PORSCHE CLUB CANADA WEST REGION

Sunday June 2nd 2013

Double Pad Autocross

Signup closes June 1st at noon.

First timers and spectators are welcome to attend

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Sign-up is http://www.karelo.com/enter_res.php?&BID=374#Ev13308 - Here .

The http://www.theweathernetwork.com/14-day-weather-trend/canada/british-columbia/pitt-meadows - weather forecast is great for this coming Saturday/Sunday. So go to http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?FID=10&TID=3205&PN=1&get=last - Arlington on Saturday, get to bed early, and then autocross on Sunday... a perfect Fiero weekend!  

karnak wrote: ....waiting for that friggin' ball of light to come out from behind the clouds..

No problem!

karnak wrote: I am all registered up... gonna be fun..

I just registered. Thought I better do it now before I focus on the Arlington trip.

Of course I'm always hoping Brian will make a return to the track, but I haven't heard anything along those lines lately.

I do expect Colby to be there.

Harrision, are you going to show off what you learned at AutoX 101?

Tristan, are you going to, ummm... are you going to show off?

Anyone else?

Just a reminder for anyone sitting on the fence... you've got until 1PM on Saturday to register.

Double pad event, and the weather is going to be perfect.

Sign-up is http://www.karelo.com/enter_res.php?&BID=374#Ev13308 - Here .

Oh man, this is a beautiful day for autocross!

Up bright and early to have a relaxing breakfast and then to swap over to my track tires/wheels. Guess I can't use the impact gun at this hour on the wheel lugs.

Just been unwinding with a beer for the last hour. It was a good day.

When Colby, Gary and I walked the course first thing in the morning, it seemed simple and straightforward. It wasn't until we were actually driving the course at speed that we found out just how challenging it was. Lots of tight turns, one after another. And they were tight turns that could still be done at a good clip, so the changes in direction were occurring fast.

This was the first autocross I've ever done where after each run I was actually breathing hard. Yes, I was excited , but seriously, it was a real workout with the Fiero's lack of power steering to be cranking the steering wheel back and forth vigorously for over 70 seconds each run. That might seem kind of wimpish, but I'm telling ya, it was a good workout.

Can't wait until Colby posts the times.

Cheese wrote: Patrick had a 3D camera with him that I'm interested in seeing the result of.

karnak wrote: Patrick.. 3D Video..? bail us out here..

I've watched it so far in 2D. Looks promising. I'm too tired to do anything with it tonight though. With Arlington on Saturday and autocross today, I've had just over four hours of sleep each of the last two nights. I'm going beddy-bye.

I like those shots of Colby and Gary driving by the lake.

Okay, here's a link to a very short test 3D video. Except for the breeze on the mic sounding like a hurricane, the camera seems to work fine.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0lHBcBfUv0 - Colby and Gary autocross 3D test

If your computer/internet connection can handle it, make sure to watch the video full-screen in 1080p HD (and if you don't have the proper http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaglyph_3D - anaglyth glasses , watch it in 2D).

Or, reduce the size of the video window and watch 3D video without glasses of any sort. Yes, it can be done!

If the 3D effect looks "wrong", go into 3D and Swap (right-left)

I used the YouTube Video Editor just to trim the two clips a bit and to add the crossfades.

I present, the Mighty Duke... in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEU33MjCjmQ - Autocross - best time - June 2nd, 2013

I wish I hadn't forgotten to turn off the cabin fan before I started the run. More added noise that wasn't necessary. You can hear me turn it off after I park the car. And then you can better hear the "rumble" of that impressive 4-banger powerplant.

I think next time I'll also pop off the windshield wipers. I'd rather see more of the hood at the bottom of the video than wiper blades. Less wind resistance as well.

karnak wrote: ...spent some time trying to fashon some red/green glasses. That didnt work as well. I think i have to go to a 3d movie and get a pair...

Cost about a buck on eBay, including shipping(!), for nice plastic-frame 3D glasses direct from China. I think I'll splurge and get a pair.

Cheese wrote: I tried doing the cross eyed thing again and I think I got a little bit further with it. Still, I just can't seem to get the two images to merge properly.

Using the zoom function in your browser, start with the two frames about the size of postage stamps. That puts the two white dots very close to each other. It's neat, 'cause once your eyes lock onto the 3D image in the middle, it takes no effort to stay properly focused. When you get it to work, increase the zoom in steps about 5% each time. Rinse and repeat.

So far I've been able to zoom the screen to the point where the two white dots are 6 1/2" apart (and my eyes are about 3 feet from the screen).

Cheese wrote: I'm going to look into making a video with our two runs lined up. I'm curious to see if I can work out how much those tires are helping you, or whether it's just the line you're driving.

Colby, it's not the tires or the suspension or the awesome power of the Mighty Duke that gets that car around the track quickly... it's the nut behind the wheel.  (Okay okay, the tires do help a bit.) 

For Colby or anyone else who has trouble with the "cross-eyed" 3D effect, start with a small image. Bring the two white dots (above the center of the left and right images) together. You will then see three images, with the 3D image in the middle between the left and right images.

The idea is to start small and work your way up to a larger frame size as you train your eyes and brain to work together.

Patrick wrote: karnak wrote: ...spent some time trying to fashon some red/green glasses. That didnt work as well. I think i have to go to a 3d movie and get a pair... Cost about a buck on eBay, including shipping(!), for nice plastic-frame 3D glasses direct from China. I think I'll splurge and get a pair.

Okay Gary, I bought five pair of plastic-frame 3D glasses on eBay for $3.99 (including shipping, for all of them!) to be sent from China directly to my front door. So, if you can wait a couple weeks, we're all set.

karnak wrote: ...wonder how it will be in a larger format

I'm looking forward to seeing the video in 3D while making use of the whole screen. The fact that it's shot in HD 1080p will (I hope) allow the image to still look quite sharp while being viewed in this manner. Of course, I'll need to upgrade my hardware to watch 1080p play back without studdering.

Cheese wrote: Patrick, I compared your video to mine, and I know now where I lost the time on that run. Somehow you got to the first gate more than a second faster than I did.

Colby, there's no mystery. I've been badgering you for the last three years to nail it when you start each run. But no, you always ease out of the starting gate! You've got to get more aggressive off the launch. Make use of the extra ponies you have at your disposal.

What might be interesting as well though is to see where on the track your dad is struggling. The duke was what... 3/10's of a second behind the 914/6.  As much as I'm pleased that I'm not being blown away by everyone anymore, I'd also like to see all of us (within our tight little circle) reach our full potential and kick some butt out there.