Autocrossers: Check in here!

[honda93]

Frankly, I'm tired of seeing people consider traffic light antics, and other forms of street racing, "real racing". Technically, we autocrossers are careful not to consider our sport "racing" as we do not compete wheel-to-wheel, but the skills we learn in parking lots across the country make us better than 99.95% of the drivers on the road.

I started this thread to call all the autocrossers forward and let us know who you are, what model Civic you are competing with and which SCCA (or other club) class you plan on building the car for...

DRIVER:
Anthony "Mario" Crea... I am a 14 year autocross veteran with over 225 autocrosses under my belt at all levels of competition (regional, divisional, and national).

CAR:
2006 Civic LX Coupe

CLUB/CLASS:
SCCA H-Stock (local and national level competition)

CURRENT MODS:
* Kumho V710 R-Compounds (225/50/16)
* RSX-S 16" wheels
* OEM front camber bolts
* OEM rear camber correction arms (as per TSB)
* Custom autocross alignment
* Si Coupe 28mm front swaybar
* Si Coupe front struts (SVB)
* Custom valved rear Bilsteins

Anthony "Mario" Crea
NNJR-SCCA

[CoryB]

Excellent thread idea. We need to get some of these street racers to compete in autocross and really learn how to drive.

DRIVER: Cory Brown... Just getting back into autocrossing after an extended break from it. Prior to running a MINI Cooper S last season, the last time I autocrossed was 1980, so I consider myself a new autocrosser again. But boy! things sure have changed!

CAR: 2006 Civic Si

CLUB/CLASS: G-Stock in Virginia Motor Sport Club with no national aspirations whatsoever because I'm a lousy driver. I just do this for fun.

CURRENT MODS: Autocross alignment with factory crash bolts installed.

FUTURE MODS: Real tires to start - probably Azenis RT-615s. By next year I'll be in STS or STX (dunno which yet) because I want to lower the car, add some decent shocks when they're available, CAI or SRI, exhaust, etc...

[mmm def]

I'm not an autocrosser but I'd like to get involved. So with this, would you be replacing tires and brakes every few sessions? It looks like a ton of fun! I am in NJ, what clubs can I join to race, SCCA? I have an 06 Si.

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by mmm def

I'm not an autocrosser but I'd like to get involved. So with this, would you be replacing tires and brakes every few sessions? It looks like a ton of fun! I am in NJ, what clubs can I join to race, SCCA? I have an 06 Si.

First off, it's a blast!

You'll tear up street tires pretty quickly in autocross - generally the edges go long before you wear out the center tread. Try it out, get hooked and then buy a dedicated set of autocross tires - decent tires aren't too expensive and that will save your street tires for everyday use.

As for brakes, I never noticed any increased wear in them but I guess it's possible depending on the types of courses you run.

If you look here, you can find the SCCA division closest to you. If you ask around at performance shops, etc., you may find some local clubs as well. For instance the club I'm in isn't an SCCA affiliated club, but we follow SCCA rules.

You can also check out the SCCA Forums page - they have Division info as well.

[Janizary]

DRIVER: Rob - Raced 600cc stock class amatuer for years back in the 90's. Been toying with Auto-X for about a year, but now seeing the track more often wi the new Si.

CAR: 2006 Honda Civic Si

CLUB/CLASS: Weekender at Spring Mountain GP raceway - Class G stock. Just for fun. No desire (or time) to do this on a 'real' basis. There is an affliated SSCA club in Vegas itself, however, the Spring Mountain club follows the SCCA rules and mixes with the Vegas group quite a bit. Easier to get track time at SM, however.

CURRENT MODS: Alignment & Motegi Tracklite 17x7, 14.3# wheels. Currently running Yoko AVS ES100...which still don't cut it, but better than 'ice skating' on the all seasons The wheels have made quite a difference though.

FUTURE MODS: Suspension within stock class limits

[honda93]

Originally Posted by mmm def

I'm not an autocrosser but I'd like to get involved. So with this, would you be replacing tires and brakes every few sessions? It looks like a ton of fun! I am in NJ, what clubs can I join to race, SCCA? I have an 06 Si.

Come to Raceway Park at 7:30 am on May 13.

www.autox4u.com

Northern NJ Region

[Zesti1]

I just attended an Auto-X event today in Brampton, Ontario, Canada and now I've got the itch to join as well!!!

This thread should definitely be a sticky!

[rphinson]

I dug up this one because I think it didn't get the attention it deserved. I'm a pretty good street racers. I attended my first SCCA and found out that I'm not all the racer I thought I was. I pulled a good time, no, actually my car pulled a good time. Of course, I bought this car because in the car driver relationship I was tired of being limited. My Si carried me through the races today. I think I heard it call me an amatuer on my third run.

Car- Civic Si

Class- STS Novice. Should've ran the G class but it wouldn't have been fair in this car; I pulled second best in my class against a modded Neon (damn he drove good lines!)

Mods- Nada

Future Mods- Motegi Trak Lites 17x8 and Falken 165 so I stop racing sideways. Hawk pads and KVR Disks so I can leave more than 8" before the cone in the stop box, Injen CAI, Hondata Heat Shield, DC Header, EVO Exhaust, and reflash when I learn to control the power. SC when I win the lottery.

And SCCA ates the edges right off my tires. Nice!

[honda93]

Originally Posted by rphinson

I dug up this one because I think it didn't get the attention it deserved. I'm a pretty good street racers. I attended my first SCCA and found out that I'm not all the racer I thought I was.

I respect the hell out of people like this. We ALL think we're the best driver on the planet, until we realize that we aren't... And this is the beauty of autocrossing.

At this point people do two things:

1. Continue autocrossing (and taking beatings for awhile) so as to become a better all-around driver.

2. Go back to street racing and playing their autocross experience off like it was lame.


I thing you fall into the former.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Anthony "Mario" Crea

[etf]

I ran my STOCK Si (except for Hoosier A6's) in it's 2nd Autocross with the Atlanta Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America. Here's the results:

Peachtree BMWCCA
Final Results, #3 - Autocross Event 3 - 6/11/06
Total Registered: 63, with Times: 48

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'AST Class' - Total Entries: 6 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 007 Minsoo Pak BMW M Coupe 0:57.124 0:57.195 0:56.831 0:56.487 0:55.766 0:56.089 0:55.766 -
2 1 Chris Willis BMW M3 0:58.406 0:57.273 0:57.281 0:56.967 0:57.609+1 0:56.694 0:56.694 0.928
3 811 Roger Phillips Mini Cooper S 1:01.515+1 0:59.275 0:59.406+1 0:57.997 0:58.238 0:58.069 0:57.997 1.303
4 40 Ryan Neily BMW M3 1:00.299 0:59.872 1:00.110 0:59.702 1:00.031 0:59.898+DNF 0:59.702 1.705
5 180 Tommy Blackwell 2006 Mini Cooper S 1:02.122 1:01.753 1:03.485+1 1:02.112+1 1:01.522 1:03.316+3 1:01.522 -
6 68 Gerrit Pretorius 1990 BMW 325is 1:07.924 1:05.143 1:03.971 1:03.314 1:03.147 1:04.468 1:03.147 3.445

'AA Class' - Total Entries: 15 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 800 Matt Reppert 1988 BMW 325 0:54.806 0:57.986+3 0:54.881 0:55.267 0:55.390 0:55.496 0:54.806 -
2 75 Jim Smith Mini Cooper S 0:56.286+1 0:56.681 0:56.482 0:55.852+1 0:55.971 1:00.285+2 0:55.852 1.046
3 186 Michael McCoy BMW 325 0:58.146 0:59.513+1 0:59.975+1 0:59.195 0:59.360 0:58.302 0:58.146 2.294
4 74 Florian Popescu 2002 BMW M Coupe 0:59.697 0:59.939 1:00.010 0:59.050 1:03.581+1 0:58.736 0:58.736 0.590
5 27 Michael Carpenter 2002 BMW M3 1:02.642+1 1:03.004+1 1:00.449 0:59.792 1:00.114 0:59.502 0:59.502 0.766
6 16 Carlos Ricque Mini Cooper S 0:59.839+1 1:03.359+3 0:59.520 1:01.474+2 1:00.213 1:00.087+1 0:59.520 0.018
7 881 Denny Boling 1995 BMW M3 1:00.361 1:00.235 1:01.175+1 1:00.099 1:02.072 1:00.165 1:00.099 0.579
8 118 Sam Sheron 2000 BMW 328i 1:06.824 1:04.470 1:05.275 1:04.515 1:03.299 1:06.028 1:03.299 3.200
9 411 Robert Falk 1998 BMW M3 1:04.857 1:05.127 1:04.664 1:03.450 1:03.412 1:04.214 1:03.412 0.113
12 13 Jim Garrison Mini Cooper S 0:00.000 63.412
13 17 Matt Thompson BMW M3 0:00.000
17 88 Michael Johnson BMW M Roadster 0:00.000
20 96 Bryan Gonzales BMW Z3 0:00.000
24 231 Chris Carpenter 1998 BMW M3 0:00.000
27 315 Robert Hart 2001 BMW M Roadster 0:00.000

'A Class' - Total Entries: 14 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 29 John Zimmerman Mini Cooper S 0:58.827 0:58.583 0:58.691 0:58.652 0:58.503 0:58.174 0:58.174 -
2 251 Chris Bernhardt 2005 Mini Cooper S 0:59.616 1:01.365+1 0:59.667 1:00.151+1 0:59.393 0:58.876 0:58.876 0.702
3 58 Richard Knittel BMW M3 0:59.497 0:59.293 0:59.527 1:01.618 0:59.361 0:59.718 0:59.293 0.417
4 34 Brad McCray 1989 BMW 325is 1:03.352+2 1:00.206 1:00.140+DNF 0:59.762 1:01.043+1 0:59.762 0.469
5 141 Drew Gibson 2002 BMW 330i 1:02.356 1:01.589 1:01.273 1:00.472 1:00.155 0:59.887 0:59.887 0.125
6 10 Michael Billman 1996 BMW 328is 1:03.885 1:02.709+2 1:00.896 1:00.364 1:00.189 1:00.588 1:00.189 0.302
7 41 Robert Gibson BMW 330i 1:03.590 1:02.912 1:03.030 1:03.207 1:02.152 1:00.660 1:00.660 0.471
8 211 Garrett Gresham 1998 BMW 328i 1:03.221 1:02.973 1:03.501 1:03.098 1:02.400 1:01.642 1:01.642 -
9 130 Kristi Hutchinson 1998 BMW M3 1:02.432 1:03.030 1:03.920 1:04.032 1:03.720 1:20.082 1:02.432 0.790

'B Class' - Total Entries: 9 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 9 Eric Ayim BMW 318is 0:59.689+1 0:58.278 1:01.258+1 0:58.693 0:58.504 0:59.377 0:58.278 -
2 4 Mark Balloun MINI Cooper 1:00.404 0:59.416 0:59.953 0:59.618 0:59.681 0:59.337 0:59.337 1.059
3 30 Erik Corwin 1989 BMW 325i 1:03.297 1:02.942 1:01.956 1:01.647 1:01.272 1:00.388 1:00.388 1.051
4 54 David Nix 1973 BMW Bavaria 1:03.058 1:02.883 1:01.879 1:01.662 1:01.391 1:00.838 1:00.838 0.450
5 131 Michelle Sawyer 1997 BMW 328is 1:02.761 1:03.775 1:04.109 1:02.732 1:01.956 1:01.956 1.118

'C Class' - Total Entries: 3 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 23 Joe Henderson BMW 325e 0:59.054 1:00.510+1 0:59.450 0:59.118 0:59.539 0:59.234 0:59.054 -
2 188 Michael Hargis 2005 BMW 530i 1:02.632 1:01.313 1:00.886 1:01.417 1:00.551 1:18.724+DNF 1:00.551 1.497
3 92 Shawn Doughtie BMW 535i 1:03.620 1:02.351 1:02.353 1:03.177 1:01.444 1:01.511 1:01.444 0.893

'X1 Class' - Total Entries: 3 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 35 Corrine McCaffery Mazda Miata 1:13.373+DNF 1:09.120 1:04.883 1:05.581 1:03.509 1:01.256 1:01.256 -
2 50 Robert Rittweger 2005 Pontiac GTO 1:04.690 1:04.353+1 1:03.473+1 1:01.874 1:01.543+1 1:04.266+1 1:01.543 0.287
3 52 Bob Rittweger 2005 Pontiac GTO 1:07.276 1:05.265+DNF 1:05.071 1:02.460 1:02.177 1:02.839+1 1:02.177 0.634

'X2 Class' - Total Entries: 3 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 28 Christopher Golden Nissan 350Z 0:56.380 0:57.966+1 0:57.783 0:57.700 0:57.637 0:57.200 0:56.380 -
2 98 John Paul Porsche Boxster 1:00.559+1 0:59.497+1 0:58.859+1 0:57.703 0:58.268+1 0:57.534 0:57.534 1.154
3 311 Paul England Porsche Boxster S 1:00.887 1:00.286 0:59.585 0:59.892 0:58.287 0:59.480+1 0:58.287 0.753

'X3 Class' - Total Entries: 8 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 7 Jim Robertson Caterham 7 0:56.078 0:56.524+DNF 0:53.385 0:52.797 0:53.762 0:52.362 0:52.362 -
2 48 E.T. Foss 2006 Honda Civic Si 0:58.548 0:59.404+1 0:58.483 0:58.242 0:58.093 0:59.512 0:58.093 5.731
3 124 Toby Head 1993 Mazda Miata 1:02.022 1:00.614 1:09.753+1 1:01.033 1:00.250 0:59.155 0:59.155 1.062
4 44 Edmund Morrell 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder 1:04.949 1:03.441 1:02.690 1:00.957 1:02.075+1 1:01.726 1:00.957 1.802
5 36 Philip Skidmore 1972 Datson 510 1:03.845 1:04.037+1 1:03.771+1 1:03.818+1 1:01.630 1:01.571 1:01.571 0.614
6 5 Janssen Pimentel 2003 Mazda Miata 1:04.226 1:02.948 1:02.233 1:01.708 1:01.691 1:02.968+2 1:01.691 0.120
7 31 Richard Jack Honda Prelude 1:03.659 1:03.875 1:03.105 1:02.692 1:16.703+1 1:02.105 1:02.105 0.414
8 86 Andrew Hudson Mazda Miata 1:06.686 1:05.319 1:04.879 1:03.638 1:04.520 1:04.371 1:03.638 1.533

'X4 Class' - Total Entries: 2 Car Color Times Total Diff.
1 72 Scott Grandfield 2003 Trackmagic Kart 0:52.646 0:51.146 0:51.512 0:49.857 0:49.959 0:52.574 0:49.857 -

Top Times Of Day Time Class # Driver
Raw time 49.857 X4 72 Scott Grandfield

(Note: Times include penalty counts - 1 secs/pylon)

[Black06NaviSI]

props to ETF for some very skilled driving out there

[venomous]

Driver: Jadrice Toussaint ... I was autocrossing an Evo 9 MR and before that an EVO 8 and before that an STI. This is my third year autocrossing and have decided to pick up an SI and make that my autocross/daily beater car. I believe Anthony knows me:)

CAR: 2006 Civic Si

CLUB/CLASS: previously A stock in NNJR SCCA, but I guess I will be running in G-stock now. I can't wait to start my first autocross session with the SI.

CURRENT MODS: None yet, I'll probably pick up an alignment after my first autocross. I want to get a feel for its autocross behavior first. My tires however will be the new hoosier A6s. For now I'll run my left over khumo victoracer purchased from my buddy.

[etf]

I think you'll like your Si. Although I've only run 2 autocrosses, here are my thoughts on what the car needs. It seriously needs a shock upgrade and an optimized alignment. Also, Hoosier has just released a 225/40-17. Get those, you'll need the gearing assist. I've got 225/45-17 A6s. The grip is great! Let us know your first impressions of your Si. It would be valuble coming from an experienced autocrosser like you.

[venomous]

I've decided to run 245 45 17 khumo v710 up front for this saturday's autocross in Englishtown. I'll report back with my findings:)

[etf]

Originally Posted by venomous

I've decided to run 245 45 17 khumo v710 up front for this saturday's autocross in Englishtown. I'll report back with my findings:)

245s??? What width rims do you have??

[venomous]

Originally Posted by etf

245s??? What width rims do you have??

I'm running the stock 7 inchers:)

Take a closer look at the pictures below, I've already done some test highway runs, they do not rub at all. The 245 45 17 fits realllllly nicely:)

1031049453_ORIG.jpg

1031049457_ORIG.jpg

1031049461_ORIG.jpg

[hurricane]

I am not auto-x'ing my Civic but do auto-x an S2000 (A-Stock) in the Nebraska chapter. Have given some thought to taking the Civic EX Coupe out just for fun though.

[venomous]

Good evening all,

Results for the NNJR event: http://www.autox4u.com/2006results/782006nnjr.htm

Congrats to Anthony for clinching the third place in PAX in a highly competitive pro class. As for me, I made the top ten PAX, and overall winning my GS class by a considerable margin.

First impression of the SI:

I was extremely impressed at how composed the SI was. It was mostly evident in the slalom where I was able to continuously bounce off the rev limiter in second gear (about 60 mph) in the slalom section. I know that some of you mentioned that the car needed at least an alignment and you're absolutely right. The LSD made a huge difference in the tight stuff but for some reason, it felt as if I was experiencing some inside wheel spin. I'll keep an eye for that during the next autox event on the 22 where I'll try out the hoosier A6s in the front this time.

I had a lot fo fun the first time out with the SI, and it truely has tons of potential. Stay tune, I'm going to give Anthony's alignment tip a try at the next autox, and I will report back with my fidings.

- Jay

[sbmon]

I went out for my second event this past weekend and had an absolute blast.
If anyone out there is considering autocrossing, you gotta try it is alot of fun. I can't wait for my next event. Here's a pic from this past weekend.
shawn

[Janizary]

Nice, SBmon. Stock class?