AutoX/Fit Meet?

[macbuddy]

Anyone interested in giving their Fit a go at Autox? Bap, mrFroge, Ciburri, EXWRX and I (macbuddy), did this last year, and it was a blast. We weren't the fastest cars out there, but we all had a lot of fun trying!
July 18th AutoX at San Joaquin Fairgrounds... (http://www.hondafitforums.com/showthread.php?t=565)
This year's venue will either be at Mather AFB (Sacto), or at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds (Stockton), depending on the choosen date. Refer to the Sacramento SCCA events calendar (http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/Sacramento/sacschd2009.htm) for scheduled AutoX dates, and info.
Bap and I are going to go regardless. If you wanna come, just let us know.
Try it, you'll like it!
-macbuddy-

[EXWRX]

I know I won't be competitive in any class that my mods would put me, but it did look like fun when I went. :cool: Are you going to try to run the full seaon, or just a few selected races?

[Bap]

I am just going to have fun and go to a few races to see what i have done to the car will make a diffrence or if my driving will get any better.

[claymore]

Sounds like a fun day. So what if you go slow your first time you are there with some friends and having fun with your FIT. It's a good way to have fun driving and it's not as hard on your car as some other forms of having fun with your Fit wish I could join you guys.

[macbuddy]

I know I won't be competitive in any class that my mods would put me, but it did look like fun when I went. :cool: Are you going to try to run the full seaon, or just a few selected races?

Like Bap, you won't find me running the whole season either. I'll catch maybe 3-4 events this year if I'm lucky. I only run for the pure joy of doing so! Besides, I don't have the dedication, or the funds to run a whole season. In 2008, I co-drove with mrFroge (aka Rich Bangle). Beside being a "crazy fast" driver, Rich is able to read the cones "on the fly." By the time I am able to figure out the course layout, my 3 runs have already expired!
As for cost, in 2008 alone, mrFroge's little Fit chewed up 2 complete sets of racing rubber! That gets costly when you figure those tires go for about $150 a piece! Entry fees may only be $35 per event, but that adds up when you need to attend upwards of 16 events! Since Championships are determined by points, missing a few events can cost you the crown. FYI, Rich took the H Stock Championship in 2007 and 2008. He could have made it 3 in a row, but chose instead to attend several family functions (i.e. weddings, Graduations, etc.).
As for me, my choice of mods have bumped me out of H Stock. I am forced to run in a much higher class, making me even less competitive. My mods put me up against modified 240SXs, Miatas, Si Civics, Mazda3s, etc. My 109 hp just won't let me keep up with those other guys. Yeah, my Fit holds it's own on short, tight courses, but if any of those courses include anything that even resembles a "straight away," my Fit is "toast!"
Hey, I don't expect to set any records. Heck, I just have a great time being part of the event! For me, there is nothing more exhilarating than to watch, hear and smell all that high revving chaos out there.
If at the end of the day, I find that I out ran an old BMW, Porsche, or anything, I am one happy "AutoX Racer!" :)

[Bap]

Well said

[MrFroge]

FYI, Rich took the H Stock Championship in 2007 and 2008. He could have made it 3 in a row, but chose instead to attend several family functions (i.e. weddings, Graduations, etc.). I am one happy "AutoX Racer!" :)

I had a great time in 2009 despite not being able to run enough events to qualify for a championship in local competition. I did enter the three SCCA Northern-Pacific Regional Championship events and managed to finish 1st at the San Fransisco Regional driving a Mazda 3 Touring; then 6th at the Packwood Washington event with a different Mazda 3; and cinched the H-Stock Nor-Pack Regional Championship with a 2nd place finish at Helena Montana driving "Baby Froge' " (my Fit) to 2nd place.

I think some of my most memorable autox has been the co-diving that Macbuddy and I did..

"It isn't always possible to be the best, but it is possible to improve your own performance." - Jackie Stewart

It looks like the Fit may be allowed to compete in SPG (Street Prepared-2.0 L or less, normal aspired) either this year or next. This would make most all street modes, except for a turbo, OK for competition. I'll be headed for that if it does come about.

Come out and run H-Stock class for "Fun".. and see the difference between your mods and "stock".:eek:

[claymore]

Fit looks good with those racing stickers do they pay contingency money? Looks a little nose down are you running a rear swaybar?

[manxman]

He can't use a RSB in Stock class since the car didn't come with one from the factory. He replaced the stock front sway bar with the stiffer one from Battle Endless in Canada, and runs air shocks in the rear with fairly high air pressure. At least, that was Rich's status when I met him in '08 at a Fit meet/lunch. Macbuddy hasn't mentioned any other changes in Rich's car other than tires.

[EXWRX]

I think he's now using the T1r adjustable shocks/struts.

[macbuddy]

I think he's now using the T1r adjustable shocks/struts.


True, Rich has had T1R adjustable dampers installed since last year.
That "nose down" attitude might be due to heavy braking. Rich is either stomping on the gas, or mashing the brakes...he doesn't believe in coasting!
Also, another possibility is that that may be an old picture back when mrFroge was running the air shocks pumped up to 90 psi. It gave his Fit a steep rake, but it handled well that way.

[manxman]

True, Rich has had T1R adjustable dampers installed since last year.
That "nose down" attitude might be due to heavy braking. Rich is either stomping on the gas, or mashing the brakes...he doesn't believe in coasting!
Also, another possibility is that that may be an old picture back when mrFroge was running the air shocks pumped up to 90 psi. It gave his Fit a steep rake, but it handled well that way.
That is the reason for my last post. But heavy braking with the height adjustability of the rear suspension with the T1R hardware might also account for the nose-on-the-ground photo.

[macbuddy]

That is the reason for my last post. But heavy braking with the height adjustability of the rear suspension with the T1R hardware might also account for the nose-on-the-ground photo.
Actually, mrFroge's T1R units are adjustable dampers only, not coilovers. His hardware does not provide a means to adjust ride height. Although coilovers are legal, H Stock rules forbid changes in "perch height" positions other than OEM spec heights. Therefore, in his class, the extra expense of coilovers would offer no clear advantage (except maybe for corner weighting).

[Bap]

I went on 3/21 at mather and their was so many cars their they had to ask people to come back it was so much fun now i need to prep the miata for auto cross should be a good year.:D

[EXWRX]

when did you get a Miata?

[MrFroge]

Actually, mrFroge's T1R units are adjustable dampers only, not coilovers. His hardware does not provide a means to adjust ride height. Although coilovers are legal, H Stock rules forbid changes in "perch height" positions other than OEM spec heights. Therefore, in his class, the extra expense of coilovers would offer no clear advantage (except maybe for corner weighting).

Hi guys, Yes that is a picture from the 2008 Tour event in Packwood WA with the rear-air struts. There are some strange things in H-Stock that are thought to deal with when you are running an econobox like the Fit. Coil-overs are OK, but you must use the stock springs and can't modify the ride height. :confused: New adjustable struts are great. There is very little role compared to before the mod; noticeable when watching the car traverse the course now.

Handling with the BFG R1 fronts and all season Kumho rears make for a very neutral handling Fit.. everything breaks loose at the same time. ;) I'm still leaving another three seconds out there but hope to get more precise in my driving by the end of the year. The 3-21 event at Oakland (very fast, short, but no straights) had the three ('89 Civic RSX, Mazda 3 Touring, and my Fit) of us finishing on the Podium within two seconds.

The new surface at the Coliseum will require more front tire pressure than I used this last time. I'm thinking of starting at 42 psi the next time we autox there.

If you can come by a copy of this month's North American Pylon, the national autox news paper, you'll find a good picture of the Fit executing photo-op turn on the rain soaked Great America parking lot. I had the best time of the day after this run but the Fit for some unknown reason had a Dead Battery when I tried to start for run #3.. Ended up with a 2nd place for the day..:mad:

April 11 will be an event at the Castle Air Base and I'll be doing some testing there for my first Fresno event of the year.. Great surface and Fit course layouts..:D I'm open if anyone wants to co-drive at the event. :rolleyes:

http://www.hondafitforums.com/album.php?albumid=7 Latest solo event photos

[claymore]

Man that looks like fun.

[VillageIdiot]

The forward rake must be the way to go for improving the Fit's handling.... The Swift Mach springs I have recently put on my car drops the front to a lesser degree than other springs and the rear has even less drop..... I really liked the stock handling but the ride wasn't all that great but both improved a lot with the wheel change to Enkei RPF1s and with the spring change the ride comfort and handling is much better than I had expected..... I would have to do a lot to be competitive with the power mods I have and I can't afford what all it would take.......Maybe one of these days I will be able to.

[MrFroge]

The forward rake must be the way to go for improving the Fit's handling.... The Swift Mach springs I have recently put on my car drops the front to a lesser degree than other springs and the rear has even less drop..... I really liked the stock handling but the ride wasn't all that great but both improved a lot with the wheel change to Enkei RPF1s and with the spring change the ride comfort and handling is much better than I had expected..... I would have to do a lot to be competitive with the power mods I have and I can't afford what all it would take.......Maybe one of these days I will be able to.

The problem with the forward rake on the Fit is the reduced Caster on the front wheels.. If you can make the adjustment to increase caster, then you'll be ok..:)

[Bap]

I got the miata in november it is a lot of fun to drive.

[MrFroge]

I got the miata in november it is a lot of fun to drive. I've always liked them but I just don't fit inside with the widow up. :o