solo 2 results

[EIFFEL]

I just try solo 2 this past weekend, the results were disappointing to say the least, The nsx didn't do so well, ( I mean I didn't drive so well) No other nsx were out there, and only 1 other nsx'er that I saw ever came out, Is nsx not competetive in Solo 2? I did have a lot of fun, even I suck at it. I have owned many other cars that seem better at solo 2, miata's, ITR, e36 M3. etc.

 

[NSX-Racer]

Is that an auto-X? If so the NSX should be competitive although it's not really its main playground. Please use approbriate tires and improve your skills by driving again and again.

 

[wildbill846]

No car is competitive if it's your first time out there. It's all about seat time. The smaller, lighter cars tend to be the best autocrossers, but then again...you are only competing against similarly classed cars....so it really comes down to the driver.

Get out there, get some experience...once you feel you are good and just need that extra second or two, buy some sticky tires.

As far as the NSX as an autocrosser...Handles great. My only complaint is depending on how fast or slow the course is, I find myself sometimes wishing I had short gears, a 6 speed, or a different final drive or something. Second gear on the 5 speed is a little too tall for my liking in autocross, but it is still a competitive car if given a competitive driver.

Bill

 

[EIFFEL]

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Second gear on the 5 speed is a little too tall for my liking in autocross[/QUOTE
I agree completely, on some tracks, using first gear makes you drive right around redline, and using second will just slow you down, I would love to meet some more experience drivers in nsx and show others that nsx is a great autocrosser. I was embarassed by many smaller and less powerful cars, (89 Int. with just slightly modded suspension, tires , equal my best time) I know I can do better, but I need to learn from a more experience nsx'er, I pick up some good tecniques from watching corvette drivers going around my work station. but I wish more nsx owners will come out so I don't make a joke out of the nsx.

 

[Ojas]

As NSX-Racer and Bill said, Seat time is the key.

Besides seat time, tires will make a bigger difference than any other mod. With equal drivers, it's entirely possible for a stock 92HP Civic DX on autocross tires to run better times than an NSX w/ headers, exhaust, coilovers, etc. on street tires.

It makes little sense to compare your raw times to raw times of cars in other classes, especially when you are at a different skill level. That's why they have categories, classes, and PAXed times, after all. In my autocross experience, the NSX seemed competitive against cars in its class (M3, C4 Vette, MKIV Supra, etc.).

Don't give up: Get some more experience, walk the course, ride along with other drivers, discuss techniques (especially with drivers of other mid-engine cars). Don't worry about "mak[ing] a joke out of the nsx" - most folks that go to autocrosses don't really treat autocrossing like a street race.

 

[DDozier]

After three seasons of autocross in Solo II this is what i learned. I had prior autocross expierence but mainly in front driver, The main problem with a NSX is that most courses in our area the top speed is 60MPH or so and second gear is a little doggy if you have a 5-speed. The other problem is the steering rate is to slow, you will find yourself shuffle steering instead of using 9 & 3 grip points and stabbing the breaks as hard as possible. These are habits hard to undo if you plan to go onto a full track experience. After my first season I went to adjustable sway bars, big help, the rapid transitions in turns tend to upset the car allot and since they are adjustable I could set the car up to be a little loose and use the trottle to steer the rear around tight turns. By far the biggest difference for me was changing to R compound tires. Then one weekend I did something that ended autocross for me forever, I did a Porsche Club drivers education weekend on a road course. After that I autocrossed two more times and just did not have the same amount of fun I had before and no where near the fun I had on the track. I have now been tracking the NSX on road courses for two year going on three. I do believe that driving your car (if stock) in autocross is much harder on the car than a road course, I believe that autocross is a much more of a reaction based driving style verses a smoother flowwing style needed to be fast on a road course. You may find autocross to be much safer than tracking your car, I have yet to see a cone total a car, but I guess if it was a really big cone. My biggest fear on the track is not my skills, but the others around me, I am not saying I am Mario, but I know my limmits and respect them. I am willing to progress at a much slower pace to be safe.

Back on topic - The NSX can be very competitive in Solo II. I have had a blast chipping away at some of the faster more expeirenced guys as my skills increased. I found that most of Solo II is mental, If you can visuallize the tracks in your head, you will get faster as the season goes on, also try to run in second or third run group as you will have time to drive the course in your mind and ask the other drivers what to look for after their runs. The great thing about motorsports is everyone likes cars and most are competative people. Set a goal, practice and ask for help. Our group in St. Louis offered newbies a chance to run with an instructor in the passenger seat for some input after each run, and had driver education events on basic car control twice a year.

Stay at it, and have fun

Dave

 

[EIFFEL]

Dave, thanks for your input, I choose solo 2 for the safety reason, my previous outing on road course was not well received by my wife, (road atlanta+e36 m3 misshift=$$$$) so I had to pick a safer and less expensive venue. I am working towards improving my skills so I get to go back to road atlanta. The mental part is hard one to learn, something all the fast guys& gals seems to have it down. My nsx is all stock down to re010's, which seems to be slippery on the track, I will definitely get some newer production date tires next time. in the mean time, I want to thanks everyone for your encouragement and advise. Eiffel

 

[Tank]

Sorry this is a little late but I just got to this thread.

I've been autox'ing my 94 in the LA area for a couple of years now. I managed a third place here in ASP last year. Keep in mind that a good many of the natinal champion drivers here don't really do local events for points.

Unforntunately I've found the NSX not very competetive. It was for a while in AStock but the that class is really small and quite frankly the stock ride in an NSX isn't all that great at max g's. With good shocks, springs, sway bar, and tires it's like a whole new car. And then you're in ASP class. With the C-5's and M3 coupes. The vette has over a 100 more hp and the M3 is light and nimble.

Both of those advantages can be overcome with driver skill and a great suspension set-up. I'm working on both.

My biggest eye opener was driving my friend's STX-class 325 for a Pro-Solo event. He beats me every month in this car. At this event, my first time out driving his car, I beat him. Seems to say I can drive better than my own car performs. Everyone out here swears that the NSX isn't competetive, and I have to agree....

But....... I think you can make the car competetive. And to do that you really have to get into the suspension. Adjustable shocks, ground controll, lowering springs, and control arm bushings. And you have to get into tires in a big way. I'm on Kumho Ecsta V700s now. Really nice tire.

But I still get beat by little Honda civics. And that means i'm not driving to my limit regardless of the car's limit. So it really comes down to seat time, seat time, seat time.

Even though I think this car has a hard time in autox, I'm in it for the long haul. I'm going to proove them wrong. I've done some track days and they were great fun. But unless your crazy or have a fat bank account, you won't be driving at 110% on a track. At least in autox I can drive it like I stole it and find the limit at maximum g's. Autox is a violent sport. Tracking is easier on the car for that reason. I've spun more times than i can remember. And what fun that was.

I hope you stay with it. There are only 2 or 3 of us in all of southern CA that autox with Solo2: me in LA and 1 or 2 in SD. It's lonely out here. Not really ;-) The Solo2 community is incredible. I have help from some of the best drivers in the country, folks always want to ride along, and people will talk toe-in degrees all afternoon. It's an environment where people WANT you to be competetive. What a great feeling.

t