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My Autocross was yesterday. I had some bad runs - but apparently the bad runs were more fun to watch, my daughter reported, as my family came out to watch for the first time....

How NOT to Autocross... the countersteer excitement in the middle was a full steering wheel rotation and then some, and then back. I was a bit surprised to end up still on course.



Best Lap - the best guy in my class has an RS, full cage, and the young man is very, very, good. I... am not (yet). My best is below.



Most Fun Run - 4 men, a Cayenne SUV, Autocross... what can go wrong?

 
My Autocross was yesterday. I had some bad runs - but apparently the bad runs were more fun to watch, my daughter reported, as my family came out to watch for the first time....

How NOT to Autocross... the countersteer excitement in the middle was a full steering wheel rotation and then some, and then back. I was a bit surprised to end up still on course.



Best Lap - the best guy in my class has an RS, full cage, and the young man is very, very, good. I... am not (yet). My best is below.



Most Fun Run - 4 men, a Cayenne SUV, Autocross... what can go wrong?




Tonight, I'll post my mess ups as well.


Another video from yesterday. I took this with my phone so it's not great quality, but still pretty good. Be sure to turn up the volume as this car sounds awesome! It's a 2004 Porsche GT3, with a full race package and race slicks. He didn't get the fastest time from the Porsche group, but it was fun to watch.

 
Attention Scorekeepers:

Please respond to this post telling me if the votes for your division correspond to combo order A or combo order B shown below. The Sunday Scoring doc showed the rounds in the wrong order last night which might have led to some confusion with the voting. Thanks.

A:
1) Cadillac CTS-V Coupe '11 (Sports: Soft) at Mid-Field Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
2) Pozzi Motorsports Camaro RS (Sports: Soft) at Red Bull Ring (7 laps)
3) Lexus SC430 GT500 Base Model '08 (Racing: Hard) at Apricot Hill Raceway / Forward (9 laps)

or

B:
1) Cadillac CTS-V Coupe '11 (Sports: Soft) at Mid-Field Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
2) Lexus SC430 GT500 Base Model '08 (Racing: Hard) at Apricot Hill Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
3) Pozzi Motorsports Camaro RS (Sports: Soft) at Red Bull Ring (7 laps)
D1=A
 
There will be a change to the schedule concerning new and returning drivers for this week. The deadline to submit a time trial and be placed for this week will be 23:59 ET Thursday night instead of Saturday night. The reason for this is that I will be out of town from Friday until Monday. I will not be dealing with anything SNAIL related during this time. I will not even be checking the thread during this time.
 
that I will be out of town from Friday until Monday. I will not be dealing with anything SNAIL related during this time. I will not even be checking the thread during this time
Sir, @JLBowler , thank you for advising, just wondering who will give the "ready to roll" for all divisions on Sunday night?
cheers from Vienna :cheers:
 
Attention Scorekeepers:

Please respond to this post telling me if the votes for your division correspond to combo order A or combo order B shown below. The Sunday Scoring doc showed the rounds in the wrong order last night which might have led to some confusion with the voting. Thanks.

A:
1) Cadillac CTS-V Coupe '11 (Sports: Soft) at Mid-Field Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
2) Pozzi Motorsports Camaro RS (Sports: Soft) at Red Bull Ring (7 laps)
3) Lexus SC430 GT500 Base Model '08 (Racing: Hard) at Apricot Hill Raceway / Forward (9 laps)

or

B:
1) Cadillac CTS-V Coupe '11 (Sports: Soft) at Mid-Field Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
2) Lexus SC430 GT500 Base Model '08 (Racing: Hard) at Apricot Hill Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
3) Pozzi Motorsports Camaro RS (Sports: Soft) at Red Bull Ring (7 laps)

I noticed the wrong order when I did the scoring and I manually changed it for Div 3 so ours would be option A
 
Attention Scorekeepers:

Please respond to this post telling me if the votes for your division correspond to combo order A or combo order B shown below. The Sunday Scoring doc showed the rounds in the wrong order last night which might have led to some confusion with the voting. Thanks.

A:
1) Cadillac CTS-V Coupe '11 (Sports: Soft) at Mid-Field Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
2) Pozzi Motorsports Camaro RS (Sports: Soft) at Red Bull Ring (7 laps)
3) Lexus SC430 GT500 Base Model '08 (Racing: Hard) at Apricot Hill Raceway / Forward (9 laps)

or

B:
1) Cadillac CTS-V Coupe '11 (Sports: Soft) at Mid-Field Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
2) Lexus SC430 GT500 Base Model '08 (Racing: Hard) at Apricot Hill Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
3) Pozzi Motorsports Camaro RS (Sports: Soft) at Red Bull Ring (7 laps)



I'm not the score keeper but Div. 5=A,,,,,,,D5 Replays uploaded!
 
Any final comments or suggestions to consider on a new car when I get back from vacation next week.

I sold the not-loved-anymore Minivan last week. Objective: Own for 6-10 years, usually 5-7k miles per year, a 4-door people hauler that could (maybe?) be used in Autocross, and at a torrentially rainy DE event at the local track. My regular DE car is waaaay more exciting in the rain than I prefer, and I'd end up driving home each night anyways.

We usually buy used at CarMax. This time I was leaning towards the new base VW GTI ("S" trim) with Performance Package - extra 10 hp, and a mechanical slip differential. My wife suggested I get something with more character or personality. At her behest, I tried out the 2015 Mini Cooper S 'Hardtop' 4 door. It was better than expected, and there was an element of fun, though the gigantic bezel-circle in the middle isn't my cuppa tea. I'm only looking at the base S with "Dynamic Damper Control." Prices are similar enough.

I will ECU reprogram the GTI at some point, going from 220 hp to about 315 hp. The Mini has some ECU upgrades, taking it from a modest 180-ish hp to the low 220-240's. GTI has more cargo, better transmission, and for looks, the both are admittedly... whatever. Both of them are people haulin' cars. But I wouldn't mind if they also were good for haulin' on general principle.

If the Subaru WRZ was offered in a 4 door hatch, I'd be all over that as a consideration, but I loathe the current sedan Play-doh style from the windshield through trunk set-up.

Using USAA Car Buying Service, it knocks $2,000+ off dealer MSRP, and gives me a small amount of leverage with the trio of nearby dealers, but I'm reasonably happy with that price.

Thoughts, comments, other considerations (not Focus ST - doesn't suit me) are welcome and I seek info/experience. Send a PM if you prefer.
 
Attention Scorekeepers:

Please respond to this post telling me if the votes for your division correspond to combo order A or combo order B shown below. The Sunday Scoring doc showed the rounds in the wrong order last night which might have led to some confusion with the voting. Thanks.

A:
1) Cadillac CTS-V Coupe '11 (Sports: Soft) at Mid-Field Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
2) Pozzi Motorsports Camaro RS (Sports: Soft) at Red Bull Ring (7 laps)
3) Lexus SC430 GT500 Base Model '08 (Racing: Hard) at Apricot Hill Raceway / Forward (9 laps)

or

B:
1) Cadillac CTS-V Coupe '11 (Sports: Soft) at Mid-Field Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
2) Lexus SC430 GT500 Base Model '08 (Racing: Hard) at Apricot Hill Raceway / Forward (9 laps)
3) Pozzi Motorsports Camaro RS (Sports: Soft) at Red Bull Ring (7 laps)

D6- A


 
Any final comments or suggestions to consider on a new car when I get back from vacation next week.

I sold the not-loved-anymore Minivan last week. Objective: Own for 6-10 years, usually 5-7k miles per year, a 4-door people hauler that could (maybe?) be used in Autocross, and at a torrentially rainy DE event at the local track. My regular DE car is waaaay more exciting in the rain than I prefer, and I'd end up driving home each night anyways.

We usually buy used at CarMax. This time I was leaning towards the new base VW GTI ("S" trim) with Performance Package - extra 10 hp, and a mechanical slip differential. My wife suggested I get something with more character or personality. At her behest, I tried out the 2015 Mini Cooper S 'Hardtop' 4 door. It was better than expected, and there was an element of fun, though the gigantic bezel-circle in the middle isn't my cuppa tea. I'm only looking at the base S with "Dynamic Damper Control." Prices are similar enough.

I will ECU reprogram the GTI at some point, going from 220 hp to about 315 hp. The Mini has some ECU upgrades, taking it from a modest 180-ish hp to the low 220-240's. GTI has more cargo, better transmission, and for looks, the both are admittedly... whatever. Both of them are people haulin' cars. But I wouldn't mind if they also were good for haulin' on general principle.

If the Subaru WRZ was offered in a 4 door hatch, I'd be all over that as a consideration, but I loathe the current sedan Play-doh style from the windshield through trunk set-up.

Using USAA Car Buying Service, it knocks $2,000+ off dealer MSRP, and gives me a small amount of leverage with the trio of nearby dealers, but I'm reasonably happy with that price.

Thoughts, comments, other considerations (not Focus ST - doesn't suit me) are welcome and I seek info/experience. Send a PM if you prefer.
If you are buying used. I suggest something similar, Get a Subaru, though I suggest the Legacy GT. However, if you are looking for new. I know you are saying pass on the Focus, but, may I suggest waiting just a touch for this one?
https://social.ford.com/content/for...03234&ef_id=U0iu1wAABZaog3Zz:20150713220114:s
 
@Handlebar Being that you buy used, I would try to find a R32 Golf, or few model year older Forester STI.

I usually buy used. The GTIs (and to a much lesser extent used Cooper S - though 4 door puts me in Countryman-land... blech) are holding value surprisingly well. The clean 3-4 year old models with 20-30k on the clock are 20% below NEW sticker - at least for 'asking price' on those. 1-2 year very low models are enthusiastically asking for 2k below what I get get a new GTI - with slip diff! - for.

The Golf R's that get down to the mid 20's are frequently fairly high miles - over 60k? - and I begin to wonder about the trope that "VW's are GREAT cars... until you get to 60,000 miles...." This doesn't mean I buy it completely, I just want to consider the maintenance.

Cooper offers shockingly good maintenance for the warranty. Including brake pads, of all things! I asked if the customer could get non-OEM pads, and the initial sales guy didn't understand. Sales manager did. We are now discussing how to 'play' his car with the wife, just as I did with VW ("OK - the Performance package is mandatory for me... the less we discuss the particulars, the less she'll care...").

Would you take a Forester on a track? The used WRX STIs are in the 2008-2008 range, usually 60k+ miles. Scoobies are great - owned one continuously since '97 - but a 7 year old STI with turbo nags at me...

-------------- Edit ---------------

That Focus RS looks great! I'm just betting that it - like the Civic Type R - will go for silly upgrade prices...
 
Any final comments or suggestions to consider on a new car when I get back from vacation next week.

I sold the not-loved-anymore Minivan last week. Objective: Own for 6-10 years, usually 5-7k miles per year, a 4-door people hauler that could (maybe?) be used in Autocross, and at a torrentially rainy DE event at the local track. My regular DE car is waaaay more exciting in the rain than I prefer, and I'd end up driving home each night anyways.

We usually buy used at CarMax. This time I was leaning towards the new base VW GTI ("S" trim) with Performance Package - extra 10 hp, and a mechanical slip differential. My wife suggested I get something with more character or personality. At her behest, I tried out the 2015 Mini Cooper S 'Hardtop' 4 door. It was better than expected, and there was an element of fun, though the gigantic bezel-circle in the middle isn't my cuppa tea. I'm only looking at the base S with "Dynamic Damper Control." Prices are similar enough.

I will ECU reprogram the GTI at some point, going from 220 hp to about 315 hp. The Mini has some ECU upgrades, taking it from a modest 180-ish hp to the low 220-240's. GTI has more cargo, better transmission, and for looks, the both are admittedly... whatever. Both of them are people haulin' cars. But I wouldn't mind if they also were good for haulin' on general principle.

If the Subaru WRZ was offered in a 4 door hatch, I'd be all over that as a consideration, but I loathe the current sedan Play-doh style from the windshield through trunk set-up.

Using USAA Car Buying Service, it knocks $2,000+ off dealer MSRP, and gives me a small amount of leverage with the trio of nearby dealers, but I'm reasonably happy with that price.

Thoughts, comments, other considerations (not Focus ST - doesn't suit me) are welcome and I seek info/experience. Send a PM if you prefer.

You mentioned the current WRX sedan, what about a last gen 2007-2014 hatchback?

Ninjad by your own reply. I'd feel the same way about a 7-8 year old turbo that was bought to be used hard.
 
well, considering its turbo awd, it sure wont be in the st range. im gonna guess 30k or so starting in the base RS trim. BTW, i wouldnt be too worried about a 7 year STI. Its the wrx with the 5 speed id shy away from.
 
well, considering its turbo awd, it sure wont be in the st range. im gonna guess 30k or so starting in the base RS trim. BTW, i wouldnt be too worried about a 7 year STI. Its the wrx with the 5 speed id shy away from.

Just the 6 speeds are good? And that's... the sedan... So that'd be off the table, then, to be very honest.
 
Yeah, I do not believe there is a wagon STI. At least, not stock. The five speeds in the older WRX's circa 2001-2006 were garbage. Fine in a stock trim WRX that isn't excessively abused. But once you start doing performance upgrades, the trans usually goes shortly after. 2007+ they changed transmissions though. Also, that is they year they started the hatchback, which you can find in STI trim. Or just WRX, depending on on your price range.

Edit: Hey
@Handlebar how about an Audi? A lower mileage S4 isnt bad. Or even an older A4 with the 1.8T VAG. those bad lads are forged from the get go and can get up to the 350-400hp range with out to much effort.
 
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What years are you thinking of? The last gen 2008-2014 STi is made in wagon form. They were all 6 speed. I can't vouch for the 5 speed, but the 6 speed sure is nice on the highway and on long trips. Just did a 2400km 5 day road trip and everything was great from comfort to mileage. My friends have never had problems with rear seat leg room, though I'm not tall in the drivers seat at 5'9 anyways. This generation didn't have the sedan reintroduced until 2010 I believe. If you were considering the previous generation before that, then no, there were no STi hatchbacks.

Edit: Also worth a note, for the 2008-2014 gen, all WRX had 5 speeds, all STi had 6 speeds.
 
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Same with the 2001-2007 models. For the 2008+ though they were different than the previous transmissions, and stood up a lot better.
 
If I was looking, my buy right now would be a New R Golf. I was at the VW dealer the other day and could have one for around 38k out the dealer with free maintenance for 50k.
 
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The Sunday Scores have been pushed to SNAIL Data. The Data Specialists can now do the entries for last night's racing.
 
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