Hey all,

We have an invite from Vic and our friends with BCCC for their autox this season.  $40 and onsite registration, here are the dates and hope to see a few more out this year (Pat & Tristan!!!)

June 4, July 30 and Aug 27

http://www.bccorvetteclub.ca/index.htm - http://www.bccorvetteclub.ca/index.htm

Cheers, Brian

Bassman wrote: we had a club to club invite

We did? Where, how, when?

Brian, I'd love to participate in the Corvette club's autocross on June 4th, but it's the same day as the club run down south for the http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2455&PN=1&TPN=1 - Jet City Fieros Picnic in Arlington.

So on that weekend, I plan to be autocrossing http://www.pca-cwr.org/forums/official-pca-events-and-issues/pca-cwr-autocross-2-sunday-june-5th/ - the next day  with the Porsche gang.

It's too bad about the date conflicts.

I haven't got a list of ALL the various autocross dates in front of me at the moment, but I do know that there's a Fiero club event planned on every one of three Corvette club's autocross dates this summer. That's really unfortunate, because it's going to take it's toll on participation in these events.

I'll be missing the first Corvette club autocross this coming Saturday as the Arlington event is kind of a special once-a-year event with Fiero people from hundreds of miles around attending.

However, as much as I'd also like to take part in the Fiero club activities scheduled for July 30 and August 27, I won't be, as I don't want to miss those Corvette club autocross dates. Obviously I'm not the only club member faced with this dilemma.

I wonder if it's possible to re-schedule the club activites for those days to other dates that don't conflict with autocross events (since there are now quite a few of us within the club who wish to hit the track).

Anyway, just putting that out there for consideration.

After looking over all the autocross dates (as put on by the four various clubs/organizations), it appears that there are http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2264&PN=1 - Fiero club event-date conflicts with only the Corvette club autocross dates on July 30 and August 27. The club events are the Whistler/camping trip and the Chilliwack run respectively.

If our club could move one or both of their events to the weekends before or after the scheduled dates, there would be no conflicts with any other autocross dates. I notice though that the Whistler/camping trip is a 3-day event, so moving it to a regular 2-day weekend wouldn't work (although just a Whistler run, no camping) could still fly on a Saturday or Sunday.

I'm not asking the club to consider doing this just for me.  There are about a half-dozen club members that this effects. Hopefully a change of dates would result in more club members being able to participate in those two club activities.

Perhaps any comments regarding the possible change of dates could be posted http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2485&PN=1&TPN=1 - Here . Thanks.

Bassman wrote: Actually more importantly for this day...Canucks & Boston Game #2...

Well, as much as I want to see it, I'm still hitting the road. It's not like it's game 7.

Hmmm.... wonder if I can get my dad (he's 91) to record the game on my stand-alone DVD recorder?

Romeo wrote: Get a PVR.

And how do you save stuff to watch years down the road with a PVR?

Bassman wrote: Weather's changing, I'll go in the day it seems if this holds:)

I've started ripping out the interior of my car to install a video/data logger so if I get it back together in time then I might come out and test it, as well as get some baseline settings for my new shocks.

Bassman wrote: Can tell your not hockey fans:)...

Brian, that depends on what your definition of a "fan" is.

I've been closely following the Canucks since Day One... 40 years ago. Every chance I get, I've watched them on TV. Heck, I've probably listened to most of their games on the radio that weren't televised. However, I don't live and die with every win and every loss. I used to, but it became way too taxing during the "dark" years.

I've found a happier balance now where I can really enjoy watching the Canucks without having the games ru(i)n my life. As mentioned earlier, this Saturday's game is not game 7. The Canucks will do just fine without me watching this one game. I'll won't be missing any others.

Romeo wrote: ... feed the PVR in to the DVD recorder later, and then record the video that the PVR puts out. That way you'll have it in material form.

The problem with that procedure is that you end up compressing the video twice, with all the resulting compression artifacts. Superior video quality is achieved by burning to DVD directly from the broadcast using the highest bitrate possible.

If the material is worthwhile archiving, it's worthwhile saving in it's finest form.

Hey all...good timing from Vic, received an email from him, discuss at tomorrow's meeting and confirm guys, this will be a fast day, course designed for the big ass Vettes...and since I beat out Gary & Kenny at PCA, I will be going in competitive this day, I have already been challenged

As you have all participated in the BC Corvette Club autocross events in the past, I wanted to ensure that you were aware of our July 30 event at the BC Driving Centre in Pitt Meadows.  Registration will be at 8AM that day and cost will be $40.  I have already heard from a few of you on your attendance, but I would appreciate a reply if you are going to attend.  We will keep the numbers to between 40 and 50 drivers, so that everyone will get lots of runs and lots of fun.  Vic

Vic emailed me today as well, and I've already informed him I'll be there (striking fear into the hearts of all Vette owners I'm sure).

I also told Vic there were five Fieros at the Porsche club's event last weekend and that I expect at least as many of us to attend this upcoming event on the 30th.

Even with a duke, I'm looking forward to this!

Cheese wrote: I just hope the course is a little different this time. From what I saw of the videos posted from the event in June the course was nearly identical.

Identical to what, http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2035&PN=1&TPN=1 - last September's course ? (I looked through all 18 pages of that thread and was surprised to see that unfortunately none of us posted a picture of the track layout, simple as it was.)

Cheese wrote: Yes, just take a look at Brian's videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C_JAA-vieM - September 2010   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMcwnFqLnZ0 - June 2011

Why change what works, eh?

AllanJ wrote: I signed up with Vic.

Do you mean that figuratively? BCCC still doesn't have any online registration for their autocrosses, do they?

So how's your foot?

AllanJ wrote: I signed up with Vic.    It should be a fun course for the heavy-steering on the 914.

Hope your foot is better

Romeo wrote: Patrick wrote: AllanJ wrote: I signed up with Vic.    Do you mean that figuratively? BCCC still doesn't have any online registration for their autocrosses, do they? Check your email inbox, I have a message from him asking to register if I'm going.

Tristan, the only email I've received from Vic is the same one that Brian posted above... and it states, "Registration will be at 8AM that day and cost will be $40".

So at this point, I know nothing about being able to register prior to the morning of the 30th.

Bassman wrote: As you have all participated in the BC Corvette Club autocross events in the past, I wanted to ensure that you were aware of our July 30 event at the BC Driving Centre in Pitt Meadows.  Registration will be at 8AM that day and cost will be $40.  I have already heard from a few of you on your attendance, but I would appreciate a reply if you are going to attend.  We will keep the numbers to between 40 and 50 drivers, so that everyone will get lots of runs and lots of fun.  Vic

'I would appreciate a reply if you are going to attend.'

I suspect when he recieves 50 replies, that'll close the event off.

Romeo wrote: 'I would appreciate a reply if you are going to attend.'

It may be a matter of semantics, but I don't equate responding to an email the same as actually registering for an event.

wow    "registering" is as simple as e-mailing your intent to attend to Vic so he and his helpers can fill out your name & car info ahead of time.

I told him I won't know what car I'd be driving until closer to the event and that's fine with him, but he'd like to know a week before the event.

Foot is ok, but still sore if I flex two toes.  One is still swollen pretty bad.  It'll be 4 weeks as of Sunday evening.  I guess I really did a number on it.

The Mighty (Slow) Duke is ready to roll, striking fear I'm sure into the heart of the evil Vette empire.

I sure hope my reply to Vic's "info" email back on July 8th was all we were supposed to do to make our intentions known, as I never heard anything back afterwards.

You'll be fine, Patrick.

My car is on the trailer and ready to go.  Crap.  Just remembered about tire pressures.  They're set for track use and are way too low for autox.

ok...I'll be ready in a few mins.   

Wakey wakey !!!

Looks like it's going to be a scorcher today. Bring sunscreen, bring a hat! Bring on Darth Vetter!

SHUSH...hitting the snooze man:)...lol

Out of here shortly and will stop at Mac D'S...

See you all at the track, at the Fiero pit.

Awesome Colby...even to beat to old timer...lol, I actually noticed how well you both have improved, it's really nice to see, and it's great getting out as we are as a club, wish more would be inspired

Yeah, as much as I enjoyed being right on Colby's tail through much of the day, it was great to see Colby make a quantum leap forward on his second to last run and finally make use of his gas pedal!  There'll be no stopping the boy now.

I enjoyed the course today, unlike the last one a few weeks ago. The duke still has trouble accelerating (compared to every other car at the track), but there were a couple of areas where handling at relatively high speed was required and the car felt pretty good. Of course, I started to push the car beyond the limits of either my driving or the tires and spun out in spectacular fashion a couple of times. On my last run I also hit a pylon so hard that I don't think it's re-entered earth's atmosphere yet. But hey, it was good fun!

The best for last in my day...here's my vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q516tgrSylA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q516tgrSylA

Embrace the accelerator, Colby!  :)  You're doing well out there.

Here's a video of my best raw time (last run) but apparently I hit a cone somewhere.  54.153 (plus 2 second penalty)  Ignoring the penalty  I'm posting this so you can see what I did.  Note how early I get on the gas on the straight bits.  ...and yes, 380HP is "cheating" sometimes. 

http://tinyurl.com/3okuy4j - http://tinyurl.com/3okuy4j

(edit: Fixed link)

You may have to re-post that vid, still not working...and yes, always love more HP...lol

Finally worked via tinyurl.  Something lame was going on with cut&paste and linking because even if I typed in the url letter by letter, the text you see differed from the embedded link by one letter (capital N and lowercase n) and it wouldn't link correctly, no matter what I did.

Nice setup:)...not a bad run...lol, Joking:)

Getting on the gas early *really* matters. 

Comparing this run with my previous run, I screwed up the start of this (best) run by sliding doing the initial right turn into the crossover, but I did a better job with the throttle timing on each of the 4 straights.

The result: I was 0.8 sec faster on this run than the previous one, and that's including my screwup at the start which easily cost me 1/2 to 3/4 sec.

AllanJ wrote: Here's a video of my best raw time... http://tinyurl.com/3okuy4j - http://tinyurl.com/3okuy4j

Allan, that type of presentation is pretty cool.  

What hardware/software are you using to come up with a video like that?

Patrick wrote: Allan, that type of presentation is pretty cool.   What hardware/software are you using to come up with a video like that?

Thanks.  The hardware/software is from Race-Keeper.  It's a synchronized video/data logger and can handle up to 4 cameras at once.  Data is gps-based in addition to OBD-II info.

Here's a video of my best "official" time and it's the one where I'm 0.8 sec slower than the other video.  You can see what I mean when I said I wasn't on the gas as early here on the 4 mini straight sections.  You'll need to master this stuff if you want the Mighty Duke to crush Colby. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUY8v6xR_OQ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUY8v6xR_OQ

I rearranged the video display and uploaded it in HD (since I haven't tried that before).  I added the accelerometer for this one so you can see relative cornering and braking/accelerating forces. 

Cheese wrote: Does the software allow you to save the video in a higher resolution? It would make it a whole lot easier to see what's going on.

Yes. 

I like all the smoke at the end. 

Can't give driving feedback without engine noise, besides the obvious that you already know about. 

If Gary was driving a duke, we would've made it to the reference to Elvis in the song.

I love that http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsmT1mvQCBk - old Prism tune , but yeah, we've got to hear some engine exhaust noise and tire squealing in a track video.

Gary, any chance you can find a spot for the camera more protected from wind noise?

By the way, will the Corvette Club be posting everyone's times from Saturday online somewhere?

Gary, some thoughts:

0:07 - right turn: you were very late here and needed to turn sharper, sooner.  Yeah, I know the steering is insanely heavy. 

0:13-0:17 - short slalom: you got 'late' here and need to start your turns a little sooner.  Done properly, you would've been on the throttle sooner coming out of the slalom.

0:19 - it seems like you got off the throttle too soon

end turn and coming back - good stuff!

0:29 - braking for crossover: seems a little early

crossover - could've been a touch faster

little slalom to the far end: you got on the gas at the end sooner.  Nice!

End sweeper seems to be good.  You got a little out of shape at the end of it because you weren't looking ahead enough.

Once again, you were on the gas fairly early coming back through those gates.  Good job.

Final crossover: seems to be at a good speed.

Dash to the end: Full marks for dealing with the heavy steering.  I'd be struggling too.

You did a good job, Gary.  If you cleaned up what I pointed out, that would be an easy 1.5-2.0 seconds.  Next Corvette autox I will bring my netbook computer and we can look at your camera footage at lunch and get your times down even more in the afternoon. 

Brian is GOING DOWN!!!  Muahahahahaha 

Patrick wrote: By the way, will the Corvette Club be posting everyone's times from Saturday online somewhere?

The Corvette guys won't, but I believe Gary W took a pic of the whiteboard and I can ask him to post it on the PCA forum.  Ken started a thread asking for pics so we can stuff it there.

Why me...just because you know I can beat you given the opportunity?...lol

What I love is the fun competitive chat's we get into, but how much fun it really is...Sunday will be great, booked for a wheel alignment Saturday morning and rotate the tires, get some meat on the back end

You have to check out the pics...whoever took these shots had a nice setup, all from the club should see what we experienced at the driver's meeting...certainly took our attention away

http://www.bccorvetteclub.ca/index_files/gallery.htm - http://www.bccorvetteclub.ca/index_files/gallery.htm

Click on: http://www.bccorvetteclub.ca/BCCPictures/Slalom201107/index.html - Slalom and More - July

Looking for posted times Patrick...they usually don't...lol

Unfortunately Gary and I won't be at the PCA autox so we'll have to look forward to your crushing us at the next BCCC autox. 

AllanJ wrote: Unfortunately Gary and I won't be at the PCA autox so we'll have to look forward to your crushing us at the next BCCC autox.

ya ya

Brian: I think I'm going to have to co-drive your car one of these days.  Could be very interesting.  Curious how close I'd get to you.  hmmmm....... 

AllanJ wrote: Brian: I think I'm going to have to co-drive your car one of these days.  Could be very interesting.  Curious how close I'd get to you.  hmmmm.......

Bring it on...maybe yours?

All you hot-shots should drive the Mighty Duke. Then we'd see how good you really are.

AllanJ wrote: Here's a video of my best "official" time and it's the one where I'm 0.8 sec slower than the other video.  You can see what I mean when I said I wasn't on the gas as early here on the 4 mini straight sections.  You'll need to master this stuff if you want the Mighty Duke to crush Colby.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUY8v6xR_OQ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUY8v6xR_OQ

I may try pulling a spark plug lead or two off Colby's Formula at the track if he starts to get too cocky.

AllanJ wrote: Patrick wrote: By the way, will the Corvette Club be posting everyone's times from Saturday online somewhere? The Corvette guys won't, but I believe Gary W took a pic of the whiteboard and I can ask him to post it on the PCA forum.  Ken started a thread asking for pics so we can stuff it there.

Okay, that would be great. I don't think I had the slowest "best" time of all the cars, so I'd like to find out for sure.

Bassman wrote: AllanJ wrote: Brian: I think I'm going to have to co-drive your car one of these days.  Could be very interesting.  Curious how close I'd get to you.  hmmmm.......    Bring it on...maybe yours?

I don't think you'd be comfortable driving my car.  Not meant for tall folks.  Seats are too uncomfy.  Engine in the wrong place.  ...and it's black!  Totally the wrong colour for you. 

Gary, thanks for posting that image of the times.

I made a short list showing how we all compared to each other, as well as some other participants who were within reach of (or slower than) me. All things considered (90 HP, street tires), I think the duke was quite respectable out there.

A Johanson   54.946
B Browne      57.319
G Johanson  59.773
C Johanson  62.637
K Butcher      63.646
B Powell        64.213
P Tran          65.043
P Sheridan    65.693
H Bowen       66.237
R Keatly        66.323 *
A Lee           67.096
D Lee           68.142
J Baryguk      90.704

(* This person's first run looks like 61.244 on the chart, but I can't believe that's kosher after looking at all his/her subsequent runs.)

With only 36 participants, we probably should've been able to get a whole lot more than 7 runs in apiece. However, the Corvette group are for the most part an older, laid back bunch and I enjoy the fact that they're quite friendly and not super competitive.

Gary's goal should always be around Brian's time.  The 914 and Brian's GT are fairly similar in performance if the course isn't too tight (due to steering fatigue with the 914).

Ok, height in your car, shouldn't be an issue...but if that's your excuse, then I do challenge you you co-drive my car...I'll even come over for a visit and we can go for a cruise so you can get a little comfortable, and even have the wheel alignment done, etc...

Now I have to say, you had a DNF and a varience of 3-4 seconds...where's the consistancy?...other than two runs I had where I hit a cone on each (still only 400th's of a second off from each other), and the other 5 runs again only 400th's of a second off...that's consistancy biatch

Now average times even with your DNF, you had 56.391, I was 58.437...ONLY 2.046 behind ya Allan, not bad for a Fiero, thank's Coach, you always said it's about the driver more than the car...lol, I also had dinner at Ken & Brenda's where Gary & Pat were there, and they are pissed that I also beat all of them with their RComp Vettes...was a great day...Fiero Power 

Lot's of fun, really looking forward to the next event this Sunday and the challenge to Allan

Brian, it's all about being aggressive and hitting cones, not about being consistently slow. 

When I remove the cones (don't have the DNF-stop box time):

55.988 <-- my first run was how much faster than your best? 

55.841

55.874

55.544

54.946

54.153  <-- Ya, Biatch! 

Like I said before, I won't be there on Sunday.  I'll be at Mission Raceway.  So this challenge will have to wait until the next BCCC autox end of August.

Don't know if you really want to drive my car. You break it, you bought it! 

We'll talk.....and we will have a blast no matter what we do.  Guaranteed.   btw, kudos on crushing the Vettes!  Good to make them wince. 

Hey Brian....I was looking at the times because I was curious how much you beat Gary W.  Gary beat you!  So you have some work to do on Sunday to beat all four of them in their high HP Vettes.

Good luck!