Auto-cross

[kaiser16]

Hi everybody, I really want to start racing my bmw so do you guys know where to start in auto-cross. I don't know of any clubs or bmw events in ottawa or gatineau so where can I check!?
Thanks in advance

[bmwconnect]

http://www.mco.org/cms/     

[sb_600]

+1

MCO is the best!  I started last year and have been following the series this year.  The next event (this saturday) is a members-only, but feel free to come check it out.  Its free to watch, and you can get ride-alongs.

Also, for those who are interested, the Autocross Nationals are in Ste-Eustache next weekend (Aug 6-8).  Should be a blast!

[kaiser16]

Where is it though? I couldn't find it on the website

[sb_600]

Saturday is in parking lot 9 of the Scotiabank Place in Kanata (the lot closest to the highway).

Hope to see you then!

Shawn

[bmwconnect]

Photos from today

[bmwconnect]

video

Solo 7/29/2010	DQ | by Aeva

[kaiser16]

Looks like loads of fun, would an e30 318is be competitive though? I'm gonna try it anyways, i guess handling is most important but my car is kinda slow.

[kaiser16]

I see august 14th is another one, is it going to be at the same place, that one I would be able to go!

[chrisp]

Looks like loads of fun, would an e30 318is be competitive though? I'm gonna try it anyways, i guess handling is most important but my car is kinda slow.

competitive shmetitive... until you start doing this regularly you will be way slower than the top drivers anyways so don't worry about it. Go, have fun, learn some skills, and get to know how it all works.

All cars are divided up into different classes and times get adjusted depending on what class  you are in.. so while you might end up down the list based on raw results (raw times) after they get adjusted you might be surprised to see how well you've done.

The E30 318iS is perfectly balanced, rear wheel drive, easy to control, and plenty of power to hustle around the course. It's a fantastic car to learn with.

If you want to get serious, you would either (a) use your existing car and prepare it to the limit or (b) get a car that is suitable and competitive in a specific class (and modify it to the limit). What cars and what classes and what modifications are allowed? See the CASC Solo2 website for all the rules.

But again- go, have some fun, see if it's something you want to do seriously, and go from there. Until you have some events under your belt it won't matter what you drive or how it's prepared so don't worry about it.

Chris P

[msix]

Here is some fun at an CASC-OR Regional Auto-X a couple of weeks ago in Barrie.

http://www.youtube.com/user/klausM6#p/a/u/0/p5gouinOHT8
(excuse the lack editing, just go to 1:30 to get to the interesting part)

I am trying to figure out how to do the editing for the Go-Pro, then I will post more videos ....

Do what Chris is saying, try it out, have fun, then see what you need or want to change. Next weekend is the Canadian National Championship, this time in Montreal at St-Eustache, if you have the time, check it out, it is not too far and a great place to see where this can go ....

Hope to see some of you there.

[bmwconnect]

Looks like loads of fun, would an e30 318is be competitive though? I'm gonna try it anyways, i guess handling is most important but my car is kinda slow.

the red e30 in the photos and video is a 318is stock motor... he was running great times

[sb_600]

Here is some fun at an CASC-OR Regional Auto-X a couple of weeks ago in Barrie.

http://www.youtube.com/user/klausM6#p/a/u/0/p5gouinOHT8
(excuse the lack editing, just go to 1:30 to get to the interesting part)

I am trying to figure out how to do the editing for the Go-Pro, then I will post more videos ....

Do what Chris is saying, try it out, have fun, then see what you need or want to change. Next weekend is the Canadian National Championship, this time in Montreal at St-Eustache, if you have the time, check it out, it is not too far and a great place to see where this can go ....

Hope to see some of you there.

Klaus, I just got a GoPro as well, and it seems VideoPad is a good editing software - nothing too fancy, but does support a lot of file types, and it's free!

Looks like loads of fun, would an e30 318is be competitive though? I'm gonna try it anyways, i guess handling is most important but my car is kinda slow.

the red e30 in the photos and video is a 318is stock motor... he was running great times

Yup -  John is a great driver.  It's not so much about power as it is being smooth.  Whether you're competitive or not, the MCO series is great fun.  Everyone is extremely friendly and welcoming, and would be happy to have you out!  The best mod you can do to improve your times when you're starting it is working on the nut behind the wheel .  I started out slow last year and was never really competitive, but made sure to get lots of ride-alongs with better drivers, and also have them come in my car to give me advice. As i got the hang of it, I started finding the "weak" spots in my car and built it over the winter to try and correct it.  Seems to be working out for me pretty well so far.

Thanks to those who came out this weekend and took pictures!  It was good to meet you and hopefully we'll see you driving there soon!

[sb_600]

For those of you that are interested, here are the videos for my fastest run in each configuration

Morning:

MCO AutoX 2010 Event #5 - Run 3	DQ | by Aeva

Afternoon:

MCO AutoX 2010 Event #5 - Run 7	DQ | by Aeva

Let me know what you think!

[everlast]

Shawn (and I assume his crew) will be running this Saturday if you want to seem some skilled driving in person.




I will be running this Saturday if you want to see some slow and unsure driving in person