Racing

OMG was it hot... I had a lot of fun though. Starting to feel like I really know what I'm doing now. We setup a contraption to allow us to bring out one of those folding gazebo/tents so we've got plenty of shade now as well when not racing.

Auto-X Gallery

Drove up to NC with Chris, Amy, and Issac to the PCA Drivers Ed event. Since my car doesn't have roll-bars I can't really drive so I volunteered. I got to go on the track during lunch at least though and Amy caught some pics while I was out. Was a lot of fun, got some slight footage of people driving.

NC Speedway Gallery

Finally got my trailer all setup and rolling, so this last auto-x I went all out. Got there 7:45am and started changing my tires, it took about 45 minutes so I was done by 8:30am. Had to jack the front wheels independently of each other where the back end I can get all at once. I would need one of those über expensive long flat jacks to do the front at once. Yeah I'd rather save my money for a better impact wrench. I had gotten a 18v Black & Decker one that said it could do 400 ft-lbs, yeah right... It sure as hell can't undo my lug nuts which are torqued at 100 ft-lbs and it sure as hell wont re torque them to 100 ft-lbs.

Well all that matters is having the RT-615s on the car instead of the stock tires made a huge world of difference. No more rear end traction issues at launch or while racing. I really felt like I drove the car for the first time. I ended up taking 3rd place in A-Stock out of 8 cars which thrilled the hell out of me. I believe the two cars ahead of me were using better tires, I'll have to check next time I see their cars.

Went and got the bearings repacked/regreased at Irish Mike's, bunch of great people. They also upgraded the spindles with Bearing Buddies. Awesome little device that that takes the place of the axle cap that puts pressure on an internal grease reservoir that ensures the system always has fresh good grease. It also adds a grease nipple to then take and re-add grease yourself instead of having to remove the entire system and repack it all every time. The trailer is now 100% GOOOO!!!

The trailer is teh roxors!!!111!11 Finally took it out for the 2nd time ever. I had taken it out once before on the base Solstice before I sold it for a test run, but this is the first time I've had it all back together again since as you all know the design is different between the cars. Tried out various configurations for the tie downs and did various speed tests as well. I went out on 50 and got it up to 65mph. It stays nice and smooth, was very nice. Can't wait to take it to the next event!!!

Went to the 1/4 mile track with my buddy last night. Before I was consistently getting 14.6s 1/4 mile runs with my GXP. Last night I got a 14.1s run with my new exhaust as my new best time. Same as I've said before, the bogging down is gone completely so I get solid launches. I also can feel the engine pulling harder longer till the point that it stops building power and flattens off. Running to redline too feels more beneficial since the car is building so much more power now after the peak. Before I always had to catch up to my friend in his 2007 Mustang GT, now I start ahead of him and stay ahead of him.

Went again and did some more 1/4 Mile runs. Micah made it this time too, so we went up against each other. My stock 2007 Solstice GXP vs his stock 2007 Mustang GT. I didn't launch the two runs I have recorded because I was trying to get DashHawk readings this time. The wheel hop I was getting on launch was causing the DashHawk to think I was aborting the run, so I had to run without a launch to get good readings. I was able to match/beat my times from the previous time I went where I was doing a proper lunch, so I feel like I'm doing a bit better. Mine is the 1546/7546 numbers on the right of each slip.



I was pretty shocked that each time Micah's Mustang GT would leave the line before me and get a good cars length ahead of me. However once I reached 2nd gear and 3rd gear I'd catch him and pass him. Then I'd have to shift to 4th since I max out around 86 mph in 3rd gear. At that point my acceleration slowed down greatly and I stopped passing him and we'd start to equal out more. Can't wait to get some runs with my race wheels and new exhaust on soon.

I went out to the 1/4 mile track down the road from me last night and got 2 runs in. Since this was my first time ever doing this I sucked hardcore. Was super nervous the first run so I botched it, and the 2nd run went better but not as good as it could have been.

15.3 seconds on the first run, pegged the rev-limiter in 1st and 2nd
14.7 seconds on the second but I stupidly left traction control on

I decided to not stick around for the 3rd run. Would have put me there till like 11pm. There was easily over 200 cars running since I didn't realize it was the first open night of the season. Apparently Fri nights are a lot less crowded so you can get 4~6 runs in usually.

Please try not to laugh to hard at my poor numbers.

I've started a new website dedicated to information sharing about racing your Kappa platform based car!

Kappa-Racing

The current list of Kappa platform based cars are as follows;

• Pontiac Solstice
  
• Pontiac Solstice GXP
  
• Saturn Sky
  
• Saturn Sky Redline
  
• Opel GT
  

I'm working on user galleries, user blogs, calendars, and various other portal items to offer

Went to the Martin Sports Car Club [www.martinsportscarclub.com] Autocross event on Sunday the 19th. I had a blast and I defintely feel like I've improved a lot over the last two events after this one. It was unfortunate my friend Caey couldn't make it since it's always a blast to go hang out and race as a group.

Here's my pics from before I left for the event. These are pics of my new helmet, my new magnetic racing numbers, and showing that you really can pack a lot of crap in the Solstice trunk.

pre-Martin Auto-X images

Went and officially joined the SCCA today at the SOLO II event in DeLand. Took some pics of the event. My friend and his brother stole the day for the Novice group by taking 1st and 2nd place. I on the other hand did pretty shitty.

A couple pics from the Auto-X

Went out with my friends to my very first auo-x with my Solstice. I had a über blast!!!

Images from the auto-x