Waterford results

["Graydon D. Stuckey" <graydon@apollo.gmi.edu>]

Guys,

	I ran the Waterford Hills Autocross today in the '86 5KCSTQ.  
Last year, I ran the 5KCSTQ, but it was all stock except for a little 
more boost pressure, and the crossdrilled brakes.  I turned a 95.1 last 
year on my third run.  This year, I have Eric Fletcher's shocks, APEX 
springs, a couple more psi of boost, and the same brakes.  My best time 
today was 92.575, which means I cut 2.5 seconds off my time due to the 
suspension mods.  I'd say the suspension works pretty well!  BTW, I was 
on my new BBS 15x7 wheels with brand new Dunlop D60 A2s in 215/60-15.  
They worked well.  I think I have screwed the handling of the car a 
little - it understeered a little more than I like.  Last year, at least, 
it did nice 4 wheel drifts through a few of the turns.  This year it 
plowed.  This was confirmed by the rear tire temps - they were cold, 
while the fronts were pretty hot.  I'd like to think I could break into 
the 88 second range with some sticky tires and stiffer shocks.  I have to 
keep reminding myself that this is just a family car - not a racing car!

	I do have a small gripe though.  The shocks are a little soft for 
racing I think.  The car is very smooth on the highway, with 
better-than-stock impact harshness, but on the track, I thought that they 
were a little too soft.  I have 1 full turn in the rear shocks (out of a 
possible 2.5 turns), so I might try stiffening the rear shocks a little 
next week, to see if that improves the wobblyness.  I wish the fronts 
were adjustable also.  Oh well, I guess if I really wanted it that bad, I 
could go out and buy Penskes at $600.00 per corner, minimum.

	BTW, FTD was set by last year's Solo II national champ in CP, 
Buddy Jazman in his monster Mustang.  It's an old Indy pace car with a 
302 V-8, that has been prepped to the max.  It has huge 16x12 wheels with 
Goodyear racing slicks.  The motor is mounted solidly to the tube frame 
which snakes its way around enough of the original frame to be legal.  He 
did 74.9!  Even the Formula Ford, set up for autocrossing could only 
muster a low 75 second run.

	I saw Steve Verona there today also.  He ran well, but his lack 
of power really hurt him in the overall times.  His car is set up for 
autocrossing in parking lots where you are turning all the time.  At 
Waterford, there are real straights, so power really helps make a good 
lap time here.  I was seeing redline in 3rd gear, which is about 85 mph.  
Even the slalom was a second gear thing - these are usually first gear 
in a parking lot.  I bet Steve had his foot in it all the way around the 
track!  Steve's car is impressive in the turns, because the 4KQ leans, 
takes a set, and then drives through the whole turn.  There are NO 
bobbles at all throughout the entire turn!  Those Koni shocks, and 
Steve's driving are impeccable!  Noone does turns as smoothly as Steve and 
his Q.

Later, ---------------------------------------------------------- 
Graydon D. Stuckey 	'85 Mazda RX7 GS, no toys 
graydon@apollo.gmi.edu 	'86 Audi 5000 CS Turbo Quattro, has toys
Flint, Michigan USA	'89 Thunderbird SC, lotsa toys