Cal Club Autocross Forums

**This is a past event and no conflict with any of our stuff**

BMW CCA LA put together a great autocross at Willow Springs yesterday, just the right amount of cars, plenty of runs and everything went so smothly. I hope we get more of this in the future. Big thanks to the organizers. Few people from Solo2 came out to show em how it's done

I kept having problems with my radiator fan getting stuck in the fan shroud, so I had to hold back a little, I need to figure out what the deal is with that.

Unfortunately 1 BMW took an off road trip and got messed up prety bad, but driver is absolutely fine.

My girl


Videos of some of my runs

Practice Run 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6bScNi9g2c

Practice Run 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8BZbZ24jIY

Competition Run 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vec-Lj_TXc


Also, Marcus and Doc Browns, thanks for your help with my car at speedventures on Saturday, really appreciate it

Theo, that fan / shroud interference can be very costly bad news, like over $1k if you're not doing the work yourself. (Cue: Gio.)

In BMW land, that could mean a few things: bad water pump, bad engine mounts (check the transmission mounts too), perhaps a problem with your radiator mounts.

Don't ignore it. You'll quickly be stranded at the side of the road with a huge repair tab. Get on it now before your radiator, shroud, hoses, fan and water pump are all destroyed.

Mike

Mike Simanyi wrote:Theo, that fan / shroud interference can be very costly bad news, like over $1k if you're not doing the work yourself. (Cue: Gio.)

In BMW land, that could mean a few things: bad water pump, bad engine mounts (check the transmission mounts too), perhaps a problem with your radiator mounts.

Don't ignore it. You'll quickly be stranded at the side of the road with a huge repair tab. Get on it now before your radiator, shroud, hoses, fan and water pump are all destroyed.

Mike

Thanks Mike!!! I'm going to start by replacing both the engine and trans mounts, with over 200K, they should be tired by now. The ineresting thing is that it started happening right after adding stiffer sways and only during aggressive track driving.

I got stranded at Cali Speedway on Saturday after flooding the parking lot (not the course) with coolant and had to AAA it home. People offered me coolant and tools, it's amazing how cool autocross people are when you need help

Theo Osifeso wrote:Unfortunately 1 BMW took an off road trip and got messed up prety bad, but driver is absolutely fine.

I knew this was an accident waiting to happen, and sure enough it did. The LA chapter is a bit....how shall I say.....a bit unorganized. And putting an auto-x course on a track, on Streets of Willow in August (100+ degree heat) is insane without regard to safety. We try to not to advertise competing events regardless of whether or not it's a conflicting date or not. Just an FYI to you Theo.

Mike Simanyi wrote:Theo, that fan / shroud interference can be very costly bad news, like over $1k if you're not doing the work yourself. (Cue: Gio.)

Listen to Mike. This is most likely your engine motor mounts (which by the way I happen to order them from Vorshlag 5 minutes ago online), that are loose, thus your engine is jumping like a bucking bronco at a rodeo, and thus fan hits shroud, ruptures coolant lines, thus leaking all over the place, engine seizes without proper cooling and thus you are SOOL! Get it fixed asap. Definitely $1k+ in repairs.

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:

Theo Osifeso wrote:Unfortunately 1 BMW took an off road trip and got messed up prety bad, but driver is absolutely fine.

I knew this was an accident waiting to happen, and sure enough it did. The LA chapter is a bit....how shall I say.....a bit unorganized. And putting an auto-x course on a track, on Streets of Willow in August (100+ degree heat) is insane without regard to safety. We try to not to advertise competing events regardless of whether or not it's a conflicting date or not. Just an FYI to you Theo.

Mike Simanyi wrote:Theo, that fan / shroud interference can be very costly bad news, like over $1k if you're not doing the work yourself. (Cue: Gio.)

Listen to Mike. This is most likely your engine motor mounts (which by the way I happen to order them from Vorshlag 5 minutes ago online), that are loose, thus your engine is jumping like a bucking bronco at a rodeo, and thus fan hits shroud, ruptures coolant lines, thus leaking all over the place, engine seizes without proper cooling and thus you are SOOL! Get it fixed asap. Definitely $1k+ in repairs.

It WAS a fun, safe, well organized event, fun was had by all

Thanks for the FYI, It was a past event, it has happened...in the past. But if those are the rules, then rules are rules so I'll stop posting, about past events. There is a thread, for days, about an upcoming NASA event :unimpressed:

So question, am I looking at $1k in repairs to fix the mounts now or possible cost if I don't fix it now and crap happens? Thanks

Theo Osifeso wrote:It WAS a fun, safe, well organized event, fun was had by all

Unfortunately when you mention a serious wreck, it wasn't fun had by all, nor "safe" auto-x speeds.

Theo Osifeso wrote:There is a thread, for days, about an upcoming NASA event :unimpressed:

Agreed and I think people know now not to post about upcoming NON-SCCA auto-x events (especially one that conflict with our events). Can't find this thread about a NASA event you're referring to.

Theo Osifeso wrote:So question, am I looking at $1k in repairs to fix the mounts now or possible cost if I don't fix it now and crap happens? Thanks

$1k repairs IF you don't fix the mounts now. You'll end up having to replace your radiator, and all the hoses that go with it, plus flushing of the coolant, etc.. if you don't fix it ASAP.

If you're new at it ... and want to get track time ... you've got to think NASA. You've got a personal instructor riding with you at all times. I don't think it gets any safer then that.

Mako Koiwai wrote:If you're new at it ... and want to get track time ... you've got to think NASA.

New at what? Track? This was not a track event. This was an auto-x done on a track with newbies and one who get way in over their heads.

Mako Koiwai wrote:You've got a personal instructor riding with you at all times. I don't think it gets any safer then that.

Having an instructor riding shotgun does not guarantee safety. It just guarantees that in the event of an off-track excursion, 2 people will get hurt instead of 1.

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:

Mako Koiwai wrote:If you're new at it ... and want to get track time ... you've got to think NASA.

New at what? Track? This was not a track event. This was an auto-x done on a track with newbies and one who get way in over their heads.

Sorry, watching the video I don't see how that qualifies as an autocross at all. The only cones were a few at the beginning and the slalom at the beginning of the straight to limit top speed there. Trying to do real autocross speeds on a road course is next to impossible. It really was what SCCA used to call Solo 1. Not saying that in itself was unsafe, just the risk factor is much higher than a real autocross.

Rick Brown wrote:

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:

Mako Koiwai wrote:If you're new at it ... and want to get track time ... you've got to think NASA.

New at what? Track? This was not a track event. This was an auto-x done on a track with newbies and one who get way in over their heads.

Sorry, watching the video I don't see how that qualifies as an autocross at all. The only cones were a few at the beginning and the slalom at the beginning of the straight to limit top speed there. Trying to do real autocross speeds on a road course is next to impossible. It really was what SCCA used to call Solo 1. Not saying that in itself was unsafe, just the risk factor is much higher than a real autocross.

Couldn't have said it better myself Rick. That's EXACTLY what I thought when I saw the video. I mean in my car (E46 M3) I would've easily hit 3rd gear before that first "gate/slalom".

Sorry ... but the NASA Instructors keep their students reigned in until they're ready to get closer to the limits. Of course accidents still can happen, but they've only had one incident with an instructor in the car. A very good record considering how many newbies they serve. After every 20 minute session there is a debrief where the students are first asked to "admit" any problems before they are called out on issues. The Corner Workers and other spotters, and instructors observing the cars around them call in any indiscretions. The cars have to carry numbers, including one on the back of the car. They have No Qualms in kicking people out or demoting students to lower stricter classifications. It's a pretty impressive operation compared to some of the other people that host Track Days/HPDE's.

I haven't watched the video's but it sounds like this was more of a track day then an auto cross. They advertised that they weren't going to use the big pad. I even suggested to them that they should use it for some traditional auto cross elements.

I maintain that if you're new to doing track time, NASA is the way to go. Hey, we should all be involved in trying to keep our sport safe and insurance rates down.

Mako Koiwai wrote:I maintain that if you're new to doing track time, NASA is the way to go. Hey, we should all be involved in trying to keep our sport safe and insurance rates down.

We're not talking about track events. We're talking about auto-cross. Read the subject line. It just happened to be on the track which was dumb to begin with at SOW.

Rick Brown wrote:
Sorry, watching the video I don't see how that qualifies as an autocross at all. The only cones were a few at the beginning and the slalom at the beginning of the straight to limit top speed there. Trying to do real autocross speeds on a road course is next to impossible. It really was what SCCA used to call Solo 1. Not saying that in itself was unsafe, just the risk factor is much higher than a real autocross.

Yeah, no way that is an autox.

... my point ... so my comments are valid.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet

Meaning

What matters is what something is, not what it is called.

CalClub has held a Solo2 at SOW before. We also had a PDS/Solo1 there way back yonder.

Mako Koiwai wrote: I maintain that if you're new to doing track time, NASA is the way to go.

You only think that because you have not done an SCCA PDX event - and that would be because some clowns around here (not Solo) would rather give money/customers to another group than put one on. :unimpressed: (but that is a separate rant). If you happen to visit the AZ or Reno Regions you can attend one of these SCCA track events. And let me tell you from my experience with many "track day" organizations, with SCCA PDX and Club Racing, there is NO comparison to the worker coverage at an SCCA event VS the others. It is a good feeling knowing that the same guys that Champ/IRL have chosen every year for the LBGP are flagging your corners, and are there to help you in an emergency. No one else comes close.

Sure (referring to Gio's Post) ... but it obviously depends on how the course/cones are set-up.

Team Blew canceled it's Horse Thief Mile "Auto Cross" because we realized it just wasn't safe for those that were expecting Auto Cross type speeds and elements ... especially because of the steep downhill sections and lack of safe run off areas.

Our provisional course map:

Correct ... we haven't had the pleasure to experience a SCCA PDX event. I'm sure we would also do an outstanding job!

Mako Koiwai wrote:Sure (referring to Gio's Post) ... but it obviously depends on how the course/cones are set-up.

Unfortunately the course designers (I use that term loosely) weren't thinking of safety first. Oh well.

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote:
You only think that because you have not done an SCCA PDX event - and that would be because some clowns around here (not Solo) would rather give money/customers to another group than put one on. :unimpressed: (but that is a separate rant). If you happen to visit the AZ or Reno Regions you can attend one of these SCCA track events. And let me tell you from my experience with many "track day" organizations, with SCCA PDX and Club Racing, there is NO comparison to the worker coverage at an SCCA event VS the others. It is a good feeling knowing that the same guys that Champ/IRL have chosen every year for the LBGP are flagging your corners, and are there to help you in an emergency. No one else comes close.

What the short opinionated dude said...

Thanks for posting the videos Theo. I really don't care what they want to call it, it looks like great fun and I wish I went.

Steve A.

Steve Abbott wrote:Thanks for posting the videos Theo. I really don't care what they want to call it, it looks like great fun and I wish I went.

Steve A.

Thank you Steve !!!!!


There was a lead and follow at the begining of the day and plenty of instructors at the event and most people made use of them. There was even a dodge viper there and he managed to keep his cool and take it easy.

Mike and Gio, thanks for your advice on the mounts The passenger mount is completely detached.

Theo Osifeso wrote:Mike and Gio, thanks for your advice on the mounts The passenger mount is completely detached.

I'm actually getting mine replaced. Buy aftermarket ones from --> Vorshlag Motorsports LLC. Mike and I buy from them.