I also wanted to mention, I got the "Slow Down" message several times during each run. The message would only appear for a moment before going away. I also didn't really notice that usual RA clutch burning smell I usually notice even when I'm driving normally on suburban streets.

 

specially Z1's ... my RA is a mile away in handling compared to stock with 235mm Z1 rubber

a flash and a tire swap will give you a lot more fun than what you just experienced!

 

yeah, that's the plan. then i'll be pulling three-wheelers like that guy in the IX! haha, probably not. I'll have to work a lot on my driving skill to get to that point.
BTW, i think that video is of my first run, so i was taking it really slow. that run was 46 seconds, and my best was 40 secs. i really wish he would've gotten my better runs.

 

Even though there isn't much space between his tire and the fender, the Evo still looks like it sits pretty high. Or is it just me? Sweet vids, btw!

 

The most important mod is the driver mod. I've heard of a guy giving everyone a whooping in an automatic mazda protege lol....

toredefine, I wonder what the smell you're referring to is. Considering the clutch in the sst is an enclosed wet-type, you shouldn't be able to smell it.

 

^^ no joke. auto-x is all about the driver. a guy in an '86 vw golf with 86 hp was kicking my ***. and miatas will always own. i don't get it, but they can beat just about anything in auto-x.

 

They're light, RWD and small, it makes perfect sense.

 

+1 ... simple math clifhanger; just like Evos have a hard time with a nicely modded S2000 and a skilled driver

 

i know it makes sense, it's just a goofy car that wouldn't pose a threat in any other venue. i hate them!!

 

At the track it would and if it's modified, it could be pretty quick at the drag strip too.

 

nobody looks like an *** when they are on the track. More likely can find those at the parking lots at nights

Congrats for your first event. Believe me this is just will get better.
I would get before anything else , some close track tires like Toyo R1R , and just run couple of more local autoX events. After about 5 events , you will have clearer idea what you want to mod in your car to make it better for your driving style.
And also you will have more idea about your car weakness and strong side also.
Just my opinion.

 

thanks man. i'm really looking forward to future events and improving my driving. i'm getting conflicting advice though. should i get track tires like you're saying, or just good summer tires?

amby: i get what you're saying, but i'm saying that most of the miatas I competed against that day were close to stock, yet still beat me by seconds. whereas in a straight takeoff, i would demolish them. it's sorta frustrating when a car with 115 hp (or whatever, i don't know what they have for sure) can embarrass you so thoroughly. but i guess it really doesn't matter since i would be in a completely different class as them anyways.

 

the Toyo R1R is actually border line between the track and the street tires. It will give you little bit better handling so you can go little bit faster around the track. So you can check the breaks how it will hold up later when you will progress both side, With the car and with your skill.
I always like the tire upgrade first with a new car. It clear things out for the future upgrades.

here they are:

 

nice. where do you get them? i checked tirerack and discount tire... nothing. are they expensive? how do they compare to the direzza z1?

 

If you're new to racing, start with cheap, disposable tires. I guarantee, you will go through tires quickly while you work on your technique.