I finally had a chance to put all the talk, questions, hopes, fears, etc. into action at the first local event yesterday. I didn't get a chance to really play since the local paper had run a lengthy article about autox and had mentioned this race, which was on the R.I.T college campus. That article, coupled with the fact that it was a beautiful day on a college campus, conspired to have what was very probably a record entry list - 210 entrants (including *at least* 70 novices) compared to the more normal 100-125 entries and maybe 30 novices. I spent a lot of time getting into and out of novice cars as an instructor and not nearly enough time analyzing what I wanted to do and how to do it.

Based on other folks' input (thanks, Jason) I used 38PSI front and 34PSI rear, which felt very good. I didn't vary them at all so I can't say whether it was optimum for me or the course but the times indicate that I was reasonably competitive. A Boxster on autox tires beat my raw time by .9 second but never had a clean run - his fastest ended in a spin over the finish line, taking out at least 5 pylons. I was certainly in the top stock times but don't know where I ended up due to the huge amount of time required to complete the event - I left at 6 P.M. while the event was still running. I should have taken first because of the Boxster's inability to get a clean run. Next time should be different...

Getting the feel was the real problem - the Preludes I've run for the past 7 years simply didn't give me clues. The last time I ran a RWD car was 1982 in a Fiat 850 Sport Coupe. Some more seat time will be useful, to say the least, which should be available in about a month.

Based on my results yesterday, I expect that I should be in good shape once I get the wheels (anyone else STILL waiting for those group buy JDM wheels from MG Racing???) and tires. A sway bar will be next in line but I suspect I'm gonna hafta stop waiting and buy one that's available now. Anyone check out whether the folks who created the bar on what is now Joe Goeke's S2K will do more and what the timeline is? I may just have to go straight to the source and try to expedite.

All in all, very good time and a reasonable start to what should promise to be a successful season...

 

Great job on your first time out. I take it you were running the S02s. If the car felt too loose on the street tires then you will really notice it on the competition rubber (f/r contact patch difference decreases). I would also like to get an adjustable sway bar now. Tri-Point declined my offer to make another bar and Comptech doesn't have anything ready yet. If you find a solution, let me know.

Rob

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by robj
[B]Great job on your first time out.

 

It was only a few weeks ago. Maybe someone with better connections could make more progress.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by robj
[B]It was only a few weeks ago.

 

I tried with Tri-Point last fall, and told them we could sell at least 5-7 units immediately. At the time, they said they simply wouldn't have the time.

King Motorsports is still planning on manufacturing a custom swaybar, and we will be testing it. Time to market should beat all the others - I can't say exactly when yet, but We'll know more soon, and I'll keep the group posted.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jason Saini
[B]I tried with Tri-Point last fall, and told them we could sell at least 5-7 units immediately.

 

I spoke to Mike at s2kdays, and he told me that they are looking at two to three months for the Comptech adjustable bar. It'll have four settings, and one of the middle two will be the same stiffness as the prototype non-adjustable that some of us are running. An adjustable bar is fairly important to serious autoxers like Jason & Co, as well as semi-serious folks like myself. I'm debating getting shocks for the car, and I'll probably get an adjustable sway bar first to see if I can live with that plus tire pressures for adjustability. I don't think it'll happen, but at least I'll be able to put off the shock purchase for a while.

 

Just got a reply from ProParts - no go now while Speedvision World Challenge project is going on. Maybe in the fall.

They suggested the Mugen bar...