89 SHO Autocross Vids

[Techpriest]

Made a camcorder mount for my SHO. Here is some video from my last Autocross.

Run 1

Run 2

Run 3

Car is an 89 MTX with 135k miles on it. The engine and drive-train are stock. The front end still has the original struts and has never been touched. The rear I recently redid with KYB struts and MOOG Cargo Coils. I am wearing Falken Azenis tires on...... 15" Basket Weave rims!

So how did the old bull do?

STS Class
1st 51.878 Toyota Yaris (Yeah, but he still drives a Yaris)
2nd 55.545 BMW 323is
3rd 55.549 BMW 318ic
4th 55.716 Taurus SHO (Grrr... .2 from second!!)
5th 59.733 BMW 318ic

 

[NoSHOAllGo]

Wow Im pretty impressed. Looks like it held up pretty good. How many competitors were there? Def. some good driving.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

nice, i cant wait to get my car fixed and autocorss her. Next time beat those stupid bmw's. Dent the floor pan a little before the next run so you can press the gas down a hair further

 

[NoSHOAllGo]

nice, i cant wait to get my car fixed and autocorss her. Next time beat those stupid bmw's. Dent the floor pan a little before the next run so you can press the gas down a hair further

 

[Techpriest]

There were 5 in my class.

The SHO was the oldest car in the class, and the cheapest as well. Looking at the other classes I beat a number of "real" sports cars as well, and that's always fun.

I still can't get over the Yaris.....

Not only did he win STS but with his time he could have won BS, SM, SP or EP. I guess there is really something to be said weight vs traction.

 

[NoSHOAllGo]

Ya that had me puzzled to. But put a few bolt-ons on and for God Sake hunt down those BMWs!

 

[Shoaz]

Weight is everything, especially on a twisty track like an autocross where you're constantly changing direction and braking/accelerating.

 

[SHOguy 92]

Weight is everything, but power has some affect. And a Yaris ranks in a massive 106hp, thats like 80whp, I don't see how he could come in 1st, little own be in your class. On a decent corner that car shouldnt have enough power to even hold speed.

 

[shomesomesho]

Nice job hangin' with the BMW's. . .

but did you say you got smoked by one of these??



:laugh_ti: :laugh_ti: :laugh_ti:

All kidding aside, give some credit to the driver. In autocross most would argue that the driver is even more important than the car. Remember, this is a contest of driving skill and strategy, much more so than straight line speed.

In STS, engines are pretty much stock except for exhaust and other minor changes (e.g. pulleys, air filter, etc.). So basically, to see a 2300 lb. FWD, open-dif Yaris with 106 hp/103 lb-ft that does 0-60 in 9.5 sec smoke the rest of the class by ~4 sec (using street tires!!) is really a pretty amazing display of pure skill.

Want a free lesson in autocross? Next time Yaris-boy is on the course, pay very, very close attention to when he brakes, when he's on the gas, and the line he takes through the cones. Better yet, ask him if he'll take you as a passenger on one of his runs.

 

[Shoaz]

Weight is everything, but power has some affect. And a Yaris ranks in a massive 106hp, thats like 80whp, I don't see how he could come in 1st, little own be in your class. On a decent corner that car shouldnt have enough power to even hold speed.

I'll second that the driver has a lot to do with it, too, but the only thing a lot of power does for you in the typical corner is get exit speed. If you're light, you don't need as much grip and can carry more speed through the corner, so you don't need as much power for initial corner exit speed, you already have it from carrying it through the corner.

With less weight you can brake later, carry more speed through the corner, and already be at a higher speed at corner exit.

There are horsepower tracks, where the corners are wide and long and fast and the straights are long, and there are handling tracks, where there aren't long straights and there are lots of twisty corners. Autocross courses are almost always handling tracks...horsepower is really needed mostly to overcome weight or lack of talent.

Of two cars with similar weight and handling the one with more power (and the ability to get it to the ground) will have an advantage, clearly.

Otherwise lightweight and reasonable handling roolz (as was demonstrated by the Yaris). With low weight you don't need as much power to accelerate it, either.

 

[Jarrod]

Awesome vids! Didn't know there was a Titanium '89 SHO owner in my home town.

I may have to make a pit stop back in Mac (as everyone in my family calls it) next time I'm in Kansas.

 

[shomesomesho]

Made a camcorder mount for my SHO. Here is some video from my last Autocross.

What camcorder and setup are you using?