I finally decided to run at the autocross today. I have been putting it off because I dont have race tires, but it was wet and I figured one day wont be to bad. So anyways, I filled my tires up to about 42 psi all the way around and got ready. I walked the course about 4 times, which turns out to not have been enough. So after that I head to the drivers meeting, where they scared the crap out of me. They kept talking about how many cars this course has claimed, and since its wet be especially carefull. Not what I wanted to hear my first time out.

When it was my turn to go, I bogged down real bad at the start. I was trying to go easy because it was wet, but I went way to easy. Then it was on to the slalom, which i did ok. Later there is a wide 180 degree turn which I took way to fast and almost went of course. Coming back threw the slalom the second time I managed to take out a cone. On my first run I was taking it pretty slow. I was afraid to get on the gas to much because I wasnt to sure where I was headed, so it was kinda part throttle all the way threw and not much brakeing. I ended up with a 56.8 + 2 seconds for the cone.

My second run was a little bit better. I was a little bit more sure of the course and got on the gas and brakes more. I slowed down for the 180, but still not enough. There is a second 180 at the end which again I took to fast. I went slightly of course because of that. I got a 53.005, but of course I was off course.

After that it was my turn to work, so I worked. Then on to my third run. Now in the time between my second and third run, I completely forgot the course, and went way of course numerous times, and got a 51.482.

For my 4th run I went over the course in my head where I messed up. I followed the course real nice, even though I wasnt completely sure I was going the right way. If I wasnt, I was at least going to go the wrong way fast. I finally slowed down enough at the 180 and got threw that real nice. I ended up with a 51.621, no cones, my best run.

For my 5th and final run, I had my girlfriend get out of the car to save some weight because I was determined to get a 50. I started out real nice. I was driving harder then I had any of the other times. Now, my car has the stock suspension (except a front strut bar), and had had serious understeer the whole day, so I wasnt at all worried about spinning. I was heading to the slalom for a second time, and I had to turn one way, then another, and the next thing I knew I was pointed in the wrong direction. I just remember'd what they said, "Both feet in", did it, and came to a stop. I was pretty pissed. I got back on course and finished it for a time of 60.243.

the FTD was a 47.xxx. I think the fastest STS time was a very low 49. I got 4th out of 8 in STS. Joel, who also has an se-r, came in third with a 49.5. I think I did pretty well considering this was my first time out there, I have a stock suspension, normal tires, and put out less power then a stock se-r (stupid power problem). I cant wait until next time. I had a great time, even though it was cold and wet. Time to get some azenis and install my hypercos

 

sounds like you had fun and your hooked

that front sway bar is probably hurting you more than it's helping if you're really worried about the fine tuning that is handling.

 

is it a strut bar or sway bar?

 

already said it in IMs, but congrats regardless

 

strut bar. I have the stock front and rear sway bars.

 

Way to go Mike. Keep up the good work. Enjoy the car. Still thinking about going turbo now that you have the racing bug bite you hard.

 

ya dood!

you beat me! i just saw the result! i think it was rigged. hahah nah, just playin'. glad you came out had fun. next time, i wont be so kind hahahhaa. :P

good job!

steve