Autocrossed the Buick today! - Lateral-g Forums

**JayR** · #1 09-07-2009, 04:32 PM

We went to an autocross for the Buick's first outing and had a blast! The combination of the Hotchkis TVS system, Bilsteins, Lee quick-ratio steering box, Baer Brakes, and BF/Goodrich KDWs made for a killer set up that stayed under control even when the track was wet. Oh, and the Rushforth Wheels did quite well too! Held air and turned round and round and everything!

The weather sucked yesterday so the whole course was soaked during the first half of the AM session I was in but as a novice, I got to work a corner for the first half while other guys slid around drying up the track. The course was a little over a half mile long with a big left hand sweeper at the halfway point that headed us back up to the timing tower.

When my group came up, I had the oldest and biggest car there and I'm sure people were wondering because there was only one other P-T car there but on my 2nd lap, the announcer exclaimed how noteworthy it was to have 2 clean laps down considering the Buick's size! After that, people started coming up one after another laying on the ground to see what was going on underneath.

Having been to a ton of autocross events with friends and riding shotgun was my motivation to build the Buick the way I did and now I get to finally reap some rewards! Much more to come!

So, before anyone hangs a "This thread is worthless" banner on my thread, here's a few pictures with action shots courtesy of Melanie who braved the cold morning weather standing in the apex of a corner on a windy airstrip! Thanks Babe!

One of these kids is doing his own thing!

This looked like the odds on favorite by a longshot when the course was soaked but she wound up in the second session when things dried up and two Corvettes nipped her. A nasty C3 and a C5 Z06 that had her covered by 2 seconds.

Eat your heart out, Boris Said!

**JayR** · #2 09-07-2009, 04:35 PM

This new Camaro looked good and ran great.

**JayR** · #3 09-07-2009, 04:43 PM

The 2nd place Corvette was so fast, Melanie couldn't even get it in the viewfinder! The delay of the point and shoot digital doesn't help either.....

Here's the only other P-T car. I don't know what he had for motor and underpinnings but he had race tires and a 5 speed and ran hard! He had me covered by 7 seconds but I don't feel bad for my first time out with street tires, a powerglide and a 2 barrel. Revenge will be mine!!

brans72 · #4 09-07-2009, 04:50 PM

Looking good Jason and glad your enjoying the Buick! Brandon

mpozziCPL · #5 09-07-2009, 07:42 PM

Posted elsewhere but again, very cool and congrats on your first venture thru the cone forest. Sounds like you had a blast and great photographs, too. Run this car at any GoodGuys autocross and you get so much experience that you'll have that Mustang covered by seven seconds!!

We've gotta get Melanie behind the wheel of something fun ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

**JayR** · #6 09-07-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpozziCPL

Posted elsewhere but again, very cool and congrats on your first venture thru the cone forest. Sounds like you had a blast and great photographs, too. Run this car at any GoodGuys autocross and you get so much experience that you'll have that Mustang covered by seven seconds!!

We've gotta get Melanie behind the wheel of something fun ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

Thanks Mary! Don't worry, you set the hook in Melanie and we're doing a novice school next month!

**GregWeld** · #7 09-07-2009, 08:23 PM

What a hoot Jason!! And with the rain we had this weekend too...

Melanie might take up photography with Auto crossing... she got some pretty good action shots! LOL

I've done the 'pine forest' as Mary called it... while at Bondurant... and it is F U N! It's real easy to get a little too fast - and a whole lot 'less smooth'... but then that's why they call it learning. Glad you had a good time.

70rs · #8 09-07-2009, 09:04 PM

Congrats on the outing Jason!! Very cool to see the Buick out there hauling ass! Awesome!

**fleetus macmullitz** · #9 09-07-2009, 10:47 PM

Jason you mentioned how big the car is .

It surprised me when I saw these cars are longer than the tri-five Chevy's.

From what I remember your car is about 206".

Is that correct?

**tones2SS** · #10 09-08-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayR

Oh, and the Rushforth Wheels did quite well too! Held air and turned round and round and everything!

LOL! I was cracking up reading that.

Glad it went well Jason. Car looks great and knowing it handles just as well is even better. CONGRATS!