I had my first auto-x this season with the Capital Driving Club. I have made no changes to my car since the end of last season.
Last year was my first year of doing auto-x with the car. I placed 4th overall in every auto-x I did last year.
My only suspension mods are the Cusco lower strut brace and the Cusco rear triangle brace. Stopping power is aided by Hawk red stuff pads and braided brake lines to insure consistency and feel.
The first auto-x this year brought out many new cars and what looked to be some heavy hitters. I thought I'd be lucky to crack the top ten. Among the many WRXs and STi's present, there were also a couple S2000s there (one on R compound RA1's), a gutted, and caged civic running on gummy Hoosiers, an RS Impreza also on Hoosiers, and a Boxster S that sat so low he sounded like a dragging mini truck going through the course.
I was in the 4th run group in the morning session. My first morning run netted a 37.47, right around 7th at the time. I usually don't start getting fast till the afternoon because I know the course better then and I will know how my car reacts. My 2nd run I put down a 37.18, enough to move me up to 6th, behind the RA1 S2000, the RS, Boxster, an Impreza, the Civic and I forgot what else. I was about to get back in line, when the stop gate worker told me I had coolant coming out.
I quickly pulled off towards the grass and popped the hood. Hmmm no leaks, but definetly coolant coming out. Upon further inspection I saw it was coming from the overflow bottle. No cracks, the hoses are fine: what could it be. I looked inside at the temp gauge (something you don't have time to do when you auto-x) and it was VERY high. I immediately turned the heat on high and made sure the fans were working.
I let her cool down a bit then cracked the radiator cap to relieve the pressure. The heat immediately dropped. An air pocket must have developed but I'm still not sure what happened. I added pure water and but did not drive it for the rest of the day until it was time for me to go home.
In the afternoon session I drove my buddy Kyle's Miata to a 37.97, .37 off his time. This was my first time EVER driving a Miata. Thats a fun little car.
I was able to drive all the way home with no problems, no overheating or anything.
I did a compression check on Tuesday night and found that cylinder 3 was down on compression.
Its time for me to take the head off and finally rebuild my transmission.
My next race is NOPI at MIR on April 9/10. I'm not sure if the car will be ready but I'll be there to support my team, Team Trinity. The weekend after I will be working so I can't make the EVO/STi shootout.
April 23rd is my next autocross. After my dismal 9th place finish last week I'm a little behind in the points. Hopefully I can get my car fixed in time for the April 23rd auto-x and hopefully by that time I'll have my rear sway bar installed.
Here are the results from this past weekends auto-x
http://members.cox.net/capitaldrivingclub/03-19-05results.html
Here are links to two videos of me last year.
http://forums.dcevoclub.com/showthread.php?t=1634
Go to post 11 and the links are there.
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