[POS Dodge]

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]

Thanks guys. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The car is great. It's my first GM, it's not as awful as I thought, haha. Maybe on the interior side. It's not so great in that respect.

Neal was great. I made sure that he rode with me and that I rode with him. Full of tips and insight. Great experience to have him with me for that at TDE.

I've been reading quite a bit already. Yea, I have the rulebook, so it'll be all STU legal next time out.

The car as purchased has corded Nitto DR's and trashed Falken Ziex's on it. Chuck knew I was going to auto-x it, so he threw his RII's on it so I could have some fun with it. I wanted to run STU, but the tires weren't legal, so I decided to run FS were the 17"s and tires were legal, but not for the Z28, but the SS is pretty much the same thing, so I'd rather fudge that than trying to pass off RII's as legal in STU. I know, not legal, but I had limited options and class letters/magnets to use. It's a little under-prepared for a prepared class, and I don't think I had letters for that, heh. At any rate, first and only time for that.

I'm going to brave the new Kumho XS's in 285/40R17 for '09 (hoping the 285 rule change for ST and RWD sticks, heh). Need to find some SS/ZR-1s or Firehawks first, though. The stock Auburn and I didn't get along well, but I got a Torsen take-out off Chuck. Going to try to get the whole thing together (susp/tires/wheels/etc) over "winter". So yes, it'll be dual purpose, since I'm keeping it street friendly. I know, boo. Would like to run the TDE your car/our track thing and maybe MSR-H. But'll probably be TWS.

My foot doesn't like to flex that way, so I think my future as a heel-toe artist will be short and uneventful...

[mitchntx]

Neal was great. I made sure that he rode with me and that I rode with him. Full of tips and insight. Great experience to have him with me for that at TDE.

Neal stopped by the shop today and we chatted for a couple hours. He mentioned you and the 2 of you working together.

Neal is a great guy. I'm trying to get him into a NASA comp license in March at MSR-Cresson, which 30 minutes SW of Ft. Worth. This will make him eligible for an 8 hour enduro in April.

[POS Dodge]

Like I said, no lecture intended whatsoever, just making sure you had a plan for your spending (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I very rarely downshift the Camaro for autocross unless there's a VERY tight 180. Even then, it's usually not worthwhile. I can count the courses that have required it on one hand for seven years of autocrossing (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

On the other hand, it can be very useful for some road course turns.

No biggie. I knew it wasn't right, but it's not my normal MO to stretch the rules. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) My plan for spending is not conrete, which is killing me. Need to make a thread...

Neal was great. I made sure that he rode with me and that I rode with him. Full of tips and insight. Great experience to have him with me for that at TDE.

Neal stopped by the shop today and we chatted for a couple hours. He mentioned you and the 2 of you working together.

Neal is a great guy. I'm trying to get him into a NASA comp license in March at MSR-Cresson, which 30 minutes SW of Ft. Worth. This will make him eligible for an 8 hour enduro in April.

I'm glad/suprised he remembered me. Glad I wasn't the worst he's ever sat down with either. I'd love to have more seat time with him. I should have bought more laps, I can use all the help I can get.... He's a pretty cool guy, down to Earth, and didn't mind taking some time out of his day to talk to me.