I have been doing a lot of events locally but finally decided to venture out of the state and play with the fast guys.
I now can say I have competed in a proper national event, the "2017 Tire Rack Dixie Championship Tour". It is a 3 day event ( 2 days plus 1 pratice, sign in day ) and I got the chance to race against some of the best in the region and in some cases the best in the country. Over 280 drivers and I was in the second biggest class ( 19 cars ). The event is held at South Georgia Motorsports Park.
It actually wasn't much of a drive up, only about 3.75 hours from my house, but in a Miata at highway speeds isn't exactly pleasant.
Made it in time for a few runs on the practice course, I tested to see if my sway bar being disconnected was faster or slower on the surface but just like the local concrete it was definitely faster with it off.
Day 1 was a great course, in the right car it would need a 2nd to 1st and 3rd gear change. Rare for most autocross events. I was quickly schooled and found that I was 2 seconds off the pace. on a ~60 second course. That was a real eye opener.
I don't think I drove all that badly, I was just not at that national level. Also my NA isn't as fast as an NB Miata or MR2 and I still don't have a front sway bar on the car.
I ended up 11th out of 19 on day 1 and still had an outside shot to land on a trophy spot. The day 2 course was looking to be much better for my car.
Some friends and I took advantage of the low light pollution to go stargazing that night. I brought all my camera gear so I tried with mixed success to get some pictures.
Day 2 did not go so well. My first run was all over the place, I just wanted to push the car and find the limit as I felt I was under driving a bit on day 1. Instead I plowed over a cone wall. Then on run 2 I heard a BIG bang and suddenly my car handled like garbage. I looked at the car in grid but everything seemed fine so I took my final run. Nope, everything was not fine! Turns out my front eccentric bolts ( and a few in the rear ) gave up the will to keep tight.
The car was terrible under braking and turn in was nuts because I had 0 front camber and dynamic toe that changed under braking or cornering.
Thankfully this sport is full of nice people so I was able to get help and fix my car enough to limp it back home.
My last run was a mess but just smooth enough to keep my 11th spot. I felt like I could have done a little better on day if my car had held up a little longer. I put my best runs from both days in a video.
Car is back home and all properly fixed up and given a new alignment. Can't wait for next year, hopefully I'll be back faster and in a better car.
).
Honestly a very boring 2.75 hour drive across the state.
