I desperately needed some seat time in the Evo after installing the cage and the seat. Once adjusted the harnesses do an awesome job at keeping my ass firmly planted in the seat, but they also limit the range of motion my upper body is used to in an autocross. So with the lap and anti-sub belts tightened firmly, I set the shoulder belts to allow some play. The end result wasn’t too shabby at all with a 5th place overall in PAX out of 147 registered drivers.

PAX results:
http://autox4u.com/2010results/5222010_pax.htm

Final results:
http://autox4u.com/2010results/5222010_fin.htm

Pictures courtesy of Speed Lounge. See their coverage of the event here

Alright… so I can’t really say that the competition was stiff. It rained hard, and only a small number of brave cone-chasers showed up – people that have nothing better to do on a wet Sunday. Fresh from his dominance at the Pro-Solo and Solo Nationals my buddy Jake Namer did show up minus his trusty steed – the Hamfist Racing STU Subaru STi. Instead he planned on spending some quality time with his ASP ‘Slippery Seven’ RX7. Fellow Mazda driver Grant Winston failed to attend after being pulled over at 8am for towing a trailer on the parkway. Tell me this officer, can a pint sized Miata really tow a trailer?

We both packed lightly and didn’t bring our usual AutoX paraphernalia . It wasn’t a question of keeping things dry, it was a question of how many things were going to get wet. Cars cleaned out, registered, tech’d, a quick run to the deli for some hot breakfast, wait, walk the course, miss the skid pad, wait, drivers meeting, wait, and we finally start.

Heat one saw FTD being shuffled between the RWD ‘Slippery 7′, a RWD S2000, a FWD Mazdaspeed 3, and an AWD Audi TT. With times dropping down into the 64s I started my runs in heat two. My first run was a ridiculously retarded 67.xx. With my brain kicked firmly into gear I managed a 62.xx on my second attempt and managed to drop it steadily down to 61.6x by the end of the heat. Heat three saw a continuation of the battle from heat one with the ‘La Rosa 7′ mixing it up once the course was dry enough for the Hoosiers to have some grip. With the rain drying up in heat four I decided to go balls out and try for a sub 60s run. Unfortunately due to a trail of oil and/or coolant left by another competitor I found myself doing Scandinavian flicks instead of dropping times. Eventually I retired with a 61.4s. Good enough for a class win, FTD, and PAX.

AutoX in the rain really requires quick but light hands. You don’t want to muscle your way through the course. Instead you have to tune your body to constantly feel the level of grip. The key is being relaxed. A Best Motoring driver once rode with Tommi Makinen and was amazed at how often he would try and asses the level of grip while driving on loose surfaces.

Much like how street tires in comparison to sticky r-comps will force a driver to get rid of bad habits, a wet event really forces the driver to be patient, tight on the cones, and smooth. Become fast in the wet, and you’re guaranteed to become fast in the dry. So the next time you’re debating on staying in bed on a cold and wet weekend, don’t. Get out there and go chase some cones!

Quote of the day:
“And taking 1st place in Street Tire class is someone named Char Perera…..?”

Photo courtesy of Jake Namer