Autocross withdrawal

[t walgamuth]

I am suffering from lack of racing. I am looking at the schedule and am considering a trip to TExas first week of January to run at Houston and Corpus Christi. I am trying to con the Mrs. into going. She has a brother in HOuston so can visit him while I sneak off and race.

[t walgamuth]

Anybody familiar with these two venues?

[TedV]

Beats not autocrossing in the silly season.. right?

I've always wanted to show up to an event in a rental car, ask about it, " so you just drive around them orange things? Hell, that's easy! Wish I had something better than this Fiesta ( or Focus)" and then see if anyone would offer a codrive. Usually someone has a car nicknamed Doorknob because everyone gets a turn at driving it.

Paying the weekend membership and using the loaner helmet would suck since I've been doing this for almost 30 years. lol But it would have to be fun playing a newb.

[t walgamuth]

I failed to interest the Mrs. in taking a southern tour so probably will hold on until the earliest Columbus In event which is Feb. 23, 2020 IIRC.

So in the mean time am doing some bench racing.

[Earley Motorsports]

Have a look at the NCM track in Bowling Green KY. They have TrackX days in the winter. Get a lap of the track. Good event and cheap. About 4 hours from you.

[t walgamuth]

Thanks very much! That looks very interesting. Is there any events which are straight up autocross? I found autocross events which called for a multiperson team which seems like it might be tough for me to put together.

[Earley Motorsports]

Not to sure when they are having an AutoX there but I know they do. Also here is Tennessee Valley (Nashville) area schedule. Looks like their first AutoX is near the end of Feb though. https://teamtac.org/e107/e107_plugin...pic.php?118493

Here is the NCM schedule. You might enjoy the king of the heap events.
https://motorsportspark.org/events/

[t walgamuth]

Thanks Graham!

Looks like that is a four driver team using a car worth no more than $1,000. Looks like fun but I don't meet either of those criteria.

Tom

[Lynn]

Tennessee Valley is Huntsville, AL not Nashville.

[t walgamuth]

Thanks Lynn!

[CM/FFdriver]

So Racing unsuspecting people through the city, burning more fuel in my daily driver because I'm coming out of the corners harder, throwing the cell phone into the cars dash when braking or when your wife is asking when the Autocross season starts is a kinda Autocross withdraw.

Ben

[Lynn]

I thought SFR had a winter slush series, but it look like your first event is Feb. 15, Ben.

[Jim Garry]

Cornering hard with soft snow tires grinds the rubber off quickly. So I find myself holding back in long entrance/exit ramps imagining this is how F1 drivers feel while managing their tires.

[CM/FFdriver]

I thought SFR had a winter slush series, but it look like your first event is Feb. 15, Ben.

Yes it is, and I'm ready !!!!

Ben

[DanW]

I am suffering from lack of racing. I am looking at the schedule and am considering a trip to TExas first week of January to run at Houston and Corpus Christi. I am trying to con the Mrs. into going. She has a brother in HOuston so can visit him while I sneak off and race.

I did this once in a Lotus Elan on street tires. Great fun.

https://ourgangiceracing.com/

[t walgamuth]

I used to take my car onto frozen ponds to fool around. I would not do it now at least around here. Maybe in Minnesota. There is an event in Columbus In on Feb 23. Snow or shine. I am planning to go. Will my rain tires work in the snow?

[TedV]

How cold will it be? I'd say call Jeff Speer at Hoosier or whoever is the manufacturer of the tires.

Generally race tires do not like freezing temps. I have seen race tires with shattered spider web cracks like broken glass that were shipped in really cold temps. Think they saw 8 degrees or maybe lower.

[t walgamuth]

I would think it is more likely to be in the forties.

I just checked the weather.com for ten days. It says low 36 high 49 with clouds / sun.

Wooo hooo!

[lowside67]

We have done a number of events in that car in the great white North in the 30s-40s... the car is "fun" but doesn't even come close to working at those temps. If you can get a co-driver and tire blankets, it will help a fair bit, but temper your expectations... the car is pretty stiff relative to the very low levels of grip the tires generate when they are cold. It is slidey and a bit of a mess... again, "fun", but not even close to competitive.

Also, for what it's worth, you can play with bars, etc (I'd go full soft on both ends) but make sure to not place much value on the settings you arrive at as it will be completely different in the warm.

You probably know all this, but just food for thought!

-Mark

[t walgamuth]

We have done a number of events in that car in the great white North in the 30s-40s... the car is "fun" but doesn't even come close to working at those temps. If you can get a co-driver and tire blankets, it will help a fair bit, but temper your expectations... the car is pretty stiff relative to the very low levels of grip the tires generate when they are cold. It is slidey and a bit of a mess... again, "fun", but not even close to competitive.

Also, for what it's worth, you can play with bars, etc (I'd go full soft on both ends) but make sure to not place much value on the settings you arrive at as it will be completely different in the warm.

You probably know all this, but just food for thought!

-Mark

I'll probably unhook the bars.

Slicks or wets?

[Jamesbe]

Wets will generate more heat quickly.

I ran a race in the dry on full wets. It was COLD that day. Walked away from everyone on slicks as they couldn't generate heat.

Because it was so cold they didn't even wear out like you would think they still looked new after 30 mins.

Sent from my SM-G955W using Tapatalk

[t walgamuth]

Cool! That was what I thought might be the case.

Thanks all!

today I took it out of the trailer so I can do a few things before running.

Wooo hoooo!

[t walgamuth]

Well, I ran the wets on feb 23 and had a great time!

Now if it does not get cancelled there is an event at Grissom IIRC on the fifth of april, sunday. I'll hope to run there.

[t walgamuth]

I am spoiling for action now. I am hoping with the message from the President last night our Governor will allow us to run autocross. Is there any effort from scca to keep us still at present?

[lowside67]

I believe the SCCA has said they will defer to local government authorities. I miss racing incredibly badly but I personally hope that governing bodies and us as individuals continue to do the right thing and stay home and avoid "optional" activities rather than racing out to return to our lives the second we are permitted to do so. It only serves to increase the chance that we get right back here rather than just doing it right the first time.

-Mark

[t walgamuth]

Today I looked again at the schedule and it looks like they will run at Walesboro south of columbus in on the 17th. Then there is a South Bend event being held at Grissom on the 30/31.

Wooo hoooo!

[t walgamuth]

I am getting ready to run Saturday.

Wooo Hoooooo!

[t walgamuth]

We ran at Grissom today and yesterday. Perfect weather a hundred or so people showed up. Some masks but a good job on distancing. Good running and great fun! one fellow lost his filter and oiled the track really well but after nearly an hour of work they got it all clean. It was a little strange the first run since it has been so long but things came back soon.

[t walgamuth]

Nothing quite matches it when you get a perfect (or as perfect as I can do) run. My last run I stuck!

Woo hoooo!

[lowside67]

Any video footage for those of us still stuck at home making engine noises in our living rooms?

-Mark

[t walgamuth]

Sorry Mark, I don't have the capability of doing that on my own....if you can fly down here we can co drive the car and you can supply the film expertise.

[captain_pants]

Any video footage for those of us still stuck at home making engine noises in our living rooms?

Not my finest driving, but hopefully entertaining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-ehhLNJiiQ

[lowside67]

Looks like fun!

I'm still suffering from withdrawal but Phil is out in his new car now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaI3s6SfTfQ

-Mark

[t walgamuth]

I am sorry for all you living in places which are not allowing autocross yet. With the recent re-surge of new virus cases it is probably a good idea.

Tomorrow and Sunday we are running two events on the concrete at Grissom.

[t walgamuth]

I did not run the first day. After waiting until after lunch to run it rained and lightening and action was delayed. We have to wait a half hour after any lightning. There were a couple places I expected standing water again after the rain. I was soaked to the skin at that point and went home....discouraged.

The guys did run after I left but they said with the rain it was miserable.

Second day I ran and felt fairly good about my driving. The car was very good. while loading up a fellow running a V in CM came over and I found out he beat me by nearly a second. Then I was miserable until I found out he is a multiple National Champ....so now I feel better.

[Lynn]

I did not run the first day. After waiting until after lunch to run it rained and lightening and action was delayed. We have to wait a half hour after any lightning. There were a couple places I expected standing water again after the rain. I was soaked to the skin at that point and went home....discouraged.

The guys did run after I left but they said with the rain it was miserable.

Second day I ran and felt fairly good about my driving. The car was very good. while loading up a fellow running a V in CM came over and I found out he beat me by nearly a second. Then I was miserable until I found out he is a multiple National Champ....so now I feel better.

Scott Nardin?

[t walgamuth]

Scott Nardin?

I believe his name is Billingsly. He introduced himself as John and his co driver as Johnny. ...very nice man. They have a very fast Formula V.

[Lynn]

I know Johnny. One of the Vees burned in the fire was his old car. The Caracal is quite quick. The next time you see him ask him about VW valve covers. John Whitling has a jacket. Johnny Billingsley is the car owner.

[t walgamuth]

I know Johnny. One of the Vees burned in the fire was his old car. The Caracal is quite quick. The next time you see him ask him about VW valve covers. John Whitling has a jacket. Johnny Billingsley is the car owner.

Ahah! That makes sense about the various conversation bits. I guess the Caracal is the V?

[t walgamuth]

Actually he beat me by 4 seconds.