New here just wanted to say hi.

[16vmk1]

Hi everyone,
My name is Brendan and I am a new member here. I have already spoke with Warren via email and will be attending the next event for sure. I tried to make it down this past weekend, but unfortunately could not make it. I have been wanting to get into SCCA for a while, but now I will do it for sure.
As far as my car goes: It is an 83 VW Rabbit GTI with a 2.0 16v passat swap. Some suspension mods, close ratio tranny, and a few other things, but that is about it.
Anyway, just saying hi and look forward to meeting some of you at the next event.
Thanks
Brendan

[nalbar]

See you soon Brendan.

When we were discussing your mods you forgot to mention the engine swap.

It pretty much determines which class you will be running. I hope you don't mind running against Integras.


nalbar

[HY.]

In an effort to get more people actually on this forum, Imma say hi as well.

What's your prior experience? Are you in SMF now then with the swap? Sounds like too much to fit into ST or SP...

[16vmk1]

Currently I am not in SCCA at all. I will be joining at the next event.
Nalbar: Sorry, I forgot to mention the swap. As far as integras I do not mind a bit. It will make it that much more entertaining.
Thanks

[nalbar]

Nalbar: Sorry, I forgot to mention the swap. s

No worries Brendan. I discuss mods/classing with people all the time, and have developed a certain radar as far as what has been done. You were SMF with your 'no rear seat' comment anyway, after that you just as well max out what is allowed. You will have the most modded car in SMF, we have 1 other engine swap but he has not done as much as you. The rest of us are legal for less modified classes but run SMF for various reasons.

nalbar

[nalbar]

In an effort to get more people actually on this forum,...

We are what we are Hank. We are actually more active than the vast majority of region SCCA sites. I know that is hard to believe, but it is true. My main intro to the Internet was through gaming, reef tank, and a Toyota enthusiast site, so I understand that a younger demographic (who have a tendency to frequent hobby enthusiast sites) expects and needs activity. I get called the usually names for being active here, and having the high post count. But that is almost always by people who are older and don't understand the REAL reasons people ask questions on sites.

Randy, the owner of this site, and the San Diego SCNAX founder, used have as his main business the hosting of car enthusiast sites (he still does a few). He also understands the importance of an active site to the region (and it means more clicks on the ad). But there are limitations with the demographic we deal with. If you have ideas, feel free to bring them up. I would request you do the suggestions here, in the SCNAX area. Or in the private SCNAX area. There is a pretty deep discussion on why I prefer that. But that discussion really belongs in the private area or person to person.


nalbar

[16vmk1]

Thanks for the info Nalbar. I am a bit suprised that I am the most modded car, but what the heck. The limited slip is not in yet, But will be when I get a chance to yank the tranny. I am changing out fifth gear as well so it may take a bit. I will download the pages from the manual for the SMF class to make sure that I fit into that category.
Just a heads up the car may not be pretty, but its a work in progress and I am focusing on mechanical first. Basically I am trying to make it quick and handle as good as possible.
Thanks
Brendan

[nalbar]

I would not worry to much about it. You fit. LSD's are also legal.

I want one myself. Bad.


nalbar

[Nukesforbreakfast]

I would not worry to much about it. You fit. LSD's are also legal.

I want one myself. Bad.


nalbar

What's this? I have a LSD and you don't? This is very wrong indeed!

not that it seems to do me any good

[HY.]

What's this? I have a LSD and you don't? This is very wrong indeed!

not that it seems to do me any good

Keep in mind his car's older than YOU, Ryan haha. And don't worry, you'll be harnessing that catastrophic understeer in no time, just got to get over all that power you got and start using that other pedal more (meanwhile, I corded Rachel's tires...!)

[16vmk1]

So what are the common cars that I will see at the events? What kind of car does Nalbar drive? What cars seem to run the best?
Thanks
Brendan

[nalbar]

Go here;
http://lateapexphoto.com/f616999233

And find one of our events. Latest events are at the bottom.

Every type of car you can imagine auto crosses. Miata's seem to be the most popular, followed by Subaru's. Rear wheel is more popular than front wheel.

Every car is fun. Sure, some are faster than others, but that does not always equate to 'fun'.


nalbar

[HY.]

So what are the common cars that I will see at the events? What kind of car does Nalbar drive? What cars seem to run the best?
Thanks
Brendan

Miatas by a pretty long shot. Demographics a bit older since autocross isn't about flash but about driving. Kinda what I love about it. Don't see any d-bags lighting up tires (except there were some annoying...kids...last time out) or bumping their stereos in the lot. But yeah, because of the older demographic, you get to see lots of RWD. Vettes and cobras and plenty of project cars...and then a line of Evos along the far fence that look like a bag of skittles.

[JeffBloch]

So what are the common cars that I will see at the events? What kind of car does Nalbar drive? What cars seem to run the best?
Thanks
Brendan

You can also look through the results from past events to see all the cars and classes that show up in our region. Welcome!

http://www.sdr-scca.com/solo2/results/

Oh, and Nalbar = Warren (SMF Integra)

And for the last question, I'd go with a red 1989 Civic Si

[16vmk1]

Thanks for all the replies. I like the sound of a little older demographic. I am with you the driving is much more important than the flash for sure. So miatas are the favorite. That is kinda what I figured. I also really enjoyed the evo comment, very funny. Should be neat to see the variety of cars out there to compare how they compete with each other.

[nalbar]

And for the last question, I'd go with a red 1989 Civic Si

If you want to end up in STS why not go with the Miata?


nalbar

[16vmk1]

This is a question that I am sure will warrant a wide array of reponses, but I will ask anyway. As far as FWd what tires are you guys running, and what seems to work decent? I will be in need of some soon and with the million varieties on the market jsut looking for any input. The size I am running is 195/60/14 if that makes any difference.
Thanks
Brendan

[HY.]

And for the last question, I'd go with a red 1989 Civic Si

I will not hesitate to slash your tires if you enter STX... hehe, bane of my existence those EF Civics!!

As for tires, depends on what class you're running as to what allowances you're given.

I hear Hoosier A6s and Kumho's V series (710 iirc) are the "go-to" for r-compound shenanigans. In ST (where you can't go below 140 treadwear) the big names are Kumho XS (highest lateral grip, love the heat but take a bit longer to get optimally sticky and are garbage in the rain), Hankook RS-3 (still new but supposed to be similar to XS but less terrible in the rain and supposed to run a bit "big" too if you're already maxing out your allowed tire size in class they can help you cheat and get more rubber on the road or maximize your footprint before hitting fenders/struts), Dunlop Star Specs (stiffer sidewall, so good for heavy cars, supposed to be most responsive and forgiving of tires but not as much lateral grip, warm up fastest, decent in rain for autox tires, but are a 2-3 pounds heavier depending on size) and Bridgestone RE11s which are also comparable to the above but I can't remember in what way they stand out.

If you're anything like me, price might make a difference in what you choose and currently offered rebates. I did choose the XS myself though because A. They were highly recommended B. My car has no torque so I wanted less weight in a tire C. They were $20 cheaper per tire than the Star Specs which are the other popular favorite D. They had the highest lateral grip of the bunch E. They put the fastest dry time in a comparo with lots of sticky rivals F. My car is "lighter" than most sedans so I was less worried about stiff sidewalls G. I figured less forgiving tires would mean I'd learn how to drive faster H. In autox, the only thing that counts is your fastest time so I knew the slower warm-up might not be a huge factor since my first two laps are rarely my fastest of the day. But none of this may matter if you're not running ST or SK or something lmao.

[nalbar]

. bane of my existences those EF Civics.

.

Well, you won't have to worry about them next year.


nalbar

[HY.]

Well, you won't have to worry about them next year.


nalbar

Shawna Rios SPANKED me Sunday. 2.8 seconds iirc. Yeesh. Thank goodness she said she was only doing it this once.