Yes! I'm pretty sure seeing some of my facebook pictures, you know about this new venture. I never thought driving through the pylons can be SO ADDICTING. I'm going to give you guys a little back story. In March 2010, I did my first Autox Event. I showed up to the track late, it was a small setup in a parking lot, never walked the track, never looked ahead, never added or bled tire pressure, and obviously ran horrible times
. I wasn't impressed at all with the event. Just for the sake of "taking on a new motorsports" event (and my friends pushed me), i decided to try a 2nd event. It was just as bad as the first one. I pretty much gave up and never tried again. I just never had a thing for Autox. I did HPDE here and there (colder months bc I have no oil cooler) and kept myself busy in 2010. During 2011-2012, I was in school, so I was pretty much absent from all motorsports event.
Since now that the Autox venue is literally .5 mile from my house (it's an old air strip which is a very big lot), I told myself to try this ONE last time. I read up on a online Autox articles, read the whole 370Z Autox Bible
The Official 370Z Autocross Thread and came very prepared to the track and I had a blast! I have also noticed that I tend to like longer track setup than small parking lot venues. I didn't do good on the very first session (did a few DNFs) but I drove with instructors to get feedback on my driving. I also had them drive my car so that THEY could tell me how my car is setup etc. By the time I was on my 2nd session, I was doing much better. As I was shaving seconds with each run and I was getting closer and closer to the other Cstock cars. That was a great feeling. I felt like I was conquering a new chapter in motorsports and as the time was getting smaller, that gave me the fuel to keep pushing.
Our track setup is a long one. Typical runs are usually 60-80 seconds. We get about 6-7 runs on average (60 people total). It's an old airstrip. It's a VERY nice group of friendly people. Since some of the instructors had worked with me from the beginning, they are just as excited when I'm improving my time. I have just done my 4th event this year. I'm running 4 seconds behind the 1st position and 3 seconds behind the 2nd position in C-stock. I'm improving with each run. I DO want to thank those members that helped me with some of the questions (via pm) I had before each session
Here's my goal for this year:- I have 3 more sessions to go. I DO want to stay STOCK class (C STOCK). I think I want to stay stock AT LEAST next whole year (I want to maximize my driving first before I go crazy on modding). However, I do want to give these 1st and 2nd position C STOCK drivers a good run for their money
. Let them know I'm here
. I know I have a good second or two I can shave with more seat time. I have been driving without the VDC last two events. Z can be hard to tame without VDC especially on stock tires but I'm getting a hang of it. As for my Z, my tires are done
. My re-050a are pretty much toast. I'm pretty much embarrassed to go to next session (Aug 11th) without new tires. I need a new set of tires ASAP. Believe me or not, I have driven my Z 74,000 miles. So far I had the OEM tires that came with the car + I bought a 1000 mile used set from Chrisslicks and just two rear tires in 2011
! It must be a record. So please look below where I have a few question. Judging by the official Autox thread, we have some serious Autocrossing members here on the forum
. I wouldn't ask anyone else before I ask you guys
Tires:
I have pretty much decided on RE-11. What's your input on these? I read the "official autox" threads and looks like these are VERY respectable and are pretty much step stone for A6. I want to run RE-11 reminder of this year (3 sessions = 20ish runs) and all next year (possibly upgrade to A6 in 2015). Most important question I should ask, what size re-11 should I order? I was initially gonna order 265/35/19 in the front and 285/35/19 in the rear? I'm bone stock suspension still. Is that a good setup? or go with square setup like Mr. Cossie who ran all 285/35/19? Is there any rubbing issue on stock or lets say if I get lowering springs? (Swift R). I will be doing autox at least once a month (some month probably twice a month if I end up going to Philly SCCA). I DO drive 70 miles (35 miles each way on highway) every day as daily commute. So, let me hear your suggestions on what size RE-11 I should order that'll let me run awesome times at the event and still I can commute highway.
Springs:
I have been hearing really good stuff about Swift R spring. I believe it gives our Z 1" front and 1.2" in the rear. Do you think I should get these or stock springs are just fine? I can do Swift R springs and RE-11 and shave at least 3-4 seconds? What's your thought on that?
I will be using this thread for all my autox questions, times etc. I have plenty of topics that I wanna discuss like pyrometers, alignment, swaybars, shocks etc. It'll follow once I get the Tires
. I thank you in advance for taking your time to reply.