This past event was pretty intense! For me anyways. I really wanted to do well/better...especially after spending all that $$ on the Skunk2 Pro-C coilovers.

Tom was driving fantastic! We came in 2nd and 3rd out of 8 drivers in our class. The course was a "slalom fest." Had to get the right rhythm!

The coilovers provided pretty good handling and the Yokohama S.Drives were much better than the Falken 912s. I think I'll leave the coilover dampers set to 2 in front and 5 in rear. I'll try messing w/ the settings more during the Test-N-Tune in January (Gw).

Here's a video from my 4 runs: YouTube - 20081214 Hawaii SCCA Honda Fit - 4 runs

Here's a video from Tom's Fun-Run: YouTube - 20081214 Hawaii SCCA - Toms fun run in rain

Unfortunately, Tom's camera had problems so couldn't record any of his official runs. He did manage to record his Fun Run. Plus, it was in the rain!

See ya!

 

You drove very well. The difference will come from going a bit faster at each point and still stay under control.

Your tires were screeching a bit so you were at the limit at those points.

Overall you were doing the right things- especially the last run. Much smoother and better driving lines.

Compared to the other events, you have much less understeer.

 

Well, the 1/11/09 event is pau. It was a blast as usual. Man! Our class is really, really close!

Here's a video of the runs: YouTube - 20090111 Hawaii SCCA Honda Fit 4 runs

The next event is a Test-N-Tune on 1/25/09. This is an event where u can try different settings & see how it affects your times. I think you'll have 1+ hours of unlimited runs. Plus, there will be lots of instructors. The only thing is it'll be $50 (ouch). But...u can come watch for $1 entrance @ da gate. If u give Tom, Brad or myself a buzz we can bring u in to the pits...& ride along if u like. Just wear covered shoes.

The next regular event will be on 2/15/09.

Anyways...Laters...

 

You both did very well.

The upgrade tires to Yokohama S.Drive helped.

The last run you did on video was much better than the first. Still some understeer on tight turns like near the end of the course a hard left followed by the last right then finish left.

Overall doing pretty good considering this is the first season with one more event left.

The results were very close-
DSP class
1. Subaru RS Wagon 36.621 seconds, 56th overall, 44th on PAX of 86 drivers
2. Lexus IS300 36.703 seconds, 57th overall, 45th on PAX
3. Raton in Fit Sport MT 36.774 seconds, 58th overall, 46th on PAX
4. 08FitSport in Fit Sport MT 37.837 seconds, 67th overall, 55th on PAX

That's 0.153 seconds from first through 3rd place. So first place is within reach and there for the taking.

The 08FitSport had a last run of 35.579 seconds but hit one cone. All that was needed was a clean run. Next time.

 

Thanks again for your help Brad! Yeah, this past event was really close. And yeah, Tom (08FitSport) has definately found what works for him. Watch out!

Anyways...here's the videos from my in-car camera. Tom ran right before me. You can catch part of his runs & hear some of his killer times too. YouTube - 20090111 Hawaii SCCA Honda Fit 4 runs

This week, I ordered the following from TireRack:
- Enkei RPF1 15" (9 lbs)
- Dunlop Star Specs (195/55/15)

I’m just hoping (1) they don’t rub, (2) look ok, and (3) feel/perform better than my current RPF1 16s on Yokohama SDrives.

 

I think you will be fine and closing the gap on your competition.

Just focus and get a smooth and clean run. You'll be keeping them honest.
Underdog no more.

Enkei RPF1 are good Fit rims.
15x7 $199 each 9.5 lbs +41 offset
16x7 $219 each 13.7 lbs +43 offset

While both rims are good basically you want to match your car with the widest and lightest tires you can.

You get a lighter rim and still 7" wide treadsection although you're using 195/55-15 tires which are fine. Big difference is the soft and sticky rubber compound with the Direzza Star Spec tires. Should be good.

Save the S.Drives for the street. The Dunlop Star Spec can be run straight from home on the street so no tire change needed at the events.

The only way to do better is to go wider on the wheels or tires like 15x8 and 225/45-15 but then you wouldn't be in Street Touring class.

 

Here's the (music) videos Ken put together. It has the fun runs from Brad, Tom and myself.

Kenolio's Fun Reflections- powered by SmugMug

Ken has a ton of other videos from other cars during the fun run that day but hasn't been able to post them to his site yet....they s/b up there soon.

Enjoy!

 

Thanks, Mini Fit for all the help and advise. I saw you post on 10 best mods for Autocross. My best mod for Autocross is having a friend like you there. See you at the Fun Runs in your NC.

 

Next event is 2/15 so pre-reg is next weekend.

Both Raton and 08FitSport are primed:

Suspension upgrades ready-
Wheels and tires ready-

Now after test and tune, your driving skills are... Ready!

You guys have every possible reason to do well in STS.
You have four tries to get the very lowest clean time. It only takes one good run.

My suggestions-
Get your rest the night before. Drink a lot of water the day before.
Fill gas to about one quarter tank.
Come to the event early so you don't have to rush around.
Try to walk the course from about 8am. Study and plan how to drive but keep an open mind to make last minute adjustments.
You will be working in heat 1 and driving in heat 2.
Wear a hat or use sunblock by 8am.

I will be driving in Heat 1 so I will come to you and give you some feedback in the grid area before you start.

Some ideas on strategy-
Make sure your tire pressures are good.
Make as few suspension adjustments as you can. Unless something is very wrong try to plan what to use then stick with it.
From run 1 go for it- using street tires you will get decent enough grip from the beginning- you don't really have to wait for the tires to warm up.
There is more to learn from going hard in run 1.
Study where the tight corners are and be SURE to take those slow enough- enter slow and exit fast. If you enter too fast you WILL exit slow.
Study where the fastest straights are and try to enter the straight going as fast as possible- set up for this early and plan ahead.

 

I hope Tom and I do well from now on. Thanks for the tips. Need to re-read and re-read what you posted...and let it sink in.

Like I mentioned to Tom, I wish they had some slaloms in the TnT. The past 2 courses had alot of them. I hope that's not my kryptonite.

Thanks again Brad! See yawl there!

 

OK autocross is this sunday-

Come down to watch if you can. It's the last event of the season.

March 8 is run off championships in the morning and likely fun runs in the afternoon.

 

Well, gonna just try and have fun tomorrow. See yawl there!

 

The course from the 2/15/09 SCCA event was:

• Fun (lost control @ the finish...weeeeeee!)
• Fast (got up to 42 mph in 2nd gear)
• Tricky (got completely lost @ the finish)
• Had those slaloms that were missing from the Test-N-Tune course

Here's the video from my 4 runs from the event: YouTube - 20090215 SCCA Event Randys 4 runs

Laters...

 

You missed mentioning that you came in First for STS class- Congrats!

Good luck at next event! Then it's the start of a new season on March 22.

 

Thanks Brad!

But I need to put this win in perspective...

1. The 3 main folks that have been dominating STS this year haven't run in the past 2-3 events
2. Tom was running on tires that did not work for him. He's changing back to the Federals and those tires + Tom were scary fast in the past events

If everyone shows up for the run-offs it should be really interesting!

Ooohhhh....the drama!

 

Haha, don't pressure out. You've demonstrated you're ability to push our under powered machines excelling at every event. You even drove my car faster than me at test and tune.

Start watching your gas and stay healthy. I think you have the best shot at the run offs and remember only three runs so the first run is full speed.

 

haha...da presh-ah! I'm just gonna try my best and have some fuuun and enjoy da experience! Wish I didn't have to dig out right after the event. Laters.

 

You'll be fine. Focus, Focus, Focus.

Take a deep breath. Breathe.

This is like martial arts. Concentrate.

Be one with the Fit.

Now do it.

Your competition should be more worried than you. You are gaining and doing well at the end of the season with nothing to loose and everything to gain.

As far as I can tell you are just as ready to win your class for runoffs than any competitor for March 8. Now go ahead and do it. Do it with gusto.

Barry Lai (drives a Miata in SM2) told me once- don't beat me (in SM class) by a 1/10th of a second, beat me by a lot.

 

Congrats to 08FitSport and Raton for completing the SCCA season.

And great job by Raton to take first place in the Run off championships for this year last weekend- how thrilling.

Now look forward to a new season. March 22 is the next event then one in April before a break for the summer.

 

Thanks Brad. And thanks for all the help throughout the season. I'm really lucky to have great help and support from friends like you and Tom.

Yeah, Tom and I ("Team Fit") got through the entire season. It's been fun, educational, and a real challenge. Looking forward to the next season.

I'm still in Arizona, but I'll post up the videos from the run-offs when I get back.