Sadness on Auto-X

[robcarync]

I just got my new yokohama avs es 100s put on today...and was exciting to take it autocrossing a few weekends from now....but now i go to sign up and realize the auto cross is already full and there are 12 people on the wiating list!

it sucks cause i chcecked the list a few days ago and decided to talk to my pops first and make sure he could go....and i forgot about it and now i go back to register and its full....and there were about 20 openings the first time i checked!

i am so mad at myself for not being on top of things here...there is another one in july....i will definenly make sure i get signed up for that one though!

i suppose it just gives me more time to work on my car and make it cooler eh?

[DustenT]

I just got my new yokohama avs es 100s put on today...and was exciting to take it autocrossing a few weekends from now....but now i go to sign up and realize the auto cross is already full and there are 12 people on the wiating list!

it sucks cause i chcecked the list a few days ago and decided to talk to my pops first and make sure he could go....and i forgot about it and now i go back to register and its full....and there were about 20 openings the first time i checked!

i am so mad at myself for not being on top of things here...there is another one in july....i will definenly make sure i get signed up for that one though!

i suppose it just gives me more time to work on my car and make it cooler eh?

Bleed your brakes while you wait. If you aren't running track pads, pick up a set of Axxis Ultimates or Hawk HPS pads.

Look around, I have an autoX around me every weekend. One of these days I'll make it to one (real work sux! :) )

[robcarync]

only drive the new tires a few miles so far but they seem to handle pretty well....though i havent really tested limits with them as they arent properly broken in.

i know the next auto cross is in july...im just kinda dissapointed...i was really looking foward to it!

[John W]

You might just try showing up early at the autocross. Lots of times, between people not showing up and the club hosting the event being able to accomodate more entries, you will be able to run. I usually preregister, but I have never been turned away from an autocross in 13 years -- even with as many as 20 people on the waiting list. (Like most other things in this country, it's all about getting your $$)

[1996 328ti]

You might just try showing up early at the autocross.I agree. Just show up anyway. Even if you walk it and ask questions, you will be better prepared next time.

[robcarync]

i think ill try that then! thanks for the advice! we'll see how it goes!

[andy]

Street tires will be faster after 500 - 1000 miles on them. HP+ are great autox pads with fierce initial grip. They dust a lot and ring like bells when they are cold though. :)

[robcarync]

yeah i was reading ontire rack that you need to break in tires for about 500 miles before they really grip as good as they can....something about the lubrication that they use to keep the tires froms sticking to the molds...

anyway....me and my pops are just going to show up early autox day with cash in hand and see if they will let us go

if we dont get to go, then ill walk around and watch....i did that last time...its fun to watch! looks so fun!

[Phil Marx]

yeah i was reading ontire rack that you need to break in tires for about 500 miles before they really grip as good as they can....something about the lubrication that they use to keep the tires froms sticking to the molds...Have fun! Don't worry too much about breaking in the ES100s since they aren't a great autocross tire anyway. Don't get me wrong, I love them on the street for cornering—both wet and dry (absolutely suck like nothing else in winter, though)—but they're a bit slippery in an autocross, even worn down to the nubs, and very easy to slide. So, you'll have fun, but they won't be as fast as others with stickier rubber. Makes a good excuse, too! :biggrin:

[robcarync]

well my previous tires were nearly bald...got the es 100s specifically for auto cross...heard they were decent enough for the price...and i wasnt looking to drop tons of money on auto x tires since ive never done it before...so im sure they are better than my old michelins.

anyway im pretty excited....im gonna try and video tape some of it... and post it up here...im sure it will be high quality auto crossing! lol...well at least fun!

[IndianaTravis]

well my previous tires were nearly bald...got the es 100s specifically for auto cross...heard they were decent enough for the price...and i wasnt looking to drop tons of money on auto x tires since ive never done it before...so im sure they are better than my old michelins.

anyway im pretty excited....im gonna try and video tape some of it... and post it up here...im sure it will be high quality auto crossing! lol...well at least fun!

I was leading the points in STX in North Carolina in my MCS on ES100s. Sure, they aren't as fast as the Azenis or Kumho MXs, but they'll last longer, are cheaper, and since you are just getting started, they'll be a great tire for you.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Make sure you have your supplies ready. Have you read the scca novice guide?

http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

[robcarync]

i actually looked at the azenis but didnt make it in the right size....thought about the kumho mxs but i beleive once again they didnt make it in the right size...

anyway...thanks for that link....never seen that before! i will be sure to read through it!

[bullmand]

In the future you may want to consider some of the other Kumhos as well. I've had pretty good luck with the Ecsta 712s and this year I'm trying the SPT. On the street I like the SPT much better, but I'm still undecided about it at autocross. I did manage a few very respectable runs with it in the rain at last months event, but I'm still figuring it out.

[robcarync]

i looked at the kumho 712s but i heard they make a ton of raod noise....and actually tire rack did a test comparing the yokohama es 100, kumho 712s and something else...and it seemed yokohama perfromed bettetr or equivalent to the kumho 712s in about every category.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/uhp_give_you_more.jsp

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/uhp_give_you_more_charts.jsp

i just finished reading the entire guide...thanks a lot for the link....helps a lot! i cant wait for sunday! :)

[bullmand]

Yeah, the noise is one of the reasons I like the SPT better. I was using the 712s over the es100 mostly because of cost. The Kumhos are only around $60 each. If you end up doing many autocrosses each year, you'll probably need new tires every spring and $240 is better for my budget than $400.

[IndianaTravis]

It is really cool that you are fired up about this. You'll have a great time.

Remember to go in expecting to get beaten pretty badly, and don't blame the car afterwards. You'll be amazed how much faster you'll get with practice.

Talk to everyone, and ask at registration or at the safety meeting of one of the experienced drivers would ride with you. They'll be able to point out things you can work on. (Ask to ride with them as well).

If you get REALLY serious, the best book on autocrossing that I've found is Secrets of Solo Racing by Watts.

[robcarync]

yeah if im able to do some runs ill be in the novice class...so im required to have a more experience auto crosser ride with me i beleive (tarheel sports car club idea....not a bad idea i dont think)

i am fully expecting to be beaten badly lol...but i think it will be fun...and have something to practice at. ill only do a few as of right now since the season is halfway over....but at the end of the year im going to join the THSCC and compete in a lot more for the entire season.

good call on the price of the tires...ive had my old tires forever (since i got the car) and never really thought much of it...but of course with doing more auto crossing ill need new tires a lot more often...hopefully i can make em last as long as possible though!

thanks for all the feedback guys!

[robcarync]

well i got up early to get over there and they told me i couldnt race since i wasnt preregistered. it was sad. i still had a good time though...watched some other cars....talked to some more experienced guys...got some tips and learned some cool stuff. july 15th....i will be ready to pre register ASAP so i wont let it slip by!

[1996 328ti]

well i got up early to get over there and they told me i couldnt race since i wasnt preregisteredWell that sucks. Who was it with? SCCA? I know at our events we always try to work in walkups, especially if they are new and prepared.

[robcarync]

Nah it was Tarheel Sports Car Club

there were about 150 people wanting to go/pre registered...that seems pretty big....are most auto crosses that big?

i was a bit dissapointed...i was ready to go....but now i got another month to do stuff to the car!

[1996 328ti]

there were about 150 people wanting to go/pre registered...that seems pretty big....are most auto crosses that big?Depends on the region. Our local chapter autocross typically get 90 people. Three heats of 30 cars. Larger courses can have 2 cars on it at the same time so we can handle more cars or more runs.

[PurpleTurtle]

The THSCC club is limiting to registered cars at most events this year. In previous years, when there were just a few walk-ups, they let them run. This year they have had bunches of walk-ups at several events. They know about how many they can handle and run a good autocross. Instead of letting some in and turning others away, they decided to just go with registered cars when there are way too many.

The Wilmington Chapter of SCCA only lets 60 cars run. They have small venues, and found they could not handle more cars. I was there at their last 100+ car autocross, and agree that they needed to cut back.

I do not know about Triad, they are the other group in this area.

I need to register in time for the THSCC July 23rd autocross also.

[robcarync]

yup yup yup....i wont forget about that one!

[robcarync]

cha...cha...chyeah!!!!

i sucessfully preregistered for the july 23 auto cross before the entry cap was filled!

i see purple turtle made the entry list as well!!! :)

[PurpleTurtle]

Two 318TI at the same autocross! Anybody else close enough to Greenville NC on July 23rd to come to the autocross? If so, check the THSCC.com site for directions (and registration). We will see if we can eat up some Mini Coopers!

[robcarync]

auto crossing is super fun...and i met purple turtle and rode with him a few times...and he rode with me and gave me some pointers...very helpful...lots of fun...cnat wiat for the next one :)