Looking forward to 2012...

[Ben951]

Hi All!

I missed out on the end of the season, getting the car ready (944 Turbo S) so it would be safe and perform well. Looking forward to meeting the bunch of you and doing some caravans and meeting good people.

Looks like March is the normal get started time. I should have my final tune-ups and things done by the end of this year or end of January, weather permitting!

[betegh9]

Nice!..... and welcome to the RTR forum where all the cool people are.  If you haven't done many or any driving events, I recommend you to start with some AX events under your belt to learn car control.  It is fun, competitive and a good group to help you through the ropes.

[Ben951]

I did 1 AX with my 89T, destroying my rebuilt control arm. Then throw my normal daily driving (mini-autoX every day), I destroyed both rebuilt arms. I now have low mileage factory arms (5k).

I have done autoX with my 87 MK1 MR2 as well. AutoX was not enjoyable in the 951 because just as I was making power it was time to brake then turn again. Short courses of course.

I will probably take my crx on the autoX just for fun. It makes no power (69HP), but it weighs 1900 and costs nothing to run.

[MikeKling]

I will echo Nick's welcome to RTR.  Nick's modesty precludes him from telling you his credentials, which are numerous.  He is a very accomplished driver and Instructor.  His advise to do AX's is excellent. I'll add a few words of advise (which aren't credentialed at all).

First, PhillySCCA runs a winter AX series so you can get a jump on learning your car handling for this spring.  Second, I would suggest if you are going to AX in preparation for DE, you use the same car.  At the risk of sounding to Zen, you really need to become one with the car.  Again, my advise and 89 cents will get you a small coffee at WaWa, but as I have progressed thru DE, I have really become in tune with my car.   Maybe not at first, but as your speeds increases you will experience (and be taught) that listening to and learning the feel of your car is just as important as what you see going on outside your car.

I live in West Chester and run a 968 for DE and own a 944.  Please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Mike

[Ben951]

Hi Mike!

Thanks for the advice. I'm just worried after spending $$ for the factory control arms (still pending litigation as to the reimbursement of my 2x rebuilt arms), that if I bust them, I will be on the hook for fabcar, charlie, or similar arms... Trying to save some cash for a down payment on a house. Are good factory arms okay for AutoXing?

I've done the novice thing with PhillySCCA twice now (MR2 and 951S. Tempted to do the winter series, why the heck not!! =) Will look at the schedule... and I want to kill these dumb all seasons I have as my 'winter tires' anyway. =)

[arena]

phoenix_iii wrote:

I did 1 AX with my 89T, destroying my rebuilt control arm. Then throw my normal daily driving (mini-autoX every day), I destroyed both rebuilt arms. I now have low mileage factory arms (5k).

I have done autoX with my 87 MK1 MR2 as well. AutoX was not enjoyable in the 951 because just as I was making power it was time to brake then turn again. Short courses of course.

I will probably take my crx on the autoX just for fun. It makes no power (69HP), but it weighs 1900 and costs nothing to run.

Looking forward to competing with you for the AX Riesentoter championship next year!

[betegh9]

arena wrote:

phoenix_iii wrote:

I did 1 AX with my 89T, destroying my rebuilt control arm. Then throw my normal daily driving (mini-autoX every day), I destroyed both rebuilt arms. I now have low mileage factory arms (5k).

I have done autoX with my 87 MK1 MR2 as well. AutoX was not enjoyable in the 951 because just as I was making power it was time to brake then turn again. Short courses of course.

I will probably take my crx on the autoX just for fun. It makes no power (69HP), but it weighs 1900 and costs nothing to run.

Looking forward to competing with you for the AX Riesentoter championship next year!

Me too!!...............:dude:

[JimWirt]

One thinks your rebuilt control arms were not right for them to break right away. You should talk to who ever did this and get your money back. These cars were designed to be run hard.

[Ben951]

I am. Had the same shop rebuild them, twice (reputable shop, will not name until situation is resolved).

I am out the time, money, and the alignments... I'd rather have the money back but they keep hemming and hawing and are looking into who is at fault (rebuild kit or the builder)...

[michael lang]

Ben951 wrote:

... Trying to save some cash

Boy are you in the wrong addiction!!

Go for the Hershey events (smooth, huge parking lot) with CPA-PCA. When I first got started, I would drive up there, run in the group, and then stay and keep doing the fun runs until they were taking the cones away. Talk about getting a feel for a car's handling dynamics, and that parking lot they use is big enough that you will have no problem using the power.

One other thing that I do in the off season is I reread some of the Speed Secret series and review my end of session notes in my track journal. For you, I would suggest to stay with books 1 & 2 in the beginning (those two are packed with the most useful information) and probably #6 as you gain experience. The others are very boring unless you want to be a pro race car driver or pro team manager/engineer.

Best of luck in getting your car ready and welcome to the drug.