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

What took you so long to try AXing?

I'm an idiot.

I have AX'd my Fiat sedan, but only once before. I've been without a running 914 for sometime too.

51.62
That was a great time for a stockish 914! I was there too in a lowered black 914, but I got there kinda late and I don't think we met. This was my first AX that I did a whole timed run without something breaking. I managed a best of 53.75. We beat 928s, 911s, and Boxters with these times. I think your driving experience came through in the instructor's comments. While working the course, I noticed you didn't shift out of second. 3rd gear would have gotten you goin faster, I think.

I think I am going to have to plan on 1 AX a month while the weather allows!

Thanks for the ride, that was fun

Yes...Third gear.

I meant to tell you, but you had already left for the day.

After the start/finish and early in the sweeper before the entry to the sherrif's loop getting into third would have got you below 50.xxx I'm pretty sure.

Your car was smoking a bit, BTW.

Good to see you make it out.


KT

Good to see you too!

Yep, my valve stem seals are shot! Smooookey!

Regarding third gear though. I did use third gear my first time 'round with the instructor, but I was a second slower. My car is sorta gutless right now, and I'm not sure third would have had much umph to bring up the speed much on that course. It's hard to say, and I think I would have tried third gear again had I run more.

Thanks for the photo!

Nice run bro. I like that little slide thing in the begining. You held her good on the second lap though.

SR. RRRRRapido!

Looks really cool. But that's not an Autocross. More like a time trial SOLO 1.

I would love to run that someday.

valve stem seals? do you mean vlave guides? :bummer:

looked like fun!