Tail of the Dragon Auto-X

[Al Navarro]

I thought I'd start this thread to start a discussion about the Auto-X that's planned for Sunday of the July Tail of the Dragon meet. Since it's event specific, I started it over here as opposed to the Auto-X area (which seems much more nationally oriented).



I'm sure Mazda will move the thread if he feels otherwise.



Perhaps people can chime in on classes and format of the day...supposedly, we'll get in 6 runs per car. I've never auto-x'd before, so I don't know if the first few runs are "Qualifiers" to put you into a group with similarly paced cars.



Would also be kind of funny to have a "constructors challenge" where each distrib/manufacturer/dealer brings his/her "ringer" and competes for friendly bragging rights.<edited><editID>Al Navarro</editID><editDate>2007-01-25 09:50:36</editDate></edited>

[stevet]

I'll be a novice too, so some advice/instruction (informal) would be appreciated.

[slngsht]

Steve, are you up for driving to Baltimore for a school in the spring?

[stevet]

Could be. I'm also going to look for one in Richmond - a tad closer and a more scenic drive!

[slngsht]

If you sign up for one, let me know, and maybe I'll drive down that way.



See if you can find a school as opposed to a regular autox. Both are good for learning. You just get more seat time in a school

[Al Navarro]

Might be nice to connect some novices with more experienced guys...to walk us through the course (literally and figuratively).

[DeanG]

Auto-X schools.



I don't think there is much going on in Richmond however the Southside (Virginia Beach and South to the NC border) have a few schools each year. The SCCA traditionally has one informal auto-X school and a 1-2 day Evolution school every spring. These are held at the old airfield in beautiful downtown Pungo. About 2-3 hours from Richmond.

[slngsht]

Auto-X schools.



I don't think there is much going on in Richmond however the Southside (Virginia Beach and South to the NC border) have a few schools each year. The SCCA traditionally has one informal auto-X school and a 1-2 day Evolution school every spring. These are held at the old airfield in beautiful downtown Pungo. About 2-3 hours from Richmond.



I don't know where Pungo is, but if it's in NC, maybe that's where forum member Old Yellow runs his autox schools. I'm pretty sure when I talked to him over a year ago, he mentioned an "old airfield".



I took an EVO school last year. I was pretty disappointed with the instruction. They couldn't beat my time in my car http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/nonod.gif. I didn't really learn a whole lot there. I haven't let Brian Garfield who runs the DC schools drive Frankn7 yet, but he is a capable driver, and I feel like I can pick up alot from his schools. He can jump in most cars, and drive FAST the first time out... I think he still beats my times in my car by 1.5 seconds in a 45 second course. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cuss.gif



Also, the DC level 1 school does a decent job with basic drills, like the figure 8 drill, which is important when starting out in autox.

[DeanG]

I took a quick look at the Evolution site http://autocross.com/evolution/modules/news/ and they are having a Just In Time school for our purposes:



June 24,25 2007&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Virgina Beach, VA, Phase 1- Phase 2

Greg Smith 757-463-2793 mr.beachcomber@juno.com



I have worked the Phase 1 & 2 schools and taken the Phase 1 school. The school was fun and I learned some things. It's nice to be able to ask specific questions of someone who wants to help and is knowledgeable. Lots of track time (as auto-x goes).



If you have an extremely low car check with Greg (He is the SCCA contact for the school who is both knowledgeable and a good guy. Even though he drives corvettes he appreciates 7’s) about the condition of the facility. A few years ago an extremely low set 7 went off course took out its oil pan at the Evolution school held in Pungo.



Sign up early. These events get sold out. I was late signing up once and was shut out.



Send me a private email if you like.

[Paul]

Hi Hope I am in the right place trying to register for the 777 auto cross. Have a Stalker red and black my number is77 name Paul Perry thanks Paul

[slngsht]

Paul, sent you a PM with what to do for registration.



cheers.

[stevet]

I just signed up for a beginners school at Verona, Va on June 9th, organized by the Blue Ridge section of SCCA :cheers:

[R1 Seven]

I just signed up for a beginners school at Verona, Va on June 9th, organized by the Blue Ridge section of SCCA :cheers:

I am likely to be one of your instructors...our registrar sent me message yesterday coaxing me to come and instruct...he used your entry as bait. :)

You should enjoy the school. We have a good time, and for the money, it is very worthwile.

[Al Navarro]

Steve-You bastard! I thought we were going to dive Thelma and Louise style into this thing as bona fide novices. That's it, I'm going to compensate for my lack of ability and training with horsepower mods and tire warmers.:d

I keeed of course. What little spare change I have this year will be dedicated to the trailer. Very cool to have that opportunity Steve, and to get Jeff U. as your instructor. If you beat my times, however....:cry:

[stevet]

Al, who are you calling a barsteward :cheers: It's true, I gave in, forgive me:blueangel: I already have a tire warmer - trouble is I'm wearing it, plus you have over 50 bhp on me you bugger... and you weight about 50 lbs less, and have all your own hair! Jealous, moi? :banghead:

Jeff, it will be great to meet you. Having watched some of your vids I'm already feeling a tad intimidated. You're welcome to do a run in my seven (ideally with me as passenger) - though it might feel a bit tame after yours :d

Steve.

[slngsht]

Man, I feel like I'll be missing a good time :(

[R1 Seven]

Jeff, it will be great to meet you. Having watched some of your vids I'm already feeling a tad intimidated. You're welcome to do a run in my seven (ideally with me as passenger) - though it might feel a bit tame after yours :d



Don't even begin to feel intimidated. The number one goal here will be to have fun...learning will be much easier once we start doing that. There is really no pressure there either. Everyone can get as much out of it (or not) as they want to. We are a pretty laid back group for the most part.

[stevet]

Thanks Jeff. Good to know.:thumbs:

[slngsht]

Don't even begin to feel intimidated. The number one goal here will be to have fun...learning will be much easier once we start doing that. There is really no pressure there either. Everyone can get as much out of it (or not) as they want to. We are a pretty laid back group for the most part.



:rofl:


:jester:

[Al Navarro]

Check out the list of entrants for the "other half" of the TotD Auto-X:

http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEntryList.Show?psevent_id=6989&psrnd=.71896700293458510887581859916976406114

Think a Se7en will still take FTD — including all classes? There's a woman/girl in a kart thrown in for good measure.

[slngsht]

I don't know what Street Touring eXtreme is... Scott Gibson is running there with his Cooper.
The kart obviously has a chance to crush everybody, but don't count out the others.
At the last EVO school, there was a Camaro within .5 seconds of my time :eek: Granted, he had spent several years on his setup, and my car axle hopped so bad, it was difficult to put the power down, but he beat all the Miatas there (yes, even Miatas on slicks). On a tight course like that, I would have never thought a big car like that would be as quick as it was. Driver has a lot to do with it, but I guess our group will have its share of really good autocrossers.

[yellowss7]

Al, it's a FJ kart. J as in Junior. Surely you won't let a kiddie cart beat you:willy: :willy: :willy: :rofl: :seeya: Tom

Maybe you should show up at this Sunday's autox in Warminster, Pa. to get some practice in. DMod works first, runs second, should be done by 1:30PM. Home by 2:30. Tom

Mazda, was the driver Sam Strano? He's incredible!!!

[slngsht]

I did not get his name. :nonod:

[Al Navarro]

I don't think I could get that sort of present for Father's Day Tom!

Besides, my car is still laid up waiting for a hose from UK.

[yellowss7]

Al, what hose are you waiting for? I have a couple of hoses that came with my car that I didn't use. I have atleast 2 differnt hoses from the radiator to the water rail. Let me know. Tom

[slngsht]

Besides, my car is still laid up waiting for a hose from UK.

The hose is probably made in NJ :D

[Al Navarro]

Al, what hose are you waiting for? I have a couple of hoses that came with my car that I didn't use. I have atleast 2 differnt hoses from the radiator to the water rail. Let me know. Tom

It's the upper radiator hose, but similar to the one for the old BDR...since it comes off the water rail near the front of the engine, not from the rear like most Zetec installations. It is allegedly in the mail according to Caterham UK.

[scannon]

Al,

I've had good luck wandering through the racks of radiator hoses at local parts stores looking for likely candidates for my various engine configurations. Having your old hose along to compare just might score you a readily available replacement. There are literally hundreds of shapes, sizes and configurations in stock to compare to.

I found a Cadillac Escalade hose about 3' long that with a little trimming on each end goes from the rear water outlet on the Miata engine to the Caterham race radiator exactly as if it were designed for it.

[yellowss7]

Al, if it's the S or sort of Z shaped one, I have one you can have. If you think that the one I can get a photo and upload it. Let me know. Tom

[Al Navarro]

It's this one...

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1041567368_594_2B.JPG.jpg

[yellowss7]

Al, that looks to be about the same as the one for my Rover k set up. Not in Silicone, but I do have a new one in my parts collection. If you need it let me know. And as for Mazda's wisecrack, It has a made in England tag. :d Tom

[yellowss7]

Al, I'm just about to head to the post office. Just to confirm, the hose I have seems to be slightly different than the one in your picture. Similar bends but not as sharp. The Top bend seems to go slightly up and it's not as long as the one in the photo. I think it might be close enough, but there is really no give in my hose as it's rubber not Silicon, and if you need that tighter bend at the top, this one will not make it.

I'll wait to hear from you first. Tom

[Al Navarro]

Tom-

If it comes with a "if it does not fit, you may return" then by all means send it. I'll reimburse you for the postage either way. Still have not received hose from UK. Was supposedly in the mail last week. Funny, I got my 50th Anniversary hat in about a week. Thanks for the help.

-Al

[yellowss7]

On, My way. Tom

[Kitcat]

What's the gas station situation at the Tail? My Caterham holds a mere 7 gallons and spirited driving can use that up pretty fast.

[slngsht]

there is one with a store on the dragon itself (with the tree of shame)... and at the bottom in Robinsville

[Al Navarro]

Actually, we will have premium Texaco on tap at Tapoco. There is also a gas station at Fontana. The 100 octane supplier turned out to be too $$$ to be worthwhile...would have been like $9 a gallon.

Be sure to fill up in Maryville if you are anywhere near a quarter tank or less. I nearly ran out back when I was there in April, Pilot sputtered once and I just made it to the Deal's Gap gas before they closed for the day.

[snettleship]

I plan on bringing my race setup:

- Sony 8mm Handycam
- Remote helmet cam attached to top of roll bar.

[hr-k]

Hi,

I signed for autocross a few months ago, but there was no option to pay. Do we pay on site and how much will it be?
Is there a collected schedule for the weekend with places where one needs to be.

Heikki, original handraiser who has then fallen off the sledge.

[Al Navarro]

HRK-

We tried to email you several times...hopefully you have a room booked somewhere already.

I'm going to update the main Tail of the Dragon thread with the schedule now...

People who are in the same situation should just show up at Tapoco on Friday July 6th and pay the reg fees in person...cash or check only.

-Al