well, after some encouragement, I decided to add to my blog in case others
are interested in my doings.

Today I am starting on my semi-successful career autocrossing!!

I am going back in time here, but I think I remember it somewhat, I think...

I had tried a little racing back in April 2007. I ran a PCA DE event. I had an
instructor with me, and was getting the hang of it when my engine started to make funny noises. I stopped and then tried to drive home. No dice...

I made it 10 of the 40 miles when the power went to 0, the oil pressure wasn't far behind, and the noise was horrendous!!

One of the guys came with his truck and trailer and took me home.

Can't say enough for these guys! One guy towing a Viper stopped as well on his way home to make sure I was okay... All for a NARP...

Well, anyway, I bought 1.7 engine from a guy for $100 (with 90% of a D-Jet and a 32/36 Weber). Got it in and running (long story..) and have been driving it ever since. Picked out most of the impeller blades and the large bolt from the cooling fins under the sheet metal...

Just a note, the 1.8 I pulled out is actually a 2.0 bus engine, and the 1.7 has a 1.8 case with 1.7 heads, so who knows what it is actually.
The 2.0 has one connecting rod with MAJOR play at the crank end.

I set the 1.7 up with L-Jet since I was familiar with it, and have been driving it for a while.

Okay, so after all this, I heard about autocrosses at one of the Naval airfields in town so I went down to check it out. I found a bunch of people there, and a guy
who encouraged me to try it. I told him if I could pass inspection, I would!

Of course, I passed, so I entered and went to the course. In Corpus Christi, we run on an old naval auxilliary airfield. Most of the course is set on taxiways, with occasional forays onto the runways.

That first month, Nov '07, I just ran the car. My first run was fun! I had walked the course, so I knew where to go. When I got back after my first run, They suggested that I take someone with me to show me the course, sine I skipped a few of the tricky parts!!