I'm running in the SCCA Auto-cross divisional this weekend in Houston. I have 2 year old stock tires and I'm putting down about 370tq to the ground. The temps on the track should be about 115+ with a high this weekend around 96 degrees. How do I keep the Heat Exchanger temps down? I was thinking of using dry ice on the HE and super charger to reduce temps as I want the SC while on track. I'm afraid the SC will be shut down when the heat builds up. I took 3rd last year in the SCCA Nationals so I feel I can drive but that was in a different car. My competition is a 2007 Saleen Parnelli Jones Edition Orange, a WRX that I took 3rd in last year and on 06 STI.

Do I shift it? Traction control on?

 

3rd at nationals? I'm thinking more like 3rd (and an eternity behind 1st) at the Houston Nat'l Tour, which is a HUGE difference. "Nationals" was in Topeka with a field far bigger and stronger than what you competed in.

Do you shift it? of course.
Traction control on? no way. get it as off as you can legally get it.

 

Excuse me, sorry for the mis-quote. I only do this 3 times a year, maybe. What do you mean an eternity behind first, why the hate? 1st was an unreal civic and 2nd was a prepped R32 vs. 3-4 (same car WRX) all were completely different cars and 2nd was a prepped to the T car and I was in a daily driver WRX wagon. I beat the owner in his own car and he races it every event since 2003. I was recognized at the end of the event and trophied. So why the hate? Is it because I got nationals and national tour mixed up? I'm sorry but you don't have to be an *** about it. I was not trying to be overly impressive by terming nationals and national tour as I was not even thinking Topeka as I did not even know about Topeka cause I hardly ever run solo and I don't follow it. So please don't be hateful, it was an honest mistake.

I have an srt-6 auto, so my question was leave it or go to manual, I guess you mean go to manual mode and I kinda figured that but wanted to know any tricks for a tail happy SRT6.

 

Wasn't meant to be "hate" so much as a reality check. You said you "feel you can drive" because of that 3rd (which does sound to me like you're trying to be impressive)...I was curious because I was pretty sure I knew all the serious national autoxers on this forum (which is 2 as far as I know)...so I went back and checked some results. As for an "eternity," well, it was. 5+ secs is forever in autocross. Check your time against the STS cars (or other slower classes like GS or HS) in the event and maybe you'll get a sense for what I'm getting at.

Sorry if it comes across as hateful.

I would think you'd want manual mode...you want as much control over what gear you're in as possible. As for tail happy, you just have to be gentler with the right foot (I would think power-on oversteer is the only kind of tail happiness you'd get unless you've done something very significant suspension-wise.

 

I feel I can drive as I have been racing, track day, kart racing and drag racing in one form or another for 25 years. I started in karts at 13, ran regional SCCA events at Hallet, Lake Charles and Texas World Speedway and drove for Firestone as a test driver for 6 months before getting injured. I have boxes full of plaques and 70+ trophies for various forms of racing. Then on top of it, 6 land speed racing class 1st or 2nd place medals 150mph and 170mph class. I have won a few drag racing events but it's boring to me. I auto-x seldom if ever as it's 7 hours of standing around and maybe 4-6 runs at 1 minute each and I don't like it much. I enjoy hanging out with my friends so I get out and do Drags and Auto-X a couple times a year. I can still outrun people 60+ pounds lighter than me in Karts and I have had 3 spinal reconstructions, 1 shoulder and 1 hip replacement, thanks USMC. I have been a hired driver at Monterey Historics, Sears Points and Laguna Seca back in the early 90's. When I get past my next spinal reconstruction I plan on getting back to track days but it's all about passing the physical. I was not in the mood to type all of that so I tossed out one little blurb and I messed that up.

There is my reality check, I feel I can drive.

My sponsorship and my car


That would be me holding the 1st place Auto-X team trophy, I was third.


That would be me on the left, holding another Auto-X trophy, 2nd place-not in my car.


My car at the Texas Mile, 1st place.

 

Good luck at the divisional.

 

Thanks, I'm getting 2 bricks of dry ice to cool the HE and SC and will remove them before each run. I'm getting tires today as well. It looks like a 2nd gear course most of the way from what I have heard. I'm getting a performance alignment at my local SCCA shop but it all comes down to tires and tightening the nut behind the steering wheel.

It will be fun to hang out in 97 degree heat / 78% humidity

Maybe a bottle of this will help.

 

Well I had a great time but was unable to get the tires I wanted so I ran on dead Continentals and it was a joke. I hit one cone with the rear of the car as I slid a corner but held it. I ran a best of a 64.009 and fast time in SM was 60.108. It's been said 1000's of times, tire, tire and tires. I really wanted to just hang out and have a bit of fun with my friends and I know tires and an alignment would help in a big way. I had a great time and hope to get my next spinal operation done this week and then I can start working on the car a bit.

 

Hey H.K.,
Glad to hear you had a good time racing even with dead tires. Any day racing is better than sitting at home.

I gotta say, I missed the brunette option in the Subaru manual. Great find, Great choice! That makes a day at the track even better!

Good luck with the surgery!

Later,
KrzyFast

 

She is a red head and a friend as my wife was going what does that mean, then I scrolled back up. I had a young lady at the track with me, were picking up the driver sheets on course between runs and I was thinking, how did you see that and how did he know she was a brunette?

My body is killing me today, I honestly feel like I feel down stairs.

 

Hey H.K.,

I meant no disrespect. Just making an observation about an attractive women standing next to your car.
My monitor isn’t the greatest, so she looked like a brunette. Again, sorry about that. Wasn’t trying to say anything bad.

Glad to hear that you had a good time at the track. Keep us posted on your upcoming events.
Cheers,
KrzyFast

 

No worries in any way as for a bit I could not understand who you were talking about until I scrolled up. My wife was a blond when we meet a brunette for awhile and now a red head. I'm surrounded by women(it's the price we pay with our cars) and I thought it was funny. You should meet that women in the pic in real life, she will ruin most men and the wheelie away as she steals your bike. She is something out of a movie.

My spinal operation has been pushed back to Friday so if everything goes right, I can be back in a car in 90 days or just in time for the www.texasmile.com event.

Did I mention, that I love this car?

 

Cool H.K.

Best of luck with the surgery. Wish I was closer - the Texas mile would be a blast to watch and to participate in.

Later,
KrzyFast

 

I am hoping to make the Texas Mile event this October. Can you share any tips for a "newbie".