Autocrossing the SL this weekend - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #16 05-05-2008, 07:54 PM

So, like a moron, I forgot my camera. I'm at the mercy of fellow MBCA members e-mailing me pictures.

Oh, and I WON!!! So much for babying it.

5 cars were in the "competition with 5 other cars just driving for fun.

The competition: Best times

1977 450SL 1:07 ish
1977 450SL 1:09 ish
1985 500SL (me) Best time 1:04.1
1999 SLK320 2nd 1:04.5 *it was close*
2005 C240 1:06 ish

The rest:

The regular Autocrosser who brought his Lotus Elise was amazing, with a :53ish time.

The local club president with his 1993 600SL, also an autocrosser, had :58 time with traction control.

An Audi A4 quattro also was around :58

A mint 1967 Shelby GT350 with an excellent driver managed 1:02.

Perhaps I won because I was the only guy dumb enough to push the limits of his car, but I had a blast! We had plenty of observers, and nobody expected me to win. (nor did I)

After the 5 official runs, I went balls out for one more, and spun the car around in a double right. Whoops!

I also broke my own personal top speed, trying to keep up with the 600SL, getting to about 138MPH.

Needless to say, I had a fantastic weekend. Pictures will come as I get them. Next year should be larger.

t walgamuth · #17 05-05-2008, 09:55 PM

Good show!

Where did you get up to 138?

Surely not on the autocross course.

Tom W

CSchmidt · #18 05-05-2008, 10:17 PM

The cool thing about autocrossing is you can compete against others. Some only try to improve their personal times, which is a great learning experience. It sounds like you had good runs in your car.

The type of course really effects what type of car does well. I ran an 83 GTI on several short courses a long time ago. One of these courses had 4 slalom pylons in 1 city block. The GTI was great at this and the short accelerations runs around 2 city blocks. I beat the pants off 911's, Camaros, and all kinds of 60's and 70's muscle cars because they were so big and not as nimble. The best driver in the place had a Fiat 124 Spyder and used the agility of the car to make up for power.

There is a course in Eastern NC on the old Kinston airport that had almost a mile straightway. The poor GTI would top out around 90 mph. I would get murdered by the Z cars and other big motor cars.

Have fun and learn how to really drive your car to the limit.

Chuck

TylerH860 · #19 05-05-2008, 11:13 PM

Some of the guys had dramatic improvements, but I only gained about a half a second each time I ran. (5 runs total)

That was what I was thinking most of the time. Considering which areas I could of tightened up, or gotten on the gas sooner, braked later, is what I enjoyed the most, other than the actual run, of course.

TylerH860 · #20 05-05-2008, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Good show!

Where did you get up to 138?

Surely not on the autocross course.

Tom W

On a long stretch of a 2 lane highway, trailing far behind the 600SL.

It was the perfect place to do it, because you could see open fields on either side and miles ahead of yourself.

t walgamuth · #21 05-06-2008, 12:02 AM

I wish I had a place like that here.

Tom W

LUVMBDiesels · #22 05-06-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

Winchester Va. click the autocross link on www.gws-mbca.org

Sounds cool! I will try to get there too -- not to race the SDL, but to cheer you guys on!

if I do the springs in the BMW this year I will take her out for a turn or two

t walgamuth · #23 05-06-2008, 08:26 AM

I got my start running at a mbcna club autocross.

It was just an appetizer.

The SCCA autocrosses are a buffet!

Tom W

Hatterasguy · #24 05-06-2008, 12:39 PM

Sounds like a lot of fun!

I'd love to try one, just need a good car for it, I'd just go balls out and drive it sideways with the throttle

t walgamuth · #25 05-06-2008, 01:22 PM

You don't have to do that to have fun!

Its about the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

Tom W

iwrock · #26 05-06-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Sounds like a lot of fun!

I'd love to try one, just need a good car for it, I'd just go balls out and drive it sideways with the throttle

I would use the SDL.... That way they can adjust for times.... Its not that bad on the car too...

I auto-x my wagon...

iwrock · #27 05-06-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

So, like a moron, I forgot my camera. I'm at the mercy of fellow MBCA members e-mailing me pictures.

Oh, and I WON!!! So much for babying it.

5 cars were in the "competition with 5 other cars just driving for fun.

The competition: Best times

1977 450SL 1:07 ish
1977 450SL 1:09 ish
1985 500SL (me) Best time 1:04.1
1999 SLK320 2nd 1:04.5 *it was close*
2005 C240 1:06 ish

The rest:

The regular Autocrosser who brought his Lotus Elise was amazing, with a :53ish time.

The local club president with his 1993 600SL, also an autocrosser, had :58 time with traction control.

An Audi A4 quattro also was around :58

A mint 1967 Shelby GT350 with an excellent driver managed 1:02.

Perhaps I won because I was the only guy dumb enough to push the limits of his car, but I had a blast! We had plenty of observers, and nobody expected me to win. (nor did I)

After the 5 official runs, I went balls out for one more, and spun the car around in a double right. Whoops!

I also broke my own personal top speed, trying to keep up with the 600SL, getting to about 138MPH.

Needless to say, I had a fantastic weekend. Pictures will come as I get them. Next year should be larger.

Thats a pretty good time..... Sounds like you had fun too.

Johnhef · #28 05-06-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

Sounds cool! I will try to get there too -- not to race the SDL, but to cheer you guys on!

if I do the springs in the BMW this year I will take her out for a turn or two

Oh come on! I need some diesel competition!