Autocross

Spring Nats 2019

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Haven’t been to Spring Nats in a while. Seemed a worthy note to make here.

The Pro

Overall, I’m pleased with the results. I managed to hang in the trophies in an impossibly competitive class. About .6 from first after just two dry sessions.

After Saturday’s runs, I had a good margin on both Chris and JJ.  We reviewed video and data and even with my margin, JJ had me by .347 in one corner. It was clear the answer was to brake early and less to set up for it.

I had two pops at it and overcooked on one run and improved on the other but had a bobble in the prior corner that negated the improvement. While I’m bummed I couldn’t take advantage of the data my co-drivers had given me, overall I’m still happy with what I learned and how I drove.

The Champ Tour

First day’s course was the more technical of the two. Not my usual wheelhouse, but when we were finished driving , I was fifth about .7 from first. Lots of opportunity to move up on Day Two—even with the prospect of drying conditions giving an obvious advantage to second drivers.

As expected, Day 2 started wet and then went to drying. The car was disaster in a way I hadn’t seen since Cherry Point. It was the first time, in a long time, that I managed to come back from a run with no idea what I could do to improve things behind the wheel.

What I know now is when that happens, I need to throw some changes at the car. Running shocks full soft? Go full stiff—or at least add some. That would turn out to be the answer after a G.H. Sharp shared some information as we waited for results. The progressive springs in the rear of the SSC cars are largely useless at the top of travel. Throwing some rebound at the rear helps keep the car from being a rocking horse.

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When the Metal Hits the Road

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Hoosier Cord Took a break for the day, picked up the Integra Type R from its legendary lair and hit a local event with Triad Sports Car Club at the Sanford airport.

It was, by all counts, a long and hot day in the sun. But getting six shots at a 90 second course proved to be too much for the tires I showed up. After my fourth run we had cord showing and it was down hill from there. The photo above is the bottom of the hill. I should be perfectly clear about a couple of things:

1. Hoosier tires kick butt.

2. The Type R is brutal to front tires.

3. These tires had been pounded on pretty good at several, prior events.

4. Did I mention the Type R is brutal to front tires?

I took the picture on location with my G9. It's a great little camera to "have around." It usually gets tossed into my laptop bag or tucked into whatever I'm bringing with me.

Lots of design work on my plate and some writing for the Sky2x site. Busy days ahead.

2009 Blytheville Pro Solo

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DS 86 Lifts a Wheel During the Super Challenge So we're back. Last weekend made the trek to Blytheville, Arkansas to run the SCCA's Pro Solo. This year, just like last, I'm co-driving with Jim Feinberg. We had fantastic weather even if it was a bit on the warm side. The car was handling perfectly both days—well, until the Super Challenge on Sunday that is. With a one two finish in class—Jim taking the win by less than 3/10s of a second, both of us were bound for the Super Challenge. Unfortunately, I was a one and done in the challenge, but the upside is that I went back to paddock, grabbed the camera and photographed a few of the runs.

Speaking of which I'm trying to figure out if I'm going to post up motorsport stuff here. Maybe if I shoot a particular race, or big event. But for the most part they'll probably end up living over on my Fotki account.