Who is going to Nationals in Solo2? - Honda Prelude Forum

Jacques · 07-28-2003, 04:16 PM

With a little over a month away, I want to see a headcount on who's going. I'm in, and I'm sure Jason is in (in a 'Lude? In a Civic?), not sure about Vincent. Anyone else?

Pork Chop · 07-28-2003, 04:31 PM

Not me. Maybe next year.

Don't forget to sign-up for the warmup on sat or sunday. Plus, you'll need to bring every bit of raingear that you own to ward off any chance of rain!

Jacques · 07-28-2003, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pork Chop
Not me. Maybe next year.

Don't forget to sign-up for the warmup on sat or sunday. Plus, you'll need to bring every bit of raingear that you own to ward off any chance of rain!

I made the mistake of only bringing my Nike F.I.T. running jacket for protection when I went to the NT@Peru...needless to say, I got drenched the first day of the event. Won't make that mistake this time around.

aklucsarits · 07-28-2003, 04:45 PM

Not this year. Maybe next year if I ever get all the go-fast bits on my Sentra... And then there is that sub-par driver skill thing I have to fix too...

Philly region has several excellent STS drivers going this year. I am anxious to see how they do.

Andrew

vwong · 07-28-2003, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jacques
not sure about Vincent

Most likely, I'm in. If I can sell the freaking shell (the Integra) before then, I'm definitely in. Hopefully, the freaking engine will be sold by then too.

vtecspd · 07-29-2003, 06:55 AM

I'll be there but not in a Honda, in the Spyder (CS). Maybe next year but more likely '05 in the Lude (DSP).

Hope I "qualify" for the Finale, just need to do well at Peru Pro otherwise its off to the Topeka Pro.

Mugenlude · 07-29-2003, 11:36 AM

I'm in... not sure what class I'm going to run... I'm really thinking that I'm going to race STX because more people I want to watch are running the same days as STX...

Jacques · 07-29-2003, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mugenlude
I'm in... not sure what class I'm going to run... I'm really thinking that I'm going to race STX because more people I want to watch are running the same days as STX...

You can hangout with Vincent and I on those days too.

PilotSH · 07-29-2003, 06:16 PM

Hmmmm, that's EXACTLY what I'm pondering right now. I have a co-drive all set up and ready to go (in an S2000), but there are things I need to consider. Hehe, maybe you guys can be the judge.

I need a LOT more time on concrete. The S2000 with stock shocks and hoosiers have a TOTALLY different feel on concrete then they do on sealed asphalt (which is what I always run on). I sucked ARSE my first time on concrete in the S2000 becuase the break-away characteristics are so much more abrupt. I left the National Tour event without a single clean run. It was very dissapointing. I tend to have an oversteering driving style which works really well on the sealed asphalt Chicago Region normally runs on (I'm in third place overall PAX and first in class BStock). But at Peru my driving style along with stock shocks had me either spinning or eating cones. I know that shocks would definitely help, but $4000 shocks are ridiculous. There are at least 3 cars (4-6 drivers) at Nationals that will have dialed in shocks. Just watching Saini run at the Peru Tour I notcied a HUGE difference in how the car performs vs stock shocks. So that leaves just a couple spots in which to trophy. For me personally, going thru all the trouble (ditching school, driving all the way out there, registration + co-driving costs, hotel costs, etc) to aim at midpack for BS is pointless. If I go, I want to go with the goal of trophying. But at this point, with my lack of concrete seat time and a stock shock S2000, it will be quite difficult. Should I even bother going?

The flip side of this is that I am being a dumbass becuase I get to autox an S2000 for Nationals, which is something I would NEVER EVER have dreamed of a year ago. A year ago, I never even autoxed an S2000 before! So the opportunity is really great, BUT...
is it worth all the money and hassle to fight for the last few trophy spots in BS...

I have a 2 day cendiv event this weekend with the S2000, but that's on asphalt, so the only time I'll get to drive the car on concrete again before Nats is the divisionals at Peru mid august... is that enuf time to get myself dialed in??? Decisions, decisions...

BTW, what days are STS and STX running?

James

Jacques · 07-29-2003, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PilotSH
BTW, what days are STS and STX running?

STS is Tuesday/Wednesday. STX is Thursday/Friday. James, you should go anyways. How often are you going to get a chance to run an s2000 at Nationals? I have an even less chance of trophying than you are...I've been very inconsistent this year locally, and even with my terrible performance at Peru, I'm still going anyways.

Pork Chop · 07-29-2003, 09:40 PM

PilotSH:

I think you'd probably want some more seat time in an S2K before you go to nationals. It IS a tough car to drive, especially on stock shocks (do you have a big front bar of some sort?).

As you probably saw firsthand at the Tour, the courses tend to be bigger and faster than what you typically see at a local event, plus the concrete makes things that much trickier. So, you'll really need to evaluate your performances at the big events to see how you stack up against the competition. If you're consistently within a second of Saini, then you're doing pretty well. That means you'd be about 2 seconds out over 2 days, which is right on the bubble of the trophy positions.

Anyhow, I wouldn't be so fixated on going to nationals just to get a trophy. I did that my first year out and when I didn't trophy, that made for a very depressing and long drive all the way back home. Overall, it certainly is a fun event and I think every serious (or even not-so-serious) autoXer should attend one at some point in their life.

Pork Chop · 07-29-2003, 09:44 PM

Vincent,

Are you still interested in doing one of the test and tune events up here in August? I remember I mentioned it to you a while ago and you told me to keep you updated on it.

Here's the latest info on the event:

Quote:

Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2003 21:24:10 -0700
From: "Pilar Miranda" <pilarmmiranda@msn.com>
Subject: Nationals Test & Tune at Castle Airport

Hello everyone!

For those of you that are planning to attend this years Solo II Nationals in
September you wont want to miss the second annual Nationals Test & Tune. The
event is being put on by the San Francisco Region Solo II and is being chaired
by Chris Cox and Pilar Miranda.

The details:

Who: If you are going to Nationals we expect to see you at this event! We
will be limiting the entrants to 60-70 people - all those attending Nationals
will be given priority.

What: Drive, tune, Drive, test, Drive, Drive and Drive again...oh, did we
mention you'll only have to work one hour the entire weekend?! National style
coarse to be designed by Chris Cox. Skid pad will be available as well.

Where: Castle Airport, Atwater CA

When: August 23 & 24, 2003

Pre-Registration Only: Contact Pilar Miranda to get your name on the list and
details on where to send your check. pilarmmiranda@msn.com

Cost: $60 for the entire weekend

Any questions? Contact Chris Cox - C_A_Cox@msn.com or Pilar Miranda -
pilarmmiranda@msn.com

Please forward this message on to anyone who isn't on the BA-AUTOX list that
might be interested in attending. The response from last years event was
great - everyone had a lot of fun and learned quite a bit at the same time.

See you there!
Chris and Pilar

vwong · 07-29-2003, 10:45 PM

Thanks, Elbert. I see that the National Test & Tune at Castle Airport will be on August 23rd & 24th. That's the same weekend where we (Cal Club) will have our Test & Tune as well. I've heard rumors that we will have a site with concrete to run on. So I'll be more than likely to go to the local one instead. Thanks for keeping me updated anyway.

PilotSH · 07-30-2003, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pork Chop
PilotSH:

I think you'd probably want some more seat time in an S2K before you go to nationals. It IS a tough car to drive, especially on stock shocks (do you have a big front bar of some sort?).

As you probably saw firsthand at the Tour, the courses tend to be bigger and faster than what you typically see at a local event, plus the concrete makes things that much trickier. So, you'll really need to evaluate your performances at the big events to see how you stack up against the competition. If you're consistently within a second of Saini, then you're doing pretty well. That means you'd be about 2 seconds out over 2 days, which is right on the bubble of the trophy positions.

Anyhow, I wouldn't be so fixated on going to nationals just to get a trophy. I did that my first year out and when I didn't trophy, that made for a very depressing and long drive all the way back home. Overall, it certainly is a fun event and I think every serious (or even not-so-serious) autoXer should attend one at some point in their life.

thanks for the input guys.

PorkChop, the car is fully setup for autox EXCEPT for the shocks (JDM wheels, autox alignment, gendron bar, Veilside exhaust, etc). The only thing it doesn't have is the all important shocks. I'm also used to long and fast 60 second courses, as we are blessed with a really good site to run here in chicago. It's just not concrete, that's all (and not designed by Roger Johnson either hehe). Hopefully I'll do well at our CenDiv this weekend and that will help me decide.

I do want to go and see the McKee/Saini battle in person too... hehe I'm gunning for Saini of course

its' gonna be really close!

James

PilotSH · 07-30-2003, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vtecspd
I'll be there but not in a Honda, in the Spyder (CS). Maybe next year but more likely '05 in the Lude (DSP).

Hope I "qualify" for the Finale, just need to do well at Peru Pro otherwise its off to the Topeka Pro.

Hey Lloyd, go kick some Telehowski butt hehehehe. I am expecting a podium finish from you!

vtecspd · 07-30-2003, 07:46 AM

James, am I missing something but the whole month of August will be the best month in my 11 years of autoxing for concrete experience right before Nationals.

August 9-10 - Peru Pro
August 16-17 Divisional @ Peru or Topeka Pro
August 30-31-1 TSSCC T&T & #6/#7 @ Peru

How many more opportunites do you need to experience Topeka "like" concrete and bumps.

Of course you'll eat up a set of tires just doing these events but if you want to be a big dog it takes big dog $$$. BTW, getting a trophy at Nationals, especailly in BS considering all the great competition is a great honor. Heck, just finishing mid-pack or higher is a job well done. What ever car you drive there, just go, its an experience everyone should do at least once.

Jacques · 07-30-2003, 11:41 AM

Do you guys know if they are doing tech/registration the morning of your first day competing? I won't be able to make tech the day before my scheduled days (Thursday/Friday for STX), getting into Topeka late the night before.

Mugenlude · 07-30-2003, 01:07 PM

James - I'm going just for the experience... maybe next year you'll have shocks and you'll be more prepared because you will have one National Championship event under your belt.

BTW - I'm considering camping out at nationals to save myself some money. I'm not sure if Christina is coming with, but if she doesn't then you could stay in my tent if you like... as long as you can put up with some snoring...

Jacques · 07-30-2003, 02:26 PM

So, the two James' would crash your tent if your gf isn't going?

lightlude · 07-30-2003, 04:42 PM

nope...
Still too novice. Maybe in the next year or two i'll feel better, and have my prelude dialed in better. I've only been doing it for ~1.5 years. But when I go, i'll be the only 3g out there!!