My first Auto X

[will69camaro]

Well i broke down and decided to take my car to the Texas A&M SCCA autox yesterday. My friends in the club decided i was no thread in F stock and i could race with them (B4C 1LE camaro (2), 73 Charger (1), 94 Trans AM, etc...etc...).

Well me in my first event, mostly stock suspension, and on radial TA's placed 6th in a group of 12 beating out such cars as: 94 TA (been autoxing for 2 years), LT1 Z28, 2 BMW 5 series, Olds Aurora, one or two more i cant remember. I was really pleased with my results, over the course of 1 day i knocked my time down 10 seconds and it was having problems! I'd take a hard corner and the car would cut out on me (felt like gas leaving the pump but the tank was FULL. I had a great time and I plan on going to many many more of these events to show them how to slide an old car around a corner! Hopefully after this summer i'll have atleast some suspension mods.

Here are a few pics of my at the auto x.

[airrj1]

Very Cool Will. I am hoping to get to my first Autocross soon. I can't wait. Glad to see people running thier cars. :thumbsup:

[Steve Chryssos]

Very cool!! Looks like a rough track too. Second time is always way better. And you quickly realize how much more spring rate is required for racing than for street. Have fun.

[69MyWay]

My wife and I got into AutoX pretty heavy for a while with a couple of Corvettes (00 MN6 & high modified 90 MN6).

It was a blast! I never really tried to improve my driving, I just loved going otu there and blowing my tires off in front of a supportive crowd.

After they got to know me, they would all take a few steps away from the track when they saw me lining up! :unibrow:

Anyway, looks like you had a blast. Good to see the old iron pounding the pavement next to the newer cars.

Is your tank baffled? I am wondering why you were bogging.

[will69camaro]

I thought it was the tank wasn't baffled but the tank was FULL. I know this because my pump died on a fun run and was towed to the pics and i pulled the pump and replaced it in the parking lot. It drove home but when i jumped in it after getting home (not an hour after getting back) it was running kinda crappy. I'll put the computer on it and see what it's telling me...I think my opti might finally be going dead...

I KNOW i'll need alot of suspension to make it competative in the class it should have been in (SSM: anything on street tires basically) but that will come hopefully this summer. I am hopeful that i'm getting this internship ina couple days and that will mean anywhere from 10-13k that can go directly in the car if i desire! I'm thinking the suspension package 3 from detroit speed (tubular upper/lower, coil overs, sway, powersteering box, etc...) and a HTH truck arm kit in the rear, touring classics c5 front and rear, hydratech for power brakes and some nice 17 in wheels and tires. What would be your opinion on things to do with the money? Engine/trans will stay relatively stock until the next summer with an internship then it will be built.

William

[XcYZ]

William, I think that's an excellent plan for the suspension. I'm interested in what your opinion would be of the HTH truck arms if you go that route, especially since you already have some autocross seat time with the stock setup.

[will69camaro]

I dont have too much seat time yet, i made 8 runs yesterday and the course was a LONG one. The fastest cars there were running 80ish slowest were in the 110-120 range. I forgot to mention it will be minitubbed if plans go expected. I think i'll really like the HTH kit, but i'll have to wait and see first :D

William

[will69camaro]

Also i'm trying to find a nice looking set of 17's or 18s to go on my camaro. I'm a VERY big fan of 5 spokes or split 5 spokes etc...I really want fikse but i'm positive my budget wont allow that for quite some time. I have been looking at intro wheels at the petina etc...Any other suggestions?

William

[XcYZ]

Split 5 spoke... great idea. :D

Do you want forged or billet wheels?

[will69camaro]

For now i'm thinking affordable...I would like a forged wheel if i could afford it.

William

[Steve Chryssos]

You can. Weld, Centerline and others both offer affordable forged wheels.