My first time out at this and I won. Granted I don't think I had the best competition but it was my first time. I was in the C3 class for 68-82 cars. About 9 cars in the class. We got to make about 10 runs of timed practice. I was so new to this I did not even know where to look for my times. After lunch we had 4 timed runs for the competition. I learned a lot with my practice run and even had a SCCA driver ride with me for some tips. My timed runs were OK exept for my second run. I spun out and was sliding backwards so I just hammered it and came out in a cloud of smoke. Not good for the timed run but the crowd loved it. My best run was 39.5 seconds and most of the C4 and C5s were in the 36 to 38 second range. On my lousy BFG tires I don't think I did to bad. My problem is now I'm hooked on this. This was more fun than I have ever had. I have a bunch of picture I will try to get up later. 2 of the smokey run. Had a blast doing it. If you have never done it try it.

I tried to get the pictures off but they are copy righted. Go to this link http://www.ackthud.net/autox/ click on Corvette day at Englishtown. I am the only red C3 in the gallery. The real smokey picture is me also and the next one is me coming out of the smoke.

 

Congrats Gordo. Thats pretty good times and not that far behind them C4 and C5's. I've attended some of the local events and want to try but need to go thru the front end on mine first. Someday.

 

Congrats on taking a 1st place on your very 1st attempt I too love auto xing my vette, & for some reason haven't done it yet this year :Rolleyes: Things just seem to happen so fast when your in the car either as a passenger or the driver. You simply can't appreciate what the cars are doing from the sidelines.

Last year I ended up being 2nd to a Z06 that was taken off a trailor with slicks on all 4 corners who beat me by almost a full second. I was very pleased to have taken 2nd to such a car

I agree that if people have never tried it, then see if you can at least catch a ride with an experienced driver if you don't want to try your own car yet, but be forwarned, once you ride you may be running to get your own keys

 

... so no I will no where to find you!

good god!! for a yuck, I am not going to change that... but what I was trying to say, was... "So now I will know where to fine you!"

holy mind cramp!!

 

I see you are finally getting on that 427 and doing what is is supposed to do. Good times you ran. You were right there with me when I caught all the gears. You need 2 sticky tires, I now need 4. The old BFGs just don't cut it.

 

After a day of thinking how I could improve I obviously need better tires. What else have any others that autoX done to the suspension. What springs, sway bars and shocks are you running. Have you lowered the car any? Just curious.

 

Good set of pictures. At least you weren't the only one doing the smokey burnout thing. Looks like you guys had a blast.

 

LOOKS LIKE FUN
they need to do that here in HOUSTON!!!
I would attend in a heartbeat

 

Looks like a blast, can't wait to take mine on the local road course (it will be my first time ). And who says old muscle can't handle curve.

Congrats, way to represent.

 

awesome

 

 

The car I think is more than capable. The thing you've got to remember is with your engine mods you would run in a class that is faster than the stock Z, B Prepared on true race tires, or SM2 on DOT race tires. No class for street tires. I keep looking at the 73 and think it could be done. I would start with 550# fronts and a 7 leaf rear. Lower the car as far as possible. Koni shocks, and Hawk HP Plus pads. I'm not sure if the stock calipers are good enough for a competitive autocross car.Gonna find out. Front and rear sway bars can be changed in both classes but to make a neutral handling car I wouldn't know where to start. What would work for my driving style may not work for you. C2's and 3's can get some incredible negitive camber in the front with stock a arms and adjustable struts in the rear. I am commited to a points race in SCCA Super Stock in 2 regions this year, not for 1st but 3rd, although after last Saturday I may change my mind !!!! The 73 is more fun to drive than the Z and from my limited research I think it could be made to out handle a stock Z06. I'll let you know next year.

 

Gordon I found that the VBP Street & Slalom has worked very welll for me. It keeps my car incredibly flat when cornering, on can only imagine how their upper performance kits must work.

The biggest handling improvement I found was going to the 17" wheels. The lower profile tires just tightens up the feel so much, that it was much more noticable than even the suspension upgrade. I'm sure that the suspension & poly bushings all play a roll in the overall feel though.

Aside from the above, I also added the VBP front strut bar which helps decrease flex in the front frame rails. I was also required from our local NCCC tech person to add a 4pt rollbar and blow proof bellhousing because I of the class they put me in being I had an aluminum intake manifold and angle plug heads.

One other thing I did was purchase a smaller (~1") steering wheel. So far these things have worked well for me

 

Hey Gordon,
It was nice meeting you Saturday. That 2nd pass was wild and the guy in the 67 behind had the same problem in the same spot. Your car ran good. I heard a few guys say the track wasn't so good for the 1/4 mile runs though. So it looks like you'll be retrofitting your car for autocross now! Good luck,
Gary

 

That's some very cool stuff, man...

 

Cool. I've only done it once so far, but it was a lot of fun .

 

Well I am in about the same place you are-
I have done two autoX events- have two more planned for this summer/fall.

What I have done to my car:
VBP 550lb springs, poly bushings front, stainless sleeved calipers, high perf pads (dont remember brand)- this is all on the front. Lower profile tires with good grip- Falken Ziex 225/60. Lowered the front end 2" between the springs & tires.

Future mods- hopefully October:
17" wheels & tires. Falken 512's. I want the new Z06 wheels for the C3, but may have to go cheaper... Cragar's new soft 8's have the right backspacing and I can get them for less than $60 each... they just aren't that pretty and will be race only wheels/tires.

I am still trying to figure out what to do to the rear end-
poly bushings & stainless shim kit I will do, but not sure about the rear spring:
Poly/7 leaf/dual mount? depends on what the budget will allow.

For now I'm still running a completely stock L-82 engine/trans. Have a new block that will be a 383 and a BTO 200-R4 are in the future...
Waiting on the mail to deliver my new Hooker headers/sidepipes to replace the stock 2-1-2 exhaust..

This is a cruiser/sunny weather daily driver that will do a few auto-X events a year. Just got the bug (did my first one July 3).

Take care and good luck!
~Kevin

 

Gordon, That was a blast riding with you around the course, you did great for the first time!, guess I know where we'll be next year now for some mods... looks like we both did good Saturday despite the poor times with my car....

 

Thanks for the feedback. I know the big downfall is the tires. Maybe in the future some new tires will help and some more suspension mods will help. The drags are fun but here you actually get to steer the car. I'll continue to do both. I just need more $$$. Don't we all!

 

Excellent showing!
Come on down to the Cruise In next year and have a go at it there! We need some more C3's competing.

Fun, ain't it?