[kevbh]

The Peachtree Chapter of the BMWCCA had it's first Autocross of the season yesterday. The conditions were pretty lousy - 40 degrees, light rain, and windy! It made for fun (tricky) driving, but working the course sure was miserable. At least running for cones kept hypothermia away.

I know what my times were, but they probably won't have the results posted for a week or so, so I'm not sure how I did compared to everyone else. From talking to a few other participants, I think my fast time was pretty competitive.

Here's a video of my six runs if you're interested...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLa24gpvZE0

[bzabodyn]

damn - that first run damn near made me carsick... couldn't watch anymore after that... looks like fun, even though Auto-X has never been my cup of tea...

BZ

[DrewKo]

Very cool...I have got to join up and get to these events!

[oneshare325]

Looks like you did pretty well!!

[nyc3r]

looks like fun but with so many turns it looked like you didn't go over 30mph

[kevbh]

Originally Posted by DrewKo

Very cool...I have got to join up and get to these events!

Registration for the May 5th event opened today... come on out!

http://www.motorsportreg.com/pap/eve...90FE8F4422A719

The events are held at the Gwinnett County Fair Grounds. If you come out to spectate, let me know if you want to ride during some of my runs. You'll just need a Snell 2000 or 2005 certified helmet. The videos don't do the experience justice.

[kevbh]

Originally Posted by nyc3r

looks like fun but with so many turns it looked like you didn't go over 30mph

I tend to run the entire course in 2nd gear, so you're not too far off. I didn't have time to look at the speedometer, but I think around 50 mph is a decent estimate given the engine speed (it gets close to redline in at least one spot on the track, which would be about 60-65 mph I think). Since you're turning all the time and on the edge of adhesion, the sensation of speed is much greater than you might think.

It's kind of like riding a mountain bike through the woods. You're not actually going that fast, but it sure feels like it.

[DrewKo]

Man, I would definitely attend that May 5th event, but will be travelling that weekend. I'll make the next one though. You ought to post the events in the southeastern section on this site because i bet others in our area would attend!

[Josh49]

Motherfvcker... IT blocked youtube.. Bitches.. Subcribed to watch later..

[Josh49]

What are you using for a camera mount?

[kevbh]

Originally Posted by Josh49

What are you using for a camera mount?

I'm using the finest in redneck engineering - a 2x4 piece of lumber! I hate that I don't have a picture to upload...

Basically, it's a 2x4 with two holes drilled in it for the headrest posts to go through. The headrest posts and the headrest itself hold the board in place. The board was cut to length so that my camera is mounted half-way between the two front seats. A multi-adjustable ball camera mount (about $10 I think) is attached to the board so that I can mount the camera and aim it as needed. If I mount this contraption to the passenger seat, then I can also adjust that seat to change the camera's view.

A good friend of mine came up this this for his WRX, and was kind enough to make me one too. It's incredibly cost effective and a real conversation starter at the Autocrosses. One issue is vibration dampening. My camera can compensate to certain degree, but rough surfaces like the parking lot used for the AutoX are exhaggerated in the video. When I was at Road Atlanta last month, I notice someone had a camera mount that worked in a very similar manner, but was "store bought". Not sure where they got it.

[Josh49]

Originally Posted by kevbh

I'm using the finest in redneck engineering - a 2x4 piece of lumber! I hate that I don't have a picture to upload...

Basically, it's a 2x4 with two holes drilled in it for the headrest posts to go through. The headrest posts and the headrest itself hold the board in place. The board was cut to length so that my camera is mounted half-way between the two front seats. A multi-adjustable ball camera mount (about $10 I think) is attached to the board so that I can mount the camera and aim it as needed. If I mount this contraption to the passenger seat, then I can also adjust that seat to change the camera's view.

A good friend of mine came up this this for his WRX, and was kind enough to make me one too. It's incredibly cost effective and a real conversation starter at the Autocrosses. One issue is vibration dampening. My camera can compensate to certain degree, but rough surfaces like the parking lot used for the AutoX are exhaggerated in the video. When I was at Road Atlanta last month, I notice someone had a camera mount that worked in a very similar manner, but was "store bought". Not sure where they got it.

That sounds beautiful.. I started a thread a while ago about desiging a mount. After watching your video, I'd like to start working on it again..

Thanks for the response,
Josh

[txusa03]

man make me . I wish I had a track somewhere near my house. So your car is a manual car?

[rsjames]

Originally Posted by txusa03

man make me . I wish I had a track somewhere near my house. So your car is a manual car?

You probably do. autocross is usually done in parking lots or airport runways. There may not be a BMWCCA autocross near you, but you can probably find another organization that puts them on somewhat nearby. Where do you live?

Richard

[ATL_Architect]

Originally Posted by txusa03

man make me . I wish I had a track somewhere near my house. So your car is a manual car?

You have a "track" coming to a parking lot near you

http://www.houston-bmwcca.com/Autocross.htm
http://www.lscbmwcca.org/autocross.html


.

[kevbh]

Originally Posted by txusa03

man make me . I wish I had a track somewhere near my house. So your car is a manual car?

Yep, die hard manual driver here.