First autocross impressions in GTS

[MazdaBro]

Had some fun yesterday at our local closed pool. I've done these types of events with several of my other cars, but this is probably the most stock vehicle ive run. F street was my label, but i got lumped into a class with a heavily modified 00 Corvette and prepared porsche, since i was the only car in my class. The closest car to mine was a 16' Taurus SHO that was in STU because of coilovers and plenty of bolt ons and tune.

This was quite a technical course with several low speed 90 degree turns in hard block style as well as a 180 totally walled off. Hard on and hard off, the sweepers and slaloms that broke up the corners were either up hill or down hill, and off camber so as to keep cars from really settling and holding momentum. This was where the weight of the Stinger was apparent, as the front wheels fought for traction. My indigo edition is equipped with staggered 19's but Primacy Tour AS is not as hard a compound as the normal Pilot series michelins. I was not able to get the car to rotate; even when it felt like the booty was getting soft and pliable, the fronts would give up the ghost before weight transfer could do its thing. I did try using "Drift mode" on my last run just to see what kind of difference it would make. That seemed to be a bit more "pure" feeling, but my inexperience behind the wheel was apparent in the videos my family took.

Started with a 46, hit 42's on my second run, and never beat that. Picked up the same single cone on my first and 5th runs. FTD was a 34 in a GT3 of another class. The Taurus hit mid 38's, but i know i left alot of time out there based on what i felt and videos. Still feeling out the size of the car, and i had alot of fun, but the car and driver were not competitive, 2nd worst time only to an automatic eco-boost mustang, and just shy of a 16 GTI and 14 FRS, overall. Got another event in 2 weeks, i believe and it should be a simpler course!

I did get lots of compliments, and people love using the pun that it looks sharp...
I did fit with my helmet comfortably, but the seat is bottomed out and i knock on the OH SHIT handle on hard lefts, Haha.

 

[vipeboy2000]

that sounds like a blast! yea, the weight and primacy tires are not suited well for autocrossing. Just getting some stickier tires should help a lot though!!

 

[MazdaBro]

Second event yesterday. The course was alot more fun, high speed, and swoopy compared to the hard corners and braking for the first event. FTD 23.4 in a corvette; my fastest was 28.2 or a full second slower than the 350Z convertible that was also in class with me.

I ran most laps in "Drift" mode, with a couple of spin outs in the late slalom. No cones this time around, but video shows i can get closer depending on the corner. Same parking lot venue, so alot of off camber and up/down hill turns.

The car impresses everywhere but the time sheet; finishing about 5th slowest time overall to some older hondas and a Fiero/MR2. Still learning alot of the dynamics, but im sure I will continue to utilize RWD when at these events to get the full feel of the car. The weight wasnt as noticeable on this course, and the gearing was excellent in 1st and second. Tires seemed fine other than the first run of the day, and im not much of a "brake" style driver, preferring to maintain momentum instead of getting off and on it.
My father think i could use a bit less air in the tires, as they are barely rolling over, and could give me more traction under hard cornering. I think ill try launch mode next time if there is a drag box to start.