New Guy - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

New guy here - name is Brian, I'm a nerd (Engineer). I apologize upfront for the excessive amount of words I'm going to invariably type. I just got my first F-body. Owned a Notch 'Stang for years, sold it, went to trucks only, and now I'm back in a car. Finally.

I've known Chuck (98_1LE or some varition on here I'm sure) via the internet(s) for awhile now. He put his car up for sale and I decided to snatch it up.

98 Z28
M6 Green/Gray
116k or so
stock except factory Hurst, 1LE PHB/LCA's
Yes, stock factory installed shocks. They are awful. Very awful.
(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/Magnum79/Camaro/th_IMG_0730.jpg)

5min after I bought I took it to an ER auto-x event and finished 2 in NFS (I realize it's not quite FS, but I'm a crappy driver and borrowed all the magnets too). Which really just means the tires were good I guess (Nitto 555RII's), because the driver is a terrible idiot behind the wheel. I may have spent ~7yrs drag racing regularly, but I'm smart enough to admit when I'm no good at something - like pedaling the throttle in a turn. Also, too much trail braking and I couldn't heel-toe if my life depended on it. Straight lines are easy... Learning new things is fun, however. I'm new to the auto-x world (co-driven my bud's '05 Legacy GT a few times) - much more involved than drag racing, for sure.

Trying to hopefully probably maybe turn this thing into a semi-succesful STU car (as long as I can beat my bud I'm happy). Also planning on 1-2 HPDE's every year. I'm probably going to drive Sam Strano insane, but I'll be calling him sometime soon.

My wonderful GF got me the 10+5 package from http://www.texasdrivingexperience.com/, so I'm kinda hooked on the faster stuff. Thanks Neal Bellamy for all the tips/confidence. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Enough about me - action shots!

http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_130.JPG
http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_131.JPG
In the background:
http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_133.JPG
http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_134.JPG
http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_135.JPG

My bud doesn't even need to look at the cones. It's magic.
http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_098.JPG

Love all the tech, keep it up. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

POS Dodge View Member Profile	Nov 4 2008, 02:02 AM Post #1
newbie Group: Advanced Members Posts: 21 Joined: 24-October 08 From: DFW Member No.: 2,777	New guy here - name is Brian, I'm a nerd (Engineer). I apologize upfront for the excessive amount of words I'm going to invariably type. I just got my first F-body. Owned a Notch 'Stang for years, sold it, went to trucks only, and now I'm back in a car. Finally. I've known Chuck (98_1LE or some varition on here I'm sure) via the internet(s) for awhile now. He put his car up for sale and I decided to snatch it up. 98 Z28 M6 Green/Gray 116k or so stock except factory Hurst, 1LE PHB/LCA's Yes, stock factory installed shocks. They are awful. Very awful. (IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v353/Magnum79/Camaro/th_IMG_0730.jpg) 5min after I bought I took it to an ER auto-x event and finished 2 in NFS (I realize it's not quite FS, but I'm a crappy driver and borrowed all the magnets too). Which really just means the tires were good I guess (Nitto 555RII's), because the driver is a terrible idiot behind the wheel. I may have spent ~7yrs drag racing regularly, but I'm smart enough to admit when I'm no good at something - like pedaling the throttle in a turn. Also, too much trail braking and I couldn't heel-toe if my life depended on it. Straight lines are easy... Learning new things is fun, however. I'm new to the auto-x world (co-driven my bud's '05 Legacy GT a few times) - much more involved than drag racing, for sure. Trying to hopefully probably maybe turn this thing into a semi-succesful STU car (as long as I can beat my bud I'm happy). Also planning on 1-2 HPDE's every year. I'm probably going to drive Sam Strano insane, but I'll be calling him sometime soon. My wonderful GF got me the 10+5 package from http://www.texasdrivingexperience.com/, so I'm kinda hooked on the faster stuff. Thanks Neal Bellamy for all the tips/confidence. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Enough about me - action shots! http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_130.JPG http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_131.JPG In the background: http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_133.JPG http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_134.JPG http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_135.JPG My bud doesn't even need to look at the cones. It's magic. http://www.autocrosspictures.net/ERAutocro...s101208_098.JPG Love all the tech, keep it up. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

CrashTestDummy View Member Profile	Nov 4 2008, 07:41 PM Post #2
Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,889 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385	I haven't found heel-toe to be much use autocrossing. Most courses, especially with a big F-bod V8, are good for a 1-2 shift just after leaving the start box, and then forget about it. Use the torque to pull you out of the slow corners, as you will waste too much time in the downshift-upshift to be of any use. I find left-foot braking to be significantly more useful, but there are some Nationals-level drivers who don't even do that. Welcome. As others have said, read the rulebook, so you don't buy anything stoopid, and spend your money on seat time.