Autocross 2/10 - Page 5

mahout · #81 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 07:19 PM

Some comments:
For competition you do not want a car that is unspinable. Rotation of the car is absolutely necessary for quickness. I don't recommend you remove the front bar, just disconnect it by removing the shock to bar link on the driver's side. Takes only 4 or 5 mm spinner and 12 mm or 14 mm open end wrenches. 5 minute work. Additional understeer from more front antisway means the inside tire unloads quicker so you have less cornering power. All you're doing is grinding off tire rubber as you crank the steering wheel further into the corner - and going slow. Louder noise is not an indication of speed.
When you do it correctly you can hit a late apex and power out; with lots of understeer you just slow down going in and never gain coming out of the corner. Body roll is not the enemy; traction is. You can get away with very stiff springs all around, making it a go-kart but then its just a competition car.
Without seeing the course its hard to tell how your times and competitors are but 2 seconds in 40 sounds like a lot.
cheers.

sl0wp0k3 · #82 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 12:05 PM

can't wait till i get new tires...i should be needing them by the end of the year.

sl0wp0k3 · #83 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 12:17 PM

oh yea i never posted this

2008.06.08 TSCC Dixie Fairgrounds (bad sound)

sl0wp0k3 · #84 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 07:10 PM

autocrossing in the fit is boring. it's so slow! driving an ITR, a celica GTS and an sts2 crx was so much fun. i get little excitement from driving the Fit anymore. even the corolla was more exciting...

mrFroge · #85 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sl0wp0k3

autocrossing in the fit is boring. it's so slow! driving an ITR, a celica GTS and an sts2 crx was so much fun. i get little excitement from driving the Fit anymore. even the corolla was more exciting...

Why not just step up to an EVO if power is what you want. I've never found pushing the Fit around the track boring. Trying to get the best out of the little guy is a challenge.

sl0wp0k3 · #86 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrFroge

Why not just step up to an EVO if power is what you want. I've never found pushing the Fit around the track boring. Trying to get the best out of the little guy is a challenge.

if only i had the money

gimp · #87 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sl0wp0k3

autocrossing in the fit is boring. it's so slow! driving an ITR, a celica GTS and an sts2 crx was so much fun. i get little excitement from driving the Fit anymore. even the corolla was more exciting...

It takes a lot more skill to drive a slow car fast. My normal autocross car is faster than Kate's fit, but I still had a blast top 20 paxing in an underprepped auto Fit last weekend.

sl0wp0k3 · #88 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimp

It takes a lot more skill to drive a slow car fast. My normal autocross car is faster than Kate's fit, but I still had a blast top 20 paxing in an underprepped auto Fit last weekend.

don't get me wrong, i can drive it fine...the only fun in autoxing it is to go faster than others in faster cars, but the driving part is getting to be pretty boring.

it's always nice when someone asks me 'how do you go so fast in a Fit on all-seasons?'

NJ Drive · #89 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 03:10 PM

I autocrossed my Evo IX RS all of 2007, and while the Fit isn't as quick, I enjoy it's 'ego-breaking' abilities. The last two SCCA events I PAXed 17th twice with over 120 participants, and beat half the field on raw time alone.

All this car really needs to shine is an LSD. I would not be suprised if that mod alone is worth at least a second on a 35 second course, especially on street tires. As soon as I'm finished running H Stock with this car, it may be the first major modification I make.

NJ Drive · #90 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 07:49 AM

Autocrossed Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. PAX'd 10th out of 106 on Saturday with NNJR SCCA, 22 out of 184 on Sunday with Philly Region SCCA. I have a couple vids and hope to upload them to YouTube or something tonight.

Still running only beat up RT615s in the rear with V710s up front, camber bolts, and muffler delete pipe.

On August 16th at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ, there is Honda Day. It will include an autocross event and I encourage everyone who is in the vicinity to come and represent the Fit!

mrFroge · #91 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ Drive

Auto crossed Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. PAX'd 10th out of 106 on Saturday with NNJR SCCA, 22 out of 184 on Sunday with Philly Region SCCA. I have a couple vids and hope to upload them to You Tube or something tonight.

Still running only beat up RT615s in the rear with V710s up front, camber bolts, and muffler delete pipe.

On August 16th at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ, there is Honda Day. It will include an autocross event and I encourage everyone who is in the vicinity to come and represent the Fit!

Good job David!!!

Your course appears to be a relatively tight, short run, well suited for the stock Fit, from what I could tell from results that were posted. You are definitly making the most of what the Fit does best.

Skimmer · #92 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 03:50 PM

Nice showing dude! You do us proud!

NJ Drive · #93 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrFroge

Good job David!!!

Your course appears to be a relatively tight, short run, well suited for the stock Fit, from what I could tell from results that were posted. You are definitly making the most of what the Fit does best.

Thanks guys.

For reference, Saturday was a 38 second course- Sunday, a 65 second course.

Not having R-Comps in the rear is hurting more than helping... can't wait to get two more tires!

sl0wp0k3 · #94 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 06:26 PM

results are up from last weekend
Overall
Pax
Raw

If you are wondering why the results are so weird...it rained for most drivers' third and fourth runs

but otherwise...8th PAX in all-seasons FTMFW!

sl0wp0k3 · #95 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 06:28 PM

just ordered a set of Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec 195/55R15, hopefully getting them installed later this week.

Anyone have experience with these tires?

Sugarphreak · #96 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:12 AM

I am off tomorrow for a full day of AutoX!

This one is going to be tough for me, looks like the course is spread out and a lot of the people run crazy FAST cars. Lots of long stretches where power is going to count, but should be a good test for the Fit.

Wish me luck!!

mrFroge · #97 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 01:13 PM

Hope you had a good (enjoyable) time. :-)

NJ Drive · #98 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 08:31 PM

I'm actually using the Direzzas right now in that size. I have to admit that the single thing that has won me over about them is their rain traction...simply unbelievable and very confidence inspiring- I was not expecting anything above the RT615s, RE01Rs(different car), as well as the many others I've used before, in this area. I knew going in that they were slightly taller than the 205/50/15 Azenis, and while the extra sidewall does seem apparent, I really don't have any data to base that on back-to-back. They simply may need a little more scrubbing in too. I'll still offer my thoughts. I did use all four Direzzas on the road course this past weekend at Raceway Park in New Jersey and their feel at the limit was a little numb but still retained lots of grip, especially being mounted on 6" wide wheels. Their breakaway was a lot less sharp than the RT615. Ultimately, I feel they are similar to Bridgestone's RE01R in that they don't react to lateral inputs the same way as the RT615s, but offer similar or slightly more forward traction, wet or dry. Again, all of the above is relative of the size wheel and tire. I have no doubt that I could have taken almost 2 seconds off last week's 75 second course simply by using 7.5" wheels.

Sugarphreak · #99 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrFroge

Hope you had a good (enjoyable) time. :-)

Was a blast, course was very technical though.

I ended up placing 18th overall out of 26 competitors.

joggriffin · #**100** (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 06:03 PM

Hey I was wondering how you guys found out about these events. I am a total stranger to autocross or motorsports in general, but I would really be interested in taking my fit and trying some autocross in a stock class. How do you get going? I am in the chicago area, and I am not certain who sanctions events like this out here or what. Sorry to be so dumb but if anyone could sorta point me in the right direction that would be great. Thanks,

'08 Nighthawk Pearl,MT,Sport