Miata Autocross

[TimboSHO]

Well, I took the plunge onto the Autocross scene. The event was held at the tire rack test track, put on by the Michiana BMW club. I was in a mostly stock 91 Miata with street tires, but stayed ahead of other more powerful cars with stickier tires.

I don't have any pictures, or even the official results yet, but I had tons on fun, and will definitely be bringing the SHO out in the future. Not as much seat time at a road course, but I can see how it's so addicting!

 

[94shodriver]

I'm guilty of the same thing. '95 PEP car. It's now fairly well speced out as an E-street car.

The way I differentiate autocossing and open tracking, is autocrossing is more challenging with thousandths of seconds counting and showing, and open tracking is just plain more fun beating the snot out of your car for 15-60 minutes at a time

 

[jayro]

If autoX offered more seat time I would be all over it. I did it quite a bit prior to open tracking. I will say that I found autox to be a very good foundation/stepping stone for open tracking the car.

While the speeds on a road course are much higher it didn't seem nearly as hectic at an AutoX course. I would bet that if you took a good autoX'er and put them on a road course they would be fairly quick right out of the gate.

I have a feeling that driving your SHO at an autoX is gonna be quite a bit different than the Miata.

 

[SHOspazz92]

A Miata, or any RWD car for that matter, will feel very different from a SHO but the Basic's still apply. What you'll find with a mildly modded, street tired SHO is that they they can be incredibly loose cars. I recently Autocrossed a 91+ With Koni/Eibachs, SFC's...etc on some 17'' street rubber (Mind you, I had just set the 6th fastest time of the day in my full prepped SHO on slicks) and was sideways everywhere. I jumped in that car and drove it just like I would drive mine (With the exception of of going a bit easier on corner exit for the sake of understeer and braking a tad earlier) and had every bit as much fun, if not more.

Don't catfoot the SHO around course. Drive it hard. Setup your corner entries early and enjoy it. It's a very forgiving chassis to Auto-X in. Lastly, when the rear end does step out...and if it's safe to do so, remember to just mash the gas to get it to straighten out.

-Sam

 

[SHOspazz92]

As far as Autocross vs. Road Racing...well, that's a debate, or whatever, that I refuse to get involved with. However, I do like to share this picture every now and then.

If anyone ever wondered why we do the type of racing we do, Perry Bennett captures the G-forces required to lay down this much rubber in a slalom. Lateral grip caused this...not spinning tires.

 

[TimboSHO]

I can see the pros and cons of each. Besides not as much seat time at the autocross, the cheaper price was certainly welcome, and I still had a blast.

I've gotten pretty good at controlling the rear end of the SHO on the road course, so I think I could have a lot of fun at an autocross track as well.

The miata was a completely different beast, but at least I know what I'm getting into now

 

[jayro]

As far as Autocross vs. Road Racing...well, that's a debate, or whatever, that I refuse to get involved with. However, I do like to share this picture every now and then.

For me it's not an AutoX vs Road Racing thing, it is an AutoX and Road Racing thing.

My point was this:

If you took an experienced AutoX'er and put them on a Road Course I think they would be faster and make the transition much easier than if you took an experienced Road Course driver and put them on an AutoX course.

Of course, that is just my opinion and I am sure others have ones that contradict with it.

 

[94shodriver]

For me it's not an AutoX vs Road Racing thing, it is an AutoX and Road Racing thing.

My point was this:

If you took an experienced AutoX'er and put them on a Road Course I think they would be faster and make the transition much easier than if you took an experienced Road Course driver and put them on an AutoX course.

Of course, that is just my opinion and I am sure others have ones that contradict with it.

Agreed. My point was only subjective anyways. However, I autocross because it is the only option where I live. When I travel, I can squeeze in the occasional track day. If it was the other way around, I wouldn't bother. Wheel to wheel racing, that's another thing altogether. Really the others are just gateway drugs.

 

[jayro]

Really the others are just gateway drugs.

Pretty much!!

My only complaint with AutoX is seat time. Besides that I love it.
I mean I really like hot wings, but I also really like a good steak.

 

[dohcsable]

Someday when I'm not superbike poor, I'll make it up to gingerman.....I won't be racing a sho though.

 

[TimboSHO]

Pictures! I found out the pictures and results were all on facebook. I don't have facebook. Oh well. I was 24th out of 32 cars. Not bad for the first time out. I was definitely the cone killer of the day though....

http://api.axti.me/Results/Event/awuohtvz59


Cone action!

 

[SHOspazz92]

I've been playing in a AP2 S2000 Recently. I don't know why I waited so long to drive one. The car is bone stock with nothing but a set of ZII's on it. I have never been more impressed with a car on course that is basically stock (And I've driven a LOT of stuff in the last few years around course). I'm looking for one this winter.

-Sam

 

[shoaddict]

S2000

There fun to drive for sure. Hate i sold mine! Like i said before....hands down it was the BEST HANDING car i'd ever had & I've had a many!