Cal Club Autocross Forums

Hello all,
how many courses you guys run that requires a downshift into first gear?

Cliff
369 "sts" civic

Cliff Fong wrote:Hello all,
how many courses you guys run that requires a downshift into first gear?

Cliff
369 "sts" civic

approximately zero.

Been a long time since I had to downshift to 1st at an event, but at the last 3 events I have staid in 1st the whole lap... (61 mph at 7000 rpm in 1st gear) }:)
Maybe if I was a better driver and/or had better tires I would hit the rev limiter but it has not happened yet.
The April 5 event at El Toro was a second gear event for me and I would love to have one of those again.

At the No$ event at AAA I tried downshifting into first at the second turn after the roundabout, but it was a disaster. My car has enough torque that I just wasted a bunch of rubber and didn't try it again. In general, if your car has any grunt at all higher than about 3K RPMs (depending on gearing, etc.), you should be able to stay in second for a whole run on our courses.

Recommendation in the national rule book is that courses should not require downshifting into 1st. It's been quite a few years since I've seen a course like that.

Kristoffer, Vettes in 1st gear don't count.

Cliff drives an ST Civic Si. I really don't think you want to go to first in those. They don't shift that well. They don't downshift that well. They break. And when you achieve the golden shift, the inside front tire rewards you with smoke.

Now in one of those AS/STU/BSP rally cars.... Just maybe. In one of those ridiculous S2000's or RX-8's, probably......

Steve Ekstrand wrote: Now in one of those AS/STU/BSP rally cars.... Just maybe. In one of those ridiculous S2000's or RX-8's, probably......

Yeah, i'd say that those s2k's like George's are the only ones that seem to have to always go into 1st, those STi have to worry about 3rd not first, haha.

Well, we have course designer who love to make super tight hairpins so it benefits their vehicle, v-8 torque. I had to downshift twice on two hairpins yesterday. Crazy huh? This doesn't help prepare any of the drivers going to Lincoln.

Cliff
369 "sts" civic

that stinks cliff... we have one club down here in SD that loves to do that as well. Not very productive having a 6mph element.

It never got that bad in CalClub. But we did have a club start manipulating courses and we hit them hard with public ridicule.

I'd organize a boycott next time that designer is picked. But I'm an asshole like that.

Methink the nat'l course @ Lincoln will be fast w/ a big sweeper on both course. So first gear hairpins does a dis-service to drivers going.
Maybe we should come down and run with you guys and gals!

Cliff
369 "sts" civic

Yes, please do come down Cliff. As you know we have some pretty stiff ST competition the 8/22-8/23 events are at the grippy El Toro site!

Aw darn, I see you guys have Marina (concrete) on the 23rd too.

Cliff Fong wrote:Methink the nat'l course @ Lincoln will be fast w/ a big sweeper on both course. So first gear hairpins does a dis-service to drivers going.
Maybe we should come down and run with you guys and gals!

Cliff
369 "sts" civic

Based on what I have heard.... the nationals courses with not be very fast. I think we will see some larger sweepers that we havnt seen in the past few years, but most of that because they were space limited at Hartland Park.
I will be designing the course for the Aug. 22nd and 23rd event. If you would like to come down and share some of your course design/set up apptitude with us all on Friday afternoon the 21st. , I will try to incorporate as many of your thoughts as is reasonably possible.
Tom

That unmistakable sound of crickets........

Tom,

Your courses are creative and challenging, and you're one of the most experienced "Nationals" competitors in our region. Have fun with the design and I'm sure it'll help all of us.

That said, some atypical elements would be cool - like variably spaced slaloms.

I'll be there to help set up Friday, assuming I'm not working on putting the car together for the weekend.

Mike

Why Variable Spaced Slaloms ... is that often a feature at Nationals?

I thought the PCA course designed by Attila/BMW a couple of months ago was one of the most enjoyable AX course I've ever driven:

http://www.youtube.com/user/corvetterac ... Ck7A-xHbKc

... on the other hand, the El Toro course layout's have been getting a bit similar lately. I wonder if the JPL Gang could come up with something interesting ...

Thanks for the offer Mr. B We have an event at Marina the same weekend. Year long point battle for the Pro Auto Body trophy. maybe later in the year.

Cliff
369 "sts" civic

sounds like a plan cliff! bring edison with you too!