Addicted Autocrosser - Part 4 North Western Ohio Region SCCA Solo Racing
September 11, 2006
It turned out to be a nice cool day, people wearing jackets and sweaters, and the feeling of fall was in the air. It was a new site, at the Allen County Airport down in Lima, OH.
Our four person group included, myself, my girlfriend, my cousin, and of course my buddy in his Mazda Speed6. This race is the one we all have been waiting for, and if you have been reading my articles you know why. It is the first race that my buddy and I get to race each other within the same class, in STU.
The course was a two lap course, with some nice sweeping corners and a few tight turns, it was well laid out. We were to run the second heat, so we had a chance to watch the first heat and see where the problem areas were, the big thing was the back corner where the second lap people were hitting the brakes hard and almost stopping to keep on course.
Run 1- We started things off quickly, my first run was a good one to start with, tripping the lights with a 39.058, while the Mazda was close with a 41.119. I knew I had a good start, but would not underestimate my friend’s ability and deep desire to beat me.
Run 2- I pushed my car harder and unfortunately too hard, and took out a wall of cones which resulted in a DNF. This was bad since the Mazda was getting closer with a 39.836. He was getting closer and I did not gain anything during that run.
Run 3- I improved a little over my first run with a 38.803, this was better for me, yet this run was not an improvement for the Mazda, that got a 41.724 +1 cone. This was a disappointing run for the Mazda.
Run 4- I couldn’t count out the Mazda yet, I know the desire for winning and the competitive nature of my competitor. The Mazda did not manage to improve enough with only a 40.812. I managed to improve more with a 38.327.
Best Run- In the end my last run of 38.327 and the Mazda’s second run being the best at 39.836, which gave me a lead of -1.509.
So I managed to hold the Mazda off today. I know the Mazda will be coming for me with some front and rear sway bars and a set of springs on the way to be put on soon. The competition will continue to get harder, with the Mazda, and the Detroit Region STU class that is a tough group of cars, with more STis, Evos, and BMWs that tend to run up there. I got my Cusco front strut tower bar to get on between now and the next race. I will have to continue to push my car to the edge to stay at the top.
