My 1993 Chevy Lumina Z34 - Autocross and Car Clubs
I'm a member of the Appalachian Sports Car Club which is part of the Susquehanna Region of the Sports Car Club of America. This club introduced me to the sport of autocrossing. I haven't been able to participate in the amount of autocrosses as I would've liked but each time I am able to I have a great time.
Some Helpful Links for the Novice Autocrosser:
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MyAutoEvents.Com - Register for the next autocross and prepay (Save $$)
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Solo II (Autocross) Novice Handbook - By TireRack.Com
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Checklist For Autocrosses on Race Day - What do you need when you go to an autocross?
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Autocross Description - Susqehanna Region of SCCA's overview of autocrossing
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Class Description - Determine the class in which you car belongs and have a look at the competition
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TireRack.Com - Tons of info on tire inflation, tread, sizing and rating, etc
A Few Action Shots:
Journal:
- Missed the rest of the summer - Well my CV shaft went out again and I wasn't able to get it fixed for any of the remaining events before school. While I'm very disappointed that I missed basically the entire summer, I am excited that I picked up a "new" 3/4" rear sway bar out of a '96 Monte Carlo for next summer.
- June 1, 2008 - Park City Mall - ASCC Summer Series AutoX #3 - This was my first autocross of the season. I didn't do that great as far as times go (92 out of 116 in PAX) but I had a good time. My first run I just felt out the course and made sure I stayed on course. Second run felt pretty good but I went off course because I entered the slalom a little too fast missed one of the cones. Third and fourth runs were OK but I was still trying to feel out the car. I need a lot more runs to get good at this stuff.
- April 12 & 13, 2008 - Hershey Giant Center - Tentative First AutoX of 2008 - I' missed the first two autocrosses of the year but I'm hoping to make the next one on June 1.
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April 29, 2007 - Park City Mall - ASCC Summer Series AutoX #1 Sponsored by AutoCamp - Timing problems in the first heat prevented us from having four runs so we only ran three. This turned out to be tragic for me because I had a rough day. First run I somehow went off course and I still dont know where. Second runsstarted off pretty well but then for some reason I thought I went off course and coasted the second half of the course. I wasn't off course. Third run I lost it and plowed over the outside cones of the crossover so that was the end of my day. I had a pretty cool video of my third run but it accidentally got deleted.
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April 1, 2007 - HACC - Autocross Novice Drivers School We each got a few runs on the skid pad, slalom, triangle, and mini course. I feel like it benefitted me a lot.
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July 24, 2006 - Pharos Truck Stop - ASCC Summer Series AutoX #6 - FINALLY GOT MY SUSPENSION DONE!!! The surface itself was pretty rough but the course was cool and WOW what a difference. The suspension that was on the car was all original and totally gone. Go to the Suspension and Brakes page to see all my suspension work.
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June 4, 2006 - Park City Mall - ASCC Summer Series AutoX #4 - Drove my brother's 88 base Camaro since I still havent gotten my suspension done. It also rained again during my heat but overall I didn't do too bad. The Camaro handles pretty well, especially for an '88 that doesn't have anything done to the suspension.
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May 28, 2006 - York Fairgrounds - ASCC Summer Series AutoX #3 - Drove my dad's 2002 Grand Prix GT since my suspension was hurting. It took a lot to get used to the car and I'd say I really didn't run too well. Who cares, got some seat time.
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April 23, 2006 - York Fairgrounds - ASCC Summer Series AutoX #2 - Well it rained most of my heat but it still turned out to be a lot of fun. My last run I finally started trusting my car's ability so I ran a semi-competitive time. The BMW that ran the FTD in the 4th heat was insane! The next AX I can go to is not until May 28, so a long break this time. On the Susquehanna Region of SCCA website: Results, Pictures (by Chris Paveglio), Pictures (by Dave Geesaman)
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April 15, 2006 - Hershey Giant Center - FIRST AUTOCROSS OF 2006!!!!!! - This was also my first real autocross in a lot set up with cones. I am competing in STX this year which is really a high class for my current setup but it gives me the freedom to do more things to my car that I have been looking to do for a while. We got to take four runs on Saturday, so my first run was basically to make sure I knew where I was going on the course. After that I tried to open it up a little bit more and learn the necessary placement of my car. On my last run I finally started to feel a little more smooth and I could tell that it was my best time (although still not very good, haha). I feel if I could have had a few more runs that I could have knocked a number of seconds off of my time. Next weekend at York Fairgrounds should be even more fun since I am starting to get comfortable with my car. To see pics of this event on the Susquehanna Region of SCCA website Click Here!
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July 24, 2005 - Park City Mall - Well second car in the first heat and only one chance to walk the track sort of screwed me over. I had to guess where to go every time i went through the middle of the course and only ended up with one time that I didnt even really get to open up the car on....oh well.
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June 19, 2005 - Pharo's Truck Stop - Well, so much for racin here because we didnt end up getting home from Senior Week at Ocean City until 5:00 in the evening that day. Big let down, I'm sure it was good.
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May 22, 2005 - Carlisle Import / Kit / Replicar Show - Well I went to my first autocross on may 22 and I did ok but I ended up stopping at my grandfather's garage on the way home with a broken CV half shaft and my engine tilting towards the passenger side. It turns out that the bracket that the engine mount bolts onto broke off of the frame. Also, they put me in class ESP which I later found out contained cars such as my friends modified 350 Camaro. The tech guy said he could not find any listing for Luminas except in ESP so my pax index is high. I don't think my stock 215 hp V6 should be in the same class as 300+ hp V8 sport cars but oh well I am in it for fun rather than trophies. Next time (June 19 Pahros TS) I will hopefully have a legit class and a healthy car. Can't wait! - I didnt do that good but hey it was my first time and my car was broke half the time, haha.
