My Expierence at the Houston National Tour

ratt_finkel · 04-27-2005, 12:32 PM

Well after I got my ass handed to me in Arkansas. I decided to come a little more prepped this time. I knew there were going to be some super fast driver there. And I was really going to have to step up my game. I came friday where they have a small course setup to do runs on. This is so you can get a feel for the surface.

I took my GF with me again, and we met up with some locals at the paddock area. Luckily, we knew the paddock marshalls so we got a sweet parking spot. Went out and did the test runs. Weighed the car with a FULL tank of gas and my jack and spare in it, doh. 2850lbs.

Just a quick pic of the test track, and yes I am pulling the rear wheel off the ground.

After that was done, It seemed I was on par with eveyone else in the class.

Friday night rolls around, and the president of my local Auto-X club approaches me asking to Co-drive for the event. I obliged. Gerry Terranova has been to Nationals I think 5 times and one twice, and trophied 5th the other time. Defintely know what he is doing.

So we walk the course together, share notes and what not.
Saturday rolls around and I'm nervous as hell. We walk the course some more. Luckily we don't have to run until the 2nd heat. I think.

Anyway. I go out and run 3 runs all within .1 of each other. After the last run I come back shaking, I have never had that happend. And I had heard people tell me that's when you know you've had a good run. I had only gained .1 over my first 2 runs. I was .9 seconds behing the leader firmly in 2nd place. My Co-Driver right behind me by .1 seconds, and a couple guys within a few tenths of him.

I was amazed how well he did considering he had never driven the car before. But I knew I was starting to get the hang of the car. Everyone is really proud of me so far, and saying I'm doing well if I'm that close to the leader. I think, yeah, I only have to beat him by 1.8 seconds tomorrow.

So Sunday rolls around. The pressure is on. My Co-Driver goes out first. Runs a 52.8, ONLY 1.6 seconds behind the leader, Mark Chiles. I nail a sweet DNF.

Next Run my CD runs a 52.0, Mark doesn't improve for the rest of the runs. So we are only behind .8 seconds now. I go out and run a 52.7. Argh, still good enough for a trophy and 3rd place. The pressure is really getting to me. I don't think I can do it.

Gerry goes out and runs .1 slower, doesn't help us any. Chiles doesn't improve. But wait! Who's this? The really really nice guy in the Saturn comes out of nowhere and runs a 51.9. ****, that means I really have to do something now. I've been knocked out of the trophies.

So I know what I have to do. I come back shaking. Bad. I didn't even look at the time when the lady handed me the paper. Gerry comes running over to me. He says, "where did that come from" I look down at the paper. 51.653

We take 2nd and 3rd. Only .4 behind the leader for the day.

http://www.scca.org/_Filelibrary/Fil...ouston-sun.pdf

Argueably the best time I've ever had at an Autocross. We then go over to Mark and gloat becase his car is fully prepped, and I still need shocks, brake pads, and oh, did I mention this was only my 3rd event on R-Comps? :haha:

EDIT: I've got an ASSLOAD of pics.

Here I am pulling the front wheel.

For all the n00bs, notice how I'm turning well before I even get to the slalom.

And again, before the cones.

And this is how not to take a turn.

That's all I feel like posting

GFimpreza · 04-27-2005, 12:51 PM

Congratulations! Sounds like a hell of a time.

TyrannoSullyRex · 04-27-2005, 12:55 PM

No mention of the kickass National Tour we ALWAYS put on? No mention of the FREE fajitas and beer on Friday night?

Just kidding, you did very well.

ratt_finkel · 04-27-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TyrannoSullyRex

No mention of the kickass National Tour we ALWAYS put on? No mention of the FREE fajitas and beer on Friday night?

Just kidding, you did very well.

haha, good meeting you Brian. You both also drove very well.

And Houston puts on one hell of a tour. Free beer, Fine Mexican Quisine, Dog racing. Not to mention a very professional and smooth running event.

EDIT: And thank you very much.

CamaroFS34 · 04-27-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TyrannoSullyRex

No mention of the kickass National Tour we ALWAYS put on? No mention of the FREE fajitas and beer on Friday night?

I thought Tony's fajitas and the free beer went without saying... not to mention the fact that the Houston Tour is always kickass....

Karen
4th place, SM

WMH · 04-27-2005, 01:42 PM

Hey, good to see you got your car back together.

ratt_finkel · 04-27-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WMH

Hey, good to see you got your car back together.

Thanks Will, me too. I've missed seeing you out at the events.

10th Warrior · 04-27-2005, 02:15 PM

nice write up.

ratt_finkel · 04-27-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10th Warrior

nice write up.

Thanks Jeff, I'll do the Arkansas tour tonight, and post the picture of you doing I'm a little tea pot

Orion · 04-27-2005, 06:06 PM

nice job!!! i've been following your progress with hopes that i won't be THAT far behind considering the GC's weight advantage. we'll see what my GD RS can do in Toledo in June, Mark always makes it up for that. i'll be running at the Airport this weekend to get a feel for the surface in the new car, but i won't be on my hoosiers. another downer is that it's only supposed to be mid50's and chance of rain!

missed Houston again, as usual! next year i'm comin' down and drivin' someone's car!!!

ratt_finkel · 04-27-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orion

nice job!!! i've been following your progress with hopes that i won't be THAT far behind considering the GC's weight advantage. we'll see what my GD RS can do in Toledo in June, Mark always makes it up for that. i'll be running at the Airport this weekend to get a feel for the surface in the new car, but i won't be on my hoosiers. another downer is that it's only supposed to be mid50's and chance of rain!

missed Houston again, as usual! next year i'm comin' down and drivin' someone's car!!!

Pray for rain, and buy some Kumho's

And thank you, I had no clue I had any stalkers.

Orion · 04-27-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratt_finkel

Pray for rain, and buy some Kumho's

And thank you, I had no clue I had any stalkers.

Tire Rack still hasn't fixed the shipping glitch for 225/50-16 V710's to my place (over $50 to ship them across the state line when EVERY other size is ~$30) so I picked up some new A3S04's for $114/tire. This is my first full year in stock, I've been ST since my days back in Houston.

10th Warrior · 04-28-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

so I picked up some new A3S04's for $114/tire

don't expect too many runs out of them before the outer edge cords

Quote:

Thanks Jeff, I'll do the Arkansas tour tonight, and post the picture of you doing I'm a little tea pot

happy happy joy joy.

actually, reminders of WR would be good, since James whooped me in a bad way at our local event on sunday

rankink · 04-28-2005, 12:42 PM

Good review. God...I love that feeling after a run when you can't stop the shaking. I am hoping to start attending the national tour/events next year. This year is all about practice, seat time, and getting to know the new car for me.

04-27-2005, 12:32 PM	#1
ratt_finkel Scooby Specialist Member#: 46218 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Dallas, Tejas Vehicle: 06 EVO 9 Silver	My Expierence at the Houston National Tour Well after I got my ass handed to me in Arkansas. I decided to come a little more prepped this time. I knew there were going to be some super fast driver there. And I was really going to have to step up my game. I came friday where they have a small course setup to do runs on. This is so you can get a feel for the surface. I took my GF with me again, and we met up with some locals at the paddock area. Luckily, we knew the paddock marshalls so we got a sweet parking spot. Went out and did the test runs. Weighed the car with a FULL tank of gas and my jack and spare in it, doh. 2850lbs. Just a quick pic of the test track, and yes I am pulling the rear wheel off the ground. After that was done, It seemed I was on par with eveyone else in the class. Friday night rolls around, and the president of my local Auto-X club approaches me asking to Co-drive for the event. I obliged. Gerry Terranova has been to Nationals I think 5 times and one twice, and trophied 5th the other time. Defintely know what he is doing. So we walk the course together, share notes and what not. Saturday rolls around and I'm nervous as hell. We walk the course some more. Luckily we don't have to run until the 2nd heat. I think. Anyway. I go out and run 3 runs all within .1 of each other. After the last run I come back shaking, I have never had that happend. And I had heard people tell me that's when you know you've had a good run. I had only gained .1 over my first 2 runs. I was .9 seconds behing the leader firmly in 2nd place. My Co-Driver right behind me by .1 seconds, and a couple guys within a few tenths of him. I was amazed how well he did considering he had never driven the car before. But I knew I was starting to get the hang of the car. Everyone is really proud of me so far, and saying I'm doing well if I'm that close to the leader. I think, yeah, I only have to beat him by 1.8 seconds tomorrow. So Sunday rolls around. The pressure is on. My Co-Driver goes out first. Runs a 52.8, ONLY 1.6 seconds behind the leader, Mark Chiles. I nail a sweet DNF. Next Run my CD runs a 52.0, Mark doesn't improve for the rest of the runs. So we are only behind .8 seconds now. I go out and run a 52.7. Argh, still good enough for a trophy and 3rd place. The pressure is really getting to me. I don't think I can do it. Gerry goes out and runs .1 slower, doesn't help us any. Chiles doesn't improve. But wait! Who's this? The really really nice guy in the Saturn comes out of nowhere and runs a 51.9. ****, that means I really have to do something now. I've been knocked out of the trophies. So I know what I have to do. I come back shaking. Bad. I didn't even look at the time when the lady handed me the paper. Gerry comes running over to me. He says, "where did that come from" I look down at the paper. 51.653 We take 2nd and 3rd. Only .4 behind the leader for the day. http://www.scca.org/_Filelibrary/Fil...ouston-sun.pdf Argueably the best time I've ever had at an Autocross. We then go over to Mark and gloat becase his car is fully prepped, and I still need shocks, brake pads, and oh, did I mention this was only my 3rd event on R-Comps? :haha: EDIT: I've got an ASSLOAD of pics. Here I am pulling the front wheel. For all the n00bs, notice how I'm turning well before I even get to the slalom. And again, before the cones. And this is how not to take a turn. That's all I feel like posting

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04-27-2005, 12:51 PM	#2
GFimpreza Scooby Newbie Member#: 40674 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles Vehicle: 94 Impreza wagon 1.8L + 657cc's	Congratulations! Sounds like a hell of a time.

04-27-2005, 12:55 PM	#3
TyrannoSullyRex Scooby Guru Member#: 8891 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: International Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2002 WRX Silver '02 SV650	No mention of the kickass National Tour we ALWAYS put on? No mention of the FREE fajitas and beer on Friday night? Just kidding, you did very well.

04-27-2005, 01:42 PM	#6
WMH Scooby Newbie Member#: 46317 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Vehicle: 1995 Acura Integra white	Hey, good to see you got your car back together.

04-27-2005, 02:15 PM	#8
10th Warrior Scooby Specialist Member#: 2230 Join Date: Aug 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Toronto these days Vehicle: 2000 2.5RS Silverthorn, PGT #671	nice write up.

04-27-2005, 06:06 PM	#10
Orion Got the F out Moderator Member#: 4797 Join Date: Mar 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: central ohio Vehicle: 01 01 RS, 00 RS 2008 WRB FSXT 5mt	nice job!!! i've been following your progress with hopes that i won't be THAT far behind considering the GC's weight advantage. we'll see what my GD RS can do in Toledo in June, Mark always makes it up for that. i'll be running at the Airport this weekend to get a feel for the surface in the new car, but i won't be on my hoosiers. another downer is that it's only supposed to be mid50's and chance of rain! missed Houston again, as usual! next year i'm comin' down and drivin' someone's car!!!

04-28-2005, 12:42 PM	#14
rankink Scooby Specialist Member#: 12901 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Miami Springs, FL Vehicle: 2005 STi/95 VX Pastelito Racing / SFSOC	Good review. God...I love that feeling after a run when you can't stop the shaking. I am hoping to start attending the national tour/events next year. This year is all about practice, seat time, and getting to know the new car for me.