First AutoX in the old tank

Porter · 02-25-2001, 01:38 PM

I ran in my first Autocross yesterday at Clemson University, let me just say that it was a blast. I was running in my Saab 900S sedan, 2.0L 125hp on stock '87 suspension, and turned a fastest time of 50.72sec on my 4th run. I consider this pretty good since the list of cars I beat was pretty significant, including a number of Miatas, an M3, several Mustang GTs, a black Porsche 911 slantnose, and all of the Hondas.

There were over 50 cars running altogether.

I was within .5 seconds of a highly modified DSM (non turbo) and 2.5 seconds off of Pete Winkelman's time in his 2.5RS w/ GC Coilovers. I was only 5 seconds off the FTD of 45.?, set by a yellow Porsche 911 with a Chevy 350 stuffed in the back. He dynos 450 to the wheels.

What a blast! I'm going to start rearranging my schedule now for upcoming events. When the WRX comes I'm going to be a real freak.

-Porter

Some pics:

<IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/impreza.jpg" border=0>
Pete's Impreza with me parked behind

<IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/911-350%20on%20drive%20through.jpg" border=0>
The yellow 911 with me following on the drivethrough

<IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/black%20porsche.jpg" border=0>
The black 911 slantnose

<IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/impreza%20in%20box%20turns.jpg" border=0>
Pete tearing it up in the RS

<IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/porsche%20911-350.jpg" border=0>
How sick is this?

[This message has been edited by Porter (edited February 25, 2001).]

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Tim K. · 02-25-2001, 02:40 PM

We had the same Porsche down here in Columbia for our Sun Fun (what a misnomer) autocross. Pretty interesting car.

Yep, the Clemson Autocross is a little lax on some of the safety regs. The first autox they had, you could actually get airborne between sections of the track.

The Porsche (with the 350) didn't fare as well at the Sun Fun. FTD was taken by a little green Miata. It was about 2.5 seconds quicker then my fastest run.

I hope you can make it down for some of autox in the Columbia area now! =)

Sounds like you did pretty damned good in the Saab. Congrats!

blaster88 · 02-25-2001, 02:46 PM

I grew up in SC.

To a South Carolinian, any car is a candidate for a 350, unless it started with a 350, then your only alternatives are a 396 or 454.

Strepto · 02-26-2001, 06:59 AM

we actually had a 911 Turbo, Viper, and Z06 run yesterday. All ery perty cars

5 Door Man · 02-26-2001, 07:18 AM

First auto-X I ever did was in my '85 900S. Back then they still came with the 110HP 8V engine. I loved it, though! Craziest thing I've ever seen at an auto-X was a pair of 327 powered Porsche 914s!!! This was at a porsche club event. Now THAT is an insane power/weight ratio!! The closest thing to a street elgal gocart you can get. So who's gonna be at the Philly event this Saturday?

Porter · 02-26-2001, 08:07 AM

Hehe, yup the Porsche was wild, he was lifting the inside rear wheel on most corners. My '89 SPG is back in VA, I bet I could have given him a run for his money in that. It's pushing 210hp now. Too bad it's got a bad head gasket. I've got to get the engine checked out, I got some funky pings in it when I last drove it in the fall.
*fingers crossed*

I'm thinking of turning the 900S into a rally beater when I get the WRX. The 900SPG is actually owned by my dad, so no dice there.

He's got his new 9-5 Aero, but he still likes the SPG.

Tim K. · 02-26-2001, 08:52 AM

Porter,

There is an Lt. stationed down at the sub-teaching school in North Charleston with a rally prepped Saab. I got a couple rides in it at an autox in Charleston.

I'm trying to find his contact info. I wonder if he wants to run the Sand Hills Rally?

Dustin · 02-26-2001, 08:53 AM

A friend brought his '78 Saab Turbo to the autocross here in Seattle on Saturday. It was his first autocross as well. He was running pretty close with me. He might have got me if he didn't have a passenger. I tend to keep it planted though, and understeer through the course.

db

ColinL · 02-26-2001, 09:06 AM

Quote:

he was lifting the inside rear wheel on most corners

that's not a good thing. needs more front rollbar or less rear, in all likelihood.

10th Warrior · 02-26-2001, 09:14 AM

i'll bet you could have beat the porsche if you had been in the taurus

good job porter. i hope you have the WRX by cherrokee trails

Porter · 02-26-2001, 09:14 AM

He's in the middle of doing some suspension work. He says the 350 is lighter than the boxer 6 turbo that was in there. I'm not sure how much I buy that, but he says he has trouble keeping the back end planted down. He said he suspects chassis flex so his next step is a full cage. What a freak!

He was really diving into the corners hard, so maybe the crazy braking he was doing on his big Wilwoods had something to do with it.

10th Warrior-

Haha my roommate Brian has a manual '94 Taurus SHO that he was running. He was pissed that he only beat me by 0.12 seconds with 100hp more than me. That SHO is a fun car, kind of a boat in the corners but it's a rocketship in the straights. Big Yamaha 3.0V6 engine in there. Yippee. He got the nickname Screaming Banshee because he squealed the tires all the way around the track. I've never seen such wheelspin.

[This message has been edited by Porter (edited February 26, 2001).]

Brian Hendrix · 02-26-2001, 09:58 AM

I guess it's about time I got on here to defend myself. For starters there is no excuse for barely beating that Saab in my SHO but I can only claim that I was pushing the car just past its limits the entire time it made for a great show.

Porter is just a great driver. He pushed that Saab faster than anyone expected it to go. There were folks smirking when he pulled up for his first run and they were gawking when he finished. I was truly impressed by his runs and we will see how the SHO fares vs. the Snob in the next AutoX.

BTW: I was happy to beat up on some of those Mustangs they deserve to be trounced by a SHO and a Saab!

[This message has been edited by Brian Hendrix (edited February 26, 2001).]

10th Warrior · 02-26-2001, 10:52 AM

hehe, i know what a good driver porter is. the taurus i was refering to was a rental when he was here in stl. he took it out on some gravel roads and hung with a pair of imprezas. needless to say, we were most impressed

STiShawn · 02-26-2001, 11:08 AM

Until he almost ran me over......'sup Porter!

ColinL · 02-26-2001, 11:23 AM

That dude is feeding you a line about the weight. A small block chevy is over 550lb even with aluminum heads, and I doubt he has an aluminum block since that appears to be a ho-hum Weiand X-Celerator intake manifold. Not that I have a clue about chevies.

And he also had to mount a radiator somewhere since the flat 6 was aircooled.

Anyway, I think his motivation was COST.

Porter · 02-26-2001, 04:05 PM

I have no idea. I know this guy is active in the SC Porsche Club and builds Porsches for people. He apparently has a shop where you can order a custom restoration. I think this is just one of his quirky project cars. I know the Porsche folks think he's a nutcase.

The sound is all wrong, it should have that sweet boxer sound but instead it goes "thrum thrum thrum". How unsatisfying.

Shawn- 'Sup! Did you get my email? I need your address again to send you that tape. Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Porter (edited February 26, 2001).]

Porter · 02-26-2001, 05:56 PM

Check the Porsche <a href="http://wsbf.net/robert/autocross_2-24-01/porsche.mpg">here</a>. Actually the more I see this video, I realize the guy's really not that great of a driver. He's just putting 400 horse to the ground, and it's making up for his handling deficit. What a poseur.

[This message has been edited by Porter (edited February 26, 2001).]

5 Door Man · 02-27-2001, 08:30 AM

Knowing how to drive a car with less power can have major benefits over having a lot of power and not knowing how to drive the car. The first two Philly winter series events I went to (going again this weekend) I was running 5-6 second better times than some of the 2.5 RS with my Brighton. I was really amazed!! I couldn't even touch the STS guys, though!!!

02-25-2001, 01:38 PM	#1
Porter NASIOC Supporter Member#: 486 Join Date: Nov 1999 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Roanoke, VA Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT bug spattered	First AutoX in the old tank I ran in my first Autocross yesterday at Clemson University, let me just say that it was a blast. I was running in my Saab 900S sedan, 2.0L 125hp on stock '87 suspension, and turned a fastest time of 50.72sec on my 4th run. I consider this pretty good since the list of cars I beat was pretty significant, including a number of Miatas, an M3, several Mustang GTs, a black Porsche 911 slantnose, and all of the Hondas. There were over 50 cars running altogether. I was within .5 seconds of a highly modified DSM (non turbo) and 2.5 seconds off of Pete Winkelman's time in his 2.5RS w/ GC Coilovers. I was only 5 seconds off the FTD of 45.?, set by a yellow Porsche 911 with a Chevy 350 stuffed in the back. He dynos 450 to the wheels. What a blast! I'm going to start rearranging my schedule now for upcoming events. When the WRX comes I'm going to be a real freak. -Porter Some pics: <IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/impreza.jpg" border=0> Pete's Impreza with me parked behind <IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/911-350%20on%20drive%20through.jpg" border=0> The yellow 911 with me following on the drivethrough <IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/black%20porsche.jpg" border=0> The black 911 slantnose <IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/impreza%20in%20box%20turns.jpg" border=0> Pete tearing it up in the RS <IMG SRC="http://wsbf.net/cowgod/crap/autocross2/porsche%20911-350.jpg" border=0> How sick is this? [This message has been edited by Porter (edited February 25, 2001).] * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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02-25-2001, 02:40 PM	#2
Tim K. Scooby Specialist Member#: 214 Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Sumter, SC Vehicle: 2009 John Deere 5425 Green	We had the same Porsche down here in Columbia for our Sun Fun (what a misnomer) autocross. Pretty interesting car. Yep, the Clemson Autocross is a little lax on some of the safety regs. The first autox they had, you could actually get airborne between sections of the track. The Porsche (with the 350) didn't fare as well at the Sun Fun. FTD was taken by a little green Miata. It was about 2.5 seconds quicker then my fastest run. I hope you can make it down for some of autox in the Columbia area now! =) Sounds like you did pretty damned good in the Saab. Congrats!

02-25-2001, 02:46 PM	#3
blaster88 Scooby Specialist Member#: 1109 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Reston, VA Vehicle: 1999 Suzuki Samurai Blackish	I grew up in SC. To a South Carolinian, any car is a candidate for a 350, unless it started with a 350, then your only alternatives are a 396 or 454.

02-26-2001, 06:59 AM	#4
Strepto Scooby Specialist Member#: 252 Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: San Antonio, TX Vehicle: 2001 Arctic White Camaro SS #1800	we actually had a 911 Turbo, Viper, and Z06 run yesterday. All ery perty cars

02-26-2001, 07:18 AM	#5
5 Door Man Scooby Newbie Member#: 2019 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lancaster, PA, USA	First auto-X I ever did was in my '85 900S. Back then they still came with the 110HP 8V engine. I loved it, though! Craziest thing I've ever seen at an auto-X was a pair of 327 powered Porsche 914s!!! This was at a porsche club event. Now THAT is an insane power/weight ratio!! The closest thing to a street elgal gocart you can get. So who's gonna be at the Philly event this Saturday?

02-26-2001, 08:07 AM	#6
Porter NASIOC Supporter Member#: 486 Join Date: Nov 1999 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Roanoke, VA Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT bug spattered	Hehe, yup the Porsche was wild, he was lifting the inside rear wheel on most corners. My '89 SPG is back in VA, I bet I could have given him a run for his money in that. It's pushing 210hp now. Too bad it's got a bad head gasket. I've got to get the engine checked out, I got some funky pings in it when I last drove it in the fall. fingers crossed I'm thinking of turning the 900S into a rally beater when I get the WRX. The 900SPG is actually owned by my dad, so no dice there. He's got his new 9-5 Aero, but he still likes the SPG.

02-26-2001, 08:52 AM	#7
Tim K. Scooby Specialist Member#: 214 Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Sumter, SC Vehicle: 2009 John Deere 5425 Green	Porter, There is an Lt. stationed down at the sub-teaching school in North Charleston with a rally prepped Saab. I got a couple rides in it at an autox in Charleston. I'm trying to find his contact info. I wonder if he wants to run the Sand Hills Rally?

02-26-2001, 08:53 AM	#8
Dustin Scooby Specialist Member#: 1188 Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Ballard, WA Vehicle: 2007 FJ Cruiser Silver	A friend brought his '78 Saab Turbo to the autocross here in Seattle on Saturday. It was his first autocross as well. He was running pretty close with me. He might have got me if he didn't have a passenger. I tend to keep it planted though, and understeer through the course. db

02-26-2001, 09:14 AM	#10
10th Warrior Scooby Specialist Member#: 2230 Join Date: Aug 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Toronto these days Vehicle: 2000 2.5RS Silverthorn, PGT #671	i'll bet you could have beat the porsche if you had been in the taurus good job porter. i hope you have the WRX by cherrokee trails

02-26-2001, 09:58 AM	#12
Brian Hendrix Scooby Newbie Member#: 4491 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Greenville, SC, USA	I guess it's about time I got on here to defend myself. For starters there is no excuse for barely beating that Saab in my SHO but I can only claim that I was pushing the car just past its limits the entire time it made for a great show. Porter is just a great driver. He pushed that Saab faster than anyone expected it to go. There were folks smirking when he pulled up for his first run and they were gawking when he finished. I was truly impressed by his runs and we will see how the SHO fares vs. the Snob in the next AutoX. BTW: I was happy to beat up on some of those Mustangs they deserve to be trounced by a SHO and a Saab! [This message has been edited by Brian Hendrix (edited February 26, 2001).]

02-26-2001, 10:52 AM	#13
10th Warrior Scooby Specialist Member#: 2230 Join Date: Aug 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Toronto these days Vehicle: 2000 2.5RS Silverthorn, PGT #671	hehe, i know what a good driver porter is. the taurus i was refering to was a rental when he was here in stl. he took it out on some gravel roads and hung with a pair of imprezas. needless to say, we were most impressed

02-26-2001, 11:08 AM	#14
STiShawn Scooby Specialist Member#: 2348 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: St.Louis Vehicle: 2006 WRX TR Steel Grey Metallic	Until he almost ran me over......'sup Porter!

02-26-2001, 11:23 AM	#15
ColinL Scooby Guru Member#: 114 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wichita, KS and Whoring, OT Vehicle: '03 Evo, Rice White '01 Erion CBR 929	That dude is feeding you a line about the weight. A small block chevy is over 550lb even with aluminum heads, and I doubt he has an aluminum block since that appears to be a ho-hum Weiand X-Celerator intake manifold. Not that I have a clue about chevies. And he also had to mount a radiator somewhere since the flat 6 was aircooled. Anyway, I think his motivation was COST.

02-26-2001, 04:05 PM	#16
Porter NASIOC Supporter Member#: 486 Join Date: Nov 1999 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Roanoke, VA Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT bug spattered	I have no idea. I know this guy is active in the SC Porsche Club and builds Porsches for people. He apparently has a shop where you can order a custom restoration. I think this is just one of his quirky project cars. I know the Porsche folks think he's a nutcase. The sound is all wrong, it should have that sweet boxer sound but instead it goes "thrum thrum thrum". How unsatisfying. Shawn- 'Sup! Did you get my email? I need your address again to send you that tape. Thanks! [This message has been edited by Porter (edited February 26, 2001).]

02-26-2001, 05:56 PM	#17
Porter NASIOC Supporter Member#: 486 Join Date: Nov 1999 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Roanoke, VA Vehicle: 2004 Forester XT bug spattered	Check the Porsche <a href="http://wsbf.net/robert/autocross_2-24-01/porsche.mpg">here</a>. Actually the more I see this video, I realize the guy's really not that great of a driver. He's just putting 400 horse to the ground, and it's making up for his handling deficit. What a poseur. [This message has been edited by Porter (edited February 26, 2001).]

02-27-2001, 08:30 AM	#18
5 Door Man Scooby Newbie Member#: 2019 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lancaster, PA, USA	Knowing how to drive a car with less power can have major benefits over having a lot of power and not knowing how to drive the car. The first two Philly winter series events I went to (going again this weekend) I was running 5-6 second better times than some of the 2.5 RS with my Brighton. I was really amazed!! I couldn't even touch the STS guys, though!!!