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| Won't someone grant this Skyline amnesty?? |
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Save a Skyline, Sign this Petition!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Autocross: The Cone Course d'Elegance
Hey everybody, I'd like to go ahead and first apologize for the long hiatus in blog posts. College has been keeping me busy with other assignments and papers, and so I've been distracted from updating here. So, without further ado, let's continue with car stuff!
Something that I have little doubt every car enthusiast has wanted to do is go racing. Whether it's in a straight line, on a big track, whatever, everyone that has an ounce of oil in his or her veins has wanted to put a car through its paces and find out what its capable of. The problem is, most forms of racing are expensive, dangerous, and/or your daily road car would be ineligible for competition. Drag racing is one of the few that can give you a chance to wring out your car, but it only tests one area of performance: straight line acceleration and speed. What if you really want to see how your car handles, in addition to its power and torque? What if you want to see if you drive like your fists are ham or you were blessed with the fingers of Fangio? Then you must seek out an autocross event!
Autocross, for those that may be unfamiliar, is the ideal way to get your toes wet in performance driving. The events are held in large open parking lots and airfields where large courses are marked out by orange traffic cones. Drivers each take turns at trying to get through the course as quickly as possible, without hitting cones. The driver with the best time wins. Being in large open areas means there aren't large, solid objects (typically) to hit and damage your car, only one car at a time means no on course collisions, and the course is tight enough that you'll rarely exceed 50-60 mph, and even then, you won't be going that fast for long. It makes for a very safe, comfortable way to get your performance fix.
Ever since I got my Miata, I was looking for a way to get that performance fix. I had considered open track days, but there was too high a chance that I could damage my car, and I needed additional safety gear. Autocross offered a perfect environment to get started. And, after gentle encouragement from friends, I finally got around to getting to one.
On October 9 (sorry again for the long break), I headed up to Salina for the Salina Region SCCA "Octoberfast" autocross. It was a gray, overcast day, and it had been raining in McPherson. I was quite concerned that it might be canceled. I wasn't sure when I would be able to do another one this year, so I was counting on it staying dry (and in turn safe) that day. Fortunately, halfway up to Salina, the rain stopped, and it never got worse than a very light sprinkling.
I was a bit nervous for my first autocross. It helped that a few friends came up to watch, but I was concerned about getting things right and not holding things up too much. I took as much precaution as I could to get ready. I preregistered at the region's website, made sure I had my class selected and correct, and emptied out everything but the essentials from my car. Upon arrival, I was relieved to find enormously kind and helpful people.
When I checked in, I mentioned that it was my first time to an autocross. The nice lady at the check in table cheerfully told me that they love having autocross "virgins" and that people would be happy to help, and that they were. In almost no time at all, more experienced people were coming around to offer assistance and guidance. From the get-go I was advised on how to get my car ready for tech, where to go for work assignments and for driving, tips when walking the course, and even where to get free air to pump up my tires. That last one was particularly helpful as I learned that recommended street air pressure is much too low for autocross. Then, I even got to have an experienced driver come along on my parade lap to give me a few tips on where to go fast and where to go slow.
One of the other things that I was a tad concerned about that day was doing the work assignment. Afterall, when you're looking to have fun, work doesn't sound all that great. I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be rather fun. Like many amateurs, I was tasked with resetting cones on the course. While this sounds like a menial chore, what it means is that you get out on the course and can see the cars getting pushed hard on the course, and with cars like heavily turbocharged STIs, RX-7s, and a C5 Corvette Z06 that sounded like a Trans Am racer, it is quite entertaining! Plus, you can start to get an idea for where people are having trouble, and where you can make more time.
But autocross is all about the driving, and it is a genuine blast. That day's event only had two heats so everyone got around 5 runs on the course. Each run would range between 30-50 seconds depending on car and skill level. And while that doesn't sound like much, there is great quality where there isn't much quantity. I was a bit hesitant on my first few runs. I've always been a bit of a timid driver, and so was worried about pushing too hard. However, as my confidence rose, I found myself quickly being bitten by the autocross bug. I started to be more vehement in my throttle application. I was eagerly looking for the perfect line through the cones. The joy that comes from threading a tight, communicative sports car through a tight course is nearly indescribable. To hurtle through with ease and eagerness, to feel the g-forces and to be feeling one with the car is brilliant. Through every hairpin, slalom, and chicane, I was grinning.
At the end of the day, I found myself itching for more. Even driving through the parking lot of Wal-Mart days after, I was looking at how quickly I could snake my way through some of the concrete islands that marked the different parking lot entrances. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Wonderful people, impressive cars, a low price and a safe environment make autocross one of the best things a person can do with their car. Even when I got the results and found myself close to the bottom of the page, I didn't care. It was so much fun! I can't wait until the weather warms up and I can go again. And maybe then, I'll move up the ranks a little more!
As a final word to the wise, if you're at all hesitant in going to your first autocross, there's nothing to be afraid of. People are immensely helpful. As a couple of tips from my first time, go plenty early, maybe even right when they open for registration so that you have time to take care of anything you forgot. For instance, I needed to pump up my tires, and I didn't have much time during the break between heats. Also, if you can get a friend or two to come along, it's great to have moral support, and some people that can help you get ready. And don't be too hard on yourself if you don't do well your first time. This is to have fun, and you can always improve! So what are you waiting for? Start looking for the next nearest event, autocross is too much fun to ignore!
See? Cars! This IS a post about car stuff!
Something that I have little doubt every car enthusiast has wanted to do is go racing. Whether it's in a straight line, on a big track, whatever, everyone that has an ounce of oil in his or her veins has wanted to put a car through its paces and find out what its capable of. The problem is, most forms of racing are expensive, dangerous, and/or your daily road car would be ineligible for competition. Drag racing is one of the few that can give you a chance to wring out your car, but it only tests one area of performance: straight line acceleration and speed. What if you really want to see how your car handles, in addition to its power and torque? What if you want to see if you drive like your fists are ham or you were blessed with the fingers of Fangio? Then you must seek out an autocross event!
Lined up to race
Autocross, for those that may be unfamiliar, is the ideal way to get your toes wet in performance driving. The events are held in large open parking lots and airfields where large courses are marked out by orange traffic cones. Drivers each take turns at trying to get through the course as quickly as possible, without hitting cones. The driver with the best time wins. Being in large open areas means there aren't large, solid objects (typically) to hit and damage your car, only one car at a time means no on course collisions, and the course is tight enough that you'll rarely exceed 50-60 mph, and even then, you won't be going that fast for long. It makes for a very safe, comfortable way to get your performance fix.
Ever since I got my Miata, I was looking for a way to get that performance fix. I had considered open track days, but there was too high a chance that I could damage my car, and I needed additional safety gear. Autocross offered a perfect environment to get started. And, after gentle encouragement from friends, I finally got around to getting to one.
The 1999 Mazda Miata in its natural habitat!
On October 9 (sorry again for the long break), I headed up to Salina for the Salina Region SCCA "Octoberfast" autocross. It was a gray, overcast day, and it had been raining in McPherson. I was quite concerned that it might be canceled. I wasn't sure when I would be able to do another one this year, so I was counting on it staying dry (and in turn safe) that day. Fortunately, halfway up to Salina, the rain stopped, and it never got worse than a very light sprinkling.
I was a bit nervous for my first autocross. It helped that a few friends came up to watch, but I was concerned about getting things right and not holding things up too much. I took as much precaution as I could to get ready. I preregistered at the region's website, made sure I had my class selected and correct, and emptied out everything but the essentials from my car. Upon arrival, I was relieved to find enormously kind and helpful people.
When I checked in, I mentioned that it was my first time to an autocross. The nice lady at the check in table cheerfully told me that they love having autocross "virgins" and that people would be happy to help, and that they were. In almost no time at all, more experienced people were coming around to offer assistance and guidance. From the get-go I was advised on how to get my car ready for tech, where to go for work assignments and for driving, tips when walking the course, and even where to get free air to pump up my tires. That last one was particularly helpful as I learned that recommended street air pressure is much too low for autocross. Then, I even got to have an experienced driver come along on my parade lap to give me a few tips on where to go fast and where to go slow.
One of the other things that I was a tad concerned about that day was doing the work assignment. Afterall, when you're looking to have fun, work doesn't sound all that great. I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be rather fun. Like many amateurs, I was tasked with resetting cones on the course. While this sounds like a menial chore, what it means is that you get out on the course and can see the cars getting pushed hard on the course, and with cars like heavily turbocharged STIs, RX-7s, and a C5 Corvette Z06 that sounded like a Trans Am racer, it is quite entertaining! Plus, you can start to get an idea for where people are having trouble, and where you can make more time.
That Z06 was beastly!
But autocross is all about the driving, and it is a genuine blast. That day's event only had two heats so everyone got around 5 runs on the course. Each run would range between 30-50 seconds depending on car and skill level. And while that doesn't sound like much, there is great quality where there isn't much quantity. I was a bit hesitant on my first few runs. I've always been a bit of a timid driver, and so was worried about pushing too hard. However, as my confidence rose, I found myself quickly being bitten by the autocross bug. I started to be more vehement in my throttle application. I was eagerly looking for the perfect line through the cones. The joy that comes from threading a tight, communicative sports car through a tight course is nearly indescribable. To hurtle through with ease and eagerness, to feel the g-forces and to be feeling one with the car is brilliant. Through every hairpin, slalom, and chicane, I was grinning.
Yes, that is the look of a highly satisfied driver
At the end of the day, I found myself itching for more. Even driving through the parking lot of Wal-Mart days after, I was looking at how quickly I could snake my way through some of the concrete islands that marked the different parking lot entrances. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Wonderful people, impressive cars, a low price and a safe environment make autocross one of the best things a person can do with their car. Even when I got the results and found myself close to the bottom of the page, I didn't care. It was so much fun! I can't wait until the weather warms up and I can go again. And maybe then, I'll move up the ranks a little more!
As a final word to the wise, if you're at all hesitant in going to your first autocross, there's nothing to be afraid of. People are immensely helpful. As a couple of tips from my first time, go plenty early, maybe even right when they open for registration so that you have time to take care of anything you forgot. For instance, I needed to pump up my tires, and I didn't have much time during the break between heats. Also, if you can get a friend or two to come along, it's great to have moral support, and some people that can help you get ready. And don't be too hard on yourself if you don't do well your first time. This is to have fun, and you can always improve! So what are you waiting for? Start looking for the next nearest event, autocross is too much fun to ignore!
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