A lonely SVT doing well at Nationals

[Zewerr]

It's funny that you mention the Fiat. There was an Abarth running in G-stock with the rumor floating around that it got on two wheels two separate times. I didn't get to see it personally, but I did watch some runs, and there definitely didn't seem like there was much on that inside from wheel on hard cornering.

Anyway, thanks guys. I just got back home a few hours ago after another 1700 miles. The rain on day two was not a factor for any class or run group. In a perfect world, on day one, I don't think there was any way that my car could have matched Greg Reno's time. I think the two main points that put me at a disadvantage on that course was the sharp right hander after the back slalom, and the ring of fire at the end, which the narrower Mini didn't have to squeeze through it. As far as day two is concerned, I do believe that my car would have been able to get fast time on that course, but I would have had to do everything near perfect.

Though, it was only my first trip to Nats, I was originally disappointed in the results. I was hoping to run out of there with a new red jacket, lots of new tires and contingency winnings, and my picture in the next Sports Car. But after I reflected on it, I'm still pretty happy for a podium finish.

As promised, here are some videos.

Day 1 - I'm not sure if this is my second or third run. Apparently one of my runs didn't record.

YouTube Video

Day 2 - This is my third and technically fastest run. My second run was a faster dirty run which I liked better, and would rather show you, but it requires a lot of editing which I'm too lazy to perform. So here's my third run that's good enough to simply upload. The lines I take are horrible in this run.

YouTube Video

One pict I took before I started packing


And on the way home, 40 miles outside of Lincoln, I got hit by a deer.

[mac.mogul]

Originally Posted by tigercrazy718

fiat 500s cant run unless theyre the abarth. theyre too tall compared to the width. at least thats what my local region says

I have heard several reports that they are very roly-poly at auto-x events and road courses.
They definitely need to be lowered and have weight removal before they are safe to race.

[ecugrad]

Originally Posted by Zewerr

It's funny that you mention the Fiat. There was an Abarth running in G-stock with the rumor floating around that it got on two wheels two separate times. I didn't get to see it personally, but I did watch some runs, and there definitely didn't seem like there was much on that inside from wheel on hard cornering.

I know the guys who ran the Abarth, I'll have to ask them when I see them at the next local event.

Nice vids Bill, those courses are just wildly different than anything we get to see locally. Its almost like a totally different sport!

[GodLovesUgly]

WOW... Lincoln looks like so much fun.. reminds me of an old venue we use to have out in Wendover, NV.
i need to get out there.
Nice runs Bill!

[klodkrawler05]

Originally Posted by Zewerr

Though, it was only my first trip to Nats, I was originally disappointed in the results. I was hoping to run out of there with a new red jacket, lots of new tires and contingency winnings, and my picture in the next Sports Car. But after I reflected on it, I'm still pretty happy for a podium finish.

I had similar hopes driving the purple dodge neon in FSP, sadly I didnt fare anywhere near as well as you! 11th out of 16 (my co-driver whose been racing the neon for 5 years placed 6th)

Being the only SP car at nationals still on stock shocks probably didnt help our chances (they came with koni yellows from the factory but we didnt have coilovers)

I kept walking by your car on Wednesday hoping to stop and talk to you but never saw you! are you actually running AST shocks? how do you like them if so?

Originally Posted by ecugrad

Nice vids Bill, those courses are just wildly different than anything we get to see locally. Its almost like a totally different sport!

Thats exactly right!

local events for me are between .5-.75 miles long and typically average 60-75 second times. both the east and west course were a full mile long and we saw times in the low 60's on the west course! and high 60s on the east. which basically means the west course was twice as fast as I'm used too

Its an extremely tough learning curve in a car you've only done 5 runs in prior to nationals.

and those slaloms were 30 paces cone to cone vs the 15 paces at local events. I literally had to unlearn how I slalom and just go WOT through them while holding on for dear life!


Either way congrats on showing the focus can still be competitive nationally!

[mac.mogul]

Originally Posted by klodkrawler05

and those slaloms were 30 paces cone to cone vs the 15 paces at local events. I literally had to unlearn how I slalom and just go WOT through them while holding on for dear life!

THAT sounds fun!

[Zewerr]

Originally Posted by klodkrawler05

are you actually running AST shocks? how do you like them if so?

Nah. I'm just trying to collect AST gift certificates. I'm running on GAZ shocks. I'm considering using AST when I go STF, but I probably won't, since they're about three times the cost of anything else (even with a $750 off coupon I already have).

Originally Posted by klodkrawler05

and those slaloms were 30 paces cone to cone vs the 15 paces at local events. I literally had to unlearn how I slalom and just go WOT through them while holding on for dear life!

One of our locals uploaded this video of one of his runs on the east course where he was riding the rev limiter through the entire rear slalom.

YouTube Video

[wrc_fan]

good job!

[AliasJerk]

what exhaust are you running? It sounds out of this world!

[Zewerr]

Top speed 3 inch aluminum dressed with a Motordyne titanium tip. It's borderline too loud for me, especially cruising on the trip to and from. I probably should have opted for the third muffler. But it's usually around 85-88 db on the autocross course, so well within limits.