Preparing to prepare… Sep 15, 2007
After Autocrossing regionally for a few years, I’ve decided to take my autocross hobby to the “next level” and make a run at nationals next year. Some of the first advice I was told regarding autocross in general was to not take the sport too seriously and risk losing the fun that autocross is supposed to be. Being the goal-setting nerd that I am, it can be easy for me to fall into the trap of valuing achievement instead of simply enjoying the experience, so my first challenge in this adventure is clear already.
Goal #1- Have FUN!
The next step is only slightly less clear; I was lucky enough to stumble upon a clean, unmolested 1994 R-package Miata recently (which makes a fairly decent highway commuting tool, by the way…) so my options are pretty straightforward. I was disappointed to realize that the factory torsen differential keeps me from being eligible for STS2 competition, despite the fact that most of the STS2 front runners would compete in the same stock class that I do. As much as I’d like to build a rip snortin’ CSP hot rod with ITBs, loud exhaust, and fat tires, my 80 mile-per-day commute makes that idea officially “dumb,” and also rules out Prepared and Mod classes. That pretty much leaves us with E Stock. There is a significant economic upside to this situation in that it leaves more room in my budget for things like hotel rooms, tires, and–most important–seat time. A fresh revalve on the factory Bilsteins, a front swaybar, some sort of cat-back exhaust and some tires will be a fine start.
Goal #2- Prep the car as much as is possible, but don’t ruin it as a daily driver.
So what’s left, then? Let’s see… Motivation? Check. Equipment? Check. Hmmm… what else? Oh yeah, I almost forgot- MAD SKILLZ!
While I like to think of myself as a halfway decent driver, I’m by no means championship material yet. There are some real factors that I need to keep in mind if I want to make a good showing. First off, I have yet to experience R-compound tire joy. Secondly, outside a decent showing at this year’s Chevrolet Rev-It-Up event, I haven’t autocrossed anything in more than a year. Luckily, I happen to work with a nationals veteran who has already offered to help me “sharpen the spear,” so to speak. (Did I mention I work with really cool people?) I’ve always heard good things about the Evolution school, so if I ever finally sell my stupid house in Detroit, I might make some room in the budget for that as well.
Goal #3- Get good.
So, watch this space over the next 12 months to see what happens. I’ll run my first event with the Central Florida Region on the 23rd of September. In the meantime, feel free to drop me a line to impart your wisdom, I might even listen!
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