Winding down '08
The last auto-x event of the '08 season was yesterday ... and I wasn't able to drive. sadly, I wasn't able to drive over a bt of the season ... at least not my own car. I was able to get a few runs in thanks to some kind friends, so i did get some seat time, just not many points.
I had decided at the beginning of the season that I'd bump myself up to SM this year for more competition. I honestly destroyed the BSP class last season (by a 28 point margin) adn i didn't feel that BSP was pusing me hard enough. In our region (ALSCCA), SM is where the "fast" AWD cars hang out ... so i joined them.
The start of the season was promising. I was the only car on street tires so i expected to be a little behind. In a couple of events I trailed by less than 1.00 from 1st and I was happy about that. But, then it happened ... my dedicated auto-x tires were gone. And then everything else happened and money was gone. No tires for me. I tried running on my street tires (Hankook RS2s) but the tread life on them was INSANELY short I found. After only 5 runs they were showing extreme wear. So, with no cash for new tires I had to bow out of the competition.
While it was hard not driving my own car (with new suspension I might add), I did enjoy the season. I was able to go for lots of rides in some really cool cars, as well as coach some newcomers and help them get more out of their early course attempts. I ran registration and timing for most of the season and that was useful for the region since attendance fell off in the late summer.
So, I now look forward to '09. the first event is in February (TnT) and I'll likely not drive that event either. I hope to be able to purchase some r-comps around march to mount to the lonely BBSs hanging in the garage. We'll see how it all pans out.
In the meantime, I've invested in a very basic simulator setup. I can now get some seat time without the expense. I can run and design autocross courses, get dirty on a rallycross course or drive some of the best tracks around the world all from the comfort of my own home. I have already seen improvements in myself with the little bit of time I've invested so far and I can only see more of the same with extended seat time.
See you in '09.