British Columbia DSM
Van Island - BC DSM Club => Meets => Topic started by: CamWeiss on March 17, 2009, 12:58:40 am
-
So on Sunday the 22 of March there's an autocross at Saratoga here on the Island.
I'll be going, and I believe a couple other Island members (Maurits? Richard?) had considered going up. I believe another non-member from Victoria will be up as well.
I'd encourage anyone who wants to get some seat time to come out! The last event apparently had ~12 entries, ~10 runs, and something north of 65 seconds per run - Quite a long course!
Tech starts at 10:30AM, see their website for further details (http://www.saratogaspeedway.bc.ca/index.html (http://www.saratogaspeedway.bc.ca/index.html)).
Lets make this into a mini-meet, guys. I know there are a bunch of Duncan/Nanaimo/etc members hangin around...
-
I'm in. finally something on the island that isnt in 3 hours away.
-
I thought Saratoga was dead..guess not!!
-
Heh, yeah I guess the owners haven't given up it Saratoga yet.
Just for clarification on the entry fees - The $35 is for entry. You WILL HAVE TO rent a Transponder, and you will have to purchase a bracket to go with it (They apparently sell it there, no idea on the price). From what I understand, the pit pass is for anyone who hasn't entered their own car but is driving someone else's who has paid for registration.
So yeah... Bring at least $50 and some cable ties to attach the transponder bracket to your license plate.
Edit - My biggest question right now is "Azenis or No Azenis"... I'm goin up to Mt Wash on Saturday, so I'm not too sure about summer tires + (possible) fresh snow. I know it's stupid to chance, but the road is usually pretty clear.
-
The road is covered in loose sand. if you are going to ride nicely up the hill summer tires should do you (it looked crappy at the top today though) I have been going up and down on all seasons all winter. They keep the pavement bare, but the sand they use is evil.
-
Now that you have said the roads are USUALLY clear they won't be! lol
-
I'm going to be going up! Made up my mind :D
-
Brad, I don't know if you've ever run Autocross before, but I'll give you a quick rundown on a few things you should check before you come out.
Helmet: Local requirements are Snell M2000, M2005, SA 2000 or SA 2005. I believe the Saratoga rules are the same.
Safety Belts: OEM seatbelts should be in good working order. Harnesses are ok.
Solidly Mounted Battery: The battery must be held down properly. If it can be moved at all, it will not pass.
Legal Tires: In Stock and Street Prepared categories, the tires must have measurable tread, and must be in good condition. Excessive weather checks or visible cord/plies will fail inspection. Tire pressures should be higher than used for the street, and 40 psi F/R is a good place to start.
Brakes: The brake pedal must be firm, with no loss of pressure when held down.
Steering / Suspension: The steering must be reasonably tight, with no excessive play. Wheel bearings cannot have excessive play.
Hub Caps and Trim Rings: Hub caps, trim rings and wheel covers must be removed for competition, unless they are bolted to the wheel.
Loose Items in Car: All loose items must be removed from the passenger compartment and trunk. This includes the floor-mats. You may remove the spare tire and jack, but you are not required to if they are properly secured. This can all be done at the track, there should be some extra space in the pit area to unload your car.
Fluid Leaks: Excessive fluid leaks will not pass inspection.
Numbers and Class Markings: Shoe polish or tape (I'd reccomend painters' blue) are both good, although not all clubs require numbers.
Adequate Muffler: Your car must be quieter than 95dbA (RLS) measured 50 feet from the course at a place where you are under full throttle. Due to the possibility of losing sites for noise problems, this rule is strictly enforced. (If your car is quiet enough to avoid attracting Police attention, it will most likely pass the noise requirement)
Throttle: Accelerator pedal must have a return spring and operate freely.
Things to bring:
-Entry fee, in cash (They may not have debit)
-Driving shoes, or something suitable.
-Rain/Cold gear
-Lunch
-Tire pressure guage (I carry one, use it if you like)
-A notepad and pen are often useful as well.
-Some chalk (or tire shine, alternatively) for marking your tires to guage sidewall rollover. Not neccessary, but it easily tells you the difference that a few PSI makes when adjusting tire pressures.
If you want to do a more thorough read, i'd reccomend:
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm (http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm).
-
Doesn't look like I'm going to be running this weekend. Seems like all four of my AGXs are blown.
Sorrrryy Cam! Depending on how long they take to send me new ones, I might not run the April even at all! :( Damn it.
-
Damn... all at one time?
Could be an expensive fix.
Coilovers - You know you want them.
-
I don't know if it's all. I'm not 100% sure, but it felt off today so I'll check it out over the weekend.
If I do get a different setup, I'm probably going to save up the money and fork it out on some nice K-Sports or something similar.. expensive as hell, but at least they'll be a decent setup.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, KYB AGXs come with a lifetime warranty, so I'm GOOOOODD ;D
-
Oh, warranty is good.
When I eventually do the suspension on my car, it'll be K-Sports. Even if that does end up being three years from now.
-
Cam. Thanks for the heads up. This would be my first autocross.
I don't think that I would be able to run this weekend regardless, I haven't been able to weld up the pipe on my intake and my silicone stuff hasn't arrived in the mail yet so I am using fernco connectors to hold shit together, I know its half assed but I was eager to see how "plug and play" the translator is. I blow my IC piping at stock pressures because of the crappy piping (first time it happened it was scarry as hell and pieces actually forcibly ejected from the car, so I am running the MBC to about 8 psi.
Most of the things otherwise are in order, tires are about 80%, battery is tied down (I think... now I am doubting myself), seatbelts seem to work fine, but then again I have dont know that I have ever tried the lap belt (auto belts), exhaust is still stock and I dont drip a drop of anything (I drive on the pit and check once a week for leaks)
I have a DOT helmet but it is for MX (relic of a past life). I really just need an excuse to see some decent cars with decent people. This podunk town is starting to get to me.
Is it against etiquette to show up to an event like this and not participate? I
-
Not at all - I'm sure someone will put you to work if you aren't going to run. These Saratoga events are sometimes sparsely attended, so if you want to show up and help out I'm sure it would be appreciated.
Most MX helmets are SNELL rated - It may say it on the back, but it's probably buried in the headliner. If the stock hold down bracket for your battery is still intact, it should do just fine.
Are you in Nanaimo? Courtenay?
-
I am in Courtenay. Saratoga is literally minutes from my house.
Like I said, it would be my first autocross event but I am willing to help, and try to get a grasp of what happens at events. I am easy to spot, no hair, big goatee and tattoos on my neck.
-
I'm headed up to the mountain shortly, but if you bring your helmet Brad I might be able to take you for a couple runs.
See ya Sunday.
-
Thanks for the offer Cam, if you (or anyone) are in town on Saturday swing by the Lubex across from the Superstore, I am there until 4.30. If you need a look under the car and we arent busy that is the place to do it. We have been super slow lately at work and we ran out of motorcycle magazines to read.
-
Well, today was lots of fun.
Met a couple new people, scrubbed off a bit of tire, packed up my small mountain of shit (Racing stuff, ski gear), and went home.
Four DSM's present, three of whom ran. Dan, if you're lurking the forums you might as well sign up! Both you and Brad have got pretty straight looking cars.
Dunno when I'll make it up there next, but I'd encourage both of you to come down anytime - The clubs down here are friendly, I promise!
-
Goddamn it and second guessing the suspension.. I knew last night I shoulda have spontaneously gone up to run...
Sounds like you had a lot of fun man..
Brad. How was it? Did you run at all or did you just watch?
April 25th I'll be there Cam. Hopefully with some new tires.
-
If you're gonna get new tires, be sure to get something good.
I'd reccomend some BFG KD variants, Falken Azenis, Kumho MX, etc. Then a second set of a/s rubber for your stock rims (if you've still got them).
-
It was awesome. Being my first event I didn't know what to expect. I learned a lot more than I had expected to.
I didn't run my car due to my 2 mangled rims, I will run when I find some wheels to turn that I can trust. I did however get to ride shotgun in Hamish's car. It made me completely re-evaluate my goals. Everyone is more than encouraged to show up to these events, I know I wont miss any of them for any good reason. I will gladly work corners until I get some wheels so I can run the track too.
As for Dano, I gave him the address to the forums and some encouragement to join in the fun on the boards. I think he was as surprised to see us there as we were to see him.
-
Good on ya, Brad! Yeah it would be nice to see some more DSMs out there.
Cam. I'm going through the motions looking for some decent A/S tires right now. That's all I can afford and plus I'm trying to stick with something that had a good life, is good in rain and still a good tire for dry until I can afford to throw more money on my old eagle rims. Sumitomo HTR+ seem to be there tire for me.
Think anybody from VSMC that has a tirerack account could give me a hook up? ;)
-
Thoughts on tires.
Seriously, don't bother with a/s tires. Especially at this time of the year.
My Azenis are great in the rain (Go find a pic of the tread pattern, it's very good at moving water). I got 20++ events (and 3 trackdays) on them last year and had them on from June through October, while using somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of the tread. They weren't that expensive, either. Mine were, if I recall, under $150 each from 1010 Tires, out of Vancouver. No border fees and cheap shipping work to your advantage, there.
Get some 225/50-16"s and put them on your black wheels, and find some a/s or snow tires for the stockers in the fall.
If you are dead set on getting all-seasons, I'd reccomend the Falken Ziex 912 (I've got them on my stock wheels right now), or a Kumho Ecsta ASX or AST.
Either way I'd look for something with 340 - 400 treadwear in an a/s, with an A temperature and AA traction rating.
For a summer, tire, 180 - 220 treadwear, A and AA temp and traction ratings.
TireRack doesn't sell Falken, but TireTrends and 1010Tires (both from Vancouver) do. Their prices are competitive with Tire Rack once you factor in shipping, border fees, and brokerage unless you're prepared to ship to a proxy company in the states.
There is one company, I'm not sure of the name, out of Wahington State, that will receive your order and fly it to YYJ for less than you'd pay for brokerage (Keeping in mind that shipping with the Tire Rack is usually free within the continental US, but not free to Canada).
Some prices...
Kumho ASX - $140 @ 1010
Kumho AST - $126 @ 1010
Kumho MX
Kumho XS (New version of the MX) - $216 @ 1010
Falken Azenis RT615 - $186 @ 1010
Falken Ziex 912 - $130 @ 1010
These were prices for 225/50-16", with the best price listed between TireTrends and 1010. If 225/50-16" wasn't available, I left the field blank.
Just as a note, I paid a bit less when I bought mine than what I can find now.
the Azenis were $141 each from 1010, plus shipping, disposal fees (mandatory for all tires sold in-province), and tax. The total was a hair under $700.
The Falkens I don't have a price breakdown for, but the total was some $526.