[2e9x's]

Yesterday I attended the BMW CCA auto-x at California Speedway. The event was very small as we only had about 40 cars in attendance. The good news is that we got more track time!

I ran in C (stock 6, 8 and 12 cylinder) class. My tires are the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs. As advertised they worked amazingly well!!! Thanks in large part to those tires I took 1st in class. The 2nd place car (a 535i) also had the Z1's. We were significantly faster than the 3rd place car so I think those tires really help. I found them to be easily controllable once they let go, and offered plenty of auditory warning in advance.

Interestingly enough the 1st place car in M stock was a gorgeous Z8! How often do you get to see those cars out being really enjoyed?! (before we get too excited, I was faster than he was...)

In the D class (6, 8 and 12 cylinder modified) the fastest e92 was driven by John Hotchkiss. His beautiful red car took 2nd in D class and was 1.13 seconds faster than me (74.9 vs 76.059). With all of his performance mods, and in light of the fact that he is a much better driver than I am, I would have expected a more significant time gap.

And just a note for people spending money to make their cars faster for auto-x... there were 2 2002's out that day. The one that took 1st place in B (modified 4 cylinder) beat my best time by .296 seconds. The fastest 2002, driven by Brian Moon (instructor, course designer, and all around great guy), was 3.694 seconds faster!!!

The track, designed by Brian Moon, was very tight and narrow with many incredibly tricky sections. It was designed to be VERY slow at the end so that people would not take out the timing lights (AGAIN ). There was an incredibly fast downhill sweeping left that allowed cars to carry tremendous speed. It was really fun!!!

Please feel free to click on the link to my in car video. You can really see how busy this course was... For those wondering, the camera was an RCA Small Wonder (~ $75) mounted on a Cruisecam headrest mount.



Enjoy! Hopefully some of you will make it out to Cal Speedway next weekend for the club's driving school!

The next auto-x is Sunday October 19, 2008 at California Speedway. Let's make this last event of the season a great one! Sign-up early to guarantee your spot.

Thank you for reading this rather long review!

[RedGT3]

WOW the last auto cross I did we only had about 30 cones, it was really hard to find were to go next. BTW GOOD JOB

[satakal]

so, with only 40 attendees, how many laps did you get?

[2e9x's]

We each got 10 practice laps and 3 timed runs.

Thanks fll!!

[kenneth]

Ya you're the bomb man! Congrats

[Shinobi]

So are final results going to be posted on the LA chapter site? or do you have them available now?

Yea, Brian Moon is awesome. I heard someone call him an Alien because his driving was unbelievable in that 2002 of his, LOL. He's VERY good.

Great to see more and more e9x come out to play. And the Z8 - such a beautiful car. Only the 2nd time I've ever seen anyone take one out here.

The LA Chapter events still need some work, but they do OK considering the lack of manpower. Since I won't be participating anymore, maybe I'll volunteer some of my time to assist at the next event.

[satakal]

Originally Posted by Shinobi

So are final results going to be posted on the LA chapter site? or do you have them available now?

Yea, Brian Moon is awesome. I heard someone call him an Alien because his driving was unbelievable in that 2002 of his, LOL. He's VERY good.

Great to see more and more e9x come out to play. And the Z8 - such a beautiful car. Only the 2nd time I've ever seen anyone take one out here.

The LA Chapter events still need some work, but they do OK considering the lack of manpower. Since I won't be participating anymore, maybe I'll volunteer some of my time to assist at the next event.

This is sad news. Did you know that you can rent a 328 from Hertz? Its an auto, but it should still be fun.

Sell the car then hang up the driving shoes?

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by Shinobi

So are final results going to be posted on the LA chapter site? or do you have them available now?

Yea, Brian Moon is awesome. I heard someone call him an Alien because his driving was unbelievable in that 2002 of his, LOL. He's VERY good.

Great to see more and more e9x come out to play. And the Z8 - such a beautiful car. Only the 2nd time I've ever seen anyone take one out here.

The LA Chapter events still need some work, but they do OK considering the lack of manpower. Since I won't be participating anymore, maybe I'll volunteer some of my time to assist at the next event.

The final results will be on the web site soon. I sent them over last night.

How would you recommend the LA Chapter events run smoother? We are always open for suggestions!

Now more importantly...why won't you be participating anymore????

[scollins]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

Please feel free to click on the link to my in car video. You can really see how busy this course was... For those wondering, the camera was an RCA Small Wonder (~ $75) mounted on a Cruisecam headrest mount.

Is that the single headrest mount or the double?

[satakal]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

The final results will be on the web site soon. I sent them over last night.

How would you recommend the LA Chapter events run smoother? We are always open for suggestions!

Now more importantly...why won't you be participating anymore????

I'm sure this has something to do with it...

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by scollins

Is that the single headrest mount or the double?

It was this one

http://www.cruisecam.com/Mount_new.pdf

[Shinobi]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

The final results will be on the web site soon. I sent them over last night.

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

How would you recommend the LA Chapter events run smoother? We are always open for suggestions!

A number of things:

• Better promotion of the events to get more attendees. Fewer drivers are great for more runs, but you need the $$$ to pay for the lot!
• Earlier starts. We didn't start til after 10am.
• Better transition between run groups. The course could support 5 cars, but at times, only 1 car was out there because the pre-grid was empty waiting for the next group.
• Online registration. SD uses motorsportsreg.com. LA should too.
• Allow walkup registration. There's always last minute decision makers, so you should allow that IMO.

Effectively, it should be run like San Diego's since they have it nailed down perfectly. I understand that you need help though, so I will be there to help next event: registration, grid control, etc. I might also take some pics too.

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

Now more importantly...why won't you be participating anymore????

$hit happens. Parting out the car this week and a change in priorities as I deal with personal issues and try and start my own business.

[2e9x's]

Shinobi,

Those are all great suggestions. I will forward your comments to our auto-x coordinator. I think yesterday was a touch slower because there were not that many cars to run. We were definitely hurting for workers because of the low turn out.

Sorry to hear that you will be getting out of auto-x. However it is a bug that is not easily cured. My hunch is you will be back before too long...

Thank you for your offer to help. I really appreciate it. Our program needs an infusion of people willing to bring enthusiasm and energy.

[pukka]

Hey guys, I'm lurking around here if you have any questions about MotorsportReg.com. San Diego and Golden Gate chapters are having great results with it here in California and we have lots of SCCA regions and other groups who use it elsewhere.

LA chapter already has an account with us for their Club Racing program so getting Autocross set up is just flipping a switch. Let us know if we can help make the program more successful,


Brian

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by fll335

WOW the last auto cross I did we only had about 30 cones, it was really hard to find were to go next. BTW GOOD JOB

How about Sebring

[RedGT3]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

How about Sebring

You going?

[HP Autosport]

I was right next to your guys attending the Speedventures Roval event, but didn't get a chance to walk over and see the autox action.

[DrewKo]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

My tires are the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs.

In the D class (6, 8 and 12 cylinder modified) the fastest e92 was driven by John Hotchkiss.

Did you notice what tires Hotchkiss used? Also, have you any opinion on the Star Specs versus the Falken Azenis? Tx.

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by DrewKo

Did you notice what tires Hotchkiss used? Also, have you any opinion on the Star Specs versus the Falken Azenis? Tx.

SIDE NOTE: I changed the link to the video in the original post to point to Vimeo. MUCH better quality.

I did not notice what tires Hotchkiss was running. But no way were they street tires...

I have not run the Azenis on the 335i but did use them on my former track car (a heavily modified 89 MR2 Supercharged). Since the cars are SO different it makes direct comparisons difficult. What I CAN say about the Dunlops is that on the track I have never felt like I was at a grip disadvantage compared to folks on r-compounds. The Azenis used to get really greasy on the track while the Dunlops never did.

Take a look at sccaforums.com. Those guys have done lots of comparisons between the Dunlop and the RT-615. Their conclusion was that the Dunlop is far superior.

Hope that helps.

[fcpninja]

Noob question... Just got my car last week... How do I find autocross events?

Thanks

[2e9x's]

Welcome to the club!

First of all, it would be good to join BMW CCA. If you do, please use my number (127107) as who referred you.

Second you can check the various web sites for the local clubs. Start with http://www.bmwclubla.org but also see http://www.sdbmwcca.com or http://www.solo2.com . There are other car clubs that run auto-x events, such as the Porsche Clubs, and you could check their web sited also.

Warning...once you try it you will get HOOKED!

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

[fcpninja]

For providing me with the info I need to start my new addiction. If I join, I will use your ID#. Whats cost to join and what are the main benefits? (OK, I guess I could look it up, but from a practical stand point, anything useful?)

I sold my CRF 450 and gave up MX (temporarily) a year ago... My need for adrenalin is at an all time high...

I can't wait to hit a real race track...

Addiction is assured.

Amen.