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Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 11 2006, 11:48 PM

Saturday October 28

Last event of the season....
I have been asked to design the course for our Halloween event....

I have submitted a design, and am waiting to hear back from the "group of four" to see if it is going to be approved.

Hopefully this course will strike everyone as a "Treat" and not a " Trick"

I have tried to address some of the suggestions and complaints that have been aired over the last few months, here and elsewhere.
It will be wider than the courses of late and will avoid the 180deg switchback turns we have been seeing of late. Oh and NO loops and a lot less cones.

I will post it as soon as I get approval...

Posted by: Rotten Robby Oct 12 2006, 12:15 AM

Dan,

I am sure it will be great. I will try to be there... I think we have an event the day before but I haven't checked my schedule.

Rob

Posted by: nine14cats Oct 12 2006, 12:33 AM

If our agressive build schedule goes as planned Randal and I will be there for the inaugural AX of "Lucille".

Bill P.

Posted by: nine14cats Oct 12 2006, 08:38 AM

Man...I don't miss those days...

Do you get to fly business class? I was lucky enough that my company allowed me the biz class option due to my amount of time over in Asia. When I traveled coach....that blew chow....

Bill P.

Posted by: Chris Hamilton Oct 12 2006, 08:44 AM

Can't wait to see it.

Posted by: trekkor Oct 12 2006, 08:52 AM

I'll try to make this one , too.
I'll run the 710's all day as well.


KT

Posted by: nine14cats Oct 12 2006, 09:05 AM

Thanks Chris,

It should be fun. The Boxster can't compete for TTOD against you folks as it will be too heavy. The car is being built to a track spec, so we'll see how it goes. Ken Jones and Boris Elpiner are the only two Boxster drivers consistently finishing in the top 15 at the AX's and Ken has several top 10's. That will most likely be our target for success. Good day if we grab a top 15, great day if we grab a top 10. For this first AX, I have no idea what to expect from the car. It may be fun to stick around for fun runs and have Andrew drive it as well and give us his impressions....

Next year we will try to give you a run for your money with BPR's Raby monster. And Fritz may make an appearance or two next year as well.

Bill P.

Posted by: Randal Oct 12 2006, 09:50 AM

"Treat and not a Trick"..... You would bring that up.

I trust that the imbecile move made at the Monster Park Halloween course, a few years ago, doesn't get repeated.

Not everyone, including myself, was told that there was a major course change made at lunch. Actually there were two.

I ended up going off the course at about 60mph when I came to a broad "sweeper" that had been changed into a 90 degree corner; on the fastest part of the course.

That little exercise gets my vote for the stupidest thing I ever seen done at a GGR event. Someone could have been hurt.

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 12 2006, 09:54 AM

think they'd take a shifter kart?

Posted by: Randal Oct 12 2006, 10:01 AM

Why don't you e-mail Bill.

At the very least you'd think he'd let you run during the fun run time. Just show up late and run. You probably want to offer to help clean up, the track that is as we know your time would shine.

Do you need his e-mail address?

Posted by: Randal Oct 12 2006, 04:36 PM

OT, but responding to Grant’s comments:

Having traveled to Asia about as much as anyone alive I have strong opinions on "business class travel." If a company doesn't support this they are simply putting their people into a mental/physical deficit that will cost them business.

We were pretty lucky in the 90's as our company paid for business class, but we always secured upgrades to first. My last three years traveling to Asia was all first class.

Of course going west is a lot easier than east. It is extremely important, when heading east to sleep as much as possible to keep the dreaded “Jet Lag” syndrome away. The three things that guarantee you'll have huge jet lag are booze, lack of sleep and dehydration. Put those three together, in a different time zone and you just lost 20% of your brain.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 12 2006, 05:35 PM

OK....here is the course in rudimentary status...

I like to make my final decisions and adjustments on the ground....

But the course should be very similar to what you see here...
Minimum width is 30', it will be even wider if the area allows...I am going to try to also have at least 30' at the gates and boxes also....no narrow stuff if possible.



Nomex on


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Posted by: Randal Oct 12 2006, 05:45 PM

Looks like a fun course.

Only observation, if the course isn't lined there are parts that will become, "sea of cones."

What is the plan?

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 12 2006, 05:45 PM

Yes Grant but the right side of the course should favor the HP cars...

Randal, course will be lined.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Oct 12 2006, 06:06 PM

Why do you line course again??

My instructors tell me to look "ahead"

I dont follow the white lines on a road course, why would I follow them on an AutoX course.

Honestly.. I have never seen them while running a course. I must be focusing on something else??



B

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 12 2006, 06:08 PM

Brad, GGR/zone7 rules mandate the course to be lined....we also do it to make it more newbie friendly.

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Oct 12 2006, 10:16 PM

Are there girls at the Alaemda AX?
JK - but I am hoping to go this time and find out for myself. Straight line is the fastest , right?

Posted by: trekkor Oct 12 2006, 10:28 PM

I'm looking foward to this one, Dan.


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 12 2006, 10:39 PM

Good, at least there will be a few914s this time...last time it was just me and the Smurf.

Posted by: Rotten Robby Oct 13 2006, 09:23 AM

No kidding? You're looking forward to this one Trekkor? AS IF there was an autocross or track event you dreaded!!!!

Posted by: Demick Oct 13 2006, 09:31 AM

I'm in. Hope I remember how to drive.

Demick

Posted by: Brad Roberts Oct 13 2006, 01:51 PM

I know it is the rule, but do you honestly *believe* it helps the newbies? Your professional opinion

My personal opinion: waste of time


B

Posted by: Randal Oct 13 2006, 03:21 PM

Guess it depends upon whether or not you want the drivers looking for better lines or just looking for cones.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Oct 13 2006, 03:46 PM

They use a taller apex cone down here and "semi" place it in the right spots. There is NO way you will line a course down here. It would take 3 50lb bags of white powder to cover a 1.3 mile course..LOL

The white lines GGR uses reminds me of a "handicap" or a crutch for the newbies. Make them learn. I dont even look at the lines when I'm watching someone elses video!!! LOL


B

Posted by: trekkor Oct 13 2006, 05:52 PM

I like the lines, always have.

Even if the course is a filthy sea of cones, at least you can still find you way.


KT

Posted by: J P Stein Oct 14 2006, 09:24 AM

We had a small problem at our last AX....no map/s.
They were still in the copying machine, I heard....
So, I laid out the start half and my co-worker laid out the finish half....one of them back of a napkin deals.
I got done & figured I'd beter walk it. I got about 1/3rd of the way thru the finish half
& got lost This is gonna need some work, I sez to myself.
We use pointer arrows in the center of the lane where where things get "iffy" and laydown wall cones meaning "don't go this way".

At ORPCA, the course shown would use about 25% of the cones shown on the map, would prolly be a bit faster for the fast guys, would have a lot less running for the cone chasers.....and wouldn't need any lines as it is pretty simple....maybe an arrow or 2.

Here's a smaple of one of our courses. The long direction is 1000/1200 feet....WAG.
Not necessarly better than GGR, but we are firm believers in KISS.


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Posted by: Randal Oct 14 2006, 03:55 PM

If you read Roger Johnson's SCCA booklet at:

http://www.houscca.com/solo/courses/coursedesign.zip one can learn how-to design a proper course that flows like the video, which is a good example.

BTW if you read Roger's booklet and seriously attempt to build a course, based upon the education you received therein, Roger will critique your design (great feedback).

All in all a good way to keep yourself, as a course designer honest, not designing a 914 or 911 course, but a real autox course that hopefully flows well, isn't a sea of cones, one that allows for lots of driver input and is safe.

Getting a course to flow well at the Marina is always a challenge, especially if you start designing with the safety of the course workers in mind, while Alameda is much easier.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 15 2006, 09:50 PM

Glad to hear Demick and possibly Grant will be in attendance....

Damn,, that means I will be at least two places down the overall standings. And if Trekkor shows....oh well

And if BillP shows with the spec Box.....this is starting to make me sad....
Oh, thats right....I need to teach Bill how to drive the Boxster first....you know...what is the word...oh yea....momentum No more 3.6Ls worth of torque for him.

At least the 914s can end the season kicking some hiney

I only need a 5th or better to win AX 11 for the season....and that is with only 5 attended events out of 9.

Posted by: trekkor Oct 15 2006, 10:18 PM

Oh, I'll be there...

Will you ride along and offer some instruction?


Thanks,

KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 15 2006, 10:39 PM

We'll get together sometime during the day for sure

Posted by: trekkor Oct 15 2006, 10:53 PM

Will you sign me up for A.M. course set-up?


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 15 2006, 11:04 PM

Not my call....that is up to the AX series chairs.

They send out a notification thru the GGR website.

If you aren't signed up to get GGR announcements, you should do that.
The AX chairs send out a notice about a week before the event
You need to respond almost immediately. the jobs fill up fast because it counts as your days work assignment.
They do about 6-8 for course set up, 3-4 for tech and 2 for morning security.

Posted by: trekkor Oct 15 2006, 11:06 PM

Yes, I'm already primed for the notifications. I've signed up many times in the past.

I'll be standing by.


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 16 2006, 08:29 AM

Oh well Grant, just think of that nice fresh motor in your lightened car for next season.

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 19 2006, 08:14 PM

update: might be in driving my 'other car' (me and the future-brother-in-law and his firehawk).

Posted by: grantsfo Oct 19 2006, 10:56 PM

Cool! It will be a big fast sedan shoot out. I just got my fatter tires 235/40/18 BFG KDW2's on BBS replicas for the Mazdaspeed.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 19 2006, 11:19 PM

cool.....sedan racing

should be ineresting with all those transitions at speed

Let's see 3000#s, rear wheel drive, 300+ HP,,,,,can you say snap spin

3400#s, 275+HP, all wheel drive....can you say PUSH

This should be interesting

Posted by: carreraguy Oct 20 2006, 01:22 AM

Finally got 914AROO back from the shop - this will be my first autox in this car - should be "interesting".
Later,

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 20 2006, 09:15 AM

Tom, does that response mean you will be at Alameda?
If so that will be great. It will be great to see your car and see how it runs...

Posted by: carreraguy Oct 20 2006, 11:58 PM

Dan:
Yep - I'm planning on attending. Drove the car at PCA parade laps at Laguna today - great time, but boy it seems slicker than the last time I drove there!! Must be that re-paving for MotoGP.
Later,

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 22 2006, 11:27 PM

Posted by: trekkor Oct 23 2006, 09:39 AM

I won't run out of gas this time.


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 23 2006, 09:41 AM

Posted by: trekkor Oct 23 2006, 09:47 AM

It's OK, I have my "secret Sweeper splitter" now.

Oooooooh....


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 23 2006, 11:05 AM

Tires look a bit larger now too

Posted by: 914forme Oct 23 2006, 03:14 PM

Grant, what camera system do you use?

Posted by: Brad Roberts Oct 23 2006, 06:04 PM

I cant beleive you posted a picture of Zip ties...LOL


B

Posted by: 914forme Oct 23 2006, 06:56 PM

So what do you use to give you this?


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Posted by: nebreitling Oct 24 2006, 06:28 PM

okay, Vladimir and I are confirmed! 3400#s, 350 hp, and a live axle on crappy street tires. should be quite a handful at an AX.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 24 2006, 06:30 PM

should be good for a nice 360 at the far end on the out leg

Posted by: trekkor Oct 24 2006, 06:36 PM

OK, I'm on the set-up team.

I have a 50' tape measure and single wheeled walking measuring meter.
They are available in my truck box if they will help for lay out.


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 24 2006, 07:37 PM

Yes! Bring those out to set up with you....especially the walking meter.

I want to get those measurements between gates pretty close to what I have on the course map.
I guess you got my email from your above statement?

I plan on riding the newbies on the set up crew pretty tightly...no lolly gagging around. The father son team conveniently set up the grid at Candlestick and then disappeared....that is not going to happen this Sat

Larry Sharp says he is going to try to get there pretty early....so we will have him help us so he doen't adjust the course latter

Posted by: trekkor Oct 24 2006, 07:50 PM

Yep, got your e-mail.

I've set up four of my own courses and helped with a dozen or so.

We'll get it done quick and right.
This will be great.


KT

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 24 2006, 07:57 PM

that looks like trackvision software

http://www.trackvision.net/

basically, it will sync up your data logging with your video. been learning ALL about datalogging for the kart.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 25 2006, 09:53 PM

latest revision for the course layout. Less cones


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Posted by: trekkor Oct 25 2006, 10:29 PM

Cones bad...


KT

Posted by: trekkor Oct 25 2006, 10:38 PM

I see myself in 2nd, into third just after the 110 marker, heel/toe, back into 2nd after the 175 marker and on to the finish.

I'm thinking...53 seconds.

This course has the makings of the "most flowing course of Alameda" award.

Nice.


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 25 2006, 10:52 PM

I'm hoping that it will be a quick set up. With the minimum #s of cones we should get this done pretty rapidly. Chalking will take the most time.

Actually I am looking more in the high 40's but who knows. They always look faster than they turn out to be.

The only place with lots of cones will be the finish and that will be to get eveyone slowed down.

Posted by: anthony Oct 25 2006, 11:16 PM

Looks like a fast 911 course!

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 25 2006, 11:21 PM

Not the back half... Bring out the SC, Anthony....then you can see how fast it is.

Posted by: trekkor Oct 25 2006, 11:35 PM

911 Spanktoberfest

Ahh yeahhhh!!


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 25 2006, 11:43 PM

Posted by: anthony Oct 26 2006, 12:15 AM

I was going to bring the 914 for one last hurrah before I upgrade the engine.

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 26 2006, 11:25 AM

course looks great. few areas to open the car up, although I'm a little bit nervous about the opening transitions.

the last few turns are gonna suck in the 'bird....

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 26 2006, 05:56 PM

What do you have planned for your engine Anthony?

I am going to be starting my motor build in November.

Posted by: anthony Oct 26 2006, 07:39 PM

I ordered a Raby 2270 kit when Jake did the 20% off deal. It should be here within a few weeks. It's going to be fun!



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Posted by: nebreitling Oct 27 2006, 11:41 PM

okay! I checked out the firebird tonight, fixed a few minor issues, and we are ready to roll... See you in the morning!

Posted by: trekkor Oct 28 2006, 12:14 AM

I'm like a zombie right now...


Club junkie.


KT

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 28 2006, 07:15 AM

jeez grant, were you able to work a pedicure in there, as well?

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 28 2006, 09:08 PM

By the way the 914club was well represented today.

Tom was there with his son and 914aroo, Demick, Trekkor, Myself and a couple others that I don't know.
Demick and Trek got into the 46s, I had a 47+ with the orange putput.
Grant was scrubbing in his new tire/wheel combination on the Mazdaspeed6, and Nathan was there shredding tires with the Firehawk.

As usual The Smurf was way up on everyone.

By the way the 914club was well represented today.


As usual The Smurf was way up on everyone.

Results hopefully in a day or two.

Posted by: grantsfo Oct 28 2006, 09:37 PM

Great course Dan! That was by far the best course I have driven at Alameda in 3 years. Fast times were low/mid forty second range. Think Andrew B got TTOD again with 43?

Trekkor laid down some mean times today in his 914-6 and the 4 cylinder guys, Demick and Dan, were flying too. Not sure who set the fastest time between all of you?

Nathan and I were battling for big sedan on street tires title (American muscle verses Japanese technology). I had the faster time up until Nathans last run when he laid down a scorching 48.XX. I had one more run to beat him and came up short with a 49.5. Nathan had power and I had traction.

Bill's spec Boxster has one of the best suspensions of any car I have seen at AX recently. Car turns like mad, he can rotate with throttle input. He was carrying much more speed through corners then almost all cars today. Biggest challenge with the Boxster was finding right gear. He was either bogging down in 3rd or hitting rev limiter in 2nd on some parts of todays course.

Posted by: trekkor Oct 28 2006, 09:50 PM

Yes on the course design.

It was very easy to memorize. That was good.

Learning the fastest way around that was another story.

I dropped a 46.6, booyah!!

And, I think Bill and Randal in the Spec Boxster Plus were in the 45.5-46.1 range.

Nice closer to the season.

Huge field of drivers...


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 28 2006, 09:57 PM

Thanks guys....I think the course turned out pretty well.
Thanks to Trek and Randal for helping me with set up and finalization this morning

I think the 914club aquitted itself pretty well today, no matter what kind of whip they were driving.

Trek and Demick deifinitely got me but we will see next season, after I build my new slug for the putput.

Posted by: J P Stein Oct 29 2006, 08:11 AM

For whatever it's worth, Dan, that was the best looking course (at least the map )
that I have seen coming out of GGR. It looked as if you made no attempts to trick it up to lengthen the times....good on you. The finish looked tight, but we do the same thing to slow folks down & protect the timing lights ..... we only lost one reflector this year

Posted by: Demick Oct 29 2006, 11:05 AM

That was a fun autox. I think that was my first autox where I was in 3rd gear before crossing the start line (short shifted so that I wouldn't have to shift after the timing lights). I know there was another second out there for me to get, but I couldn't find it. I know everyone else is feeling the same way. I don't think Dan or Trekkor improved on their morning times which is very unusual.

Until next year!

Posted by: Chris Hamilton Oct 29 2006, 12:07 PM

In my opinion the course was far too open on the first half, ended up being much like a drag strip up to the twisty section. Andrew was getting to around 5,000RPM in 4th gear, which vastly exceeds speeds we've done at other courses. I think I remember andrew's best time being a 42.0-42.1.

Posted by: Demick Oct 29 2006, 12:31 PM

Yeah, it was pretty fast. Mostly a straight shot from the start to the far end of the course. You must have a really low geared tranny to be at 5000rpm in 4th. I was at about 5000rpm in 3rd. But that's nothing compared to an autox at Candlestick a few years back where I was over 5000rpm in 4th. The high hp cars were doing in excess of 110mph on that one!

Demick

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 29 2006, 12:51 PM

The out section (front) was only a drag strip for the 914s. All the 911s, Caymans, Boxsters were either lifting or braking for the one left right about half the way up.

You have to remember that our cars do not gather speed as rapidly as the high hp cars. We also are able to negotiate high speed transitions better than the other cars (even Spec Boxters) because we are not hauling around another 500-1000 pounds.

I guess we need to hear fron andrew about the speeds, since he was driving.
I spoke to him several times during the day and he seemed to be enjoying himself

Do we want the same old 90-180-270-360 (damned loops) type of courses. Or do we want some variety?
I will be happy to design a course in which the 914s never get out of 2nd and the new cars will be mostly in first.

I was using 2nd and 3rd, the spec Box was using 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I am sure many of the 911s were also using 2-3 gears. That adds some excitement, along with some needed skills that many AXers lack. The ability to not only upshift but also downshift in anger....not to mention deciding what gear works best in certain sections. Makes the whole thing a bit more technical, instead of getting the car in 2nd and leaving it there....

IMHO

I guess you can't please everyone

Posted by: nine14cats Oct 29 2006, 01:14 PM

Great fun at the last event of the season!!!

Now that I got some sleep I can think a little more clearly....

I really liked the course. I never did put together a clean run, but I have never claimed to be a good driver.... I just can never remember from run to run what the hell is going on. Combine that with no sleep and you get a 'ed up run...

I'm on the other side of Chris' comments. I thought the course design gave us the best of both worlds and allowed a little bit of something for everyone and every car. Great design Dan! oops...no drinking and driving...

I thought the long high speed first half combined with the twisty second half gave us a course that was "out of the box" in thinking for Zone 7. If you look around at other regions in the U.S, they use far less cones and combine very high speed sections with the low speed stuff. Of course, you have to use the venue's layout to influence the course design, but GGR has access to nice sites. So the layout allowed folks to get into gears and experiences they don't normally see. This brings on other technical challenges (such as braking points, vitual speed, etc). It appears from Dan's design that all makes were bunched together in times, so that makes it a great course in my book!

For Hamilton Racing and the blue car that has dominated the AX series for 2 years running, congratulations on another great season. I for one love what you guys have accomplished! I know that it can get frustrating not getting your due, but what you are seeing is not uncommon. Dominance breeds indifference. Although at times this year Randal and I got within tenths of a second to you, in reality your team spanked the competition. Winning TTOD by SECONDS is pure domination. To put it in perspective, thousandths of a second would be close and tenths would be within shouting distance. Winning by SECONDS is just plain kicking tale! Maybe next year the BPR Raby powered 914 will give you a little better run for the money. We will see.

And special thanks to our own Bill Dally (BillD) and crew for taking the time to run the events. And to all those that put in the hours volunteering and helping out. Our AX series just wouldn't happen without the effort.

It was a great way to end the season. I can't wait for next year!

Bill P.

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 29 2006, 01:25 PM

i haven't seen a real 360 since marina two years ago. full 360 around a center cone is *FUN* ...
Andy

Posted by: grantsfo Oct 29 2006, 01:30 PM

I actually found that fast section to be quite challenging to hit at the right speed. Based on the amount of spins there I think others found it difficult too. Also the braking section into the left corner was rarely done well by most. Most didnt give up enough on that corner and ended up plowing too far right for the next turn. Dan, you set that one up perfectly to catch inexpereinced drivers of high HP cars.

I have been on course setups just as fast if not faster at Marina and at Santa Rosa. I dont think every course should be setup to the advantage of lower powered cars. We need more like this not less. Back in the 70's when Monterey Region ran on the Salinas Airport they used to route cars on to an unused runway and have them do a 180 and head back onto a full out AX course.

On a seperate note, I do like the trend of newer cars doing so well. Its amazing to see almost stock cars coming very close to times set by a stripped down modified AX car on race slicks.

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 29 2006, 01:54 PM

i don't think the course was "far too open" at all. I've been on much faster AX's. I thought the course was quite balanced and fair.

Driving the firehawk was an.... experience. absolutely stupid power with no turn in and pitiful brakes. it's good experience for me to drive different cars, though. Vlad made a huge improvement -- from a 106 to a 54 (there's your 12 seconds, Randal!!). I started at a 53 and ended up with a 48.5 (finally kicked Vlad out of the car on the last run -- that was worth a second).

Grant, your car feels great! i was totally impressed with how much balance it had. of course, you didn't have 350 ft/lbs of torque at the wheels

Trek's car looked great on track, but it sounded like he was having some pretty nasty carb-issues. the spec boxster looked absolutely fabulous through the cones...

Posted by: Randal Oct 29 2006, 02:16 PM

Another perfect day in Autox Heaven; great venue, perfect weather, lots of cars and a great course thanks to Dan.

The course was actually quite challenging. While the first half was high speed (fun) the second half was very technical.

Dan utilized boxes instead of a "lining cone" concept for the course.

Boxes cannot be navigated correctly unless you have the next set (or possibly two) of the (apex) gates/cones in your eye before you finish the box (corner) you’re driving.

After screwing it up all morning I watched the last half, especially toward the end, during my break.

This part was essentially an unequal length offset slalom with pointer cones between to keep people from running over course workers.

I only observed one run group on this most difficult part but Andrew, Dan and Trekkor in this group had this part down. They were getting through there way faster than anyone else in their group.

Probably no ones appreciates the work Dan did to get this course right. Besides a great design which took time and thought, every radius was measured and marked off at 35 feet with a tape. There were also numerous request/demands to change the course which Dan managed to put on the shelf.

Us early morning volunteers didn’t make the drivers meeting as there was much to accomplish even after the cones were set, i.e., setting worker stations, picking up all un-used cones, setting up the starting grid and relocating the porta potties 700 feet from where they dropped them next to the bay, i.e., nice view but a long long walk. (HA. My truck had a DNF even before the first run and it was hauling a real load; I even got yelled at for driving too fast before the first flag dropped).
It ended up being a long day starting at 4:00AM, but I know my partner was tired (all night thrash on Lucille) but that, as usual, didn’t slow him down much.

I’ll hope Bill had a better time keeping his eyes open on the way home. I had to stop for coffee.

And like Bill said, CONGRATULATIONS to the Lee Hamilton team on a job well done for the entire year. Consistently winning by such big margins is a testament to a well prepared car and great driving.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 29 2006, 02:37 PM

We had two of them on two different courses this year at Alameda

Posted by: nine14cats Oct 29 2006, 04:09 PM

Hi Nathan,

I was going to ask how you were rotating the Firehawk through the back of the course? I was watching and thinking to myself how I would do it...maybe trailbrake a little on the hard side....possibly with the left foot and then blip the throttle?....or did you just give it up and toss the car while trail braking?

That car would have been alot of fun to give a go with!

Bill P.

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 29 2006, 04:58 PM

even aggressive trail braking wouldn't overcome the push in the back half of the course -- way too much front bias. i would time my 1st gear clutch uptakes with threshold braking to get the car loose well before my turn-in point. had to be carefull not to over-rev the car doing this (especially since it wasn't mine).

Posted by: Randal Oct 29 2006, 06:37 PM

OK, I believe that as long as you don't say you were trying to save rubber

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 29 2006, 07:03 PM

lol... i was keeping the rears lit up 60 feet at a time!

Posted by: Brad Roberts Oct 29 2006, 07:23 PM

What is a Firehawk? Trans Am? Firebird?


B

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 29 2006, 07:27 PM

Yep!

Posted by: nine14cats Oct 29 2006, 07:29 PM

B,

That car was really fun to watch! Looking at it head on as it accelerated it looked like a dragster....

It was cool!

Bill P.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Oct 29 2006, 07:50 PM

Was it a "true" SLP FireHawk? Those are semi rare cars when equipped with the SLP package. Still a tank..lol, but certainly *different* for a PCA autoX.


B

Posted by: Demick Oct 29 2006, 08:18 PM

The Firehawk was fun to watch. I don't think Nathan completed 1 foot of that course without some wheelspin. Serious HP, and a serious pig in the turns.

One run I noticed that in the braking section at the end of the straightaway, Nathan locked the rear wheels up (fronts still turning). WTF??

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 29 2006, 08:26 PM

nope, "just" a WS6 -- not a true SLP firehawk. custom exhaust, intake, other goodies. dyno'd 330hp/350torque at the wheels. he had it weight at 3800 lbs. Vlad and I pulled out about 300 lbs of stereo the night before. total fucking handful at an AX.

what never ceases to amaze me is that an 80hp 914 on dot-r's can kick its ass.

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Oct 29 2006, 08:28 PM

Now that I've been to an Alemeda event, I wish there was another soon. I managed to go from 101 seconds in my confused first run to 53s all afternoon. I REALLY wish someone had "split times" of the first part of the course vs the second. I had some great runs through the back slaloms but always felt slow after the big straight start. Watching Andrew in the blue 914 attack the final part of the course was awesome, and so was that last run in the red/yellow boxter, all of Nathans runs, sitting shotgun with Demmick at 46.9 sec, and hearing Trekkor's symphony of scraping splitter, carb spitting, and 100db exhaust tone. Thanks again Trek and Demick for all your help!

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 29 2006, 08:34 PM

that's really interesting -- i didn't feel that. i was trying to overwhelm the rears just prior to turn-in by inducing heavy clutch uptake under braking. perhaps, combined with braking, that induced lockup?

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 29 2006, 08:43 PM

True story: we had a party a couple years ago at our house, and Vlad had WAY to much to drink. I had a few too many myself. So I head to bed early. Well, later on, Vlad pukes all up and down our stairs. I'm talking projectile, here. I had cooked steaks earlier, and there were bits of expensive half-digested ribeye EVERYwhere.

I wake up in the middle of the night and this smelly russian ogre of a man is spooning me, with dried bits of vomit on his lips and -- somehow -- in my hair. The next morning, he's nowhere to be found. Guess who got to clean?


Vlad is just beggining to pay me back.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 29 2006, 08:45 PM

Posted by: Brad Roberts Oct 29 2006, 09:41 PM

I almost puked reading that...

The "spooning" sent me over the edge..LOL


B

Posted by: trekkor Oct 30 2006, 10:46 AM

pics are up on GGR site. ( no spooners )

http://www.pca-ggr.org/


KT

Posted by: grantsfo Oct 30 2006, 11:10 AM

Whoooo Hooo!


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Posted by: trekkor Oct 30 2006, 11:25 AM

Das Schplitter...





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Posted by: Demick Oct 30 2006, 11:45 AM

Chris was providing ballast in the pass seat. I think he helped balance the car since I went faster with him riding along!



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Posted by: Randal Oct 30 2006, 11:53 AM

From the bumper to the ground looks like an 8" to 10" difference between the front and back.

Talk about weight shift!

Must have been interesting to drive.

Does the car have coil overs in the front that could easily be changed?

If so, you'd need some super serious springs to counter that weight shift -

Posted by: grantsfo Oct 30 2006, 12:05 PM

It's the stock suspension just 25% more firm than a standard Mazda 6 so there's a lot of slop. It's hilarious to drive and very surprising at the same time even with the weigh transfer. Joe Weinstein and Nathan rode with me and I think they were both surprised too. That picture is at a threshold braking point where ABS is activating. It does have incredible stoppers.

There is one company who makes coilovers for the car currently (Autoexe) and they cost a mint ($2100). I'm talking to a few people about getting custom coilovers with spring rates that help tame the weight transfer. There isnt a huge aftermarket as Mazda only makes a few thousand of these cars a year.

Once I get suspension buttoned down and some sticky tires on this car it will be an AX sleeper.

Posted by: trekkor Oct 30 2006, 12:20 PM

Check to see if Eibach offers a spring package.


KT

Posted by: Randal Oct 30 2006, 12:22 PM

I love seeing big cars lay down good times. Fun to watch, so hope you go forward with your project.

How you and Nathan (in the Spooningmobile) got around that last "slow down" section was amazing.

Posted by: trekkor Oct 30 2006, 12:29 PM

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/Susptabl.jsp?autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=6+s+Sedan&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=

Quite a few options...


KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 30 2006, 12:39 PM

Maybe Grant would like to spend the money on his 914-6 and keep the MazdaSpeed6 as a nice cruiser?

Spend the cash on the racecar (racecar backwards and forwards) Grant, I think you will get more enjoyment that way...

Plus it is entertaining to see you out in the MazdaSpeed in stock form.. it wouldn't be the same with a trick suspension now would it?

Posted by: trekkor Oct 30 2006, 12:54 PM

I want Grant to focus on the 914-6 as well.

We talked about getting a good used 3.0 instead of the 2.4S, twin plug, high compression winter build.


KT

Posted by: grantsfo Oct 30 2006, 01:18 PM

This is going way OT, so sorry: Tire rack is infamous for selling stuff not designed for specific car when several models exist. All those parts are for the Mazda 6 and not truly designed for the heavier AWD Mazdaspeed. A few Mazdaspeed 6 pioneers have already learned the hardway. The Eibachs listed on Tirerack have been installed with less then acceptable results sagging rear end, etc. The H&R's are for the Mazda 6 too. They will work but they dont have the proper spring rate for the rear.

I will be tame with the MS6 as it has been pointed out I need to have my 914 ready for next year.

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 30 2006, 04:47 PM

drag launches out of the turn -- look at that squat!


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Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Oct 30 2006, 05:13 PM

I love photos! Here's me & Demick. Lookin at this photo, my Dunlops were rollin over a bit in the rear at 32 psi...I checked the wear pattern often but had no idea it looked like this at speed. Demick said they performed well for street tires... the wear on the side is still 0.25" from the "wear indicator" bead line around the side. I think its all gud.


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Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 30 2006, 05:17 PM

Street tires for AX should be at the maximum inflation pressure on the sidewall or possibly 2pounds higher. With that much roll over the suspension takes one set and then the tire rolls over a bit more and takes a second set. Street tires have very soft side walls compared to competition DOT Rs....
I run my Kumho Victoracer 205s at 27 front and rear. If I ran my 195 Michelins on the car I would run them at at least 34-36 PSI.

Car would be much more predictable with a little more air pressure

Posted by: grantsfo Oct 31 2006, 11:37 AM

Results: http://www.pca-ggr.org/acresults/102806.html

I accomplished my goal of putting the Mazda in the top 50% and I beat that Lotus Elise! Well it was a great season. See you all next year! ....I'm hoping to have a car that will put me in the running for top 10 at GGR events next year.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 31 2006, 06:44 PM

Like Grant said, results are out and 914s were in the top 16% overall again.
Trekkor, Demick, myself and of course AndrewB.
4 914s in the top 17 out of 108.
Not to mention a couple of drivers driving a certain newly built Spec Boxster.
BillP and Randal finished 5th and 6th for their first event out of the box.

Check out the high HP newer cars that finished behind us....

Posted by: trekkor Oct 31 2006, 06:50 PM

I'm still celebrating

If I only had 1st gear


KT

Posted by: grantsfo Oct 31 2006, 11:08 PM

Lets be honest. This was a 914 course all the way. The turn out of start finish was such that a light weight 914 could have a faster exit speed onto the straight. And there was plenty of room to run at the start box even in a 100 hp car or those with no 1st gear. I couldnt use my power approaching the start timing lights. The jog in the middle of the straight allowed lighter cars to just hang on and continue to accelerate. I had to lift to get around that jog. Then at the end of the straight the course turned into a very slow and technical section. I think return section actually favored high HP cars in some places. The final section was tailor made for narrow body 914.

Dan to his credit designed a course that nulified advatage of high HP cars and made it fun at the same time. It was a perfect course as it put more emphasis on driving skill than car capability. To an inexpericed eye it may have looked like a HP course, but it really put a premium on exit speeds from corners. It was a perfect course to end the season. Wish I had had my 914!

Some how Nathan and I in big street cars did manage to beat a few of those 85 hp 914's

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Oct 31 2006, 11:28 PM

Posted by: trekkor Oct 31 2006, 11:54 PM

Whenever someone says, "that's a 914 course".

I like to say back to them, "of course it is, they all are"


KT

Posted by: grantsfo Nov 1 2006, 08:19 AM

Isnt that the truth. Short of making a big oval there are few AX courses that dont favor well driven lightwieght cars.

Posted by: nebreitling Nov 1 2006, 11:54 AM

everyone thinks they're the underdog... lol..

Posted by: Chris Hamilton Nov 1 2006, 11:47 PM

I'd like to say thanks to Bill and Randal for their congrats. We're looking forward to seeing that 914.

We'll also be upping the ante for next season. We're working on a few ways to make the car look even worse while going faster.

Posted by: nine14cats Nov 2 2006, 05:06 AM

Chris...I think you guys should put a Can Am scoop over Andrews helmet or maybe some antlers made out of PVC pipe on the front hood...now that would give the car a distinctive look!....

Bill P.

Posted by: Randal Nov 2 2006, 09:28 AM

Hi Chris,

You're going to make the guys at GGR cry and force them into establishing a dress code.

They love making rule changes!

We're looking forward to next year as well. Should be fun.

Posted by: Randal Nov 2 2006, 09:36 AM

AHHHHHH... Photoshop out the cones and lose the people and you're a latter day Steve McQueen racing after some bad guy...