Autocross

[Slush Box]

yesterday i went with my car club to Pensicola SCCA Solo II Event. It was a driving school this time but still awesome. I emailed the chairman of the SCCA and gave him info on my truck and asked if i can enter it. They let me because i'm lowered 2" but no other suspension work just yet. This was good because i wanted to see how it handled without alot of suspension work done. It wasn't that bad on stock tires and wheels and just a 2" drop. My class was EM for E Mod. I wasn't in stock because of my Intake, Exhaust and what got me in EM was my Diablo Sport Chip. There were 3 people in my class this time i got last with a 66 Second run. The 1st place driver with an old Regal fixed up got a 50 Second time. I think a 66 Second run for a mostly stock Explorer was great. There were people asking me alot of questions and taking pictures it was real cool. Some even though i raced pro just didn't bring my normal car. I was real proud and all my car club buddies were chearing me on. The best part of the course for my truck was that last straight away were i just flew down the course. See Explorers can do alot from the awesome 4x4 ones that can rock crawl to Troll with the 500+ horsepower 5.0 Ex. Were breaking down even more bounderies. I am the Autocross Explorer heck yeah. This is for you guys. I think ahhjaws is posting some shots later but click on the link in my post for my cardomain site and go to the 5th page for Autocross shots. This coming January i hope to have upgraded sway bars, shocks, wheels, tires and brakes.

 

[clarkkent]

Thats really cool man! Gladd to hear you had fun! My little brother has a 89 Mazda Rx7 that has some crazyee mods done to the suspension alone. We bring that thing to Pomona and down south for some circuit racing once and awhile. I'm gladd to hear you showed and proved to other people what explorers can do. It's hard since alot of people who don't know the real reason why EXPLORERS FLIP OVER.

 

[Alec]

It's also great to know that one on 33s with 4" of lift can beat many compacts on the course too Also with 31s and the nitrous

 

[Slush Box]

Hey thanks guys. Alec when ddid you run an Autocross course with 4" lift and 33's. SCCA wouldn't let something like that run or were you just saying like yeah they might. They exclude SUV's, Van's and 4x4's but i am lowered so they gave me a chance. Do you autocross your GTi.

 

[Black Magic]

Looks like fun! Glad to see you out there tearing up the track! I wish there was a place arround here where I could do that. I would love to take BM out on a road track. The closest thing I have is Country Highway OO.

 

[Alec]

It was an informal event without any sanctioning bodies there, and unfortunately I don't remember the distances and times. But it sure was fun!

I haven't had any time to do anything like that in the VW, and won't for a while. It probably will get a rear sway when I have the cash though. I like oversteer

 

[Slush Box]

(dead links)

 

[5.0Dad]

I would love to do that. I've been reading Grassroots Motorsports and figured I'd have to wait till I could get around to fixing up my GT6. It's good to hear they'll let you run what ya brung!

 

[STANN]

Wow, I can't believe they let you run. Thats awesome! Last autox I was at, I asked and they said no with a smirk on their face.... Hmmm, maybe I can tell them this story and say "So let me run." Wish I knew sooner, next autox is this Sunday- not enough time to go home to get my truck...Grrr. Oh well, theres always next time. Any way, HELL YEA MAN! Keep it up!

 

[STANN]

Also, I dont know how far you want to drive, but that autox this weekend is in Banbridge, GA. About 45min-1hr north of Tallahassee. It would be sweet if you could make it.

 

[Slush Box]

Not sure if they would let me run if its a different one but i know its SCCA but who knows. I heard that track has alot of bad rocks from some Autocross friends of mine. I really want to go to Gainsville i hear theres is a real track. I guess if i become part of the SCCA i should be good to go. Where do you live at STANN you should go over to where i run this coming January. I should have my Steeda Sway Bars then. The funny part is all i have done to the suspension so far is the drop and thats it. I soon hope to have Koni's and the Steeda Sway Bars. Then i can really get on it and feel better about it.

 

[STANN]

I'm in Tallahassee at Florida State. Yea, the Bainbridge surface isnt the best to say the least Lots of pebbles, lots of sand, asphalt crumbling in some places. But, its better than nothing, and they do their best to direct the course around the bad parts and to keep the track clean. Yea, I have heard Gainsville is very nice, havent been there myself. Where do you run? Whens the next date?

 

[Slush Box]

(dead links)

Yeah its at Bronson Field Pensicola, FL

go to my car clubs site and check out where to find it. Clint with the Protege can help it would be cool to have another Explorer guy there. His name on the forum is NegatiZE. Later

 

[GaSouthern1]

STANN, i know that Road Atlanta has a great track setup, several people from my neighborhood do it up there, but they are a little out of our league lol..they have Carrera 4s and Vettes and Vipers, it is a great show though.

 

[STANN]

Ha, yea, I've been to Road Atlanta's track days....wow The days I have been there there were Vipers, 360 Modena, countless Vettes and M3s, couple of 911 Turbos...insane stuff. But then again, one track day for 2 hours of racing costs $500. Those guys would really laugh at an Explorer- although I would like to see who's laughing once Troll reached the straights....

 

[GaSouthern1]

Originally posted by STANN
Ha, yea, I've been to Road Atlanta's track days....wow The days I have been there there were Vipers, 360 Modena, countless Vettes and M3s, couple of 911 Turbos...insane stuff. But then again, one track day for 2 hours of racing costs $500. Those guys would really laugh at an Explorer- although I would like to see who's laughing once Troll reached the straights....

I was talkin Autocross, they have it up by the skid pad on the inside of the back stretch, right by turn 8 (I think).

 

[STANN]

Really?! I didnt realize they actually held autox events there. I've always seen the skidpads thinking they must do something there, but never heard anything about it. Got any info about when the usually run them?

 

[GaSouthern1]

I really have no idea, I just know they do it back there. I would give them a ring and see what they say.