Page 1 of 2
Fixables autocross notes - 2009 season. UPDATED 13th July
Posted: February 20th, 2009, 9:26 pm
by Mr. Fixables
This is my first real push for a championship run, and as I prepare for the 2009 race season, I am cautiously confident that I can be competitive in STX. This year, my weapon of choice is a 2005 Nissan Sentra Spec V (in fire engine RED).
I am building the car on a budget, but there is a fine line between a budget build and an effective build. I made the mistake to check out some videos on the better drivers in the STX class …… DAMN!! This is going to be a beyotch to win, but hey, I’ll take my licks gracefully (hopefully not).
My first test will be the Atlanta Region Points #1 on March 1st. The top dog seems to be a 1997 BMW 328i. There is also a B13 Sentra and a Mini Cooper S. These two did not run the entire season, but won when they did run. But as you all know, I embrace the “Ultimate Underdogâ€
Posted: February 23rd, 2009, 10:12 am
by zodiaque
Thats cool Kirk. Glad to see things are working out autocross-wise over there

Posted: February 25th, 2009, 3:02 pm
by MG Man
Kirk, like my new sig?

Posted: February 26th, 2009, 10:13 am
by sirbill
Kirk,
Can you tell us a bit about the PAX system used up there? Is it just informative or is some importance attached to PAX results?
Keep up the notes - good to hear from out there.
Bill
Posted: March 2nd, 2009, 2:51 pm
by MG Man
Posted: March 3rd, 2009, 8:39 am
by SUPAstarr
welll done kirk
Posted: March 3rd, 2009, 9:51 am
by Mr. Fixables
Bill,
The PAX is a formula set-up by SCCA nationally.
It basically uses past history data to compare cars not classed equally, so that their times can be compared to determine Fastest Time of Day, etc across all cars, and all classes.
I will find the formulas and send that over when I get a chance. I belive it is calculated by using the past 3 years of data as follows: (example)
Winner of EP-R: 50.0 seconds - 1.000 Factor (being the top class, no factor is applied to this time)
Winner of ES: 55.0 seconds - 0.900 Factor
etc
This is data is gathered for the 3 years (i think) and a general average factor is determined. As class rules change the factor must be changed as well.
I will get a further explaination from SCCA and let you guys know.
Kirk
Posted: March 5th, 2009, 9:01 am
by Mr. Fixables
Update:
Well the event did not happen eventually.
SNOW!!!!
So .... It has been rescheduled for this weekend. I am picking my Dunlop Direzza Star Spec Z1 tires today (235/40/17).
Let the games begin ......
Kirk
Posted: March 5th, 2009, 9:18 am
by wagonrunner
Mr. Fixables,
Enjoy, and best of luck (not like you'll need it)

Posted: March 5th, 2009, 11:47 am
by MG Man
watch out for them US Spec almeras eh Kirk

Posted: March 6th, 2009, 1:18 pm
by Mr. Fixables
MG Man,
Funny you shoudl say that as my car is actually a U.S. Spec Almera with a QR25DE.
Kirk
Posted: March 6th, 2009, 3:26 pm
by Mr. Fixables
191 Cars are registered for the event, and 16 in my class.
I had always said I would like to be in the top 10%, so that equates to 2nd??
Here is the list of cars in my class for Sunday.
STX 16 drivers Class List
4 Rich 1989 BMW 325i
9 Cory Dreyfus 2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan
10 Kirk Ho Hing 2005 Nissan Sentra Spec V
11 Mposey 1990 Honda Civic Si Hatchback
12 Wayne Lin 2002 Subaru Impreza
17 Bevan Doyle 2003 Audi TT Quattro
19 Ben Fitzpatrick 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
22 Superdude 2005 Subaru WRX WRXatl STC (CWS)
41 Joe Sainato 1989 BMW 325i
70 Gordo 2000 Toyota Celica GTS
71 Tara 1998 Honda Prelude SH
92 Andrea Dreyfus 2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan
97 Russell Lewis 1997 BMW 328is
111 Chief 2007 Honda Civic Si
125 Brian Cembor 1989 Honda Civic Si
197 Brian Bell 1997 BMW 328is
Damn , this gonna be rough!!
Kirk
Posted: March 6th, 2009, 7:34 pm
by Rudman
Well lets see.......4 hondas, 4 BMW's, 2 Infinitis and one Nissan something.....
Well I'll give you this much, your ride will definately stand out in that crowd!
Posted: March 6th, 2009, 11:17 pm
by MG Man
Mr. Fixables wrote:MG Man,
Funny you shoudl say that as my car is actually a U.S. Spec Almera with a QR25DE.
Kirk
showoff

Posted: March 7th, 2009, 7:24 pm
by cinco
come on man do trinis proud i will come check it out tomorrow
Posted: March 9th, 2009, 1:39 pm
by Mr. Fixables
OK. OK. First of all, the car ran great. The tires stuck nicely, and the car was nice and balanced. I think I have some minor air pressure tweaking, but it is generally good.
For the first time in a while, the DRIVER let down the car.
I found myself under the gun with a couple of Nationally Competitive cars in the class, and as a result, I pushed the car, made a few mistakes and clipped a bunch of cones.
Actually, I only had one clean run out of 4. That's sad!!
My best time was 62.9, but I think the car could have done a 61 flat. That would have put me in 3rd place instead of 6th.
I am upset with myself and will have a chance to redeem myself at the end of the month.
Results here:
http://www.soloatlanta.com/blog/?page_id=227
STAY TUNED!!
Posted: March 9th, 2009, 2:00 pm
by MG Man
no worries Kirk
no doubt they watching u
Posted: March 9th, 2009, 2:27 pm
by Mr. Fixables
Posted: March 9th, 2009, 3:54 pm
by MG Man
nice
suspension looks very well balanced
now lose the fogs and spoiler, and throw on some lighter wheels
also remove the door mirrors and sand down the paint
and mount the camera on the tip of the bonnet for better weight distribution
Posted: March 9th, 2009, 4:52 pm
by Mr. Fixables
Yeah. The car feels nice.
All I have are Eibach Pro Kit springs and KYB GR2 shocks. Yuh know chinee cheap.....
The problem is that I am competing against guys with $2000 suspension setups.
I still think I can be close, but it is gonna be tough to beat them consistently.
Instead of sanding down the paint, I think I will add a few ricer stickers, as we all know that each sticker adds 3-5 HP, right? And maybe next time I will face the camera toward me so you guys can see me cussing as I make my mistakes.
Kirk
Posted: March 9th, 2009, 5:57 pm
by eliteauto
Mr. Fixables wrote:Yeah. The car feels nice.
All I have are Eibach Pro Kit springs and KYB GR2 shocks. Yuh know chinee cheap.....
You have given me hope, I ordered the same springs and Tokico HP for my car, just hadda get the driver's mods now

Posted: March 9th, 2009, 6:12 pm
by cinco
i was there man but i got there late missed your runs i got there about 2 i forgot the time change
Posted: March 10th, 2009, 8:11 am
by Mr. Fixables
2pm??
I was running the morning group, I was there from 7am
Next event is at Turner Field March 29th.
Kirk
Posted: March 11th, 2009, 7:23 pm
by cinco
yeh man the time change messed me up i was supposed to get out by 12
dam thats early
what time at turner field?
Posted: March 17th, 2009, 4:28 pm
by Mr. Fixables
Cinco,
My class is running in the afternoon this event, so about 12.30 or 1pm would be a good time to get there.
Kirk
Posted: March 23rd, 2009, 4:21 pm
by Mr. Fixables
OK. Competition time again.
I ordered a rear sway bar, and it is scheduled to come in on Wednesday. It's only Monday and 93 cars are entered for the event on Sunday. This is Atlanta Points #2.
I have my camera all charged up, so look out for some vids on Monday.
**NOTE TO SELF** Hitting cones = BAD ....... NOT hitting cones = GOOD!!!!
Kirk
Posted: March 23rd, 2009, 4:42 pm
by pyromaniak
^^ Looking out for the vids as well, maybe I'll learn something

Posted: March 24th, 2009, 8:00 pm
by cinco
cool i was going out of town this weekend i should be there this time
Posted: March 26th, 2009, 9:18 am
by Mr. Fixables
Partial video of a run at Points #1
Damn camera battery died half way through the run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNsHXk4AUII
I will have the camera battery fully charged for this event. So look out for all 4 runs on video.
Kirk
Posted: March 26th, 2009, 9:31 am
by wagonrunner
Mr. Fixables,
will watch the vid later.
from your memory of the karting track, can you give some input here? <a href="http://forums.trinituner.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=239295">of dex courses</a>