My first autocross with the new Crossfire.

I ran the car just as I bought it, including the alignment and I have to say, I was very pleased.

Using a pyrometer, we settled on 38 p.s.i. in front and 39 p.s.i. in back with fairly close temperatures across the tread width. Front temps did show the need more camber so I'll be off to the alignment shop this week.

The Crossfire turns in well and does provide more feedback than I thought it would. It did push in the corner at times but some of that is my entry speed being to fast and the need for more camber and a bit of toe. A number of my racing buddy's commented on how flat the Crossfire was in the slaloms although I was behind in the slaloms and I think part of that is the different steering ratio from what I was used to in my last car.

I tried manually shifting the autostick with moderate success. I definitely need more seat time to get better using this feature.

I did win my class but to be honest, it was small class. Still it was fun and I really do look forward to the rest of the season.


Bryan
#22 D/Stock
Wichita, KS

 

Congratulations Bryan!

I found that the stock setup on mine during my first time on a road course was pretty good too. I have to say that the photos I have show it pretty flat going through tight turns.

As to manually shifting the autostick... I've found that it will tend to hold the proper gear most of the time through a road course. As for AutoCross, I'm not sure. Speeds are a bit lower so you may be able to leave it in 2nd or 1st for some of it.

Cheers!

 

Congrats, not bad at all for first time out...keep up posted on how the new alignment works out on the track.

 

I'm betting you are correct about autostick. In my C4 vette, I would just leave it in first if the course was very tight or, on the bigger courses, put it in second from the start. Luckily the 700r tranny would start in 1st then hold second. I'm hoping the Crossfire will be similar.

I'll post my final alignment specs. right now I want to see what it is currently then add just negative camber. I've learned about changing more than one spec at a time!!!

 

With the Autostick, take it somewhere and "teach" it to hold gears by exactly doing that.

I have had a LOT of success with blipping the throttle on the down change, similar to double declutching, this forces the box into a much earlier change.

Good Luck.

 

Thanks for the suggestion Hugo, I'll give it a try.

Bryan
#22 D/Stock

 

I wonder if all this crossfire autox success will give it a scca cult following.

 

Good Question, I don't know. I do know that when the Crossfire first came out, the rear 19" rims were the biggest hindrance to popularity in the SCCA soloII. Race rubber availability. To be honest, I don't know if that's changed as I have not researched what's available.

I do look forward learning the car and sharing what I find out with everyone.

Bryan
#22 D/Stock

 

Now that the 19 inch race tires are available I do see the car becoming more popular for autocrossing especially now that Nocones (Bryan) and myself are showing the car can be competitive on a National level in D Stock.

BTW: Bryan is registered to run this weekend up in New York at another National event. Everyone needs to wish him luck and hope that he brings home 1st place to make it 3 National event wins this season for the two Crossfires from North Carolina.

 

Best of luck Bryan! While I've never run a national event I have attended the Solo II nationals in my home state of Kansas, and it amazes me the depth of talent. Anyone that can place at the national level has my respect.

Humm? There must be something about North Carolina Crossfires!?!

Bryan
#22 D/Stock

 

Given the give-away prices on new Crossfires and the increased choices in Auto-X appropriate 19 inch tires I'm pretty certain we'll be seeing a LOT more Crossfires showing up on Auto-X tracks. I went out to the local Cincinnati Sports Car Club sponsored event this past Saturday and the D Stock field was pretty thin. I'm pretty sure I could become pretty competitive with some practice and a different set of tires. I'll be doing some runs this before the end of this season just to feel things out.

Honestly, the main problem I'll be facing is headroom while wearing a helmet ! I'm 6'4" and have to get my flat-top trimmed every week to keep from brushing the headliner !

My barber always says, "Sure do like that little car of yours..." whenever I stop in for a trim. It's been really good for HIS business !

Cheers,
Slim

 

http://www.scca.com/_FileLibrary/Fil...ROVISIONAL.pdf

Well, I followed up my 2nd place by 0.015 at the DC Pro with a 2nd place by 0.019 at the Finger Lakes Pro.

Last run would've given me the win by well over a half second, but I coned.

Won the first round of the challenge, but got the big red light in round 2.

On to Toledo next weekend...

Oh, and I'm done with Hoosiers on the front...after 3 runs on them Saturday morning I could see the beveled edge of death developing already...

 

Bryan,

Sorry to hear about coning your best run, over the past 10 years I have had a more than a few "best runs" coned away.

Excellent running!

Oh, and Slim. I don't seem to have the problem with head room with my helmet on as I'm only 5'9". I do bump my head every once in a while, I can't imagine how you can even fit!

 

Geez...a Mazda gotcha huh?

 

So soloIIracer, when are you running another national type event? Looks like you're in the groove with it.
I haven't bought one yet. Just been looking around. I've been admiring the ones I've seen around. Looks like it could be a fun car to drive.

 

They are fun to drive. I won't be making another National event until Nationals (if I can afford to go). I am unemployed at the moment and don't have the money to drop to make the trip out to Topeka. I know Bryan will be there with his co-driver.

 

How expensive is it to go? Just curious.

 

Well you figure entry fee of $110. Lodging will cost at least $200 even when you split a room because you are there for several days. Gas will cost in the couple hundred dollar range because it is over 1,000 miles each way. A new pair of rear tires would cost over $600. I have a brand new pair of fronts that I could use at Nationals because I have a good set of fronts that should last me until then. I will need new rears though because my rears now are almost toast and the new rears I have will likely have many runs on them by then. So you are looking at close to $1,000 and that doesn't include food or unexpected expenses which always needs to be budgeted in.