Elbert co-drives a regional with Andy in the STX ZHPer

[Andy]

Congratulations Elbert on your 1st place Novice Trophy!! Pics coming soon.

So Elbert, what did you think? Class killer or cone killer... or both?

[rumatt]

The more important question is who will be further behind Andy... Me or Elbert.

[elbert]

Originally Posted by rumatt

The more important question is who will be further behind Andy... Me or Elbert.

Probably me. It was essentially my first autox, and it took the first three of five runs trying to get used to everything: driving style, course layout, Andy's car. Lemme tell ya, it ain't like no e46 I've ever driven.

Originally Posted by Andy

Congratulations Elbert on your 1st place Novice Trophy!! Pics coming soon.

So Elbert, what did you think? Class killer or cone killer... or both?

Both :P
The car itself was great. I must say its tendency towards oversteer (for an e46, anyway) was quite unexpected, as demonstrated by my display of drifting skillz on the first run, yo.

But once I got used to the handling balance, I really enjoyed driving the car. You can get it to oversteer or understeer pretty much at will. It was predictable, no nasty backstabbing traits. In my mental playback of the day's events, I think I would have liked a little more understeer for stability through the sweepers (I think that's where I lost some time), but then it wouldn't have done as well in the slalom portions.

It was a well prepped car, and I wouldn't mind driving it again (hint ).

Thanks again for your advice, Andy, you really helped me bring home some hardware!

[rumatt]

Originally Posted by elbert

I think I would have liked a little more understeer for stability through the sweepers (I think that's where I lost some time), but then it wouldn't have done as well in the slalom portions.

Hmm. Maybe I'll leave my E46 sways alone for the next event to get more time in a borderline tail-happy car. And maybe "tail happy" to me is actually neutral, since I'm used to understeer.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by elbert

Thanks again for your advice, Andy, you really helped me bring home some hardware!

No problem… it was my pleasure. I thought you did really well and by your 4th run you appeared to have the car pretty much figured out. Looking back, the only place I can think where you could have made up time, was to be more aggressive with your braking, meaning, going in a hair deeper after those long straights and then standing on the brake pedal like you wanted to break it off. Also, if you would have been just a hair slower on a few corner entry points, it would have allowed you to be full throttle from corner exit all the way to the corner entry of the next section. But other then that, you were online, smooth and aggressive.

You’re welcome to co-drive some more events, but you might have to fight off Amber for that co-driver position. I’d like to see you bring the M3 out and give those A Stock guys a run for their money.

Originally Posted by rumatt

Hmm. Maybe I'll leave my E46 sways alone for the next event to get more time in a borderline tail-happy car. And maybe "tail happy" to me is actually neutral, since I'm used to understeer.

Here’s the best way I can describe the handling of the car. In a steady state sweeper, more throttle will produce your typical understeer. In a fast 120 to 150 degree corner where corner entry and corner exit speed is fast, the rear end will brake away first.

I’ve attached a course map from yesterday. The red lines shows where I experienced oversteer, the green line shows where I experienced slight understeer.

[Nick M3]

The M3 in stock probably handles worse than the 330, thanks to the puzzling absence of extra tire combined with a LOT of extra weight.

[bren]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The M3 in stock probably handles worse than the 330, thanks to the puzzling absence of extra tire combined with a LOT of extra weight.

Probably?

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by bren

Probably?

LSD uber alles, and the springs and rear bar ARE stiffer.

Let's hope that equal sleep will put us on an equal footing at Toledo. I need to not drive that poorly next weekend.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

LSD uber alles, and the springs and rear bar ARE stiffer.

Let's hope that equal sleep will put us on an equal footing at Toledo. I need to not drive that poorly next weekend.

What's next weekend?

[Nick M3]

next autox weekend, asshole.