Thanks for the great time at El Toro Solo2 !!!

[wayoutwest]

Hey all,

Just wanted to say thanks for all that showed up to the track today at El Toro. It was my first time at a auto-x and I had a lot of fun. Thanks for the advice and tips. I ran a 57.17 and a 56.60 as my best times (on stock tires and suspension :P ).... For reference the fastest WRX in my class (STX) ran a 48 I think. Most were between 50 and 54, and had crazy suspension. Makes me think my future mod money should be spend on these mods instead of power mods (which do NOTHING for you on this course).

We saw lots of amazing cars there too.... but there were FAR more scoobys than anything else.

Anyways ... looking forward to next time!!

Best wishes,
Dave

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[shawrf1]

"Sometimes you have to be slow to be fast" - good advice to have on both auto-x's and open track events... they proved useful in the past two weeks, at least. The first two runs (ever) were with Chuck, the novice instructor, and the times went like so: 55.157, 58.448 (slow down!), 52.203

Only real regret of the day: no sunscreen. ouch.

See you guys out there!

Rob

[WHTWRX]

Had a great time. Jennifer ran her first AutoX in the auto-wagon. She posted a 64, 59, and then a nice DNF

Met a lot of cool people, saw the bitchin EVO 7 rally car (wish I could have seen it run).

I counted about 30 WRX's around 11am. Wow.

Hope I get a chance to run my Sedan next time (if there is one).

-Jeff

[wayoutwest]

I posted a couple pics of the grid during the STX runs on my website, along with a few updated pics of my car ...

http://members.cox.net/davidpauls

[codemunky]

Rob, 52, damn, that's good for your first time...at least you actually use your car, and not just for show.

All the rest of the people, I forgot your names. I was one w/ the Sparco shirt.

[z3coupe]

For reference the fastest WRX in my class (STX) ran a 48 I think.

That was me, a 48.9, . . . . . but, well, errr . . . . ummm. . . . . me and the rest of the old farts in STX got OWNED by James in his Red WRX (lil'redwagon - my bad, doh!!). He got a 47.51 and Rob in the M3 had a 47.58! Then it was Vince in his Lude at 48.8, and then me with the 48.9 - OUCH! This was only Jame's 5th event EVER! I don't think I will say anything anymore to you guys! Go back to your BBQ and Meets. I wanna win again hahahahahahahaha:monkey:

[OnTheGas]

Originally posted by z3coupe
...STX got OWNED by Jame in his Red WRX...

We know James as lil'redwagon... He's a darned good driver... like you say, about his 5th time in an auto-x. Nice guy, too.

I spoke with jason uyeda a little bit... he was in his z06 'vette, or whatever that wicked fast blue 'vette w/stripes is that he was driving in the 2nd group in the afternoon... Between his runs, he said that he is looking to get his wrx motor rebuilt by either Cobb, Sube Sports, or Leading Edge (the guys that do Knight Racing's turbo 2.5 rally motors). He's also looking to build a 2nd motor for his wrx, a wild-style 2.5 liter turbo.

rob - I forgot sunscreen, too... I'll be peeling for a week...

EDIT: added/corrected names of shops uyeda is interested in...

[OnTheGas]

Originally posted by codemunky
Rob, 52, damn, that's good for your first time...at least you actually use your car, and not just for show.

You should've seen Rob's tires afterwards... pretty much all tread has now been removed thanks to cal speedway and el toro! Rob's definitely using that car...

I don't if any of you folks remember, but rob was one of the first in socal to track his wrx... he was out on the big course at willow springs with his wrx back in April of 2001 in hail and rain!

[lil'redwagon]

Originally posted by z3coupe
...OWNED by Jame in his Red WRX (blkWRXwgn)...

wow, i actually own3d somebody! now i'm proud.

but, just a correction: my name is james and my handle is lil'redwagon. you know this - i guess this how you treat people who own3d you?

it was a huge subaru turnout today. it was good to see so many scoobys out there. i met a few of you but i didn't have a chance to meet the majority of you. maybe the next event, cause you'll all be there, right?

oh, i was there in a black t-shirt, and a camo hat, driving my red sedan with steel gray subzeros.

thanks for the kind words.

-james
owns STX until the next event

[TV3WRX]

I live just a few minutes from El Toro, so I came by with kids in tow to watch for a couple of hours, (I'm trying to train them young.) It was fantastic to see such a huge Scoob turnout, and great to see that so many of you did well. It really made me wish I was driving, but unfortunately I just have too many other things going on right now. Soon, I hope. Anyway, thanks for the good time yesterday.

Anyone know if results are posted yet? Did the white Miata end up taking its class (SM? CSP?) Geez that car/driver was quick, turning consistent low 40's times. There may have been other times that low in the afternoon, but I didnt get to stay that long. Any good stories?

[2QUICK4U]

That was a really great Subie turnout, is it always like that at the LA region autox's? In San Diego we've had a few big turnouts like that in the past but nothing lately.

I didn't really get around to talking with any of you guys, because I had my father in law there driving for the 1st time in his ZR-1. He ran in the 1st group, and I ran in the 2nd in ESP, and then we had to work so I had no time. My suspension is really bad (just whiteline springs/stock struts and a rear swaybar), but I did manage a 47.3, a little over 1 second off the ESP winner.

I left after I worked the 3rd run group, I wish I could've stayed to see the STX guys run, but my father in law wanted to go.

Anyway, you guys should cruise down to the next San Diego event July 6th, it should be a big one!

[Zahnster]

driving my red sedan with steel gray subzeros.

To aid some of us, it would be good to know what your mods are.

[z3coupe]

oh, i was there in a black t-shirt, and a camo hat, driving my red sedan with steel gray subzeros.

Funny you should mention that. One guy who was running with us awhile back mentioned that the last time he saw you, was when you had your wagon. He said wow, somethings not right here - did he chop off the back of his wagon?

[Ride Operator]

That was most excellant. My first ever solo II and I improved every run, with my last run being 53.467.

James now that you've described yourself and car.. you kicked butt, smooth driving dude. I made sure to tape one of your runs.

My question is how long does one stay "novice"?

[WRXIN]

It was my first event as well. I've got a totally stock WRX wagon, except for some prodrive springs I installed on Saturday.

The Miatas dominated the event for the most part. There were a few very fast Corvettes, RX7s, BMWs, and some seriously modified race-ready cars. By far the biggest turnout of the same kind of car was the Subies. I've got to say that, even with a great driver, in stock form, the WRX is ok but there were stock Sentras pulling very similar, if not faster times. On a course like this, success has less to do with horsepower and more to do with handling and driving ability. And given the street surface, understeer was a big problem for us. I know all the tricks to get the back loose, but we still plowed around much of the course. Don't get me wrong, the car was sooo much fun to punish out on the course, and knowing that its practically impossible to spin a WRX made it all the more fun to throw the car into a corner!

I had alot of fun. I even convinced my fiance to run her Mustang GT. She posted an ok time but I totally respected her for giving it a shot. I posted a worst first time of 56.991 and got that down to a best of 53.334. On this course with a stock WRX, that was a pretty good time, especially for a novice. One guy in our group of WRXs, Subaya WRX, posted a 51.???? with a totally stock WRX. That was a great time! A lot of heavily modified WRXs were posting similar times in the 50-55 second range.

One story that sticks in my head: there was a really nice basically brand new 911 that ran about 10 -15 times, including the fun runs at the end. There was at least one driver, probably two different drivers, and they could not keep this on the course. DNF after DNF, cone after cone. On one of their last runs they took out the timing device at the end of the course!

Anyhow, all around a great day. I am hooked! I'll be at the next event in Fontana. I am going to try and post some pics.

Mark

[z3coupe]

One story that sticks in my head: there was a really nice basically brand new 911 that ran about 10 -15 times, including the fun runs at the end. There was at least one driver, probably two different drivers, and they could not keep this on the course. DNF after DNF, cone after cone. On one of their last runs they took out the timing device at the end of the course!

I was the starter for that set of runs. Yes, that was a BEAUTIFUL Porsche no doubt about it! But it was owned by some extremely young oriental guy. I talked with him earlier to tell him his car was sharp. Didn't seem too friendly though. He says he tracks it a lot. Later when I talked with him again, he said he was not doing good there. I told him to go SLOWER and SMOOTHER to go fast in AutoX. Aparently, he never listend to me, nor the SCCA officials who had a talk with him about the timing light. He still kept going out there like a loose nut. This again shows, no matter how much money you have, nor how great a car you have, if you don't have the SKILLS, or the humility to learn from someone who knows what they are doing - you are not going to get anywhere at all. And even those who have been driving for a long time, will still take an instructor along with them to help improve (and boy do I need it now hahaha). This guy would never take one with him!

[WRXIN]

Enjoy!

Pictures of Solo2 Event

[lil'redwagon]

Originally posted by Zahnster
To aid some of us, it would be good to know what your mods are.

my mods:
-ground control adjustable sleves - custom spring rates (300lbs all around) over stock struts
-whiteline adjustable rear sway bar set at 24mm
-alignment done at West End Alignment - negative 1.75 deg camber all around, 1/8" toe out in the front, 1/32" toe out in rear
-17" subzeros
-falken azenis inflated at 44F/56R
-borla catback
-soon i'll have leather seats to add to this list

that's it.

-james

[WRXIN]

So true z3coupe. I took Chuck (instructor) around the course with me on two of my runs and he really helped. If anyone goes to one of the SCCA Solo2 events and Chuck is there offering instruction, jump on the opportunity. He's a very nice guy. I've been driving for years and kind of know what I'm doing, but I'm always listening for advice and learning new things.

Nice driving yourself by the way and beautiful car.

Mind if ask what suspension setup and tires you were running? I'm trying to figure out what do next. I know that once I start on the suspension mods, I'll get bumped into STX, but that's ok.

[TV3WRX]

I saw a couple of people shooting some video, including Brett from Renick. I'd enjoy seeing some if you dont mind posting it.

[eric m.]

Originally posted by TV3WRX
I saw a couple of people shooting some video, including Brett from Renick. I'd enjoy seeing some if you dont mind posting it.

i showed up for an hour or 2 on sunday, and yeah, there had to be at least 20 subarus. it was amazing. i would love to see that first person video that brett was filming.

it really seems to be true that smooth driving is much more important than fast driving. there is no way around it on an autocross track. the only exception might be the little go-karts. they're so cute!

[Subayai WRX]

It was a really fun day
The suby turnout was phenomenal. So many wrx and rs owners, I only regret that I did not get a chance to talk with more of you. To me one of the best parts was getting together with Rob and Mark, and getting all our three canopies together to provide some much required shade!

I am really felling the improvement of my street driving after the two auto-x’s that I have attended. It is so critical to now the limits of your car in a totally safe environment. Pushing your car to and beyond its limits is sooooooo important. Once you know when and how the understeer happens so much more prepared to deal with it, or better yet, to not even get to that point on the streets. Understeer on a canyon road, and it will cost your pocket book or you life. I definitely know where the limits of this car are now, and at the auto-x’s I push too hard. I was looking to replace my RE92’s soon, but damn, as I was complaining at the track, I have now outside right tread blocks. I even had to forgo one more fun run with my son, cause I was starting to get worried about that front tire, and I only have 7,000 miles on the car!

Funny story was my best time was 51.81 during my class, my first run with my son was 51.413, proving push hard, but smoothly, actually I worked the last left sweeper before the slalom that led to the long straight before the 180 apex. I had the wrong line during my class runs. Should have been slowing down and clipping the inside corner cones, instead I was pushing out wide, and trying to get the car on line for the first slalom cone, guess this just shows how my inclination is to push too hard.

I took off a few shots, and hopefully will get them posted up.

It was great to meet all of you, and definitely had a good time as usual.

[WRXIN]

Subayai WRX, I agree. One of the best parts of these events (besides the driving of course) is the people. You and your son were great. I know you said you weren't going to be in Fontana, but if you change your mind, I'll be there. I heard there is some kind of event in San Diego coming up as well. If so, I'm going to hit that one too. I've been bitten by the bug!

I can't remember if I showed you my right front tire after my fun runs, it looked as bad as yours! And I think I started the day with newer tires than yours (I only have 3500 miles on my car!)

I could not get around the halfway point at the bottom of the track, that big u-turn, without plowing badly the whole way through it and dropping a bunch of speed. I should have let some air out of my back tires to try and break the back loose but I never thought about it. Either that, or try to nail the brakes hard and bring it around. I'm sure a big rear sway bar would do it, but like you I am trying to stay in SK2 instead of getting bumped to STX.

I'll be getting an alignment and going to -1.5 camber in the front, maybe a little more. And I'll rotate my tires. And experiment more with less air in the rear. I think those three things would have helped yesterday.

[I drive a WRX wagon]

Man, i tried to make it but i got OWN3D by liquor the night before. Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun, hopfully ill be there next time.

[Zahnster]

James,

Thanks. I feel better now. Knew you didn't just have the wheels and tires on there. Thats some pretty serious suspension stuff.

-falken azenis inflated at 44F/56R

Thats an interesting tire pressure choice. Why so high in back?

Dan