Day 1 is in the books... I'm tired, sunburned, and my feet are killing me. But it sure was a fun day.
I haven't driving an autocross course since 2002 when I competed at the RSE even in Bristol. Before that, I did exactly 2 events in preparation for the RSE event. So to say that I'm a novice would be a bit of an understatement.
With that, I got to the track about 8:15 this morning and found my spot in the auto-x pits. Apparently you have to get there much earlier to get a better spot, I'll remember that for next time. The guy parked next to me was racing his 33/34 3-window coupe, and apparently at the FW event last year, that car ran the second fastest time overall, only bested by the Summit Crusher Camaro. He was very helpful for a newbie like me.
We passed through inspection and went out to walk the track. They have laid out a different course here this year, apparently due to someone (I hear rumors it was Bret, but I'm not sure) blowing through the stop zone and hitting a wall. Still, it's a 65 - 75 second course, and it's a lot of fun. Even though I'm no expert, I have a pretty decent feel for the right lines to take.
I got run 1 in around 10:00. 74.5 seconds, and that puts me into 5th place in class of about 25 in the muscle car category. Fastest time in the first round was a 72.0, I think by a second driver in the Crusher car. She was quick, and as I recall, leads the class at the end of the day. I didn't hit anything, and I discovered that first gear is where I want to be most of the course.
Second run was a good improvement, as was typical across the board. 72.5 for me, 70.0 for the group leader. I was trying to watch the Pro-class drivers, how they were taking the line, and I was reminded that one particular corner sets up such that going slower will be faster. I told myself the next run I would do that. Oh, I also has an awesome 180* tire spinning entrance into the first turn during this run, which several people came over and commented on afterwards. I downshifted into that 180* turn, and when I hit the gas, I just lit 'em up. I never lifted, steered through it, and off I went. That was fun!
So run 3, I concentrated really hard on a couple of specific turns, and I was rewarded with a 70.8 second run! Unfortunately, I didn't make a full stop in the stop zone, so that time won't count. And that sucks, because it was my best run of the day and would have kept me in 5th place! I just completely locked up the tires in the stop zone and didn't modulate enough to stop the car...
Angry about run 3, and knowing that run 4 was likely my last, I was determined to make amends. Oops... I completely overdrove one of the 180* turns, and knocked out 2 or 3 cones. I knew I had one under the front of the car, and I contemplated backing up to get off it, but I decided what the hell, I'm already out this run, so I kept on going. I decided to try more 2nd gear through the rest of the course, and that was a mistake! WAY too much speed through the middle of the track, but I managed not to hit another cone. I came back around with my tail tucked between my legs, but at the same time, I had a blast! At least I know the limit of that corner now...
My only issue of the day, and one I'm still scratching my head about, was after run #3, we found what appears to be a puddle of oil on the pan under the front of the motor. By look and smell, it appears to be oil. But I have no clue where it came from. We looked at all of the fittings, the catch can, the power steering hoses, pump, rack, oil pan, and nothing is wet. The only thing we noticed was the boots at the end of the steering rack had slid off, but unless the rack pushed fluid out of the end seals, I don't think it could come from there. I'm baffled... I wiped everything down before run 4, and after that run and the drive to the hotel, I don't see a drop anywhere. Nothing seems to be overfilled either, so I don't know where it came from. I will be keeping a watch for this going forward.
I was able to meet several fellow Lat-G members today, and hopefully tomorrow I will get to meet a few more. I was busy talking about the car and prepping for the runs today, so I didn't get to wander around the rest of the show at all. I did get over to the Ridetech booth to weigh the car, and it is pretty darned well balanced. 52/48, and a total of 3806 pounds with me in it and a full tank of gas. That puts the car itself around 3550 or so. I need to go on a diet...
Side to side was within 20 pounds front and rear also...
TOW did great for her first time out, I'm looking forward to doing more of these now that I have a car I can do it with again!!!
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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