PCA-CWR AutoX - 2012-04-07

The first PCA autocross is less than two weeks away. It was supposed to be a single pad event, but now it looks like we'll get to use the new side of the pad as well.

Rich_Sandor wrote: GREAT NEWS! I have confirmed with JIBC that we will have BOTH pads for this event - and I will keep the price THE SAME!!! Our break even is 55cars.. I`m thinking we won`t be able to get much more than 50-60 cars, so expect to get A LOT of runs in!! In the event that I can`t secure a trailer for my racecar, I will need someone with a quick car (300+hp and stickey tires) to come out and safety check the course for me on Friday evening. If anyone is free, I would appreciate it. I might also need some help getting rid of the JIBC cones. Thanks in advance! Rich

Register here.

Patrick wrote: Cheese wrote: Register here. Done.

Me too.

The weather forecast for Pitt Meadows this Saturday looks great!

 

Two thumbs up for the new double-wide skidpad.  T'was great!

 

Video!

It was a great day with a fun, challenging, and quick course. I think my car handled the course pretty well and I was making steady improvements in time, driving a better line and everything was going well until I broke my car just before my last run. I don't know anything beyond it being something transmission and clutch related. We knew it'd have to come out again sometime, but it's never nice to be forced into it.

I'm still fairly happy with my current tires, but I am saving up for something even better. The problem with them is they tend to lose grip as they heat up, which helps explain the almost losing control at the end of my run. It's way more obvious with the longer courses and extra power I have now.

BTW, we missed you out there. Could have used the competition.

Cheese wrote: Could have used the competition.

You sure know how to hurt a guy.

Overall, I was happy with the duke yesterday. When the times are posted, I suspect it'll be shown that the duke didn't do too badly. I had fun out there.

 

Considering this was a fast course, I was pleased with what I was able to do with less than 90 HP and street tires.

I love the program that Colby is using with his videos. You'll notice if you watch Colby's posted video that he's doing 90 k/h at the end of a combination straight stretch and long sweeping turn (as indicated below). I think that's a pretty good speed (for our cars) on any autocross course! That was definitely the fastest section of Saturday's layout (the "straight" stretch at the end was mostly a slalom) and I suspect it might've been the fastest course that any of us have ever raced on at Pitt Meadows (due to the great new double-sized skidpad).

 

Cheese wrote: Did you happen to notice how fast you got to on that course?

No, but I'm glad you asked.

We all got six runs (officially) for the day (although I got seven because my 6th run didn't register while being timed so I got to go again).

My 4th run was my fastest that was recorded (67.484 raw time), but I also just barely clipped a cone.  I then decided to keep my right foot to the floor on my 5th run all through the straightaway and long sweeping curve. I didn't look at my speedometer (as I was kinda busy!), but judging from the sound I'm sure I was redlining in 2nd gear. However, I braked way too late before entering that final tight right-hand turn (I got carried away with the sound of the engine winding up) and decided it was best to not even try turning.  I came to a screeching halt still pointing straight (and still on the pavement as there was fortunately lots of extra room), and then I had to throw 'er into reverse to get back on course. Obviously my time was ruined though.

On my 6th run (when the timer somehow didn't record my run), I felt I ran the course as best as I could that day. I still kept the duke floored all through the straightaway and sweeping curve, but this time I braked just early enough to make the final turn. I was very disappointed to find out my time wasn't recorded.  My 7th run was officially my fastest (68.891), but honestly, I didn't feel I did as well as on my previous run (which wasn't recorded).

So, to answer your original question... I was probably topping out at 80 k/h or 50 mph (with my particular combination of engine/tranny/tires while in 2nd gear) which seemed plenty fast when a sharp turn had to be quickly made.