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Old 04-09-2008, 04:22 PM   #1 (permalink)
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WDCR Autocross Practice Event 4/6 Update with Video

Video of 4th run of 52.2xx seconds: MySpaceTV Videos: WDCR Practice Event 2008 by Luster

Cliffs: First event, in the rain, against a national level driver, took the first place in STX!

So it's finally that time of the year again, where cones sprout from the asphalt and we do our best to avoid them.

WDCR held the first event of the season this past Saturday, a non-points practice event to work out the kinks before Event #1 on April 20th. Once again I am piloting the Spec V in STX (ran with Gonzo - great guy and good to meet you!)...but with a few big changes. The biggest change was upgrading the suspension from the non-adjustable Tein Basics with 6k F/R springs (roughly 350lbs springs) to Koni yellow single adjustables with Ground Control coilovers running 500lbs front and 550lbs rear springs. In addition to the suspension changes, new wheels/tires were ordered, bumping up from 17x7.5 et45 Rota Subzeros with 235/40/17 Falken Azenis st615's to 17x8 et42 Motegi LC5's with 245/40/17 Bridgestone RE-01R's. Everything was installed in the last two weeks, setting the alignment back to it's previous setup of -2.5 camber and zero toe. There was a little bit of minor street testing, but no real way of knowing what the car was going to do.

After calling for 65 degrees and sunny for Sunday all week, the weather turned ugly with a high of only 50 degrees and raining, continuing to get colder throughout the day. While this did not provide the optimum conditions to test the new setup, it was still a good time to knock off some of the rust and refresh myself what it was like to dodge cones 5 months ago as this is my first event of the year.

As an added bonus, I recently found out that Cy Lee, a formidable STS national level competitor, had decided to add a Quaife LSD to the 1989 Civic Si over the off season and make a real run at STX in 2008. For reference, Cy finished 20th in STS at the 2007 Topeka Nationals with a raw time that would have been good enough for 10th in STX...without the LSD. This was going to be interesting. Last year Cy consistently beat me by about 1-1.5 seconds depending on course length and layout. This should be a good gauge at least.

First run, it had just stopped raining so an okay amount of water on course. Not to mention not know what the car was going to do on top of not driving for a while, so we'll not go too all out. Managed to pull out an STX leading 56.1xx on the first run...until Cy came out and topped it with a 54.6xx. Here we go.

Second run drove a bit harder and crossed the line with a 54.3xx. Woot! Oh wait...yep, there goes Cy with a 53.1xx. ARGH!

Third run, cars feeling pretty good in the wet and puddles are going away...just wet asphalt now. Start really trying to push the car and find the limits, but apparently I was far off before. How does a 52.8xx sound? Cy comes across with another 53.1xx. Could this really be happening?

Fourth and final run I go out trying to be a touch more aggressive in spots where I knew I was being conservative. Didn't expect much more than where I had finished previously, but knowing that third place was back in the distance, it was time to lay it all out. Besides, this is a non-points event so what does it matter, right? Finished the course and really surprised myself with a 52.2xx. Now is when I watch and wait for Cy to come through with the "hero run" and just destroy me...but alas, it never came. Good thing I went faster as he finished the day with a 52.8xx and giving me the (practice) win!

Now granted, I have NO idea what the car is going to do in the dry and I know that was Cy's first event this year in that car with the LSD. But this was also my first time with an entirely new suspension and wheel/tire package. Trying not to read too much into it as there were a lot of factors at play, but hopefully it's an indication that the car/driver may actually have a miniscule chance at not completely sucking at Topeka in September. Still a whole lot of time and driving left to answer that question though. I'm doing a Test and Tune this Sunday, which should hopefully be dry with 20+ runs to get the car figured out and knock some more rust off. Cy and his co-driver Chris Shenefield will be there as well, so hopefully I can use that comparison as a gauge to see how close I "could" be. Wish me luck!


Sorry for the long read! Wanted to wait until the results were posted, but there seem to be some issues...I'll update once their posted as I'm interested to see where I PAX'ed.
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Old 04-10-2008, 07:57 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Also a funny story from the day that I forgot to add. This is where you can tell it's been a while since I've autocrossed. On my second run I get myself all strapped in and ready to go. As I pull up to the line, the starter asks me, "Do you plan on wearing a helmet out there?" DOH! I had it right there in the front seat, which I would have quickly realized when braking into the first turn. I'm glad he noticed, but man I felt like such a noob.
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Old 04-10-2008, 08:42 AM   #3 (permalink)
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That shit looks fun man. I don't know how I would fair in this kind of thing I would probably get mad confused as to where to go haha. I bet its different once your on the track, all those cones I would get lost haha.
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Old 04-10-2008, 08:55 AM   #4 (permalink)
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It's definitely much different when you're out there. You also get to walk the course a few times in the morning before your runs, and that's where you get a chance to memorize the layout of the course and figure out where the key cones/sections are that you need to pay attention to.

Also just found out that results are up...finished 3rd in PAX out of 175 competitors, the top ST* raw time, and only one PAX second behind Sam Strano. Yeah, I think I just got really lucky this past weekend, but we'll see how the season turns out.

Congrats to Gonzo as well. In his first year autocrossing he took 6th of 12 in STX in his Si which isn't even close to as prepped as the cars just ahead/behind. Some more mods and practice and you can continue to see faster times. Should be a fun year in WDCR STX.
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Old 04-10-2008, 01:42 PM   #5 (permalink)
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That's crazy that you finished so close in PAX to Sam Strano....that guy is scary fast...
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Old 04-10-2008, 02:02 PM   #6 (permalink)
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No kidding, Josh is blazing.

I guess I did allright, heh. I was able to recognize things I was doing wrong and adjust so I could bring down those times each run. I guess that means I'm learning, heh.

Definitely still pumped for the test and tune since I had no real idea what the new tires could do and how the rear sway would change rotation and oversteer. Seat time is really what I need and I am glad that it sounds like we're changing up the course or running it reverse the second half of the day so I can have both challenges.

English, yeah, the course seems intimidating but it's not too bad. We had some drivers go off course because they misinterpreted the cones or got lost but hey, that happens. It's not a big deal at all. Especially when you are new there are lots of distractions.

Here are my times...
65.893 60.771 57.573 56.933

As you can see I was really conservative the first run. I wanted to make sure I had the course right and taking it easy let me focus on the course and not the car. A lot of it is nerves though because you second guess yourself but really you already know how the course goes. For instance on my first run I was sitting at the starting line and looking forward and thinking "Wait, I'm supposed to go through that gate, right?" and then having to remind myself "Yes stupid, it's the only one right infront of the start line..."

Though on my third run I did have one inner marker almost surprise me, I swear, somebody must have moved it!

Also when you are out there you will hear all the more experienced drivers telling you to "find the cones that matter." Basically means a lot of the cones out there aren't important. Some corners might be made up of 10 cones but very few actually matter as far as where you should be in relation or how you should approach them. Do a course walk with a helpful experienced driver or follow the novice walk if there is one. For pete's sake don't miss the course walk...

This practice event was actually pretty ideal for n00bies. The weather was pukey but that means a lot of people didn't show which made the event less hectic. There was a lot to learn just about how the event is structured and I had no clue before I arrived (waking up an hour later than I was supposed to and arriving with 4 minutes to tech my car and register didn't help. Next time I am setting multiple alarms. ) Thankfully there were folks there to help me out when I was lost (Josh, Danny, and Cy definitely come to mind)

Best advice is go out to an autocross and watch. If you have a friend that autocrosses or can find someone on a forum that will sort of explain what is going on that would be helpful. That way you'll have some idea as to whether or not this is something you want to commit time and money to, and you won't be so lost when your first event does come around.
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Old 04-10-2008, 02:59 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Thanks for the comments guys, but I will say one data point does not make a trend. On that day, on that course, in those conditions I was quick. It does provide some promise and hope for the future though and I hope it translates into solid finishes in the dry on different course setups. Don't want to put TOO much into it.

And Gonzo brings up a lot of great points for the beginner autocrosser. Definitely get there early *cough* so that you have plenty of time to get yourself setup, mind in the right place, and get to walk the course. Walk with someone experienced as they will help point out some things you need to watch for. For example on one of the sweepers they set up a "sucker cone" between two of the "key" cones. If you tried to get close to it, you put yourself at a really bad angle for the next section and would lose tons of speed and distance. Also take an experienced driver with you your first few times out, it will make ALL the difference as well.
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Old 04-10-2008, 03:26 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Ah so that is what they're called. The sucker cone almost made a sucker out of me. That was the one I was rather surprised to see my third run. Turned in a bit too early!

Yeah, showing up early is almost always a good thing, autocross or not. Trust me, sprinting back and forth between inspection and registration several times until you are a bit ill is not fun. I almost upchucked my breakfast. Thank goodness Danny (again, I think that is his name, if not he's the owner of the Evo with the enormous wing) had met me at the schools and saw my distress and ran over to help and just cool my nerves.

That brings up another point. Once you get your feet wet, if you see someone looking nervous or clueless walk by and say something friendly, ask them if they need help, or point them to where they should be. I'll be on the lookout since I was that guy...

Last edited by Gonzo; 04-10-2008 at 03:30 PM.
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Old 04-10-2008, 03:32 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Again, another good point. Autocrossers (at least most everyone that I know of) are nice people and willing to help people out. All you have to do is ask. And sometimes they'll even help when not asked...i.e. Danny Kao (in the evo with the big wing).
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Old 04-15-2008, 09:04 AM   #10 (permalink)
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Here you go, more video in the dry this time.

From the D.C. Test and Tune this weekend. The car felt really good, but still wondering if I should increase the rear bar just a tad. Others that rode said the car felt good, so I'll probably leave it as is for now and then adjust some things later.

MySpaceTV Videos: WDCR Test and Tune 4-13-08 by Luster
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Old 04-15-2008, 09:35 AM   #11 (permalink)
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I am going to try and get mine online tonight. I only have three runs on film, the best one is decent as I think they were all before Josh's instruction. That's ok I guess since today was just to learn and testing the camera out took a back seat. Now I think I've got it all figured out.

I am also gonna mess with the camera's mic settings and maybe see if I can't figure out some kind of EQ or vibration isolation. As of right now the audio is either very faint, only allowing wide open engine noise and the loudest tire squeal, or completely overwhelmed by a static sound which I guess is due to vibration.
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Old 04-15-2008, 10:02 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Make sure you have a secondary tether as well. That could also help keep it more stable.
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Old 04-15-2008, 10:16 AM   #13 (permalink)
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Yeah, one of the guys (I need to catch his name, he seems to be a regular. He was a often a starter and helped tech the cars. Pretty tall dude with short hair and glasses.) mentioned the tether is required. No one gave me crap for it that day but one will definitely be going on. I think a rope is a little sketch looking so I will probably use that braided steel that is coated in plastic.

Unfortunately a tether probably won't help vibration in this case. The mount design is actually quite stable and rigid, perhaps so much that is transmits more vibration than it should.

I might try an approach using foam rubber inside the camera's housing. I think the diaphragm of the mic itself might be getting vibrated.
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Old 04-15-2008, 10:27 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Finally got some runs up!

YouTube - Civic Si at Fedex Field

Not my best runs, mostly just to test the camera.
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Old 04-17-2008, 11:32 AM   #15 (permalink)
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Nice, we'll have to do some video comparos after this weekend's event. I need to get a chasecam at some point, possibly this coming Christmas.
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Old 04-17-2008, 12:07 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Totally.

The chase cams are fun. The option of doing easy creative mounting is ammusing. A wheel shot or rear bumper angle might be silly for autocross but is still fun otherwise.

Best things about this model are the fact it is wireless and cheap. Those bullet cams are sweet but are expensive and require more gear to operate. I'd love to have one but can't afford that setup.

The GoPro looks like a total gimmick but it is pretty functional, on the car and off (underwater video anyone? ). Only downsides are the audio on a vibrating surface and the fact it really likes light.
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