Greg Hess Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Hey fellas, I decided to join an autocrossing club this past week, and went to my first autocross! Whats autocrossing? Strap yourself in your car, put on a helmet, and go through a road course at high speeds and try not to hit any cones! Here's some photos of me tearing up the place! (Car is a 2003 Mazda6s) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Looks like great fun! Do they let Jeeps onto a slalom course? My roof rack will keep the roof from getting too scraped up... Is the Mazda yours, or do you 'borrow' a car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 cool! were you any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted September 15, 2003 Author Share Posted September 15, 2003 The Mazda6s is mine . I was ok. First time ever doing this. Most of the guys have been doing it ALOT. I'd say in the novice group I was in the upper rankings. 64. something seconds. A professional driver in the same car does it in like 56-58 seconds. It was hella fun. Didn't see any jeeps there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nisus Posted September 17, 2003 Share Posted September 17, 2003 Awesome... Stuntman Gregg! So now we have the rough footages, we can add explosions, gunshots and a facial replacement!!! rgds nisus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mottle Posted September 17, 2003 Share Posted September 17, 2003 Damn you better not add any ground fx to your car or they'll end up in the pavement. You must have been really turning hard to get the front end that low. Is your car stock? Looks like fun though!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted September 18, 2003 Author Share Posted September 18, 2003 Hey Jeff, I'm in G stock class. There are some modifications you can do, but basically my car is bone stock. Even the stock tires. Allowed modifications are... shocks, tires, intakes, exhaust. You can't do any engine modifications, springs, bushings, sway bars, strut bars, or run racing slicks in stock class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Vestal Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 Greg, My wife recently purchased a 03 Mini Cooper S. I convinced her to try it out at a SCCA event as soon as it was broke in. We both had a blast! I got to let out a couple week of aggression on the course and ended up getting 2nd out of 7 in the G-stock class! (without a handicap ) If it is not too cold we will be out again next month. Have you been out again Greg? picks here of her here: http://www.conceptvision.com/scca/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 Hey Vestal, Yes I have been. Just went to the one at Rosecroft raceway yesterday. (http://www.autocrossers.org) I'll have more photos up soon. Its utterly addicting. First your all nervous, then after you go through, all you want to do is go through again and do better . The mini's a great car. Its pretty much made for autocrossing. Hard to compete against . The Mazda6 falls into the same division as the mini, so were always glad when nobody is running one, cause then we have a chance. Will check out the photos in a bit! I also have some sweet videos (almost 2/3 an entire run) of myself flying around, I'll try and get them online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Sound like a lot of fun, I bet your tires don't last long tho! I had a 1989 Ford Escort RS turbo up until a couple of months ago. Me and my mates used to go to Crail airfield and do quarter mile drag racing in our cars... that was soooo much fun and really addictive. It was really funny to see people with quite new cars (that had huge amounts of money spent on them) blown away by a tatty looking turbocharged Escort After seeing those photos im very tempted to buy another car, I really want an Escort Cosworth! Craig [ September 29, 2003, 06:55 AM: Message edited by: Craig Ramsay ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 Ya the coolest thinga bout autocrossing is its the driver, not the car, that determines your speed. Last week at fedex field, a freaking 1980's volvo stationwagon, with 3 people in it, was kicking the crap outta some of the vette's . Here's some photos of this past weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Nice one! I like the alloys on your car... look like 17's to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 215/50/17's. Going to 225/45/17's next spring, with some lighter alloys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Vestal Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Greg, looks great! There is a SCCA event in South Bend Indiana in a few weeks (they have a lot here). If you are shopping for tires, this is an event to attend. You can run on their test track, get a tour of the business, and meet salesmen. They usually give great deals if you show up! Long drive, but might be worth the trip next spring! Oops sorry, forgot to mention it is at Tire Rack! www.tirerack.com [ September 29, 2003, 07:48 AM: Message edited by: C.Vestal ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 Here ya go Vestal! http://mazda6club.com/forums/read.php?TID=9274 Its a great video! I'm at 3:30 (move the slider to that time if you just want to see one of my runs). There is also some vette's and a viper in the video. (right click on wicked autocross video (in bold) and say save as) Mazda6 club guy made a sweet video of the event! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Vestal Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Great slalom Greg! Was that you with the wiper issue at the end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 Ha! Yes it was. Oh man that was a horrid run. I was really pushing hard to try and beat the other mazda6's (6 of us were racing heh), and I went around a turn so hard I hit the windshield wipers. Well so I try and turn off the windshield wipers (which was distracting as hell) and lose control of the car (bad idea to shut them off). Not only did I not shut off the wipers, but I hit the windshield washer, increased the speed of the wipers, hit my turn signal, and honked my horn three times. Almost completely spun out too . Everyone had a good laugh , I still beat 3 of the 6's so I'm happy. Here's another video of me . http://www.therealashu.com/movies/autox_928/Crossbow%203rd%20Run.AVI [ September 29, 2003, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: Greg Hess ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted September 29, 2003 Share Posted September 29, 2003 Please tell me you have a video of that wiper blade incident. I... MUST... SEE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted September 29, 2003 Author Share Posted September 29, 2003 Its all the way at the end of the long video (the first one I posted). You can't make it out though. You can hear me honk the horn and see the car going out of control . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Vestal Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 Greg, We finally got out again and we are able to beat up the Mini again. My wife (Kelly) purchased some new lighter rims and some new Falken Azenis sport tires (very sticky and still able to stay in GS class) We had a great day! I was able to beat a few Subaru wrx's!! I ended up getting 11th out of 44 in our class. I have been waiting all winter to get out again. Have you been able to get out and race again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Hess Posted May 28, 2004 Author Share Posted May 28, 2004 Greets Chris! Yes I have been racing. Virtually every weekend. I think I've done 4-5 races already this season. Lets see if I can smack up some more photos for everyone . Latest upgrade are SSR 17x8 Comp's with Toyo T1-S 225/45/17 rubber. (55 lbs of unsprung weight saved! w00) Thats me driving, look at those mad skilz! I'm actually running over the cone lip I'm so close. Haha! Another omghi2u racing member flys around with 3 other people in the car@! Fugi decides to see if traction improves while driving through a lake. Blisten has just annouced a set of adjustable coilovers (damper and height) that their producing for a early summer release. That'll be my next mod...finally some suspension work! Then just need an adjustable camber kit on the front wheels. Damn your mini! We call the mini "cheating mini" when you guys put hoosiers on, its JUST NOT FAIR . Admittedly I am now spending more energy on car related goodness then technology related stuff. I even write car articles lol. Here's an example of my new found addiction.... http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=57 Thats me at my prime right there. Covered in oil. Oh hell ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quizzy Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 well its all hardware isn't it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Vestal Posted June 5, 2004 Share Posted June 5, 2004 Great picks Greg. Glad to see you have been out too!! The SSR's look great! We picked up the "knock offs" but still 20 lbs lighter total! We have been hitting a lot of events over here too. http://www.conceptvision.com/mini/IMG_0541.jpg More here: http://www.conceptvision.com/mini You are right "cheating minis" with the Hoosier slicks. We are planning on getting some next year!! It is amazing how a good set of tires make up for sloppy driving. When I get better, I might be dangerous! Until then, I will just get some slicks. My wife has been reading about the 05 mini with a limited slip. This will bump the Cooper S up in the stock classes... I think we will be trading ours in soon. Have fun Greg!! Keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cesar R Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 That looks awesome, I contacted the autocross club here in my city but never returned my call.. i wanted to get into it , it looks so fun. I have been currently racing radio controlled nitro cars at local tracks here in fla. it have been my hobby (heavily) since sept 2003, I have not done Cg since then and I am not starting to get back in cg, I've missed alot haha. Dave, I thought you were the guy in your avatar...? BTW your mazda is very nice. Once you get the camber kit you will see a huge difference in handling. As a result of racing Rc cars and working on their setups (just like setting up a real touring car... which is what i like best) I can probably do good on autocross. BTW here is a picture of my race car, my mazda6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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