THSCC Forums

To Event Chairs:
I thought the event was great, and the they were able to flow well with all the hiccups in the day (I dunno... STi off course in a "STi runaway ramp"). The day felt like it went well, transitions went smooth, and a special thanks to Vincent + Ryan for working with Stacy and I to get the car back out there, and letting us contine our day. Also, being able to let those in group 1 'run at lunch' was nice so they could get all their runs in.

To all in Group 1:
- Sorry about taking a run away from you guys with the off. I will be attempting to dial some of the hack out so that doesn't happen again

To all who help'd liberate us (Jason?):
- Thanks. I didn't get a chance to say it, but all the course workers got over to us quickly, and helped get us out quickly (and share a few light hearted verbal jabs).

Anyway... I thought the TnT went down well, and I just wanted to say that the course design ON BOTH courses was awesome (technical + wideopen and fast [by a Miata driver?!!!?1one!!?! ]).

Unfortunately, I think I leave with more to 'Tune' then I did when I started, but I enjoyed it, and I can't wait to see the "Subaru Course" in March!

- dow

yeh that was awesome. both courses were fun, and the long course was fast!

it definately provided some much needed seattime w/ the new car. finally toward the end of the day i started to get a feel for it.

dialing out the hack is hard!

Oh, just because I was working course out there when you were running -- how was the traction for you in the //M3 on 255 RT615s (I never saw the other STU //M3 driver, unfortunately)? I noticed you seemed to be working your speed up on each consecutive runs, and on the short course + long course, you really started to look like you were hustling the cars well, but were gentle on throttle application.

Any idea what you were running on the Long course? I think the STU average was around 58-60seconds. I think a good time out there would be around 59.5 (clean) for what we were running yesterday.

Car looks great out there, and it looked like you were adapting quickly! Nice and smooooth.

- dow

60sec. hahaahhaah. not even close

it really took me until midway in the afternoon to get used to the steering of the M3. i really think it takes twice as much steering input as the R32 for it to move the wheels a certain amount. i was late and lazy all morning. i only ran three times on the long course. I spun two of em and i got a 67 when i went slow and steady trying to actually not hit a cone.

during lunch a few of use were doing 'parade laps' around the untimed course over and over. i probably ran it 6 times in slow motion just trying to feel how this steering works and being as smooth as possible. i think that was really helpful.

so in the afternoon on the untimed course (when i didnt spin it trying to be a drift0r) i started slow and tried to get faster step by step. my last three or so runs i felt were decent and i was finally getting used to it.

biggest lesson learned: the images in my head of sweet tight drifts around the hairpin turn dont work.. you just plow into the grass.. hahah

oh and the tires. they felt great. definately hard to compare since we're talking different cars and different widths, etc, but the rt615s felt as grippy lateraly as those crusty ol V700s on the R32 although i'm sure i wasnt doing them justice. but i am now in a lighter car w/ more camber. so in short, i dunno man, but they felt fine to me

The long course was very well laid out. Lots of elements and it was not visually distracting at all. I enjoyed it.

Were times logged for the timed course?

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Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

Nope

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Thanks Brian. All of the senior officers were pulling double duty this weekend being event chairs. It was a lot of extra work, but it's nice to hear some appreciation (instead of bitching) for our efforts for a change. There are a few others who deserve special recognition for their efforts as well.

First and foremost is Eric Peterson. I contacted him a few weeks back and asked for his help in designing two Test-n-Tune courses . He said he would be glad to help (as always) and was all set to meet us Saturday. On Friday I received an e-mail from him saying Chris and Kelly were both sick so he wouldn't be able to run on Sunday. However he would still come and help on Saturday as promised. He drove to the site (with his car in tow) and setup the timed course in the cold rain. He never even got to unload his car and take a few fun runs. The next time you see Eric be sure to thank him for his selfless efforts in setting up the course everyone seemed to really enjoy. Thanks Eric !!!!!!!!!

Next is Kevin Allen. Not only does Kevin serves as Rally-X VP, he does 99% of the course work for those events, oh and he serves as the 2006 bus driver for the autocross program as well. He also helped with setup by working a shovel and a broom on Saturday to get the un-timed course ready. He was only obligated to get the bus there and back, nothing else. As if that isn't enough, he'll also be co-chairing the upcoming Novice School and 1st points event in March. Everyone should join me in thanking Kevin for all his hard work.

Also worthy of note is Christine Allen who braved the elements to keep us all fed. If I were her I would have stayed home rather than fight that wind, but she stuck it out. She also lended a hand working the broom with Kevin on Saturday. Thanks again Christine.

I would personally like to thank those few who stick around after the event to help pack up. For those who use the excuse of "I have a long drive ahead" well Ryan drives almost 3.5 hours to get home from Laurinburg. Special thanks to the complete noob (who isn't even a member) Jonathan Dixon? for sticking around and loading ALL of the timed course cones into his VW and helping us pack up.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

I do?

It only takes about 2 1/2 by taking the shortcut, 3 hrs if some jackass SUV driver FLIPS his madd tite SUV in the middle of I95

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Don't forget that Kevin and Ryan also designed the short course which I heard no complaints about.....not even the "adjustable" pivot cone (we forgot to mark it, so everytime someone hit it....it might not have made it back to the same spot).

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Stephen Westerfield
2009 Infiniti M35 | 2007 Honda Fit Sport | 2005 Ford Mustang GT |2000 GMC Sierra |1992 Acura Integra LS | Super Westerfield Bros Acura Integra

oh yeh, so if i wasnt clear. that was fun as hell. awesome courses. thanks

Well it took me exactly 2.5 to get to my house from Laurinburg. I know it's at least 45 mins further for you.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Except for the cold weather and wind, this T&T was great. The courses were perfect, except for the finish on the long course!
The hard work put in my everybody involved was appreciated.
I got stuck on I-95 too and almost got run into a guard rail at 2 mph by a New York driver.
I learned a lot. Number 1 is that last year's V 710s and cold weather are not good.

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Rubbin' is Racin'

Walter,

For what it's worth, brand new rubber had issues as well. I did not have sufficient rear traction on any of my 3 runs on the long course. My car was driving like a tail-happy RWD car. Just tell me that you guys weren't running 60.xx's

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Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

i don't know...my fresh 710s were cutt'n the mustard just fine...i couldn't be happier with my current setup...and yes, the ES miata did turn a 60.3 on the timed course.

thanks to everyone that had a hand in the event...it was run real well i thought...no complaints here at all.

special thanks to kevin for letting me ride with him on a couple of runs...i actually got a little dizzy after he launched the first time...the g's made my eyes go a funny for a second.

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05 MCS

Thanks to everyone who worked on setting up the event. Terrific layout on both courses, even though i thought the short course needed a "off road" sweeper after my first run .

The long course was awesome, especially the ending! Thanks to everyone there, Vincent, Ryan, those serving food at lunch and bus workers and anyone who I may have forgotten.

To be honest, that seems like the event to go to all year, I got in 15 runs that one day, now a normal autox event will seem short

I am going to agree with walter and others on the slickness of the course, due to our hard as rock tires...when you are punching it in 2nd gear midway into your power range, and the tires start to break loose...thats a huge indication that you need new tires. hehe.

P.S. Sorry to Walter for the cotton picking I decided to do.........twice.