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I just wanted to thank everyone who helped put the event together.  Despite the weather conditions, everything went smooth and the event was great.  I also wanted to thank everyone, especially the novices and 1st timers, for coming out today and braving the bad weather conditions.  Unfortunately, the 1st heat drivers weren't fortunate with the course conditions ( don't worry, sooner or later we will all be on the less fortunate side ).  I hope to see many of the new faces at the upcoming events, weather should be nicer and my "Sombrero" will hopefully not fall off from the wind.

P.S. Rick Ruth , +1
 

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'05 Scooby STi
Nukabe Automotive / RaceComp Engineering/ Carbotech
Chris Lybarger Fan Club - President!
'07 Audi A4 Quattro
'02 Neon SXT
'90 Camry LE (4 sale)
'95 Ram 2500
Elterman isnt a better driver than me, he just posts faster times.

I'd like to thank you, Arshad, for the novice walk today, as well as everyone else who made this event possible and bearable (everyone who did, step forward... ah, not so fast there, mother nature).

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#12 STS 2007 Scion tC
#24 ITS/DSP 1991 Nissan 240SX

Tough day for anyone with the weather, this was by far the coldest event I've run.  I was really surprised by the lack of traction, I've run a few wet events but cold/wet was well, interesting.  Just tough knocking the rust off with the conditions.  No complaints though, AWD saved my tail today on index.  STU looks like it will be a tough class this year, and thanks to all the newcomers to it for giving me my first last place finish 

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John P
'05 Suby STi

I would personally like to thank everyone for making such an enjoyable event out of such a combination of difficult circumstances.  Everyone I spoke to had to deal with the same problems - the weather was a real challenge.  The wonderful attitude of the entire group allowed this to be a happy day.  Thank you everybody for making my first race back such a joy!

Greg

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GregHavener

I think everyone - organizers, stewards and competitors should all be commended.  My 67-year-old dad autocrossed events 1 & 2 and had a blast in his first outings in my Corvette!  Unfortunately he lives out of town but I may try and talk him into lengthening his visit to May 11.  Anyway, everyone was very nice to him and he was impressed at how much fun we all have and how generous people were with advice and praise for that blistering 70-second lap he turned!  He especially enjoyed the banter with Chuck DeProw, the Corvette guys and myself arguing about Ford vs.Chevy (even though I am tried and true bow tie guy). 

And, whomever it was who jumped in and helped Andy, my wife and me change to Hoosiers in the middle of the heat - Thank you!!  I don't know your name, but this is more of what makes this so much fun and why my dad was so impressed with everyone for their help and generosity.

Gotta go take care of the frostbite! 

 

 

 

 

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Dr. Kyle Langley
'07 Shelby GT #5 FS
"Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money!"

I announced in the 2nd heat and had a ball even though I was freezing. (I wimped out on driving the CPL car - too cold) Greg Havenaur (sp)kept coming over between each run with this silly a** grin on his face and saying how he had forgotten how much fun this sport is to do.  (Greg has been MIA from solo for 20 years) His grin was only slightly larger than Margo Stevens grin was.  Margo was having a great time too. It was her second event and she really improved. Better watch out - she could be a contender for the Ladies Index Championship soon.

The weather was such a downer and not one entrant allowed it to ruin any fun and everyone smiled all day. (Or those smile were frozen early and stayed theyre - lol).

Chris Lybarger did really really well today - event though he worked a 12 hour shift last night and will work another tonight.  Dan Crank pulled off some great runs too.

Jarrod Deatherage also was great to watch.  Of course, Arshad also ran well to take top index.  Everyone pitched in, tok the changes from 3 heats to 2 without any problems and made a great event! 

We all should pat ourselves on the back for the good team job we all did!  Thanks to Dave Whitworth, Chuck DeProw, John & Mirna Schmid who worked but didn't run a car today. Last event Lynn Wilson and Chuck DeProw worked withot running then too. 

People show up to an autocross event for the cars and stay because of the people. 

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Janice Rick

www.soloperformance.com
We offer the autocross, track day, road racing, rally and rallycross products you need at the best prices on the internet.

Despite running in heat 1 in cold and wet, I can't complain about my results.  I got 4th in street tire index.  I also placed fairly well on the pax index compared to how I did last event, or even last year.  Of course it helped to have AWD. 

 
 Oh, and kudos to Mr. "Magic Touch" for getting the truck started when no one else was able to.

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Brian Schuetz
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX ShagginWagon
Equipment Chief
"BMW owners fear me."

AWD is nice, but its kinda funny how a pair of front drive Sentras kept you guys honest

Props to Jarrod for taking 8th.
 

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Matt
2000 Nissan Sentra SE - #70 STS

Janice Rick:

People show up to an autocross event for the cars and stay because of the people.

 I stay for the cars, for the people, and this event in particular because I drove all the way out there in this f@%!& weather and I'll be damned if I don't make the best of it.
 

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#12 STS 2007 Scion tC
#24 ITS/DSP 1991 Nissan 240SX

Janice Rick:

People show up to an autocross event for the cars and stay because of the people. 

Yea, it really felt strange to leave after getting the course set up this morning. Despite the weather we had a good time setting up the course. If I hadn't had to do some other things I needed to do today I would have been tempted to unload the junk from the XT and registered.

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Bryan S.
Thanks Jan for the 06, 07 Mini co-drive
'91 Miata (coming out of the garage? ES? STS2?)
Past St. L BoD member
Course Chief
Novice Autocross School Chairman

NoPAnTsDance:

AWD is nice, but its kinda funny how a pair of front drive Sentras kept you guys honest

no kidding, I wasnt too happy with my runs this time around. Soon as I get time on to go through the rule book I hope to be able to a few adjustments made by the next event.

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-James "Budski" Schmidt
'99 Subaru GC8 Impreza
old school RS crew
#20 STS

BUDSKi:

NoPAnTsDance:

AWD is nice, but its kinda funny how a pair of front drive Sentras kept you guys honest

no kidding, I wasnt too happy with my runs this time around. Soon as I get time on to go through the rule book I hope to be able to a few adjustments made by the next event.

 

Don't make too many changes too soon.  I would actually say don't change anything at all and wait until you can't get any faster as is.  Then make a change.  

In the 2 1/2 years I've Auto-X'ed, I've made three changes to my STi.  A front sway, custom alignment, and new tires this year (I guess tires don't really count as a 'change' but they cost $$ so I count them).  I was able to go from being 4-5 seconds behind Arshad when I started to giving him a close run for the class championship last year on virtually a stock STi.

Now I'm not telling you to wait 2 1/2 years, I feel could have done more a long time ago but $$$ was a real issue for me with the car payments.  I'm just suggesting to give it a little more than 1 wet and 2 dry events to start making changes.  You'll probably be able to find quite a but of time out there.
 

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John P
'05 Suby STi

where the heck have I been? I missed 2 events already???

... must auto-x ... 

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1998 Chevy Metro 84HS
1984 VW Rabbit GTI 84EP

John P:

BUDSKi:

NoPAnTsDance:

AWD is nice, but its kinda funny how a pair of front drive Sentras kept you guys honest

no kidding, I wasnt too happy with my runs this time around. Soon as I get time on to go through the rule book I hope to be able to a few adjustments made by the next event.

Don't make too many changes too soon.  I would actually say don't change anything at all and wait until you can't get any faster as is.  Then make a change.  

In the 2 1/2 years I've Auto-X'ed, I've made three changes to my STi.  A front sway, custom alignment, and new tires this year (I guess tires don't really count as a 'change' but they cost $$ so I count them).  I was able to go from being 4-5 seconds behind Arshad when I started to giving him a close run for the class championship last year on virtually a stock STi.

Now I'm not telling you to wait 2 1/2 years, I feel could have done more a long time ago but $$$ was a real issue for me with the car payments.  I'm just suggesting to give it a little more than 1 wet and 2 dry events to start making changes.  You'll probably be able to find quite a but of time out there. 

Listen to the man!  He is giving you the BEST advice you will ever get.  Learning to drive the car at 101% on a regular basis is a driving foundation that will pay back over and over again.  Don't keep looking to the car for more speed, look at your self, when you are always getting 101% out of the car then add mods to it.

Look at some of the best drivers you see.  They can jump in almost anyones car and get a good run out of  it.

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Janice Rick

www.soloperformance.com
We offer the autocross, track day, road racing, rally and rallycross products you need at the best prices on the internet.

Janice Rick:

Learning to drive the car at 101% on a regular basis is a driving foundation that will pay back over and over again.  Don't keep looking to the car for more speed, look at your self, when you are always getting 101% out of the car then add mods to it.

I'll echo that. Make sure there is nothing fundamentaly wrong with the car establish a base line set up and leave it. Play only with tire pressures and maybe shock settings. Pick somebody as a bench mark and work on closing the time gap between you. When you can no longer close the gap you've hit a plateau. That's when to make a change, a car improvement or Evo school. Actually do the Evo school next month if you can afford it.

This is fisrt and formost a driver's sport. How else can I explain being slow, having Rich Wise or Andy suggest a simple change to an aspect of my driving and I'm suddenly a second quicker.

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Bryan S.
Thanks Jan for the 06, 07 Mini co-drive
'91 Miata (coming out of the garage? ES? STS2?)
Past St. L BoD member
Course Chief
Novice Autocross School Chairman

NoPAnTsDance:

Props to Jarrod for taking 8th.
 

 

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28 TGS, '04.5 VW GLI

Despite the excellent weather and the sheet metal screw in my tire, I had a BLAST! A severe lack of power and all-season tires kept me out of any major trouble. I would love to drive this course again under better conditions.  My uncle Bill made the short trip out from Collinsville and road shotgun for my first 3 runs. I think he is hooked and will definitely be back. Hopefully he will co-drive next time. I forgot how good of a workout chalking cones is. My legs are screaming today. Thanks to everyone who made this event possible.

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Mike Webers
91 Civic STS
08 Escape 5-speed
08 Fit
www.powerdownracing.com

Remember the NEXT Blast is May 11 (Mother's Day - bring your Mom) then May 25-26 is the 2 Day event!  2 Days of Blast!

for more info go to www.stlsolo.org

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Janice Rick

www.soloperformance.com
We offer the autocross, track day, road racing, rally and rallycross products you need at the best prices on the internet.

Janice Rick:

May 25-26 is the 2 Day event!  2 Days of Blast!

for more info go to www.stlsolo.org

Three if you do the PDX on the 24th. Ah a three day weekend of nothing but racing what could be better

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Daily Drive?AutoCross 99 VW Jetta GLX 31 DSP, 03 Miata 113CS, 73 Vette EM(for sale) see owner for details
Co-founder of A.D.D. motorsports Circa...Dude your not going to.. What was I doing?

Janice Rick:

Remember the NEXT Blast is May 11 (Mother's Day - bring your Mom)

Damn, that's right... Mom's 84, maybe I can bring Lois....longshot

Looking at the number of conflicts I have this season you'd think I had a no compete clause with you and Mini USA. After the MiDiv I miss Event 5 to deliver the Boy Scouts to camp, Event 6 to paddle the Boundary waters with the boys, Event 7 we're out of town... I can't believe that I'll be going most of the summer w/o autocross. Is there a patch I can wear to cover the withdrawl symptoms until event....8 ? I mean they are all good things to do, but I haven't missed this many event since before I started.

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Bryan S.
Thanks Jan for the 06, 07 Mini co-drive
'91 Miata (coming out of the garage? ES? STS2?)
Past St. L BoD member
Course Chief
Novice Autocross School Chairman