When it warms up expect to see nearly anyone who is competitive on r compunds

 

Well, I'm going to run the rest of the season on street tires to get used to the way things work. After I see how it goes, maybe next year I'll get some R compound tires.

I don't want to come accross like I've got a big head about this now at all.... I think it was my first and last win of the season to be honest with you, but if I can be competitive the rest of the season on street tires, I'll give myself a pat on the back.

 

beiginners luck =P...im sure the competition will grow through out the season and you will do fine imo. I plan on doing this as well and have no idea how im going to do but I figure if I learn some stuff about handling the car, the track, and techniques then hopefully I can compete as well. discovering auto-x is like when a baby gets a new toy for the first time...eyes wide open to the possibilities

 

Good plan Superhatch, thats pretty much what I did. I started my first 5 or 6 events on kuhmos mx's, which are great on the street, but suck for autox. I then went to toyo ra1's, which are a mild r compund tire. They arent the stickiest r compund tire out there, but they are very predictable, and will last nearly the entire season. Once these wear down I will probably go with something stickier like a kuhmo v710.

 

Nice job You know we're now gonna' have to hook you up with a propper suspension (when the stuff finally comes in ).

your evil plan worked

 

I can't afford ohlins, plain and simple. My struts were dead and the Megan coilovers cost me less than stock MR bilsteins. It was the cheap and easy solution for me.

Now if a set of ohlins just fell in my lap... I wouldn't exactly complain

P.S. - My current effort is finding some 5mm spacers and longer wheel studs for the front of my car. I've found ARP studs and H&R spacers. I know the H&R spacers come with studs, but I hear they're still not long enough. Also, the 5mm spacers aren't hubcentric... Gotta figure something out here. I want to order my 275s.

 

how hard would it be to take measurements needed for the 5mm spacer, draw them up and have them machined? i think the hardest part would be the hubcentric part of the spacer. just an idea

 

Thought about that, might have the machine shop here make them...

 

First off, I am assuming that you need the spacers with the 275s to keep them from rubbing your struts. Other than that reason you don't need a spacer with a 275 and the 17x9 FN01R-C wheels. I guess one could also use them just to get a little bit more track width too.

The studs with the H&R spacers ARE long enough. I have them on my car and the National Champ ESP car from 2005 had them on his car. There are enough threads in contact to be safe. If I recall, the spacers are hubcentric to the hubs, but not to the wheels. You will probably never find a 5mm spacer that is hubcentric to both because the ring on the car hub is probably about 6 or 7 mm wide. There is just no way for a 5mm spacer to fit on the hub while having a hubcentric portion that is the same diameter. Hope that makes sense.

see above.

EVOlutionary

 

Right, my 245's are 9.8" wide (according to BFG specs on a 8.5" wheel) and the 615s in 275 are 10.8" wide (on a 9.5" wheel). So my BFG's are stretched a bit right now and the 615's will be pulled in a bit. Using their straight up specs for width I need to gain .5" on each side. I measured the inside and I have about .525" between the tire and strut right now. Not enough room to feel comfortable.

I wonder if there is enough hub left protruding for the hubcentric rings I have to catch the hub and still center the wheel.

Good to know the supplied studs are long enough though, thanks!

- Steve

 

After doing more research on stretched/pulled tires, I might have enough clearance without the spacers. I'm going to order the spacers and have them ready to install if needed, but if I have enough clearance without I'm just going to return them.

 

There should be if the hubcentric rings you have for your wheels do not have a beveled edge. The ones I got with my wheels have just enough of a bevel/taper to the edge that they do not seem to catch.

Good luck with your project!! Keep us posted.

EVOlutionary

 

Totally beginers luck!
You had a few things going for you.
1. You had the right tires for wet/rain, BFG KDs are great in the rain ... those are faster than R compounds with little to no tread in the rain.
2. You had AWD in a low traction (wet) condition, hugh advantage.
3. You had a crap load of attempts at the course. I have never seen most drivers get more than 5 attempts (if lucky) at a course. For that to happen the course is short and # of participant low (60 or less). Most of the times its only 4 attempts (not enough) and for you I count a total of 9 attempts (dream come true for most).

Wait it the conditions are dry and temps go up .... you won't be able to keep up with a Spec'd Miata with R-comps in a tight course.

 

I agree it was beginners luck, however...

1. My BFG's are bald, and only 1 of the cars there was on r compounds...
2. Agree, but I was far from the only AWD car there, I was just the only Evo
3. Agree.... and it was a total of 10 attempts, 48 participants on a short course.

 

your beginners luck will carry over to me and Ill be faster than you when the next one comes around =P