My First AutoX (Video)
 

Had the chance to finally make it out to an AutoX event this weekend. Didn't expect much, but I'm happy with the outcome. I placed 9th out of 10 in my class, but no big deal. The biggest things I'm happy about is I didn't have a single DNF, nor did I hit a single cone in all 8 of my runs.

Here is a video of my fastest run from the afternoon heat.

http://youtu.be/uO91SeXouHE

That course looks super confusing. I'd get lost every run lol

Yeah, I'd have to see a map. That looks awesome though.

The camera is a little deceiving. Course wasn't hard to figure out, unless you were Josh. Lol

there were SO many DNF's and cones hit on the second course. I got tired of running around. haha

I thought the second course was a little deceiving at times but you could really stretch your legs for most of it.

Also, are you on stock suspension? the car seems so smooth.

You did great for your first AutoX! First timers usually have a hard time following the course, try to overdrive it and end up hitting at least 1 cone.

How did your times compare throughout the 8 runs?

Did you get a chance to walk the course before driving it?

Nice job Derek! Glad you guys had fun. Man that exhaust sounds epic in the video, can't imagine how much better it must be in person.

-Alex

Yeah that was the first time I've ever had such a big problem making my way through the course. I punted a few cones but luckily never ran any over or spun out.

It's not that bad. They provide maps, but when you get the chance to walk it, it becomes so much simpler it's funny.

Yeah, so many people were DNF'ing I was thinking to myself, man, this is not going to be good for me. LOL

One of the S2000 drivers kept DNF'ing in the same exact spot, on all 4 of his morning runs.

Yeah, I told myself not to try and get in over my head and push it. I didn't have my suspension setup where it should've been, so the back end broke loose rather easily on street tires (Michelin Pilot Super Sports).

The morning session was the reverse direction of the afternoon course, with a few small changes. My 1st morning run I took my time just getting used to how the cones look while actually driving, and not walking, and also just figuring out some of the lines to take. I shaved 8 sec off the morning course time by the 4 run. The afternoon was a bit different...I ended up running my fastest time on the 4th run as well, but I only shaved off 4 sec from the first lap. Just couldn't quite get the car to do what I wanted it, and came in to a few corners a little too hot, and took them too wide.

We had the chance to walk both courses, but I didn't make it back from lunch in time to walk the afternoon.

Thanks, Alex. I wish I could have someone else drive the car so I can hear what it sounds like outside of the car for once. LOL

Here are the videos of my 1, 2, and 3 runs from the afternoon as well. I haven't had the chance to upload the morning session yet.

Afternoon Run 1
http://youtu.be/jaH8agLfLvc


Afternoon Run 2
http://youtu.be/d1-IvbFhSWo


Afternoon Run 3
http://youtu.be/ZwPAwlPLwZ8

Car sounds great.

I felt like it was confusing visually and the gates were narrower than most Auto-X. I was feeling sorry for myself until I saw the supercharged Viper (it has to be a beating getting that wide beast around in such a tight course). He sure released a lot of smoke from those tires. I watched one of the WRX's DNF all 4 AM runs, but they didn't see the 4th DNF.

Morning was a better drive for me, even though I got a little hooped by being in the very coldest session and 1st group. Yikes. I was dissapointed in myself for the PM session. Overdrove, missed on tire pressures, 3.73 gearing was too low, and I suspect my line was crap. You can't see it very well, but the concrete chews tires pretty good and if you get in the rubber dust you lose a LOT of grip. It feels like you are driving your ass off, but its not fast. I never could feel the flow in the second set, and it was over before I figured it out.

It was really great to get out and wheel the car a little bit. Sure turned out to be a BE-A-UTIFUL day. Rear swaybar and harness upgrades worked well.

Talked to a Camaro buddy that did the Driver's Edge event @ TWS this weekend and I'm pumped. We are both doing the PCA DE in February, but he'll be in a higher group than me.

I should have let him keep fighting the swaybar when he was trying to set camber, but I would have felt bad for not helping an aggie, or any other dumb animals. :angels2:

Hahahahaha

Yeah, morning turned out to be better for me as well, but not by much. I think having my rear shocks set at full stiff was too much for my street tires, because it didn't take a lot for them to want to brake loose. Next time I'll try for 1-2 turns from full stiff and see how it works, maybe 1/2 turn on the front. I think the afternoon session was a little slower for our group because all the X and other R comp tire cars had run before us, throwing rubber all over the parking lot, not giving us any virgin concrete to grip on. :throw:

Haha. Poor Aggies.