First Auto-X today!, What a hoot! Options

[RoadGlue]

A bunch of us went out to the Sonoma County Airport today for the PCA Redwood Region's monthly auto-x event. There were a bunch of 914club folks there, with a total of ten or so 914s. The weather was great, if not just a little on the warm side. I forgot a hat and my hair is buzzed, so I'm baked even though I was slathered in sunscreen.

I made a post about the run in the paddock, so I'll steal a bit of text from that. I had gone out expecting that a) my car would be mess on the track and that B) I'd be a mess too. I've never auto crossed a 914 before, and I purchased this 914 just a month ago. However, I think we (the car and I) did rather well. The car's suspension seemed great and well tuned, though it feels like it may be swaying more when turning one direction than when turning the other. Could be my imagination, so I'll need to look into that. The car certainly needs an alignment either way, as the current alignment is a big unknown and I need to work out the little bit of tail happiness that’s there. I don't think I pushed the front end out once today.

I had an instructor with me on my first run, and he said that I did really well and that he could only suggest a few things to help shave off some time. He though it best if I stay in 2nd for the whole course and that I not take the shikane (how do you *really spell that?) so wide. I was flattered, though I know some better instruction will take me further. He seemed genuinely pleased though, and I he walked away with a big grin and said he hoped I'd come out to more events.

With the instructor in the car, I ran a 52.584. Without his arse in the seat I ran a 51.62. My practice lap without him in the car was a bit sloppy, though my timed lap was a bit better. My exit speed out of the go-kart section of the track (tight little turns) sucked on that lap though, and I wonder how much more time I could have shaved off had I run in the afternoon with another try or two. I know the fast cars were running 47'sh laps, so I don't feel like I did a lousy job today.

I had a remote video camera pod mounted to the front-left fender, in front of the wheel, and got a good video of my instructorless run:

http://www.sonic.net/randyw/914club/autox/autox.wmv 33 MB Windows Media File
I really enjoyed seeing everyone out there today. Sorry if I don't remember all of your names, but there were a lot of new faces.

Auto-x'ing is a hoot, and I recommend it to any 914 owner who is remotely interested.

Cheers!

Randy