So JLee, Black2NA, and I went to the SCCNH auto-x school yesterday (Saturday, 8/28). I brought my Miata, Black2NA brought his MR2 Spyder, and JLee brought his FXT. We started off at the skid-pad where you learn to control steering through throttle.
JLee's FXT doesn't spin. Ever. Unless you do something silly like pull the e-brake. The instructor told him to floor it and try to spin. JLee couldn't do it. Then the instructor drove, and he couldn't get it to spin either. Woo for Forester handling!
My Miata was, as expected, a little tail-happy in boost, but very easy to predict and save as any Miata should be.
Black2NA's MR2-S with my Toyo Proxes RA1 tires won the highest lateral-G award for the day. It's a car that you can't push around, you have to dance with it, and silly amounts of grip are your reward.
After that it was slalom practice time, which is always fun. The MR2 and Miata did very well here, but the FXT's steering ratio was too slow for the course! The grip was there to have a decent time, but I just couldn't turn the wheel fast enough to keep up with the gates!
After lunch a 2/3rds length autox course was setup with a continuous run group cycling through, many runs were had by all since there were only 12 cars at the school. It was definitely a good time, more New England ATG'ers need to be present for the next go-round.
3 cars at the skid-pad line.
When the guy with a race-prepped Lotus Elise gives you advice, you listen!
My new wheels/tires getting broken in on Black2NA's MRS.
Swing wide through the gate!
Need more cambers!
This is what a Miata looks like moments before sliding right past the gate...
Even at 48PSI the FXT could still roll tires right onto the sidewall.
RS3s got thrashed, but held heat incredibly well and never really got slippery on me.
JLee's FXT doesn't spin. Ever. Unless you do something silly like pull the e-brake. The instructor told him to floor it and try to spin. JLee couldn't do it. Then the instructor drove, and he couldn't get it to spin either. Woo for Forester handling!
My Miata was, as expected, a little tail-happy in boost, but very easy to predict and save as any Miata should be.
Black2NA's MR2-S with my Toyo Proxes RA1 tires won the highest lateral-G award for the day. It's a car that you can't push around, you have to dance with it, and silly amounts of grip are your reward.
After that it was slalom practice time, which is always fun. The MR2 and Miata did very well here, but the FXT's steering ratio was too slow for the course! The grip was there to have a decent time, but I just couldn't turn the wheel fast enough to keep up with the gates!
After lunch a 2/3rds length autox course was setup with a continuous run group cycling through, many runs were had by all since there were only 12 cars at the school. It was definitely a good time, more New England ATG'ers need to be present for the next go-round.
3 cars at the skid-pad line.
When the guy with a race-prepped Lotus Elise gives you advice, you listen!
My new wheels/tires getting broken in on Black2NA's MRS.
Swing wide through the gate!
Need more cambers!
This is what a Miata looks like moments before sliding right past the gate...
Even at 48PSI the FXT could still roll tires right onto the sidewall.
RS3s got thrashed, but held heat incredibly well and never really got slippery on me.
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