like .002 seconds

 

I will make the qualification for those on the outside looking in that I don't think JoshOwens has attended Nats yet and mwood, sirbunz, Forcednduckshn and oinojo have all won National Solo Championships, so the advice, expectations and assessments are with that background in mind.

I agree with that. If you're pointy end of stick and want to get pointier, get the good shocks... if you have enough time and comfort testing and tuning them. If you're a national mid packer, it may not be worth your money to get that extra 0.2-0.5 and if not set up right could actually make things worse.

 

To be clear, sirbunz, Forcednduckshn and oinojo have Jackets...I, on the other hand, have a jacket.

 

I'm not an auto-x guy, and for my level of involvement (right now anyway) in motorsports, you pay to play, and to further up the ante - you pay to win.

Driver skill is obviously the biggest factor to winning, but having the right equipment is a given when competing at higher levels of motorsport.

You can guarantee that everyone who is racing to win, is maximizing and interpreting the rules to the fullest. This is what makes spec miata racing so damn expensive - if you want to win. Yes, a spec miata can be purchased for something around $8-$12k, but it's most likely a mid-pack runner and will not be competitive enough to win. To win, you're maximizing the rules and building blueprint motors all within "factory" specs, but spending $$$$ for that extra 1 or 2 HP advantage over your fellow "spec" competitors who are all running the "same" motor. For a super low HP car like a miata, that makes a huge difference on a long straight like at Road Atlanta. A competitive car capable of winning is probably 2x more expensive than a car that is a middle pack runner.

It's an example, but analogous to what's being done to win.

If your intended involvement is to participate, attend national events, and see how you stack up versus the top drivers, then you don't need to spend $4-5k+ on suspension. If you're participating to win and want to have a fairly consistent shot at it, then it's a pay to win game (in addition to bringing driving skills that are up to speed). You can bet that all the other guys who want to win and do win, have most likely spent $$$ and not left that time on the table.

That's my opinion on it.

 

Autocross is a slightly different skill:equipment ratio than club racing in my estimation.

A shitty driver will not win either.
A completely unprepared car will not win either (unless nobody else shows up for class).

But you are allowed a little more vehicle prep leeway in autocross as judgement and rapid fire elements in a 3-run format puts a little more weight on driver over vehicle.

In club racing, if you don't have good tires and a prepped car, it gets very hard to "compete."

 

I'm aware of who you are and pretty sure others can make the connection, but never stops mult opinions on this board. Charles (Ckit) is spot on about the track stuff and as knowledgeable as anyone. Not any 2 of us like the same setup on the S2000 though. When i set a car to my liking, my co-drivers typically fall off pace, so my preferences will not be as universal as some of the others...

-Marc Pfannenschmidt

 

Comments are right on target. I was just poking fun at my Championship, as I didn't have to wade through the same depth of talent that you, Nick and Jon did to get to the top

btw, you have a PM coming from me...