2 HJC Helmets in great condition for sale. One Medium, one Large.  Open face design is easy to see out of and cooler during those hot summer autocrosses. Can bring to the April 13 or 14 event. Comes with original box and helmet bag.  Asking $50 each. Thanks!

I have pushed the inside lip in some and the tire seems to be clearing the fender, but I can't really test it on the street.  I will run the practice session on 4/13 and see what happens.  I agree that warmer days will make it easier. If you are going to the AX practice I would welcome your advice.  Thanks for the offer, maybe I can get a rain check.

This car is new to me.  PO had it corner weighted for a 220 lb driver.  I have changed that by raising the rear suspension 1/4" in an effort to help the tire rub.  I hope to have the car ready for the 4/13-14 AX.  After a little seat time I will get the alignment set.  I am not sure I will like the front springs at 400# and the rear at 525#.  The fronts seem soft "on paper".

1996 M3.  I prefer not to destroy the outside lip since the tires almost clear.  It needs about 1/8".  I I will opt for the bat, pass on the sledge hammer and hope for the best.  Replacement tires will fit better.

Thanks for the help

I need to have the rear fenders rolled because the PO put 255 40 17 tires on the car and they are rubbing, it should have 245's.  These tires only have 200 miles on them.  Is there a local shop who can roll the fenders about 1/8" ?

Here is a video of my fastest run from last Sunday.  Criticism welcome!

http://youtu.be/ctyEbcGSGBA

Below is a link to a very interesting documentary featuring Richmonder Chris Cobetto(NASA American Iron and former SpecE30 Driver) and Performance Auto Sport.  Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/1Mmiiu7DKI4

I gave John a call today in search of some used 14" r compounds.  Seems not too many folks are running 14s anymore (maybe some stock class Miata/Honda Ax'ers) and they are becoming harder and harder to find used as well as new.  I got a real bargain on some 14in wheels a year ago - otherwise I would be in search of 15s.

He has a set of Hoosier r6's (205/55/14) in stock....   I'm currently running Dunlop Direzza Star Spec's that have about one season of Autocross use.

Good idea or bad idea? I realize its a road race tire, and I'm worried I will not be able to get enough heat into the tires before they begin to perform.    The price seems great, but don't want to be any worse off than I am with the Dunlop's.  He added me to his list and said he would call if they got in any a6, Hankook Ventus, or Khumo V710s.       Thoughts?

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, I think I will consider entering this year as long as the car is sorted out.

I went as a spectator two years ago. Anyone planning on driving at this event? I know a few VMSC folks go each year.

How much experience would you recommend someone has before they think about entering? Are there any qualifications needed, or is a pay your money and enter type of deal?   Thanks. - Steven

Not sure I will make it this year, but did participate last year. For those of you thinking about it, I highly recommend it.  The guys at PAS were very accommodating and you end up with great data and insight into the health of your engine.

Below is a link to my pulls last year:


http://youtu.be/6IcsxvLm4G8

When i bought my 88 325is almost three years ago, i went through all of the options you describe.  I started by calling around various body shops and specialists to see about cost and willingness to weld in two new floor pans.  I found that as you mentioned most either were not interested or would charge way more than i wanted to pay for what i thought would be a simple job...

The best advice i got from a shop was the straight answer of for the price, i could buy the welding equipment and do it myself. At least after it was done i would end up with a welder.  The same shop even offered up a spare shell of a car that i was welcomed to cut out the floorpans from. 

As i am sure we all can relate to, a simple job turned in to a much more complex one as more and more rust was discovered.  The thoughts of "... Well, while im in here this far i might as well ____  too" got the best of me. 

With the help of my dad and his garage space, we bought the welder and associated equipment, a couple of how-to books and set to work.   Since the bmw is a unibody construction, there was no option of just ordering new floorpans out of a catalog. Over the next year, there were many frustrating nights trying to fabricate something out of nothing.  You know somethings wrong when you spend more time at lowes and home depot shopping for car parts and tools than you do at autoparts stores.  We ended up doing all the work ourselves and in the end it was very rewarding.  Most areas were welded, but i did get a crash course in fiberglass for some areas where welding wasnt an option.  All areas got several coats of various rustoleum products.  Depending on the areas that need welding, your experience may be better or worse than my floorpan/wheelwell/dash recreation.

Things to consider if you decide to take it on yourself:

1.  Space to work
2.  Tools- aside from the welder, hows your supply of clamps, hammers, bench vises, cutting tools, lighting, extra hands, grinders, wire brushes, torches for heating metal, etc
3. Time - by far the most time consuming piece was planning and fabricating. The more time you spend getting a piece to fit exactly right, the less headaches you will have when it comes time to weld. 
4.  " know your target and beyond". Whats behind the area you are trying to fix? Brake/ fuel lines? Wires? Something flammable?

I bought most of the sheet metal in smaller pieces at lowe's. There has got to be a more "commercial/industrial" place to buy metal but have not yet found it.

Anyway hope my experience helps in your decision, let me know if you have any more questions.

Is the top vinyl or cloth?  Have you already taken it off?

very cool, thanks for posting.

-Steven

Many thanks to David and all those who helped organize this. I had a lot of fun and gained a lot of confidence in my car.  Anyone curious about what kind of numbers thier car is actually making, you should be sure to take advantage of this day if it happens again next year.

Also thanks to the 350z owner for the video of my pulls.

See everyone on march 27th!

-steven

I'm also interested in getting my car corner weighted. Does anyone know if performance autosport can do that as well?  Thanks.

-Steven

Count me in.  I'll be bringing the E30 just to get some baselines.  Looking forward to it!

-Steven

+1  for another test and tune date as the board considers next year's calendar.   Thanks!

- Steve

Hey everyone,

Got an unexpected surprise tonight when my dad and I removed the carpet in a recently acquired 1988 325is.  The front floor panels will need to be cut out and there is also some rust that is creeping up the firewall and inside fenders.   

Any shop recommendations for this type of welding in the area??   
Thanks in advance for any suggestions/experiences you can share.   See you at the next AutoX!

- Steven
96 Miata   

John,

You have PM.

Regards,

Steven

Sounds good to me!

I noticed in the some of the in car videos that were posted from the October 26th event that the course was marked with chalk?  Any plans on doing this again in the future?  Thanks in advance, See everyone Sunday.

R,

Steven
96 Miata

Steven H. car number 36 will also not be able to make the Autocross tomorrow. apologize for late cancellation.

Not sure if it is considered a big descrepency but # 93 steve helton should be classed as E stock.

Thanks again for a great course and getting the results up!

[Edited on 15-11-2007 by 2forSolo]

Another fun event,  thanks for a great course