How many people AutoX

[Elff]

I am just curious about how many people actually AutoX their Sky's.

[RedHeaded RedLine]

Originally Posted by Elff

I am just curious about how many people actually AutoX their Sky's.

We both do. -J

[sky flip]

Originally Posted by Elff

I am just curious about how many people actually AutoX their Sky's.

Yes and what a blast. It's a way to get to learn what you cars all about, Sky or not.

[snaponbob]

Ya mean like this?



Two seasons, only Sky at SCCA Nationals last year and so far this year. Hopeless against well driven GXO Z0K's and S2000's but still beat a bunch of them anyway. I sure wish other Sky's would show at Topeka.
BTW, that A/SP geal was a one time deal - the car runs A/Stock.

[BigSkyCountry]

Another vote.

[Elff]

SnapOnBob
I am hoping to get to a level of skill where I can compete nationally.
I know I will be at a disadvantage against the Solstice, but I don't care.

Can you PM some pics that show off those stripes better?
I was looking into adding those to my White Sky.

Thanks

I am looking to do the Warminster, PA event this saturday. If anyone else is going, post up.

[Daywalker]

+1

I have to disagree with Bob on hopeless against well driven GXP and S2000. A certain Sky RL was 2nd the first day at the DC ProSolo and ended up 4th Overall in AS. The driver had never driven the car before the event, and the car was not fully prepped and on old rubber. Setup was catback, shocks, and tires only. Still need list for this car is as follows: New rubber, front bar, brake pads and lightweight rims. Unfortunitely the co-driver could not remove his head from his rear and ended up 14th. You just need to approach the setup different than the ZOK GXP.

[Elff]

I do think a well driven sky can beat the S2000 in just about any setting.
I really tried to like them and test drove them a couple of times and I was just never impressed with the power. The handling was decent but didn't blow me away. IMHO they are a dog until you get up to an RPM where the Sky has plateaued on it's max torque.

It should come down to a well driven car between the sky and solstice.
I don't think the Z0K gives them that much of an advantage in AutoX.
With equal rims/tires and brake pads, and upgraded shocks on the sky, it should come down to driver skill.

That being said, one of the best drivers in the philly area has a Z0k solstice.
So he has the skill and a killer car to back it up.

[RobL]

Originally Posted by Elff

It should come down to a well driven car between the sky and solstice. I don't think the Z0K gives them that much of an advantage in AutoX. With equal rims/tires and brake pads, and upgraded shocks on the sky, it should come down to driver skill.

That being said, one of the best drivers in the philly area has a Z0k solstice.
So he has the skill and a killer car to back it up.

The Z0K Solstice mentioned above is mine. I'm the owner and the fast driver, Dave I assume you mean, is co-driving this year.

I drove the Solstice before the Z0K. It has the same shocks and sways as the Sky. It was wallowy and non-responsive. An aggressive alignment and Koni singles did not help much. Just before Nationals of last year, when I was literally days before selling the car, the Z0K package was announced and I put it on the car. Total transformation. The car handled and was responsive. Dave and I finished just out of trophies.

We then buy a set of custom valved double adjustable Konis. It transformed the car yet again.

By way of comparison - at the DC Pro:
T 1 81 Jonathan Roberts 2005 Subaru STi Slv 58.521
T 2 72 Dave Heinig 2007 Pontiac Solstice G 59.096
T 3 90 Christopher Carris 2008 Subaru STI Wht 59.201
T 4 141 Eric Peterson Saturn Sky Blu 59.223
T 5 99 John Vitamvas 2000 Porsche Boxster S 59.251
T 6 172 Robert Leone 2007 Pontiac Solstice 59.423

Eric Peterson is a much better driver than either Dave or me. Eric's car is on custom shocks too but stock springs. They have a lower spring rate and his car might actually sit lower than mine.

[Elff]

Originally Posted by RobL

The Z0K Solstice mentioned above is mine. I'm the owner and the fast driver, Dave I assume you mean, is co-driving this year.

I drove the Solstice before the Z0K. It has the same shocks and sways as the Sky. It was wallowy and non-responsive. An aggressive alignment and Koni singles did not help much. Just before Nationals of last year, when I was literally days before selling the car, the Z0K package was announced and I put it on the car. Total transformation. The car handled and was responsive. Dave and I finished just out of trophies.

We then buy a set of custom valved double adjustable Konis. It transformed the car yet again.

By way of comparison - at the DC Pro:
T 1 81 Jonathan Roberts 2005 Subaru STi Slv 58.521
T 2 72 Dave Heinig 2007 Pontiac Solstice G 59.096
T 3 90 Christopher Carris 2008 Subaru STI Wht 59.201
T 4 141 Eric Peterson Saturn Sky Blu 59.223
T 5 99 John Vitamvas 2000 Porsche Boxster S 59.251
T 6 172 Robert Leone 2007 Pontiac Solstice 59.423

Eric Peterson is a much better driver than either Dave or me. Eric's car is on custom shocks too but stock springs. They have a lower spring rate and his car might actually sit lower than mine.

I hear what you are saying but it's really tough looking at only .127 time difference as 100% the car vs. 1 driver having the day of his life and another having very close to the driving day of his life.
That's SOOOOOOO close.

It's a shame you didn't try the car with just the Koni's first, then the Z0K.
That would have been a real good comparison of what a maxed out AS class Sky suspension would be like compared to an AS class maxed out solstice.
My point is due to the restriction on swapping springs in AS class.
The sky doesn't have the benefit of a ZOK package that can be purchased WITH the car, therefore it is stuck with the FE3 springs and no rear brace option.

Good stuff tho, thanks for reply and information.

[RobL]

Originally Posted by Elff

I hear what you are saying but it's really tough looking at only .127 time difference as 100% the car vs. 1 driver having the day of his life and another having very close to the driving day of his life.
That's SOOOOOOO close.

Originally Posted by Elff

I don't think the Z0K gives them that much of an advantage in AutoX.

How much time do you think that we are talking about? A 55 second run in AS is PAX equivalent to a 54.3 in SS. That's only 7 tenths of a second between the Z0K Solstice and a Z06 Corvette. If you talk about a suspension package gaining you half a second - it's a lot. If there was power or stiffer springs that would bump the car up another half second or so, it would be a super stock car.

It takes a lot to be able to extract the last couple of tenths from a car, but believe me when I tell you that the Z0K added that time. There wasn't a driver listed above who didn't have the drive of his life that day.

[Elff]

I do understand what your saying. The fact that you state that Eric is a better driver than you and Dave accounts for how close the times are.
It's a humble statement to give someone else credit for their skill.
So that lends slot of credit to your statement.

[RobL]

Originally Posted by Elff

I am looking to do the Warminster, PA event this saturday. If anyone else is going, post up.

Sorry I missed this before.... The event is Sunday not Saturday.

Dave, my wife, and I are all going to be there.

[Daywalker]

Keep in mind that Eric had never driven the car prior to the event and the car is not fully prepped and was on old rubber. I think this makes up for the difference in driver ability. As I recall you had the GXP fully finished with plenty of seat time established and at least two set of tires to use.

I am sure, and I believe Eric would agree that a ZOK package will make a Kappa better, but my point is the gap is not impossible to close without a ZOK package if you are a good driver and have a proper setup.

Eric also coned his best runs on day 2. Probably due to my fault telling him he was a little off the cones on day one. Being he had never driven the car, it took him that weekend to establish the feel for the width of the car. The car does not sit lower that a ZOK, if it did, I could not get it out of my driveway.

I would say you and Dave very well. It was nice meeting you.

[Elff]

Yea, I forgot to change that.
it's tomorrow, not today.

I'm still planning on going. Warminster has a lot of space to make a really great track.
My Wife will be driving her Mini
She will be in Heat #3 and I will be in Heat #4
So we don't even have to wake up early


As far as my personal goals, For me this is all about fun and becoming a better driver.
My biggest competitor is the guy looking back at me in the mirror.

[MidniteBlues]

Well, I myself do not drive autoX, but after looking at it and researching it a little bit, certainly looks like a fun hobby. Plus the fact that it can sharpen your driving skills is interesting.

I think I'm going to look into this sport a little bit and see what is involved and required and perhaps take a spin or 2 with out getting all wacked out with upgrades and updates and spending any extra monies on upgrades or special tires. After all, this is more of a slow speed race against yourself basically. Looks like fun. I bet down here in Florida it is year round too..

[Elff]

The beauty if AutoX is that you can spend as much or as little as you want.
Stock Redlines and Solstice GXPs are in A Stock
2.4 L Skys and Solstices are in H Stock.

All of the rules and alot of great information can be found in the following thread

So You have a Sky and want to race SCCA Solo Now What

There is an equivolent thread on the Solstice Forum.
It details what you can and can't do to stay in the stock class.

And here is the SCCA Home Page

Give it a shot.

Rob and Dave
Good Luck tomorrow.

[Daywalker]

2.4 Skys and Sols are C stock..BTW

[Elff]

Doh! You are correct. My wife's mini is in H stock.
I got confused.
Mr. Murphy was watching us today and her battery died today.
So we has to buy one tonight so she can race tomorrow

[uranium-238]

I plan to. I'd very much like to have a better feel for autocross before I show up to an event, so I plan on taking the autocross school the DC group offers. Since I've missed out on that for the year I'll be waiting till next year to run. Gives me more time to get a few upgrades in.

I also plan on drag racing at the local track, MIR. Might hit that up as early as next friday.

[MidniteBlues]

Well, looking into my area in S. Florida, found 2 tracks/site.. One is Moroso which is out commission for renovation, and homestead www site is not working or at least the link ain't working.. Looks like its gonna have be a much bigger investment of time which I will do over time..