THSCC Forums

http://www.get-fast.net/nasacross/21806/

Is anyone planning to attend this event with NASA? Judging from the description, it seems like a fun idea for autocrossers with minimal or no track experience. I'm thinking of attending but was hoping to get some insight on whether or not it's a good idea to make the transition from three seasons of autocross to track (although in a somewhat slower environment than a HPDE) and remain on R comps in the ITR.

Thanks!
-Matt

I have discussed this event with a couple of friends and while I don't see a problem with it from an organizational standpoint, I have one significant reservation. Running 100% on what is essentially an out-lap in the middle of February seems really stupid. Tires will be COLD and handling will be evil. Furthermore, since cars are widely spaced, it is unlikely that the track will ever get any car induced warmth into it.

And before someones says it depends on your tires, I have run Azeni 215s, the tires many spray to keep cool, at our Feb. VIR school and have had to drive very gingerly so as not to play John Deere on the first lap.

Were it June, I would be all over it. The time of year just seems a poor fit to me to drive hard without warmup.

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Rich
http://www.v8mongrel.com/

As your first experience on track, I'd say that neither a time trial nor VIR-P are good choices. The course is tight and has several places where it's easy to hit the armco or Jersey barriers, as a couple of THSCC members can attest. And trying to beat the clock while learning (?) to drive a road course is dicey too.

The website says they'll use cones to slow down the course. That can go one of three ways: (1) it will work as they intended, (2) it will make the course no fun at all, or (3) it will introduce new problems. I recall two cases of #3 from autocrosses we used to run at NCMS. Of course, the cars that had to be towed home were just Chevys (a Corvette and a Vega), but I know for a fact that their owners were not amused.

If you want to go on track, talk to the folks running the THSCC track program first.

Is that Mike Whitney driving in the video in the link???

It looks like his helmet (about half way throught the video) and I seem to remember him posting a vid after the test day that he did.

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Todd Breakey
STS 42 - 1992 Sunburst Miata
Dammit!
"You souldn't play leap frog with a porcupine. You might get hurt." - Eliza

At the BMWCCA Oktoberfest in September, the autocross was run on the Patriot Course, and they (Marv Jensen and company) did an excellent job with cone placement to keep speeds in check while still allowing for a fun and challenging autocross. It was still pretty fast however; in the M5 I was almost touching the rev limiter at the top of 3rd gear down the straight toward the right hander prior to the uphill (south course corkscrew backwards) which is ~100mph. The course started right at the exit of the pit and ended up the hill from the pit -- probably about 3/4 of the way around.

The Patriot course is a very challenging course to drive without the cones. Almost every corner has a "feature" to it (i.e. uphill on camber to the apex switching to downhill off camber). I've walked the course a number of times, made extensive notes, driven it in the THSCC HPDE last year and then the CCA event this year, and it is an amazing little course in my opinion.

I think it all comes down to cone placement as to whether it will be a safe and enjoyable autocross. If it is like the CCA event, it will be wonderful imo. If it is more like an open Patriot course, it will likely be a mistake to let inexperienced drivers loose on it. I have just a few pictures of how the first part of the course was setup with the cones at the CCA event I can post if anyone is interested.

Chuck

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Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

How would you compare the safety of such an event compared to a HPDE for a first timer? The HPDE is sounding more and more logical considering the course design.

The CCA autocross event was completely safe. There was only one car that went off the pavement apparently with no issue. The safety of an HPDE is almost completely within the control of yourself -- baring some idiot hitting your car or something. I had done 6 years of autocrossing prior to my first track event in 1981, and I had no issue slowly building up my skills on a track. At least in today's time you get instructors to help you figure things out.

I wouldn't be overly concerned with the safety aspect of the HPDE as long as you trust yourself to operate well within your own limits, take your time learning, and keep your emotions in check.

Cheers,
Chuck

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Current stable:
2019 BMW M2 Competition slicktop 6MT
2011 BMW M3 sedan slicktop 6MT
2007 BMW 328i wagon (slushbox for now)
1975 CanAm 125MX2

cold tires, cold track; exhibit caution and sensible driving skills.

Matt, try the HPDE w/ Tarheel first and then do the autoX. same track, same weather. i ran a HPDE @ VIR 12-10-05 and it was 21f at 7 am. hotshoeing would and did result in multiple offs.

it was my first trip to VIR and i can't stress enough what a great track it is.

Stupid question? This is a time trial not an Autocross, right. So you have to have the cage, etc.

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

According to the Nasa site, it sounds like a speed regulated time trial with cones placed on track to lessen speeds. Cages are not required and M- rated helmets are even allowed.

It is an autocross, they are going to be setting up cones for offsets and saloms to keep speeds to acceptiable auto-x speeds.

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David Teague
2015 Lexus IS 250c
1994 Honda Del Sol HS 39
2009 Dodge Journey R/T
http://teaguefamily.us

I agree with Chuck. I was up there as well running the autox during the ofest. They ran the Patriot course clock wise which I under stand is backwards from the normal way it's run. No blind curves in this direction. I personally had a blast and actually won my class (big day for Rodney!!).

It was a nice break running the autox on a course...an interesting combination of autox and track. If you get a change to run it, do it!

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Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

Stephen and I will be there on Sunday to watch the do-rift-o action at the US Drift event there.

Anyone else wanna go?

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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)

So... Did anybody go?

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

They only wadded up three cars. Not bad for an autocross.

There's a thread on it on Triad's forums.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.