NorCal UFO Event #2, Stepping it up to race E prep.

[SLOroadster]

Alvin, I call my own car a fat underpowered slug (the Alfa) but I can beat a fair amount of people in Vettes, Evos, STIs, ect with it. No its not a contender for TTOD, not by a long shot. It also doesn't do any thing evil. It doesn't swap ends, it does push through some corners. I drive it just like I do the roadster, but I really really have to work to get it to spin. The last time it happened, it was pouring rain. The same goes for a Miata, its still way underpowered, but has an amazing suspension that works very well. The built Miatas are a hot ticket however, turbo charged, super charged, or a well tuned NA, they have a shot at TTOD. That said, the tuned Miatas on street/old race tires suffer the same issues I have with the roadster, they are quick, but not contenders, and do often end up backward.

My point is, a stock 1600 running 205s and an open diff is going to be a foot to the floor, don't touch the brakes because you don't need to type of car. Is it going to win its class, not likely (depends on if there is someone else in class.) However it will be a good learning experience. It will teach the driver how to maintain as much momentum as absolutely possible because it lacks the power to just rip out of a corner and run down to the next one. Its got to be super smooth and flowing where momentum is maintained rather than given up. With a low powered car one ends up thinking "oh come on, faster, I wish this had more power" out of every corner. I've done that with a Miata, the GTV and a 510. Guess what, despite thinking this, I've posted pretty quick times with each of those, however none have been within 10 seconds of the TTOD. The perfect example, a guy brings out a stock 2l 4cyl 914 on race tires, he has way more grip than he has power (yes, the car is underpowered) he also lays the smack down on the class because he drives the whole course with his foot flat on the floor and never slows down. The car doesn't have the power to overcome the grip from the tires. On really tight courses where he does have to slow down, he doesn't do so well because he can't get the car back up to speed.

I'd really like to see people bring their roadsters out and run. It would be fantastic. But no one will because they think they won't be any good at it. You have to start someplace, and starting at the bottom of the ladder is where most people start. Thats where I started, and then I got better. Would I classify myself as being good? No, I'm not taking TTOD all the time. I'm ok, but far from good. On the other hand, I might be really good, but I have a car that doesn't stick well, so I'm not all that fast. I rarely hit cones, and usually post a respectable time drifting my way through the course, and everyone knows thats not the fast way to do it. I don't know because I've never had the chance to drive a known top contender.
I say bring your stock roadster out and give it a shot. Heck I might even loan you my race tires. You might really enjoy it.

There was never any intention to make this thread demeaning or negative in any way, shape or form, but after things have been taken out of context, and twisted around its become pretty much a downer here. I now regret even posting it. Thanks.

Will

[spl310]

Will,

I have to disagree with you again. Eons ago when I was on a pit crew for a Roadster, I used to autocross. I sucked out loud, but knew some of the guys that were VERY competitive. Two guys used to fight it out for TTOD at EVERY event. They were a guy with a Porsche 914/4 and a guy with a Fiat X1/9. The Porsche had a header and some engine work, but it was not up to the power of a 914/6. He also had stock (rolled) fenders which limited him to some SKINNY non-sticky tires. The fiat also had a header and sway bars, but not a tremendous amount of other work. The reason that these guys dominated is the course. It was a tight course that required a balanced car with off the line scoot - not big power. They went to an autocross that had long straights and were spanked.

Perhaps the courses that you run are geared towards cars with power. I can tell you that the courses that we ran were very rough for Corvettes, Mustangs with V8s, Porsche 911s and the like. A balanced car - even an under powered car by your definition - won the day. Plus they were more fun for the drivers too. The guys with the high horsepower numbers were worn out after a run - the drivers of the close to stock cars were more energized and ready to run again. I recall when the race team got wind of the autocross. They brought the Datsun out and I turned a better time in my relatively stock 1600 than they did (or I did in the runs I made) in the full race 1600 Roadster. Plus, it had the LSD which was set tight - and that KILLED them on the course.

To each their own. Going out and having fun is the key. If your tracks are suited to your car and your driving style, rock on!