Autocross School - CANCELLED

[RossGTX]

Edit: The school has been cancelled because the instructor is no longer available. He had to take some freelance work and won't be available on the 18th. The other dates he gave me aren't gonna work. We'll try revisiting this in May and see what can be done. I apologize, but there's nothing I can do.


Original post:
I'm looking at possibly trying to race the V and after experiencing my first autocross yesterday as a ride-along, I know I'm gonna need some good instruction. Kelly and I talked about getting some folks together for a weekday class. She and I are definitely in and I figured that Dan might be up for this as well (not calling you a novice, Dan, as Kelly is definitely not either). If we get six people, the price is $208/person for some good instruction and a bunch of runs. Although it's more expensive than the normal weekend class, I think it would be better to be in a group of 6 rather than 18.

I posted on my GP list and have one person interested so far; he just needs to get some things fixed on his car first. I plan on asking the local V peeps to see if there's any interest there. Please let me know if any of you are seriously interested in doing this... it should definitely be a good time.

Details here: http://solo.wdcr-scca.com/noviceSchool.php

[RossGTX]

It looks like we have some decent interest on the GP side of things. One guy w/ a GP, one w/ an A6, and possibly one w/ an Eclipse (friend of the A6 guy). I'm not gonna post about this on the V forum yet... we may already have 6. I would like to get some extras in case some can't make it on a day that's good for most people.

What say you, Dan? Anyone else here interested?

[DanG]

I'm game. Bit pricey, but I'm sure the instruction is well worth it.

May have to dust off my freakin' race tires finally! :banghead:

[tnkgurl]

Ross, you know I'm down. It depends on where in the development cycle we are, but I should be able to attend!

Dan, it's only pricey if you have already done a level 1. ;)

[RossGTX]

I just contacted Brian Garfield regarding the availability of a session during the month of April. I'll report back as soon as I hear from him and we can discuss specific dates.

[sonza68]

May have to dust off my freakin' race tires finally! :banghead:

What'd ya get?

[DanG]

16" Bronze Rota Slipstreams with 225/50/16 V710s. :biggrin:

[RossGTX]

I was looking today and can't find any track tires in 245/45-18. The closest I could get would be 245/35.

I haven't decided what I'm gonna do if I decide to actually race the V. If I end up doing a warranty credit thing w/ my F1s, Goodyear will take them in exchange and I won't be able to put them out of their misery. I might just race on 'em beforehand and then trade them in... I'm just worried about signs of abuse and then getting denied on the warranty credit.

[sonza68]

16" Bronze Rota Slipstreams with 225/50/16 V710s. :biggrin:
710s will put a perma grin on your face, won't they.:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

[DanG]

Yeah- Now if only I could get a hold of a set of 4x108 Kosei K-1s... :disgust:

[Rikenbomb]

Okay Dan,

I am willing to help you look for a set of wheels for you, but you're gonna have to help me and be a bit open minded.

I am being serious. I have already spent time looking at wheels for you.

[tnkgurl]

I think Dan has his heart set on the Koseis. ;)

[Rikenbomb]

Ross how about 245/40 18?

Discount Tire Falken Azenis RT-615 (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?c=2&sw=false&cs=245&pc=18512&rd=18&ar=40) One of my recommended daily summer tires for DanG.

Discount Tire Nitto NT-01 (http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?c=2&sw=false&cs=245&pc=40305&rd=18&ar=40)

Ross I think some aftermarket wheels with some nice 275 fatties in the rear will work. :thumbsup:

The trouble is finding wheels that will fit. :(

Ross good news. I found a wheel that works for your car for the track at least. Mille Miglia MM-S (http://www.tirerack.com/servlet/CallJsp?target=wheelSearchCloseUp&wheelIndex=0&sizeIndex=0&showRear=no&setIndex=0&filterSize=&filterFinish=&filterSpecial=) I'm sure you probably knew about this already.

Man I thought us cougar guys had wheel buying problems. You're gonna have to shell some cash if you want aftermarket wheels. :eek: At least I don't think you'll have wheel theft issues seeing as it will only fit select cars. :rofl:

[RossGTX]

Yeah... people have known about those Mille Miglia rims for a while. I'm not really looking for any aftermarket rims as I like the stockies, plus everything is so damned expensive. I want to get an extra set of stock rims on the cheap and put some race tires on them.

Those Nittos look like a possibility. The 40 profile might not be bad since I'd only be using them for racing. My next everyday tire is probably gonna be the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 (non-EMT).

[RossGTX]

OK, so that link for the Mille Miglias (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/DisplayWheel.jsp?wheelMake=Mille+Miglia&wheelModel=MM-S&wheelFinish=Bright+Silver+Paint) didn't work the way you pasted it (something about a session timeout). I've seen them before, but I decided to go to Tire Rack and check the price. HOLY CRAP! $139 each on closeout?!? That's a killer price considering I was looking at spending $200 each for used stock rims. This might be too good to pass up...

[RossGTX]

OK y'all...

I'm trying to get this done before the April event on the 23rd for the benefit of those that will be racing then, so our options are either April 18 or 19.

Brian needs to know ASAP, so please let me know your availability and what day you prefer.

[RossGTX]

Come on, peeps... we need to get this thing rollin'. Kelly and myself are good for either the 18th or 19th. Dan... preference?

Anyone else wanna do this?

[Rikenbomb]

I wish I could...

[tnkgurl]

Dude, Henry, bring the Saturn! Seriously! It will be so much fun! :thumbsup:

[RossGTX]

If Dan's still in, we have 4 confirmed. Two spots left...

[skater]

I'm out, sorry - you picked quite possibly the two worst days in April for me. :)

(Besides, with buying this house, I'm not sure I'll have the extra money anyway.)

[DanG]

I have a Dr's appt at 4... I should be able to reschedule- Though it says it's over at 3... I'll just keep the V710s on the car and hit 66!! :evil:

Edit: That's the 18th- Are we going with 18th or 19th? 19th I'm open all day.

[RossGTX]

OK... Wednesday, April 19th is the day!

This is still subject to final confirmation w/ Brian Garfield since I want to wait until we have at least 5 confirmed before I lay down the cash to reserve the day.

[Rikenbomb]

I'll just keep the V710s on the car and hit 66!! :evil:



Good. Hopefully you'll realize those tires you have on aren't doing a bit of good for you in the spring/summer. :tongue:

No can do for me. I work that week.

So when are you getting wheels for your ride Dan? :poke: And no whining about those damn Koseis.

[sonza68]

I have a Dr's appt at 4... I should be able to reschedule- Though it says it's over at 3... I'll just keep the V710s on the car and hit 66!! :evil:

Edit: That's the 18th- Are we going with 18th or 19th? 19th I'm open all day.
Last summer, when I had my Ecsta V700s on the street, I got excited every time a road got twisty.

[DanG]

So when are you getting wheels for your ride Dan? :poke: And no whining about those damn Koseis.

Jebus, man- Haven't I spent enough on that damn car already?!?! It's bad enough that I splurged on a set of Rotas for the V710s...

Summer street tires (Goodyear F-1 GS-D3s, Dunlop SP Sport 9000s, or Yoko AVS Sport) would be nice, but I'd need to keep my 16"s & PZeros for off-season driving. I'll tell ya, those PZeros hate me... :ugh:

[sonza68]

The GS-D3s are good. Don't know much about the Dunlops, but the Yokohamas that you'd want would be the Advan AD07. I've also been happy with my Kumho Ecsta MXs.

[RossGTX]

Well, it looks like we have a full roster now. I hope to confirm tonight or tomorrow, but I'm almost 100% certain we have the remaining two spots filled. Once I confirm that, I'll put the deposit down.

WOO HOO! :banana:

[RossGTX]

Question for the peeps doing the school... would you all consider doing the school at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, MD?

We now have 7 people interested in the school and if we got a total of 9, the price would actually be $3 less per person for the school at Ripken. According to Brian, the Ripken school allows for a lot more seat time and up to 12 people w/ two instructors. The only downside is that it's 90 miles from Fairfax up I-95 and we would be returning during rush hour in the middle of the week. However, I can suck it up if everyone else can. Getting two additional people might not be a problem.

I asked Brian about the possibility of having 7 people at the Harry Grove school, but I don't want to really decrease seat time in the interest of having one additional person. If necessary, I'll just turn the extra person away.

What say y'all?

[RossGTX]

Brian says he can't do 7 people at Harry Grove, but here's what he has to say about Harry Grove vs. Ripken:


The difference between Harry Grove and Ripken is many:
1) Larger lot = Slalom and Figure 8 drill simultaneously, much more time on both drills
2) Larger lot = Longer course + no crossover, allowing two-three cars on course at a time.
3) Smoother lot

Here's the sequence comparison:

HARRY GROVE:
Figure 8 - about 5-10 minutes per person, only one person at a time.
Slalom Drill - about 10 runs per person, only one person at a time.
Main Course - about 12 runs per person, only one person at a time.

RIPKEN (with two instructors):
Figure 8 - same as above, but happening simultaneously with the Slalom, so less people waiting, with one instructor on each. If I had to guess, I would say you could get as much as 15 minutes + on the Figure 8.
Slalom Drill - happening simultaneously with Figure 8, so less people waiting, two people on the course at a time possible, easily 20 runs.
Main Course - As many as 3 people on course at a time, easily 25 runs

All of the above always depends on experience level, how often we ride in the cars and instruct, and assuming no other weird circumstances (cars taking out the timing lights, etc.). One thing to keep in mind is that some students will be working the course while others run. I'm thinking now, the minimum for the Ripken school should be 8, but we'll see.

Don't get me wrong, Harry Grove is MUCH closer for me and MUCH easier. However, I'd like to do one at Ripken since we haven't done one yet. Quite frankly, I'd love to have one of you guys take notes on the amount of seat time so I can better inform people. But for sure, it will be A LOT more.

[tnkgurl]

I could be down with Ripken stadium. I'll post on WDCR to see if I can wrassle up 5 more peeps. Would it still be $200 per person?

[RossGTX]

It's $1850 total for the two instructor deal at Ripken. So just divide that by the # of people. For 9, it would be $205 a piece.

[RossGTX]

OK... I believe I'm going to call that Ripken is a confirmed deal.

So far we have:

Kelly (Cougar)
Dan (Cougar)
Me (CTS-V)
Ed (A6 2.7T)
Justin (Eclipse GSX)
Jackson (VW Rabbit GTI)
Maddie (Mazda 3)
Brandon (Mazda MX5)
Curtis (Integra Type R)
Melissa (MR2)

And a few others between people that Kelly is recruiting and the CEG guy waiting on his tranny.

I'm probably gonna put the deposit down soon. We'll be well under $200 a person at this point.

[DanG]

Outstanding work there, dude- Can't wait... I'll just suck up the drive time...

[RossGTX]

Well, the three of us can commiserate together. It's gonna be an early morning.

Better get your stuff tuned... don't need ya backin' out! ;)

[DanG]

The 10th. Going in with 3 coil packs and 5 sets of wires. Let's see that f*ckin' spark transducer screw up now!!! :banghead:

[tnkgurl]

The 10th. Going in with 3 coil packs and 5 sets of wires. Let's see that f*ckin' spark transducer screw up now!!! :banghead:

ohhhhh, Dan, don't tempt fate. She is a mighty fickle creature. :eek:

[RossGTX]

Sorry to change the date, folks, but Ripken isn't available on the 19th. We're going to do this on Tuesday the 18th instead.

Dan, hopefully this still works for you! I know you have an appt. to reschedule... sorry!

[DanG]

#)(*&!@#%_()!@*$P)*(@#&%_(!@*)$ :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Let me make some calls.

[RossGTX]

List of attendees updated on first page...

[RossGTX]

The school is cancelled for now. See the first post...