pass I went off course again (still getting the hang of the whole cone thing) and finished in 79 seconds. Last pass was clean and I finished in 78 seconds.

I know the car still has a lot more. I wasn't pushing it hard at all (I spun out because I wasn't using the brakes enough, not because I going all out). If I could have kept going I know my times would have dropped considerably.

It was a lot of fun and I recommend all of you guys to come out and give it a try. The next event is in two weeks (June 25th and 26th) but if they don't have at least 20 cars pre register online, it's going to be cancelled. So if you are thinking about giving it a try, stop thinking and just do it!

Here are the pics! Now Derek, here's how it works. I took all these pictures of your car this time, so next time you have to return the favor.

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[deek00]

deal but im only seeing one pic of your car and none of mine

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

deal but im only seeing one pic of your car and none of mine

Should be fixed, let me know.

 

[deek00]

much better

 

[snowborder714]

Glad to see you're getting into this, Nate! Sounds like you all had a good time. Keep with it, and next thing you know you'll be itching to get the car on a road course

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

much better

Awesome!

Glad to see you're getting into this, Nate! Sounds like you all had a good time. Keep with it, and next thing you know you'll be itching to get the car on a road course

Yeah Brian, it was a lot of fun and definitely overdue. I've been wanting to give it a try for a while now and didn't even realize they were happening right here in my city. Funny you should say that, some friends and I actually rented a road course for half a day coming up in 2 weeks! I'm excited but need to get my overheating issue under control ASAP!

Also they originally had me in the Street Mod but then I was able to squeeze into Streep Prepped. Doesn't really matter since I'm a Rookie anyway.

 

[yoshi_tony]

damm i wanted to go but i just realized that the machine shop messed up the bore on my cylinder i was .20 over and i had no compression on bank 1 bank 2,3,4 had around 30 psi so took off my head. Measured it cylinder 1 was 85.56 2. 85.52 3. 85.53 4. 85.53

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

damm i wanted to go but i just realized that the machine shop messed up the bore on my cylinder i was .20 over and i had no compression on bank 1 bank 2,3,4 had around 30 psi so took off my head. Measured it cylinder 1 was 85.56 2. 85.52 3. 85.53 4. 85.53

That sucks bad!

Here's an in car video of my second pass ever. It's clearly not very good but I've got a lot of room to improve!

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tp1P6Xs2p8M?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[snowborder714]

I hear:
-too much 'coasting'...you either should be on the gas or on the brakes
-not enough harder acceleration
-not getting on the car soon enough coming through/out of a corner
-not enough harder braking

Definitely room for improvement though

 

[deek00]

is this camera mounted in your door? if its easy to take out and mount i can put it in mine for a run or two as well

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I hear:
-too much 'coasting'...you either should be on the gas or on the brakes
-not enough harder acceleration
-not getting on the car soon enough coming through/out of a corner
-not enough harder braking

Definitely room for improvement though

Yeah my first two runs (this one included) I was hardly even using my brakes at all (thats why I spun out on both runs). I had to make a mental note to use them. On the later laps I was getting better with the braking but I still wasn't pushing it too hard because my temp gauge was creeping up and I didn't even take my last fun run cause of the coolant temp.

I am excited about next time because now I feel more comfortable with the general concept of autocross and will be able to focus on the driving and push it more. Also I hope to have this overheating issue fixed which will be one less thing i'll have to worry about.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

is this camera mounted in your door? if its easy to take out and mount i can put it in mine for a run or two as well

It's a suction cup mount that I had on the passenger side window. Sure, I'll let you give it a try.

 

[deek00]

k so havent gotten the results from day one yet but think i got second in rookie class, i guess i ended up in first last time because the civic that beat me was on r compound tires and they didnt tech him with them. and fwbt i believe Trevor (blue wrx) brought you up i dont remember the name he said but i was thinking it was you but we were talkin bout the dsm's coming out to autocross, you should come out. bring nate and tony with you too

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

k so havent gotten the results from day one yet but think i got second in rookie class, i guess i ended up in first last time because the civic that beat me was on r compound tires and they didnt tech him with them. and fwbt i believe Trevor (blue wrx) brought you up i dont remember the name he said but i was thinking it was you but we were talkin bout the dsm's coming out to autocross, you should come out. bring nate and tony with you too

Thats great Derek! Yeah Jim (fwbt) said he knew the guy in the blue WRX. I worked today and I can't go tomorrow either but I'll be at the one on July 17th.

 

[deek00]

july events are cancelled as far as i know but i would double check, something like the place double booked a event that pays more then scca. so think after tomorrow next event is in august

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

july events are cancelled as far as i know but i would double check, something like the place double booked a event that pays more then scca. so think after tomorrow next event is in august

Oh dang it!

 

[fwbt]

Yeah Trevor is in my unit, figure the peer pressure is starting to get to me. Next thing you know I'll start complaining about lag!

 

[deek00]

We will never complain about lag yeah I got second in rookie class behind a type r, I literally lost by .03 of a second. More dsms would make it fun, everyone should come out, I'm gonna get springs before the next event , no more body roll hopefully, thought I was gonna flip out there

 

[deek00]

Next event is august 7th, i will be out with new shocks,springs, end links and rear sway. anyone else plan on attending?

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I plan to be there!

 

[yoshi_tony]

im down if my car is still running im just fixing all my boost leaks and well i found out that i need to cut my front bumper in order for my car not to heat up so for now i have it off...

but deek let me down last time i never got a text

 

[deek00]

im down if my car is still running im just fixing all my boost leaks and well i found out that i need to cut my front bumper in order for my car not to heat up so for now i have it off...

but deek let me down last time i never got a text

yeah my bad. I was focused on racing that day.

 

[yoshi_tony]

na its cool man haha but im down to take my car and represent dsm

 

[deek00]

good, i want to start seeing dsm's on top and no more vettes