The Road to Topeka - Chike's official 2008 Autocross Blog Thread (B-stock Mazda RX-8)

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

LOL! We do it at the sites that allow chalk.

The WDCR courses at Fedex Stadium aren't chalked, so it can be a bit trickier for novices - even though they have a great novice coordinator in Brian Garfield.

Honestly, I just don't think our course design is at a level where we could chalk courses well. I was in for a shock at my first NT because the course design was so much more...elegant. Ours are very ham-fisted. Sometimes they have to be because our site is a friggin' minefield.

Seriously, there are mines.

And mimes.

[SVXRide]

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

Bill,

That lot is relatively flat, but they are some elevation changes. Fedex definitely has some major elevation changes and definitely adds another 'complexity' to figuring out the courses.

Chike,
I'm not seeing anything like the off camber elements that are a normal course of business on FedEx's courses
-Bill

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

Honestly, I just don't think our course design is at a level where we could chalk courses well. I was in for a shock at my first NT because the course design was so much more...elegant. Ours are very ham-fisted. Sometimes they have to be because our site is a friggin' minefield.

Seriously, there are mines.

And mimes.

LOL! Ours are steadily getting better, but they haven't always been the best to prepare drivers for National level events. Our course designs are limited by our lots, which aren't always the biggest (one exception being the Danville Airport lot which is huge).

Random find -- came across this pic someone snapped of me and Kevin doing a course walk that morning. Great guy who I hope to run against more in the future!

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Chike,
I'm not seeing anything like the off camber elements that are a normal course of business on FedEx's courses
-Bill

Yeah - definitely no comparison between Fedex and that lot. Wasn't trying to imply the lot had any major elevation changes.

This was about as off-camber as the lot got:

[Chiketkd]

I've volunteered to take on the role of Novice Coordinator with the BRR, which was unanimously accepted by the solo board. Here's hoping I can help grow and retain new membership in the club.

Next event is the WDCR Event #1 this coming Sunday, followed by the BRR Solo school the following Saturday 4/26 (instructing) and BRR Event #3 on Sunday 4/27.

[Chiketkd]

WDCR event #1 is now behind me. It was a deluge of rain followed by a drying period, and then the cycle would repeat again and again... Afternoon run groups were cancelled due to lightning.

B-stock ran the 3rd heat in the morning after a deluge came down during the final runs of Heat 2. There were 6 drivers in class. My codriver Shawn took the win again and was 6th overall in PAX!!!

Final results were as follows:

'B Stock'
Pos. # Driver Car Run1 Run2 Run3 Run4 Total Diff
1 170 Roberts, Shawn 2006 Mazda Rx-8 Grey 67.158 65.068 64.423+1 63.985 63.985 0
2 99 Weichold, Frank 2005 Mazda Rx8 Grey 70.673 67.984 67.027 65.244 65.244 1.259
3 98 Barber, Steve 2004 Mazda Rx-8 Green 69.886 73.480 68.646 67.290 67.290 2.046
4 70 Dellimore, Chike 2006 Mazda Rx-8 Galaxy Grey 73.955 72.244 69.102 67.762 67.762 0.472
5 15 Myrons, Bill 2003 Nissan 350Z Blue 86.602 82.567 80.211 76.837 76.837 9.075
6 134 Gagnon, Nicole 2005 Mazda Rx-8 Grey 84.354+DNF 84.770+DNF 89.649 84.760 84.760 7.923

Sumary:
4th out of 6 in class
43rd out of 132 in PAX

Pics were scarce, but here's a few:

Driver's meeting anyone???


Getting ready to run...


Shawn preparing to run...


Working the course while Strano zooms by...

[Chiketkd]

A few more pics of the wet misery...

[SVXRide]

Chike,
Kinda makes you wish you still had the WRX, doesn't it?
-Bill

[SVXRide]

Private Chike, reporting for duty!

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Chike,
Kinda makes you wish you still had the WRX, doesn't it?
-Bill

AWD helps, but not with that much water. I'm definitely glad I made the change. Haven't regretted the decision...

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Private Chike, reporting for duty!

Very funnay. Hey, I at least I didn't become the rain-soaked-human-condom!

[SVXRide]

Smile when you post that pic, Private!

-Bill (General SVXRide of the Poncho Army!)

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Smile when you post that pic, Private!

-Bill (General SVXRide of the Poncho Army!)

Yes General Sir!

-Chike

[Mr. Pockets]

The only picture I've found of me from the wet event we had Saturday:

http://www.jleez.net/pictures/20080419autox/dsc_0162

Gotta get that body roll under control; it's shameful for a car entered in STU.

[SVXRide]

flat concrete....flat concrete...
do any of your courses out there have any off-camber aspects?
-Bill

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally Posted by SVXRide

flat concrete....flat concrete...
do any of your courses out there have any off-camber aspects?
-Bill

No, and I believe the rules state that such a situation should be avoided anyway.

Actually, we do a one-off event at a local community college (in conjunction with a big car show) on a site that does have significant elevation to it. We like to place sharp corners up and around positive elevation so the front goes all light. That's sort of fun.

[SVXRide]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

No, and I believe the rules state that such a situation should be avoided anyway.

Actually, we do a one-off event at a local community college (in conjunction with a big car show) on a site that does have significant elevation to it. We like to place sharp corners up and around positive elevation so the front goes all light. That's sort of fun.

I'm really, really starting to realize just how tough the courses at FedEx are (right, Chike?)...
-Bill