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By N_Jay
#343445
Had a fun Saturday.
It started last week with my nephew calling me to talk about "getting a faster car".
He has a BRZ, and has been talking about upgrading the engine (supercharger kit) and suspension and brakes.
Now he was talking about selling it and buying a Factory Five Type 65.
I talked him down and, in the process, found that there was a SCCA Solo event in Charlotte on Saturday.
So he drove up and we headed out.
I was mostly along for support, because the last time I put on a helmet it triggered my claustrophobia, so I figured my days of "organized" (meaning; lawyer induced safety rules) competition was off the table.
Well, when I got there, I saw the loaner helmets were not full face, so I went over put one on, and felt OK so I signed up with him. (F-Me, because since I wasn't planning on driving, I didn't bring the Cayman)
Now, I have not autocrosssed in about 34 years, I have been driving auto (and PDK) almost exclusively for about 30 years.
I have only driven the BRZ a couple of times, and never really hard or on twisty roads before Saturday.

Well, I quickly found out a few things.
A) It is easy to forget to shift when you haven't been shifting.
B) Finding the next gate, when it is of in your peripheral vision is a f-ing lot harder once you start wearing glasses.
C) BRZs turn-in a lot different than a Cayman.
D) It is hard to 'unlearn' shuffling the wheel, when you never autocrossed a "modern" small wheel car.
E) It's going to take a bit of practice to get back to "I'm OK", my previous level of competency. :beerchug:

P.S. Nephew understands he doesn't need a faster car, he just has to become a faster driver.
By fpena944
#343594
N_Jay wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 10:47 am Had a fun Saturday.
It started last week with my nephew calling me to talk about "getting a faster car".
He has a BRZ, and has been talking about upgrading the engine (supercharger kit) and suspension and brakes.
Now he was talking about selling it and buying a Factory Five Type 65.
I talked him down and, in the process, found that there was a SCCA Solo event in Charlotte on Saturday.
So he drove up and we headed out.
I was mostly along for support, because the last time I put on a helmet it triggered my claustrophobia, so I figured my days of "organized" (meaning; lawyer induced safety rules) competition was off the table.
Well, when I got there, I saw the loaner helmets were not full face, so I went over put one on, and felt OK so I signed up with him. (F-Me, because since I wasn't planning on driving, I didn't bring the Cayman)
Now, I have not autocrosssed in about 34 years, I have been driving auto (and PDK) almost exclusively for about 30 years.
I have only driven the BRZ a couple of times, and never really hard or on twisty roads before Saturday.

Well, I quickly found out a few things.
A) It is easy to forget to shift when you haven't been shifting.
B) Finding the next gate, when it is of in your peripheral vision is a f-ing lot harder once you start wearing glasses.
C) BRZs turn-in a lot different than a Cayman.
D) It is hard to 'unlearn' shuffling the wheel, when you never autocrossed a "modern" small wheel car.
E) It's going to take a bit of practice to get back to "I'm OK", my previous level of competency. :beerchug:

P.S. Nephew understands he doesn't need a faster car, he just has to become a faster driver.
I meant to respond to your pics on Facebook but awesome!!!

I autocrossed my 996 quite a bit years ago but haven't tried in the Cayman yet. Probably much better suited for that but I just never get around to it.

I also learned years ago that it wasn't the car holding me back, but the guy behind the wheel.

You planning on going to any PCA events? I keep seeing them on my calendar but again never get around to signing up again.
By N_Jay
#343613
fpena944 wrote: Wed Jun 03, 2026 12:49 pm
N_Jay wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 10:47 am Had a fun Saturday.
It started last week with my nephew calling me to talk about "getting a faster car".
He has a BRZ, and has been talking about upgrading the engine (supercharger kit) and suspension and brakes.
Now he was talking about selling it and buying a Factory Five Type 65.
I talked him down and, in the process, found that there was a SCCA Solo event in Charlotte on Saturday.
So he drove up and we headed out.
I was mostly along for support, because the last time I put on a helmet it triggered my claustrophobia, so I figured my days of "organized" (meaning; lawyer induced safety rules) competition was off the table.
Well, when I got there, I saw the loaner helmets were not full face, so I went over put one on, and felt OK so I signed up with him. (F-Me, because since I wasn't planning on driving, I didn't bring the Cayman)
Now, I have not autocrosssed in about 34 years, I have been driving auto (and PDK) almost exclusively for about 30 years.
I have only driven the BRZ a couple of times, and never really hard or on twisty roads before Saturday.

Well, I quickly found out a few things.
A) It is easy to forget to shift when you haven't been shifting.
B) Finding the next gate, when it is of in your peripheral vision is a f-ing lot harder once you start wearing glasses.
C) BRZs turn-in a lot different than a Cayman.
D) It is hard to 'unlearn' shuffling the wheel, when you never autocrossed a "modern" small wheel car.
E) It's going to take a bit of practice to get back to "I'm OK", my previous level of competency. :beerchug:

P.S. Nephew understands he doesn't need a faster car, he just has to become a faster driver.
I meant to respond to your pics on Facebook but awesome!!!

I autocrossed my 996 quite a bit years ago but haven't tried in the Cayman yet. Probably much better suited for that but I just never get around to it.

I also learned years ago that it wasn't the car holding me back, but the guy behind the wheel.

You planning on going to any PCA events? I keep seeing them on my calendar but again never get around to signing up again.
I would love to get to PCA events. I think I am in my 43rd year but haven't been very active since leaving CA.
Did a couple of Chicago dinners, but nothing else since I didn't have a running car.
My last (memorable) autocross was San Diego Parade 1992 where I broke a valve spring on my 2.4 engine). I think. (Might have done one or two OCR PCA events, after that with my "little" (2.0) engine).

Just really glad to find I can wear an open face helmet!!!
By fast_freddy
#343693
fpena944 wrote: Wed Jun 03, 2026 12:49 pm
N_Jay wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 10:47 am Had a fun Saturday.
It started last week with my nephew calling me to talk about "getting a faster car".
He has a BRZ, and has been talking about upgrading the engine (supercharger kit) and suspension and brakes.
Now he was talking about selling it and buying a Factory Five Type 65.
I talked him down and, in the process, found that there was a SCCA Solo event in Charlotte on Saturday.
So he drove up and we headed out.
I was mostly along for support, because the last time I put on a helmet it triggered my claustrophobia, so I figured my days of "organized" (meaning; lawyer induced safety rules) competition was off the table.
Well, when I got there, I saw the loaner helmets were not full face, so I went over put one on, and felt OK so I signed up with him. (F-Me, because since I wasn't planning on driving, I didn't bring the Cayman)
Now, I have not autocrosssed in about 34 years, I have been driving auto (and PDK) almost exclusively for about 30 years.
I have only driven the BRZ a couple of times, and never really hard or on twisty roads before Saturday.

Well, I quickly found out a few things.
A) It is easy to forget to shift when you haven't been shifting.
B) Finding the next gate, when it is of in your peripheral vision is a f-ing lot harder once you start wearing glasses.
C) BRZs turn-in a lot different than a Cayman.
D) It is hard to 'unlearn' shuffling the wheel, when you never autocrossed a "modern" small wheel car.
E) It's going to take a bit of practice to get back to "I'm OK", my previous level of competency. :beerchug:

P.S. Nephew understands he doesn't need a faster car, he just has to become a faster driver.
I meant to respond to your pics on Facebook but awesome!!!

I autocrossed my 996 quite a bit years ago but haven't tried in the Cayman yet. Probably much better suited for that but I just never get around to it.

I also learned years ago that it wasn't the car holding me back, but the guy behind the wheel.

You planning on going to any PCA events? I keep seeing them on my calendar but again never get around to signing up again.
Cayman's are far better suited to AutoX than 911's mostly due to gearing. 911's have a very short first gear and tall second. At least manual's do. I regeared my first 993 and went from consistently second in my class by .5 seconds versus a supercharged Miata with R compounds to consistently first by 1.5-2 seconds. Stock first ran out at 27mph, second was in the high fifties. In my current Cayman S first runs out well into the forties. Handling wise, I'd posit it's a wash.
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