[N_Jay]

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.

P.S. Nephew understands he doesn't need a faster car, he just has to become a faster driver.

[fpena944]

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.

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.

[N_Jay]

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.

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!!!

[fast_freddy]

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.

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.

[unBilt 987]

I used to AX a lot - and ran the Chicago PCA program for a number of years.

I haven't gone in almost 2 years now. I'd still enjoy it if I went... just don't have a whole lot of free time between the serious GF and me handling Race Operations for an endurance team every few weeks. Hard to justify getting up at 5am on a rare empty/free weekend to trudge down to the parking lot to sweat all day now that I'm down in ATL.

I did it with my son for a few years - he loved (still loves!) it but with his career he doesn't have time anymore either :( If he ever gets back into it, I probably will too - just to spend time with him.

The BRZ tho is a GREAT AX car and frankly that's the perfect use for it! My son's got a 2023 GR86 (same thing as a BRZ), I've driven it a few times at AX alongside my 718 Spyder... they are a BLAST!

[fpena944]

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.

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.

Never thought about the gearing on the 911s. Always assumed they were slower because of the Boxster/Cayman's mid-engine design.

When I was really into autocrossing my 996 my class winners would always post times slower than the mid-engine cars even though they were underpowered in comparison.

Interesting...