NERDS RACING - North East Recreational Driving Schedule

I went to a South Jersey SCCA autocross at Atco, NJ this past Sunday, 6/13/04. After having mounted a way-too-big free-bee Kirkey seat on Saturday, I was able to borrow the region's autocross trailer to haul the CRX to the event. The first stickers I put on the car were for Grassroots Motorsports and Evolution Driving School.

With some help from the local autocross dudes we were able to comfort one of the other CSP drivers that in fact the ITA car is legal in CSP... he was concerned since I only had one seat.

After just 6 runs, I could tell this car is much better then the driver. I never found the limits, and I'm not sure even how close I got. Despite the rib supports acting more like "arm impeders", and the seat being too far back, and having a difficult time time holding onto the "polished leather" steering wheel, I wound up winning CSP for the day by over a second. I know for sure there was more time out there. I also placed 9th in PAX which is one of the highest spots I've taken in CSP.

Don't get my wrong I really do love autocrossing, but I just can not wait to get this thing to the track... I'm planning on doing a track day or two before finally using the novice permit in an SCCA race.

Sorry if this sounds like bragging... I really don't care whether I won, it's just I'm so glad that the car is better then I expected that I had to share. I'm confident that the transmission has been rebuilt with three critical components a Quaife Limited Slip Dif, an upgraded final drive, and a new gear set. The inside-front tires didn't break loose, the rev limiter was coming on earlier then I expected and the transmission is quite smooth.

Ya think Hankook would sponsor this car?

Funny I usually write up about how to take the course or what corners were more challenging etc. I also found myself not thinking about the course like I usually do at autocrosses... it was a challenge to shift my focus off of the car.

Now to "tighten the nut behind the wheel".

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Ah, I don't like the above account too much... I think this is a bit more personal and reads a bit better...

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Had the car out for the first time after looking at it lovingly for the past two months. I drilled five holes, four in the bottom and one in the back to mount the Kirkey racing seat. This was completed over the course of Friday and Saturday. The seat will not stay in the car because I'm not happy with either the mounts that came with the car, nor am I happy with the Kirkey seat. It's too big. The rib supports are too far away from the body and I bump into them with my elbows while steering.

I also borrowed the South Jersey Region SCCA's Solo 2 trailer. It houses the autocross stuff, and has room for a car. So basically if it wasn't for their help, I wouldn't have been able to get my car to the event at Atco.

I had a total of six runs, three in the AM and three in the afternoon. I drove with my nomex gloves to get used to them, but they wound up being more of a hindrance then I could imagine. Because the seat is a little too far back, and non adjustable, the fact that the steering wheel is slippery only made it even more difficult to steer those 205/55 Hoosiers. During one of the afternoon runs unexpectedly tugged at the tip of one of the glove's fingers. In doing so my index finger shared space with my middle finger for well over half of a run. Talk about feeling like a dork. Plus I think I also hit the windshield wipers... something I've only done once before in an unfamiliar car. Yep, a dork.

Finally with the last run at hand I put the gloves in the glove box, where they belong damn it, and had a much more pleasant experience driving. This along with a pillow behind my back, and loosening the shoulder harnesses just a tad helped greatly.

I successfully learned quite a bit. I learned I can tow a trailer, I can back a rather large trailer into my driveway that on one side is a brick wall and on the other shrubs and trees. I also learned how to tie-down the car, tow hooks on every corner, whoo-hoo!, and learned I can load and unload the car by myself.

I also successfully drove the car without breaking anything. The car DOES have a Quaife, and a final drive ratio suitable for road racing,... for sure! The car also has a rev limiter.

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SJ_SCCA | Photos | Results | SJ Schedule & Preregistration

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Favorite Links:

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South Jersey SCCA

AUTOX4U.COM

Honda-Tech.com

ImprovedTouring.com

WheelWeights.net

teambodega.com

OPMmotorsports.com

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UncleFesterMotorsports

SixFootTiger R/C Racing

PhotoReflect.com

GTPLANET.net

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Yahoo Groups

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NERDS_racing

Mid-Atlantic SE-R Club

South Jersey (Solo 2)

Philadelphia (Solo 2)

Susquehanna (Solo 2)

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Miscellanious

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New Racing Class?

SJR promo

Video - Cooper Minis

Video - Evo too much fun

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