Faust's H Street Flailings

[Rexracer]

another season in the bag. Didn't get to as many events this year, but had a good time at the ones I could make. 2nd season on 200tw tires, and I'm getting a bit more comfortable pushing them closer to the limits.

Wanted to share an experience from yesterday's event. I gridded next to an older gentleman who had done a bunch of autocrossing years ago in a mini, and then been away from the sport. He just picked up an '18 FiST, and was doing his first event in it. Still on the original '18 tires, BTW. He had an absolute blast, really loved how it handled. Even new to the car and on shitty tires, his times in the morning beat mine! I did manage to find a few seconds on him in the afternoon session, but once he gets wheels and tires, he's going to be flying. Anyhow, it was a good reminder about the fun of autox, regardless of beating everybody or not.

Yeah thats the key with AX, its all just for fun. You get as much enjoyment out of it as you want, if you keep a good attitude. Hopefully having someone close to you will help push you to continue to improve!

 

[faust]

Got to my first event of the year this past weekend. It was in the 40s, windy, and overcast, and my 2 year old RT660s were not gripping very well in the morning.

The other FiST driver in the club got some of the new bridgestones, and was nice enough to let me codrive with him in the afternoon session. It wasn't really any warmer, but they gripped far better. They also appeared to be holding up well (not rolling onto sidewall) with 2 lbs less pressure than he ran on RT660s.

Obviously this is not a well controlled comparison, but it does make me think that the stones are probably the way to go at least in regions that see colder weather.

 

[Rexracer]

Got to my first event of the year this past weekend. It was in the 40s, windy, and overcast, and my 2 year old RT660s were not gripping very well in the morning.

The other FiST driver in the club got some of the new bridgestones, and was nice enough to let me codrive with him in the afternoon session. It wasn't really any warmer, but they gripped far better. They also appeared to be holding up well (not rolling onto sidewall) with 2 lbs less pressure than he ran on RT660s.

Obviously this is not a well controlled comparison, but it does make me think that the stones are probably the way to go at least in regions that see colder weather.

Yeah, your matching my experience with the RT660s at our first 2 weakened, no grip when cold. We also had wet, so that kep the tires cold, and was getting beat by people i usually am 2-3 seconds up on. Everyone I have talked to that has run the new Stones likes them, but those that normally run Yokes arent all ready to switch. The difference is the Stones can hold up to the Fiesta, where the Yokes don't.

 

[faust]

Yeah, your matching my experience with the RT660s at our first 2 weakened, no grip when cold. We also had wet, so that kep the tires cold, and was getting beat by people i usually am 2-3 seconds up on. Everyone I have talked to that has run the new Stones likes them, but those that normally run Yokes arent all ready to switch. The difference is the Stones can hold up to the Fiesta, where the Yokes don't.

Exactly. One of the fastest guys at the club was complaining that the stones aren't as good as the yokes in the cold, but he's driving an STS CRX.

I continue to be half tempted to move to STH just so I can run 8" wheels & camber.

 

[Rexracer]

Exactly. One of the fastest guys at the club was complaining that the stones aren't as good as the yokes in the cold, but he's driving an STS CRX.

I continue to be half tempted to move to STH just so I can run 8" wheels & camber.

Yeah the yokes work perfectly at like 40 deg. STH gives a diff, camber and wider wheels, but I think overall you would be less competitive (instead of a top car in HS, a low level car in STH), it would be fun.

 

[faust]

Got my bud's set of year old RE71RS, we'll see how they do in the 50s and rain forecast for Saturday. Probably better than the 3 year old RT660s I had been planning on using!

 

[hawyee]

Re71rs are definitely the tire to have for HS, I just went the STH route and it's definitely a lot more fun especially if you track the car too but it's a lot of money and not very competitive nationally

 

[tri-pedaler]

Currently have rt660s and they are not great without lots of heat.BFG rivals warm up quicker. I’ll try the new ‘stones once these are caput this summer. Enjoy!

Got my bud's set of year old RE71RS, we'll see how they do in the 50s and rain forecast for Saturday. Probably better than the 3 year old RT660s I had been planning on using!

 

[faust]

3 of the 4 FiSTs at this weekend's event.

Fun to get back to autox after a year away. The stones worked great in the cooler conditions (50s and 60s). I think this is the first event that's felt like I could consistently get some rotation out of the car without losing the rear end. Short and tight course, I ended up in the top half on raw time, and something like 38 of 140 on PAX.

 

[tri-pedaler]

View attachment 61545
3 of the 4 FiSTs at this weekend's event.

Fun to get back to autox after a year away. The stones worked great in the cooler conditions (50s and 60s). I think this is the first event that's felt like I could consistently get some rotation out of the car without losing the rear end. Short and tight course, I ended up in the top half on raw time, and something like 38 of 140 on PAX.

Nice. Where?

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Currently have rt660s and they are not great without lots of heat.BFG rivals warm up quicker. I’ll try the new ‘stones once these are caput this summer. Enjoy!

Did you get them heat treated? before running them*

 

[tri-pedaler]

Did you get them heat treated? before running them*

They were slightly used - came with the Enkeis. So not sure. I’ll heat treat the next ones though!

 

[tri-pedaler]

They were slightly used - came with the Enkeis. So not sure. I’ll heat treat the next ones though!

Tire Rack offers heat cycling I believe

 

[faust]

Nice. Where?

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.7937675,-93.4849123,718m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

if you zoom in on the upper lot a bit, you can see some of the rubber laid down by previous events

 

[hawyee]

Just realized you're in MN, my second ever autox was at Canterbury park in my '89 mr2 when it was still an automatic on all seasons back in 2019. I think I have pics/vids somewhere, definitely miss it DCTC was a lot of fun too

 

[faust]

Just realized you're in MN, my second ever autox was at Canterbury park in my '89 mr2 when it was still an automatic on all seasons back in 2019. I think I have pics/vids somewhere, do you do any of the events at DCTC?

Nice! That was my first year as well, I ran at that event.

Yes, we still run at DCTC, I just signed up for the upcoming event. Also, we got back access to the State Fair parking lot, that's my current favorite venue.

 

[faust]

Made my second event of the year. Had a solid first run, then went .7 faster the 2nd -- but hit a cone -- and it was all downhill from there. I don't think my first run has ever been my best before, this must be at least partly a bridgestone thing. 39 of 170 on PAX.

Not sure what the rest of the season holds. Would like to do some more autox, would like to get in a track day or two, tempted to try out rallycross, and my lemons team bought a stock 96 miata that we're trying to turn into a racecar by next season. Also need to get our current lemons Focus out of storage and ready for a July race.