The Slow Lane

Cold, Cold, Cold.That was the word of the day with temperatures in the 20s. I decided to not even bother putting the Hankooks on as I did not think they would do well in the cold. That and I took the air out of the tires for the winter and didn’t feel like filling them back up. That was probably the right decision as many were complaining of lack of grip due to the cold. I started to get some false hope as I was 1st in class for most of the heat. Then I was beaten on my last run by a solid second. In the winter we run “pick your own heat” format so there were still other STS runners to go. I ended up 6th after the end of the day, or 5th if you discount Corey b/c he usually runs PRO. I’m not sure who the other drivers were, except for Rolandas in the Eclipse who was the one to beat me out in my heat and he normally gets me by a 1/2 second or two. I guess I shouldn’t be too disapointed as I was on stock sized all-seasons and others were on Azenis and such but I still want to win!! It’s gonna be another long year if I am still not competitive at the top of the class.

The off-season sucks because besides the fact that there is no racing going on, you have too much time to think. I had myself convinced at the start of the winter that if I prepped my car to the absolute extent of the rules, including ripping out the AC and getting ulta thin Kirky seats that I could catch up to the Civics. But when I sat down and looked at what it would cost it shortly became a non-reality. All the stuff I would need is just too much for me to afford. At least while I am still making car payments each month. So back down to reality and stomaching the fact that the best I will ever get is best of the rest, an even that is shaky. I’ve known that to get the best out of the car I need some Konis. And the spring rates still need some playing around with. I do not want to make the car too loose however b/c it is my only car and I have to drive it even when the weather is bad and on roads where you don’t know what idiot is looming around the next bend. I don’t want to have to worry about looping the car on a rainy night. I am also not sure where a larger anti-roll bar would fit into things. Both stiffer rear springs and an anti-roll bar increase roll stiffness, but the spring rate does some other things. Hmmm. Maybe I am on to something. Another thing I thought about doing is getting some 16×7.5s for the front to try and maximize the front contact patch. But that is still going to be $400 some dollars. Money is gonna be tight this year.