Auto X - what a blast!

Just got back from completing my initiationto time trials (auto x) at Miami, Hialeah to be exact.
I know some of you Pooh Pooh this but it has it's merits!.
The school session ran thru safety, flags etc.
Then we had 5 laps with an instructor, one warm up 3 faster then a cool down lap.
I was peased to find myself pacing and keeping up with a Boxster, which I later found to be a Boxster 'S' with sport package, 18" rims with about 255 rear tires!, his fronts were bigger than my rears!(I later saw him downshifting to 1st at about 10mph something I was not prepared to copy with my precious 915).
This was done with wet surface conditions so maybe he was just playing it safe!.
I was very confident pushing and finding the limits fo the car.
The Afternoon then involved 2 more sessions with times taken for the 3 fast laps in the middle of the runs.
The 1st was with greasy conditions and I found myself pushing too hard and almost loing it. My times were up with the 1999 corvettes and only slightly slower than the Boxster.
I then had a rather long break 3 hrs will i volunteered to marshal (set up cones and wave flag!).
This started interesting watching the lines people took.
But by the time I came for my final 'Dry' run I had almost forgotten the course.
This coupled with my hard skinny tires did not improve my times but everyone else of course did! (Speeds were in the 70's as I red lined 2nd gear and used a little of 3rd).

Result, I did not win any medals but had a great time, spun a 180 once! cool!
Unfortunatly though it was one of my timed runs!.
I was up against more powerful cars most with ABS. Although I was beaten by Miatas on slicks.
I now know I need more rubber! Must get some 7's and 8's and soft rubber!.
Also I didn't even try 'heel toe' and figure this was not the time to practice!.
For the odd times I will do this I cannot imagine it will harm the car to much unless I get to ambitious like one rice burner who wrapped his car around a tree! 2 others came too close to the same - another reason which may have caused my slow last attempt.

My Baby returned home unscathed and had a nice soapy bath as a treat!.
Thanks for all your advice on the above!
It did help and tomorrow i am off for a mornings auto x, slightly slower, more twisty.
Rgds Ben

Congrats....

[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 03-11-2001).]

Ben,

Glad to hear you had a great time today. It sounds like you did well! You mentioned there was a guy w/ a Miata on slicks. Was his name Darrin Disimo?

Have fun at the autocross manana.

Rich

Ben,

Sounds like a great time. Doing my first one in a few weeks. Can't wait. Glad to hear you had fun!

Nick.

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_ _ __ _ _
Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe
nickshu@yahoo.com

Hey Ben. I am jealous! Doing autocross sounds like a blast. I just can't imagine doing it in my turbo though. I guess I will have to wait a while until I get her track ready for some DE. I was always comfortable on bikes over 140. I guess 4 wheels should feel better. Now I just have to wait for the weather, it snowed here last night

ps. Take Juan sometime and show him Porsches have brakes and steering wheels too.
(love ya Juan)
david 89 turbo cab

[This message has been edited by 5axis (edited 03-11-2001).]

Ben,next time you go give me a call i want to check this out, can i go faster than 70?
can i used my full arsenal? slicks,turbo, nos?keep me informed
Regards Juan

Glad you did this, Ben, and glad you had fun. Our autocross is on an abandoned airport runway, and there is not a chance in the world of hitting anything. Unless you went into a slide that took you off course by a thousand feet.

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'83 SC

Okay,
Update, back safely from the auto cross at same location.
Was similar course as yesterday but with a few extra twisties!
This helped me! as I did not have to shift into 3rd, just used 2nd to the max (about 65mph) then HARD on the braking.
It was a standing start then about 60' to the starting timer. This gave me a chance to line up for the first corner and accellerate 'like a bat out of Hell!'
What P cars are best at! 0-60.
Result, My car pulled better times for my first auto x than alot of cars that beat me yesterday inlcuding a few new vettes and camaros. I even showed a RX7 Turbo a thing or two!.
I did 2 lot's of 2 runs and ran a tight careful but fast line: not 1 single penalty cone!.
The car was on the edge of breaking loose all the time!.
4 other P cars there (all at the hands of semi- proff. veterans) A Carrera Club Sport!, a concours SC with the most perfect engine you have ever seen!, a 2.4 s with a 3.2 engine ! and a 993 2S !!.
All either had soft road tires or 'Kumho's', ---MY next purchase .
My Carrera did best time of 52.3 secs only 2.5 secs approx behind the Clubsport with sticky tires at the hands of an expert who gives performance driving lessons.
'She did me proud!'
I am definatly hooked on auto x and time trials!.
Hooked up with a possible roll bar purchase, needed for my next event (PCA) and will fit these 'Kumho' tires which are the ultimate auto x/racing tires and street legal!!!!.
I only do 4-5,000 miles a year and so they should last about that!.

The Turbo purchase is definatly on the backshelf!!!!!
Juan, you gotta do this
rgds Ben