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

[SLOroadster]

I figured it was time to see how I can do in a real SCCA class so I stepped up to race EP. The class is small, and the same guy has won for about the last decade, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I didn't have the best tires to run with (still running the Hoosier Street TDs) but soon (I hope) I will break down and buy the 15x7 Rota RBs and mount up the non DOT slicks. I didn't win class this time, but I was a lot closer than I was on Jan 1 for the first event. I was forced to race the Alfa because it was raining here. It was beautiful down there, but rain and the roadster don't mix well, especially when I don't have a top on it.

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Will

[dridge11]

Yeah, my little car would not enjoy that. Does look like fun though. Maybe the WRX when the lease it almost up.

[SLOroadster]

Yeah, my little car would not enjoy that. Does look like fun though. Maybe the WRX when the lease it almost up.

I bet it would have been about as fast as a stock 510, my GTV, or a whole slew of other stock cars. This was very much a roadster course as it was tight and narrow. The trick was having enough grip to put the power down. In your case, you lack power and have an abundance of grip, so you don't lift, you just stay on the power all the time and drive the course.

Will

[Alvin]

In your case, you lack power

Will

OMG this has got to be the quote of the year!
Where do you come up with this stuff?

[spl310]

I was curious, so I looked up the horsepower rating of the WRX. Damn Will, you are way off the mark there...

More Power, More Torque
Starting with more engine output, Subaru has given the WRX its soul back. For 2009, horsepower is bumped from 224 to 265 while torque climbs from 224 pound-feet to 244. As important, the otherwise similar 2.5-liter boxer engine now pulls hard all the way to its 6,500-rpm redline while still delivering adequate mid- and low-range punch.

[SLOroadster]

Wow, 2 people taking a quote out of context. I was talking about his 1600, not the WRX. The WRX has plenty of power. His roadster feels like my GTV, and would have been a foot on the floor and hope you don't have to brake for a corner because you will loose all your momentum and never get it back.

Where do you guys come up with this stuff? Its pretty obvious that I was talking about the roadster and not the Subi.

Will

[spl310]

Where do you guys come up with this stuff? Its pretty obvious that I was talking about the roadster and not the Subi.

I disagree with you Will. The quote from dridge11 is:

Yeah, my little car would not enjoy that. Does look like fun though. Maybe the WRX when the lease it almost up.

which to me clearly states that he is not going to go with the Roadster, but he left the door open to the WRX. Your post then says:

I bet it would have been about as fast as a stock 510, my GTV, or a whole slew of other stock cars. This was very much a roadster course as it was tight and narrow. The trick was having enough grip to put the power down. In your case, you lack power and have an abundance of grip, so you don't lift, you just stay on the power all the time and drive the course.

Since dridge11's last wards were re: the WRX, it is logical that I would assume that you were speaking to the WRX...

[Alvin]

Will,
how does a 1600 "lack power"?

relative to what?

Any car can lose traction on an auto-x course. Especially the way you drive! Foot to the floor and turn


dridge, enjoy your roadster! But remember, you lack power!

[ppeters914]

dridge, enjoy your roadster! But remember, you lack power!

Not that there's anything wrong with that!

[dridge11]

That'll be my custom license plate:
LAKSPWR

[dbrick]

That'll be my custom license plate:
LAKSPWR

ROFLM(underpowered)AO

[Alvin]

That'll be my custom license plate:
LAKSPWR

That is so RAD!

here's another one:

PWRTRIP

[SLOroadster]

The point I was trying to make was that like a stock 510, Alfa GTV, its pretty hard to make the car do anything evil. It won't bite, it just won't really be that fast.

Will

[spl310]

I know of several very underpowered cars that used to dominate in Autocross. It all depends on the course and the driver. I have seen good drivers flog full sized sedans and get better times than goobers in fancy pants sports cars.

[Alvin]

. It won't bite, it just won't really be that fast.

Will

what is "fast"?
a corvette driver might call a Miata underpowered...but who cares?

Someone expresses interest in running their roadster in an auto-x and you tell them that their car won't be fast and lacks power?

It's "run what you brung"
And it's about having a good time driving the crap out of your car, regardless of what you perceive as fast or powerful.