Autocross World Champs: $25,000 to Win

I think it would be more fun if the cars had to come off showroom floors as manufactured, and there could only be one example of each model entered.   

The Robert Thorne SSM S2000 would be my first choice: http://camautomag.com/the-big-bad-wolf/

Then there is the Dallas Cutler Evo, the Berry Evo, and my favorite FP Evo: https://www.oregonscca.com/uploads/8/5/9/0/85902804/fb-img-1501257913773_orig.jpg.  I believe it weighs under 2000lbs before ballast and is forced to run a tiny restrictor due to Prepared rules.  All that could be removed here.

If the course is low speed or the site is low grip, a computer driven car makes sense.  A Tesla Model 3 in pro solo is absolutely breathtaking.  This one beat the field by a few seconds even with sandbagging at the end of the run.  A Honda NSX or 911 GT3 makes sense here too.

If the Zust/Blackwatch racing Elise can fit 25" inch tires, that would be cool to watch as well.  Unfortunately, I think the chances of that happening for a single event are pretty slim.  https://lotusplus.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/screen-shot-2010-04-12-at-12-13-38-pm.png.

This is almost like the game Clue: It was **driver** in **car** with **tires.**

ProDarwin said:

Driven5 said:

Why SSM over a DM/EM or even XP?

I don't know with this ruleset that there would be much of a difference. 

That was my thought too, but there seemed to be a SSM bandwagon forming and I was trying to figure out what I was missing.

The problem with a Miata is finding helmeted drivers to meet the windshield height rule, unless they make exceptions for stock.

Driven5 said:

ProDarwin said:

Driven5 said:

Why SSM over a DM/EM or even XP?

I don't know with this ruleset that there would be much of a difference. 

That was my thought too, but there seemed to be a SSM bandwagon forming and I was trying to figure out what I was missing.

 

The problem with a Miata is finding helmeted drivers to meet the windshield height rule, unless they make exceptions for stock.

Anything with serious aero (which is a must) is going to have a hardtop, so that's a non-issue.

Driven5 said:

ProDarwin said:

Driven5 said:

Why SSM over a DM/EM or even XP?

I don't know with this ruleset that there would be much of a difference. 

That was my thought too, but there seemed to be a SSM bandwagon forming and I was trying to figure out what I was missing.

 

The problem with a Miata is finding helmeted drivers to meet the windshield height rule, unless they make exceptions for stock.

For several years the R&D has been flowing to SSM instead of FP.  So while the ruleset favors FP, the SSM cars have been faster. (to the best of my knowledge/memory)

"Any 200tw tires", is that USA or worldwide? There are a lot better tires out there than America just due to our street regs. 

there's a semi retired but fast XP car sitting in a garage in the south that was being thrown around.... but no word on the hotshoe..

the lot for this event is SMALL. it's the COTA lot where SPOKES runs their local events..

Whitener is running their Tesla Model 3 Performance at the Texas Champ tour 2 weeks before this event in SM. that would be a potent car and driver combo..

i heard Dr. Strelniks is already signed up in his Super Street NSX and he's got the form and consistency to make it happen.

there's no co drivers for this event.. one driver per car..

Erik Anderson's SSM Miata can't get enough tire under the car right now as it sits so I would knock it down a few notches from it's true potential..

If Thorne still had his antilag system on the S2000 i'd put him down as a favorite.. maybe he still could be since he can get a proper amount of tire under the car and anderson's car would have a tire disadvantage.


 

spacecadet (Forum Supporter) said:

Erik Anderson's SSM Miata can't get enough tire under the car right now as it sits so I would knock it down a few notches from it's true potential.

Also he's made it overwhelmingly clear that he has no interest in street tires no matter the situation. 

Ron Bauer's recently turboed ND championship winning car could be a contender.

In reply to spacecadet (Forum Supporter) :

And here is Dr Strelnieks approaching top PAX in an NSX with the Viper tires on the lot being used for this event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9-MCma_BHY

My money is on whatever Tom O'Gorman drives.  This should be fun to watch if there is live coverage.

ojannen said:

In reply to spacecadet (Forum Supporter) :

And here is Dr Strelnieks approaching top PAX in an NSX with the Viper tires on the lot being used for this event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9-MCma_BHY

spacecadet (Forum Supporter) said:

the lot for this event is SMALL. it's the COTA lot where SPOKES runs their local events..

You sir, have no idea what a small lot is. 

In reply to ProDarwin :

No E36 M3, all that room and they made a big slalom with a turnaround.  If that's how they set up the course, I'll double down on Danny Popp.  That was purely built for a fast vette.

ProDarwin said:

ojannen said:

In reply to spacecadet (Forum Supporter) :

And here is Dr Strelnieks approaching top PAX in an NSX with the Viper tires on the lot being used for this event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9-MCma_BHY

 

spacecadet (Forum Supporter) said:

the lot for this event is SMALL. it's the COTA lot where SPOKES runs their local events..

You sir, have no idea what a small lot is. 

I mean...it's pretty small. And the shape pretty well limits the courses you can set up there. I guess for local events it's like average sized. But as far as being a venue for a "serious" autocross event, it's pretty small. It's at most half the size of most national event venues, and pretty narrow.

Something like the hoonicorn would be a riot.

I tried to get Gimp to figure out 200tw on the wide 5's he runs and adding lights to his CP car 

In reply to Apexcarver :

Is it possible to put big wheels on wide 5 hubs?

I wonder if Jordon Musser will enter his 1500 hp Cayman.

Will Doc McDermott add half a dozen Model T parts including a chassis tag to his last-year-of-the-big-wings 2014 FSAE car and end-run it around the rules?

In reply to chaparral :

Hell Kiesel could put a license plate on his EM Sprite...

Tesla with ACR kumho's would be my one and only choice. You could run that and with a good driver take it.

You could take my ACR out on the same tires and even with its 800whp I would be in the bottom of the field for autocross. Not sure power is the limiting factor, traction and launch is where it is at.

250$ to get my ass kicked by some of the best drivers on the planet would be worth it for me just to come out and see the carnage.

Javelin (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to chaparral :

Hell Kiesel could put a license plate on his EM Sprite...

And a real vin plate. And a full size windshield. And real aero. And reengineering the suspension to work with street tires on a bumpy surface.

dps214 said:

Javelin (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to chaparral :

Hell Kiesel could put a license plate on his EM Sprite...

And a real vin plate. And a full size windshield. And real aero. And reengineering the suspension to work with street tires on a bumpy surface.

It's almost too easy.

Live timing: http://driveusca.com/livets/wca/?fbclid=IwAR3i-sTEzVFF9clQ9jeEDnWfB9C4vtIn6IIyP_OiqX19o81OoGap8TVVJSM

Berry evo in first in the middle of 2nd runs.  Some all wheel drive/fancy computer stuff just behind him.  The top 25 is a who's who of autocrossers, especially the ones that aren't fwd specialists.

Current top 10 at 11:15AM event time:

so i heard Jemery Swenson brought tire warmers with him. It was almost an hour between runs..

looks like this was the finishing order