Did an auto-x school on Saturday, couldn't make it out again Sunday, but did very well with the second fastest time among the non-novice drivers (600rwhp preped civic beat me ). Had a real issue with carrying momentum through the course and couldn't get below a 35.7 and was dirty each time. Finally on my 5th run a nailed it with a 34.9 clean and beat out a mostly stock Evo 8 or 9 MR edition by a few hundredths of a second and probably left less than .5secs on the course.

Once again this is still on my 18x8.5 245/40 setup with REVI and REV8, hopefully I'd had been able to gain another 1.5-2 seconds or so with the car preped.

I believe my success or lack there of at nationals will be my ability to run a fast clean run by my 3rd try, something i have no experience with at local/regional events.

 

Terminology nitpick: "Nationals" refers to the annual national championships in Topeka. A Tour or Pro isn't Nationals. The level of competition at Nationals is wildly higher than that at a Tour or Pro; winning at a small Tour or Pro is oftentimes easier than winning at a big regional event.

 

this thread makes me glad that i don't take myself seriously.

 

Steve your buddy still looking for a co-drive? looks like we've got 8 entrants into STU for MA.

 

Polak, look me up at the event. I'm running STS this year.

I'll be around all the other 'FunHondas/Rallydecals.com' Civics.

You have a cutter... sheesh.. just make some numbers, bring them to the event, put them on and leave them on for the weekend and then take them off. Or just bring numbers for Sat, take them off, then re-apply a new set for sunday if you don't want numbers on the car overnight.

Even better still, hit your supplier up (which is the same one that I have as you mentioned earlier) and buy a roll of easy removable. That stuff is gold for just a few events. You can even put the event stickers on that vinyl and it comes off really easily.

Don't even bother with magnet. You know and I know the cost of vinyl and it would be cheaper to cut 2 sets of numbers each day than to do numbers out of magnet (or apply the vinyl to the magnet)

Also, if it rains, magnet could be of concern with glazing of the clearcoat.

I will have stock of magnetic and easy remove at the event for those that want to not permanently apply the required decals.

About the surface, it's fairly grippy in spots and there are some elevation changes that need to be taken into account. The main runway is crowned in the middle. Any transitions over this crown could effect the anticipated handling of the car in high speed transitions. Just something to be aware of.

Also, the transition from the taxiway to runway (or runway to taxiway depending on course design/direction) will have a little hill to deal with. Otherwise, it is pretty flat.

As others have said... bring bug spray, sunscreen, and rain gear. There's no practice on Fri because the property owners won't let anyone on until the designated time. It's a limitation of the site that we've had to deal with for years.

--KC
After 2 years of r-comps, I'm finding it hard to adjust to Street Tires again in a FWD car.

 

Just to reiterate what Keith said, bring LOTS OF BUG SPRAY. Some nasty mosquitos at that site. Rain gear is crucial, too.

And plan to get there earlier than the designated time on Friday to get a paddock spot. They opened the gates early last year and those of us who arrived "on time" got the sh1tty paddock spots.

 

Gates open at 5. That's when you'll be allowed in this year unless you're setting up course or have essential business being in there other than to get a grid spot.

With a skinny road leading up to the gate, please do not plan on arriving until 5. Waiting at the gate will only block essential people from getting in. Please do not do this.

--kC

 

I would love to know how there were (at least) 100 people there by the time we arrived (which was only a few minutes after the official gate opening time). I guess they were all on official business!

 

I don't know. Not my place. I was at the last Solo Meeting, and it was said from among high... 5pm is when the gates open.

--kC

 

people just don't listen ...

 

Alex will be flying out of country during that weekend. You got healthy competition from the look of roster. Best of luck!

 

one final tip ...

 

The host region always is going to have a ton of people getting there early in official and "official" capacities...the secret is to get a set up work assignment of be chief or something or other...that way, you're pretty much assured a good spot in the paddock...of course, you also are assured of doing a bunch of the grunt work!

 

Nah... most of those people weren't working for the region, they were sitting in their tow vehicles waiting for tech to open and the courses to be set up. We learned our lesson last year, now we know the trick.

 

Okey doke. If you want to go by what happened last year, go for it. We're working with a possible police detail to keep traffic to the side of the road until the gate opens. I'm tellin' ya... gate doesn't open 'till 5. I really wish I could tell you guys other wise.

--kC

 

A police detail! Ooohhh! :D

 

Oh, did I forget to say I was going to slip them a $20 to 'detain' any yellow porches?

--kC

 

bookem Danno

 

Please, the cops are going to take down the guy with the $hit box Honda every time before they mess with the gold chain boys.

 

Except I'm the one with the out-of-state plates and I don't know the lingo up there.

"dollah"

"tonic"

"wicked haahd coah"

That kinda thing.

 

Why stop there, my performance in doug's car last weekend makes me want to bust some of this out:
http://xesyork.com/images/N0674-anul_lube.jpg

 

So you're saying that a line is going to form outside the gate somewhere...

 

Something like that.

 

I never indicated if you were giving or receiving ...

 

Since this has become the default Devens tour thread...

Run/Work Order

Run Heat 1:

SSL, DS, FSL, STS, STUL, CSP, FSPL, CP, EPL, FP, SM2, AML, BML, CM, EM, F125, FJA, FJB

Run Heat 2:

ASL, BSL, CSL, ES, GS, HS, STS2L, STX, ASP, BSPL, DSP, ESPL, XP, DPL, GPL, SML, DM, FM

Run Heat 3:

SS, DSL, FS, STSL, STU, CSPL, FSP, CPL, EP, FPL, SM2L, AM, BM, CML, EML, F125L

Run Heat 4:

AS, BS, CS, ESL, GSL, HSL, STS2, STXL, ASPL, BSP, DSPL, ESP, XPL, DP, GP, SM, DML, FML



Work Heat 1:

ASL, BSL, CSL, ES, GS, HS, STS2L, STX, ASP, BSPL, DSP, ESPL, XP, DPL, GPL, SML, DM, FM

Work Heat 2:

SS, DSL, FS, STSL, STU, CSPL, FSP, CPL, EP, FPL, SM2L, AM, BM, CML, EML, F125L
Work Heat 3:

AS, BS, CS, ESL, GSL, HSL, STS2, STXL, ASPL, BSP, DSPL, ESP, XPL, DP, GP, SM, DML, FML

Work Heat 4:

SSL, DS, FSL, STS, STUL, CSP, FSPL, CP, EPL, FP, SM2, AML, BML, CM, EM, F125

--------------------------------

This means bring your car to grid and everything else needed, then go out to work.

It's work, then run.

--kC