build diary

October 15, 2006: Autocross time again.
Once again, I was out dodging cones with the Corvette club. They're remarkably good-natured about having non-Corvettes take part. Especially when, after all the experienced Corvette drivers have had three shots at the course, I knock 4.6 seconds off the fastest time on my first run. Heh heh, whoops. Overall, just a normal autocross event. My fourth run (we get six, in two races) was a little eventful. I was having a really good run. With fairly cool temperatures the tires weren't sticking all that well but the engine was happy, so I was mostly steering with the rear of the car. On one sweeper I was keeping the rear loose by using just a bit too much throttle and it got a half step ahead of me. I spun the car and missed a gate - so I slotted into first, lit up the back end, spun around to go through the gate then left the car in first for the final 180 and over the line. The rear wheels were smoking the whole time and my sideways trip across the finish seemed to entertain the spectators. I still managed to put down a pretty good time too! My fastest lap was a 51.8, about 4.3 seconds ahead of the next fastest car - also not a Corvette. I have to enjoy this while I can, because when Bill has his Westfield up and running I'm going to have some serious competition. Good thing he doesn't like autocrossing then.

There was one odd thing during the day. The venue is about a half hour from my current house. The drive out was fine (and refreshing!), but on the way home the car just cut out at a steady cruise. I coasted to the side of the road and restarted, but what the heck was that? I forgot to check to see if the ECU has lost power. I'm going to start monitoring that.

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