"Hi, I've been using the information that other people posted to help my setup. But if you were struggling and I could help, I'd choose to let you flounder because beating you in any way that I can is the most important thing. More than being a good sportsman."

 

I want to say that Marc and his fellow "White CR" club at Dixie were a great group of people. My brother and I walked up to them at night while they were cleaning tires, and talked with them for about an hour. Complete stragers, and everyone there welcomed us in as freinds. I even got setup advice as it was my first event on RS-3s, and I was looking for pressure receommendations based on my set-up (or lack of STR setup).

Its stuff like that that really makes me enjoy Solo. Its the people that keep you coming back, its not like this is NASCAR and we are racing for million dollar sponsorships, we are racing for a jacket and a few tires if we are lucky. I came out to Dixie just to meet people, learn a few things, and have fun. I learned a lot, and made a few friends that I'm looking forward to seeing again. On top of that, I even beat a few people despite my lack of prep. How awesome was that?

 

I guess that is what I am sounding like, I have more or less lost track of what I am trying to say.

Marc said in an earlier post about how in STR it is still too soon to know what really works. In other classes, certain cars need certain specific changes in order to be competitive. Things that are well known and have been learned thru trial and error, the must haves. Say it starts to be discovered by a couple of drivers who consistently win, what a "must have" for the S2000 in STR is. They should speak up and say "Hey guys, I found it, this is my winning setup. Do this, that, this and it will favor this type of driving, it will cost you this much...then we can all be equal again" The class and the car would be less fun if/when something like this is discovered.

I ask you why you would ever even leave stock if what you want is a completely level playing field car wise. Once you enter a modified class the car and it's setup is more of a variable and is all part of the competition. A driver will need to get most out of what is allowed in the rules, and I say it again, the tuning is part of what it takes to win. (but if you are not there to try and win I guess it doesn't matter)

Red Bull racing in F1. They have dominated the year, they have a great driver and probably have a few things with the car that make it a little faster than the rest. Others like to point at them and say "this is why they win, cheaters" but the car's are legal per the rules. For good sportsmanship, Red Bull should let everyone know what it is that makes the cars quicker? Autocross is hardly F1, but it is still racing and in this series you are the driver, the team and the engineer.


I guess in the end I am just saying there might be specific things I withhold, because I am competing against you and although they are close, our cars and what we can do with them can differ greatly. The fun for myself and many others is in the competition. If I am successful in STR, others can take the general information I post and use it if they wish. CKit, you seem to have already written me off, but I hope others don't feel they same way.

 

Shoot, I'd love to think that I know what set up works. I never really found one in my AP2 in 2010 and after 4 events in my AP1 this year, I'm still searching. I have a feeling I'm getting closer though. Testing is the biggest pain in the butt. I'll waste an entire event or waste a day at a 2 day event just trying something. That's hard work and putting all my findings and observations on the internet is something I'm a little reticent to do. Now, if you find me in grid or in paddock, I'll talk your ear off. I figure it'll take about 3 years of focused development to get it dialed in.

 

This thread is hilarious. I am on the forum to share my info and take everything and anything I can from it. If someone wants to withhold their particular setup then let it be and don't beat the guy down for it. There is a driver who has won the last 3 tour events in STR (I think that is accurate), at least let me say he is tearing STR up this year. If you have met him and talked to him he is a great guy. He will help you and give you all the advice you can take. Ask him about his spring rates and you will likely get side stepped. It doesn't change my opinion of him or whether I will interact with him.

This is my first year in AutoX and so far my #1 enjoyment is friends I have made and the comraderie.

Anyway...it would be great to get a STR FAQ with the top drivers sharing what they feel is relevant. There are new guys out there who would like the help.

 

I will not share my STR setup with you guys. Why would I want to do that? I have to try and beat this guy Marc Phantomshift who will share every bit of information about his STR setup

 

Lol. Remember the days when people thought STR S2000s wouldn't even be competitive.

Since driver styles and preferences vary, I don't think anyone is going to come up with a magical winning formula, so why hold back? That's the point of a FAQ, right? A ballpark starting point. Spring rates range from xx-xx. Alignments range from xx-xx. RS3s for heat, Toyos for cold, Contis for wet.

 

12-months ago, people were freaking out about the Hondata Flashpro for the +06 cars, saying there was no way an unflashed car could ever compete.
6-months ago, people were freaking out saying there was no way an s2000 could beat a Miata.
2-months ago, everyone was freaking out about ECU rules.
Now everyone is freaking out about the CR, saying it can't be beat due to its light weight, and is a "must have" for the class.

I love internet bench racing.

 

I'm surprised no one noticed that Robert Thorne in his CR (whose impressive winning streak is responsible for a lot of the concern about the CR) got beat by not one but two AP1s at last weekend's Colorado Tour...

 

It was an interesting event. I'll write up a quick summary in the CO Tour/Pro thread.