Introduction and Advice

Def someone's chat bot experiment.  

In reply to TequalsRxF :

It wasn't a slight at all; you mentioned you were using a common college writing form...........absolutely nothing wrong with that whatsoever but it may or may not register with the person you are trying to relate to............just as it hasn't with two of us here.  

At some point you will likely take some training like Myers-Briggs  if you haven't already; the key thing especially so in Motorsports is learning all the personality types; drivers and engineers tend to process information very differently. 

My reply had a tongue in cheek comment; which clearly didn't register with you............nothing wrong in that either.

iansane said:

Welcome to the world of motorsports. 

TequalsRxF said:

In reply to Tom1200 :

There was no need to wrap useful advice inside a slight towards my way of speaking.  Do you really think you are the first person to share their profound insight about how I speak?  I've been hearing it my whole life.  Yes, I talk weird.  That's me.  Until the last few posts, I was so encouraged by the responses.  It felt like a community that centered around racing and welcome anybody with that passion.  I'm not going to let you throw me off, but I'm not going to tolerate disrespect.  I'll choose to focus on the people who are behaving like welcoming members of the community.

That wasn't a slight. And you missed his point.

Thank God motorcycle racing wasn't suggested................all of my motorcycle racing buddies ruthlessly bag on each other.

My wife still wonders why we don't constantly get in fist fights.

Do you want to "make a name" as a motor sports engineer, or as a race driver?  
 

They are COMPLETELY different, and honestly you are getting a very late start as a driver. The odds are stacked very high against you to make a name for yourself as a driver in one season. 
 

You MAY have some special gifts as a motor sports engineer, but autocross is a lousy place to exercise those gifts. 
 

As noted, you need to define your goals more carefully. 

Don't know whether to banhammer the obvious chatbot account or feed it hilarious information that computers won't understand like SCCA Autocross classing rules...

I was in my 40's when I started autocrossing. I have LOTS of fun with it, but there is ZERO chance I will ever "make a name for myself".  It's simply too late a start to develop the techniques well. 

In reply to Javelin :

I think it would be a riot to see a computer try to pilot a car through an autocross course (especially at the national level)

In reply to SV reX :

Driver Hugh Mann will surely be the victor over those meat sacks er uh I mean follow motor sporting enthusiasts.

I liked the part where the bot got butt hurt.

$100k could field a pretty spectacular attempt (and ultimate failure) to win 24Hrs of Lemons under EV power.  Win or lose, it would draw a lot of attention.

clutchsmoke said:

I liked the part where the bot got butt hurt.

I do try my best on here............remember I'm the guy who started a 28 page 693 post monster recently.........it's a skill; maybe.

Tom1200 said:

clutchsmoke said:

I liked the part where the bot got butt hurt.

I do try my best on here............remember I'm the guy who started a 28 page 693 post monster recently.........it's a skill; maybe.

You're somewhere in my top 50 humans so it was extra amusing when the bot took issue with your post.

Alright.  I can see I made a mistake.  There were some people trying to help on here.  I appreciated that.  This is going to continue to devolve into childish nonsense like wild chatbot conspiracies or commentary about my responses to people who are not trying to be helpful no matter how you spin it.  

I'll leave with a few clarifications.   I am not a chatbot.  Do I have a perfectly defined plan?  No!  That's why I came here. 

In reply to TequalsRxF :

You are soon to leave MIT.  Will you be leaving Boston?   If yes, where are you headed? (if you know?)

The vast majority of people here are enablers. Trust me, the crazier the idea the more they get behind it. If you feel that your writing was misunderstood, then please consider that your interpretation of another person's post might also have misread the intention.

When I used to work in Africa, the language nuances could be problematic. One day when berating someone for not communicating according to my syntax, the person told me to "Listen to what I mean". One of the more valuable  life lessons I have learned.   I used it a lot going forward in my engineering career and especially with this newfangled internet stuff.

If you do autocross, just show up for an event in whatever you drive and make a few runs. The barrier to entry can be that low. The autocross people tend to be the most inclusive people I have met. Bring a helmet. Report back to us. If you don't know how to find an event, tell us roughly where you are and someone here will point the way.

Hi Trevor,

There's a great group racing up here in New England with the SCCA, check out their New England Region (NER) schedule, and show up. You can volunteer to help while you check out the action.

You're lucky to be here, there's 4 great road tracks within 3 hours of you: Palmer Motorsports Park, Thompson Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and Club Motorsports, possibly Lime Rock Park depending on where you're at.

If you're generally interested in the track and motorsports, but haven't been around one yet, feel free to join us at a MassTuning track day (search for MassTuning Trackfest on https://www.motorsportsreg.com).  Hunt me down/shoot me a private message or email (my username at gmail.com), and I'd be happy to get you some ride alongs.

Hey Trevor, when you say "make a name for yourself" what do you mean by that? What are you looking for?

TequalsRxF said:

I would greatly appreciate your input and advice on this matter. Are there any specific makes or models that you would recommend for autocross racing? Are there any particular features or attributes that I should be looking for when selecting a vehicle for this category?

I understand that everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to racing vehicles, but I would be grateful for any insights or recommendations that you may have. I trust that your collective experience and knowledge of the sport will prove invaluable in helping me make an informed decision.

Thank you in advance for your help and guidance. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Autocross is a motorsport that typically takes place on a closed course with a lot of turns and technical elements, so you want a car that is agile, quick, and has good handling. Some popular car makes and models for autocross racing include Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru WRX, Honda Civic Si, and Ford Mustang GT.

When selecting a vehicle for autocross, some features and attributes to consider include:

1. Handling: Look for a car with a responsive and predictable handling that can quickly navigate through the tight turns of an autocross course.
2. Power-to-weight ratio: A lower power-to-weight ratio can make the car quicker and more nimble, which is desirable in autocross racing.
3. Suspension: A suspension that is adjustable and can be fine-tuned for your driving style and the course conditions can make a big difference in your lap times.
4. Braking: A car with good brakes is essential for stopping quickly and controlling the car's speed.
5. Tires: Tires play a crucial role in how the car handles and performs on the track. Look for high-performance tires that can provide excellent grip.
6. Manual transmission: A manual transmission can give you more control over the car's power and make the driving experience more engaging.

Ultimately, the ideal car for autocross racing will depend on your personal preferences and budget, as well as the rules and regulations of the specific autocross events you plan to participate in.

With a budget of $100k, you have plenty of options for a high-performance car that would be well-suited for autocross racing. Here are some examples of cars that you may want to consider:

1. Porsche 911 GT3: The Porsche 911 GT3 is an exceptional performance car that is known for its handling and agility on the track. It has a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that produces 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. It also has a well-tuned suspension, aerodynamic design, and advanced technology features.
2. Chevrolet Corvette Z06: The Corvette Z06 is a supercar that offers a great combination of speed, handling, and value. It is equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. It also has a magnetic ride control system, an electronic limited-slip differential, and a lightweight construction.
3. Audi RS3: The Audi RS3 is a compact car that packs a lot of power and performance. It has a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that produces 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. It also has a Quattro all-wheel-drive system, a sport-tuned suspension, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
4. BMW M2 Competition: The BMW M2 Competition is a sporty coupe that offers a fun and engaging driving experience. It has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produces 405 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It also has a track-tuned suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and a six-speed manual transmission.

These are just a few examples of cars that could be suitable for autocross racing within your budget. It's important to keep in mind that different drivers may have different preferences in terms of handling, power, and driving dynamics, so it's always a good idea to test-drive a few different options before making a final decision.

Hope that helps, I asked ChatGPT for you 

For someone with a degree from MIT I still say modified..........and go big or go home means A-mod. 

Don Fip said:

Hope that helps, I asked ChatGPT for you 

It recommended a manual transmission. While I have to give it props for holding the line, that one place it's probably wrong.

Edit, I also notice it didn't suggest Tesla...

ProDarwin said:

$100k could field a pretty spectacular attempt (and ultimate failure) to win 24Hrs of Lemons under EV power.  Win or lose, it would draw a lot of attention.

I thought I posted about this but it seems to have disappeared....

There is a lot of weird in this thread but this is the real answer. With 100k and no other priorities you should be able to field a spectacular attempt at this milestone. It would garner a lot of attention!

Come to think of it, do the rules say how much car needs to be present? Like maybe you bring 14 identically prepared (and fully charged leafs) and when you come into the pits for a driver change, you "hot swap" the "battery" which is really the whole car. Bring some token from each car to the next like the steering wheel (and don't forget the transponder) so you can argue that one part is the "car" and the part you swapped out is the "battery".

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

Note that even if you did that, I think it would still be hard to win lemons in a perpetually fully charged leaf.

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

Hmm, I thought it was the manual transmission that threw it off but it seems to hone in on weight as the issue.

"While Teslas are known for their impressive acceleration and performance, they may not be the best choice for autocross racing due to their weight and handling characteristics.

One of the primary challenges in autocross racing is navigating tight, technical courses with a lot of turns and corners. This requires a car that is nimble, agile, and has good handling characteristics. Teslas, on the other hand, are known for their heavy weight and can be more difficult to handle in tight corners.

Additionally, the weight of the battery pack in a Tesla can also make it more difficult to achieve the desired balance and weight distribution needed for optimal handling in autocross racing.

That being said, it's important to note that there are always exceptions to the rule, and a skilled driver can certainly achieve impressive results with any car, including a Tesla. However, if you're specifically looking for a car for autocross racing, there are likely other options that are better suited for the sport."

So, I gotta ask.

Now that this AI Chat TPG  invasion stuff has been brought up, is there, like,  going to be a Grassroots  Touring Test?

Cause, you know, I do wonder about a few of y'alls Eh?

Pete