My first Auto Cross!!!
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
My first Auto Cross!!!
Well, I attended and raced in my first auto cross event. It was a sanctioned NCCC event at the GM plant in Wentzeville MO. It was a lot of fun. I raced in the guest class of two events and didn't do to bad. After 3 of seven events, I ran a best time of 107.956 and was competitive with many of the racers who do this frequently. I can't wait until next season!!! What sucks though is that since I put a B&M on my ride, it puts me in a catagory 2 agianst the race prepared cars.
Actually this is my second event. 6 years ago I attended one in my 91 Trans Am... but I'm not really counting that. I had $3500 in the suspension set up in my TA and my 96 vette seemed to be just as planted and responsive on the course. It is an amazing feeling to know that a C4 vette that is almost 9 years old can handle and run like that.
Up until this weekend, I wanted to get another TA for a fun toy\driver next to my C4... but after this... I won't be considering anything but another vette.
Tomorrow is my drag racing grudge event with a couple of Camaros and a Mustang... Hopefully Wednesday I can hit the forum and brag about new personal best times!!! Wish me luck
Actually this is my second event. 6 years ago I attended one in my 91 Trans Am... but I'm not really counting that. I had $3500 in the suspension set up in my TA and my 96 vette seemed to be just as planted and responsive on the course. It is an amazing feeling to know that a C4 vette that is almost 9 years old can handle and run like that.
Up until this weekend, I wanted to get another TA for a fun toy\driver next to my C4... but after this... I won't be considering anything but another vette.
Tomorrow is my drag racing grudge event with a couple of Camaros and a Mustang... Hopefully Wednesday I can hit the forum and brag about new personal best times!!! Wish me luck
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
YES, it's addictive. I ran my first auto-X last Labor Day and had a ball. The only problem I had was I knocked all the nubs (found on new tires) off. 
I, too, was put into a higher class because of headers, camber-brace and cross-bar, but I didn't care as I was just having fun going fast.
I, too, was put into a higher class because of headers, camber-brace and cross-bar, but I didn't care as I was just having fun going fast.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 2
From: Oviedo FL
Originally Posted by JCD
auto-x can be a cheap adiction in corvette terms, enjoy it...
Mike
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Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 434
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From: Santa Barbara Minnesota
Well, I attended and raced in my first auto cross event.
I ran my first AutoCross 2001, and it is a wonderfull addiction! When I first began I ran in stock tire class, compared to the race tires I use now, it was like driving in the wet. I think you will find that C4's do very well at AutoCross. $30K later my 86 C4 is highly modified. With the first mods I moved to BSP (B Sreet Prepared) But SM2 (Street Modified) has become a very popular class, it's close to being unlimited with the mods you can do.
We are very lucky here in SoCal to have a bunch of National Champions with which to measure our progress. It's really amazing to see how much faster some folks can go than most others. When I first started running SS (Super Stock) I came in 15th. out of 15. Now the Z06's are SS and C4's moved to AS (A Stock) I find now that on a 60 sec. lap I beat the Z06's by a couple sec's. It's really amazing how much you can do to improve the C4. Of course I have 12"X17" wheels, running 335 Kumho V710's. 425hp, over 400 ft. lbs. Torque using original TPI with BBK Throtlle Body, Trick Flow Heads, cam, and it's lowered & trailered.
We are very lucky here in SoCal to have a bunch of National Champions with which to measure our progress. It's really amazing to see how much faster some folks can go than most others. When I first started running SS (Super Stock) I came in 15th. out of 15. Now the Z06's are SS and C4's moved to AS (A Stock) I find now that on a 60 sec. lap I beat the Z06's by a couple sec's. It's really amazing how much you can do to improve the C4. Of course I have 12"X17" wheels, running 335 Kumho V710's. 425hp, over 400 ft. lbs. Torque using original TPI with BBK Throtlle Body, Trick Flow Heads, cam, and it's lowered & trailered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by subman
Addiction is pretty close! To anybody who will listen, I tell them that AX is the most fun you can have with your pants on!
Slow in, fast out!
Slow in, fast out!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
Originally Posted by kwik_ta
Well, I attended and raced in my first auto cross event. It was a sanctioned NCCC event at the GM plant in Wentzeville MO. It was a lot of fun. I raced in the guest class of two events and didn't do to bad. After 3 of seven events, I ran a best time of 107.956 and was competitive with many of the racers who do this frequently. I can't wait until next season!!!
I'm glad you had a good time, but, you only ran in 2 out 7 events? Real addiction is when you run all 7 events and still want more!
We'll be doing it again next year, plan on 3rd weekend in October, same place.I was the guy in the Purple 96 vert. (best time for me 1:01:296) fastest man all day was 59:632 And that was in a C4, a rather tame looking tan colored 86, did better times than the Z06's
Tom Reitz, Governor, Route 66 Corvette Club
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Originally Posted by NASCAR314
Chris,
I'm glad you had a good time, but, you only ran in 2 out 7 events? Real addiction is when you run all 7 events and still want more!
We'll be doing it again next year, plan on 3rd weekend in October, same place.
I was the guy in the Purple 96 vert. (best time for me 1:01:296) fastest man all day was 59:632 And that was in a C4, a rather tame looking tan colored 86, did better times than the Z06's
Tom Reitz, Governor, Route 66 Corvette Club
I'm glad you had a good time, but, you only ran in 2 out 7 events? Real addiction is when you run all 7 events and still want more!
We'll be doing it again next year, plan on 3rd weekend in October, same place.I was the guy in the Purple 96 vert. (best time for me 1:01:296) fastest man all day was 59:632 And that was in a C4, a rather tame looking tan colored 86, did better times than the Z06's
Tom Reitz, Governor, Route 66 Corvette Club
Hey Tom!!! I spoke to you several times at the event!!! I wanted to run all 7 events, but had plans later that afternoon and not enough $$$. I also didn't expect to get that hooked so kwik-ly. I thought I would have fun with it, but as a guest I'd only run a few times. I now wish I ran more than the 2 events.
You bet I'll be there again next year!!! Next time I'm bringing a camcorder and a truck so I can get some good video!!! Thanks for a wonderful event and a very fun and fast track.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 2
From: Champaign, IL
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by #70SM2
I ran my first AutoCross 2001, and it is a wonderfull addiction! When I first began I ran in stock tire class, compared to the race tires I use now, it was like driving in the wet. I think you will find that C4's do very well at AutoCross. $30K later my 86 C4 is highly modified. With the first mods I moved to BSP (B Sreet Prepared) But SM2 (Street Modified) has become a very popular class, it's close to being unlimited with the mods you can do.
We are very lucky here in SoCal to have a bunch of National Champions with which to measure our progress. It's really amazing to see how much faster some folks can go than most others. When I first started running SS (Super Stock) I came in 15th. out of 15. Now the Z06's are SS and C4's moved to AS (A Stock) I find now that on a 60 sec. lap I beat the Z06's by a couple sec's. It's really amazing how much you can do to improve the C4. Of course I have 12"X17" wheels, running 335 Kumho V710's. 425hp, over 400 ft. lbs. Torque using original TPI with BBK Throtlle Body, Trick Flow Heads, cam, and it's lowered & trailered.
We are very lucky here in SoCal to have a bunch of National Champions with which to measure our progress. It's really amazing to see how much faster some folks can go than most others. When I first started running SS (Super Stock) I came in 15th. out of 15. Now the Z06's are SS and C4's moved to AS (A Stock) I find now that on a 60 sec. lap I beat the Z06's by a couple sec's. It's really amazing how much you can do to improve the C4. Of course I have 12"X17" wheels, running 335 Kumho V710's. 425hp, over 400 ft. lbs. Torque using original TPI with BBK Throtlle Body, Trick Flow Heads, cam, and it's lowered & trailered.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 799
Likes: 1
From: Fremont CA
Good job!!
Hmm, I must be hooked, on Saturday I ran my 19th event. With another 5 or 6 more before the year is out!
Here is a short mpeg (2.39MB) of me forgetting "slow in..."
Right click- "save as..."
Hmm, I must be hooked, on Saturday I ran my 19th event. With another 5 or 6 more before the year is out!
Here is a short mpeg (2.39MB) of me forgetting "slow in..."
Right click- "save as..."
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
I've only tried AutoX a few times in an Acura GSR back in the early 90s.. I am into Drag Racing... I dont want to "Beat" on my car in hard cornering So I only race it 1/4 mile at a time..
And racing is Not Addictive I started drag racing in 1962 (yes I turn 62 yr old in November) & I was able to quit .. in fact, I quit over 30-40 times... I may quit again after I receive my first SS check
But then again maybe I have a few more good years left in this old body.
As of now I'm in 1st place in our East Coast Corvette Challenge held at Englishtown.. So I'm putting a wupping on those kids.. The trick is to finish FIRST & we have 2 races left..
Also when I put my car up for sale I can truthfully say Driven by a Little Old Man, on Weekends Only
So I only race it 1/4 mile at a time..And racing is Not Addictive I started drag racing in 1962 (yes I turn 62 yr old in November) & I was able to quit .. in fact, I quit over 30-40 times... I may quit again after I receive my first SS check
But then again maybe I have a few more good years left in this old body.As of now I'm in 1st place in our East Coast Corvette Challenge held at Englishtown.. So I'm putting a wupping on those kids.. The trick is to finish FIRST & we have 2 races left..
Also when I put my car up for sale I can truthfully say Driven by a Little Old Man, on Weekends Only
Last edited by Red96Coupe; Oct 18, 2004 at 11:50 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara Minnesota
Car Setup
Originally Posted by ToyC4
Nice! We've got to talk about car set up! I've got around 425 hp and I'll also be running in SM2. There's a ZO6 in my club I'll be trying to beat so I need to figure out how to get my suspension sorted to get the car set up right.
There really isn't that much to do with the suspension, it's perfect the way it is. Bilstein shocks, new bushings. Earls Stainless Steel brake lines, Hawk pads .. Brakes are just as important as HP. maybe more!
"Big Coolers" on everything.
You'll need a 4 point roll bar to attach the 5 point harness to, so you stay in the drivers seat! In order to accomidate the 12X17" wheels and 335 sticky's, my mechanic, who runs Rally Cars gave me some older RX7 bump stops, perfect fit .. otherwise the tires rub, bad. Oh Ya: Gears, I really like the 373 setup. And Fuel Injectors, I use "Bosch" but they are only available for certain year Vettes.
Bottom line, there's lots to do, and it takes "Time". Get it on a Dyno, dial in the timing & fuel pressure & get rid of all those stupid codes!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I wanna auto-x!!! 
Does anything like this ever go down in Texas??
I was all excited that we finally got a drag strip near by and ALL they will do is brackett!
If all I wanted to do was be consistant and be able to predict it...I could've bought a slow car. 
Guess I have to stick with the underground. 
Does anything like this ever go down in Texas??I was all excited that we finally got a drag strip near by and ALL they will do is brackett!
If all I wanted to do was be consistant and be able to predict it...I could've bought a slow car. Guess I have to stick with the underground.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,236
Likes: 355
From: Albuquerque, NM
I tried auto-cross once and I just got lost on the course. All I saw was a sea of orange cones. 
Yes, I did walk the course twice prior to trying to drive it. I've never tried it again. Auto-cross tears up your car pretty badly anyway. 
Yes, I did walk the course twice prior to trying to drive it. I've never tried it again. Auto-cross tears up your car pretty badly anyway.