Do you really DRIVE your car?

[Kcorrigan2]

Right now, mine is getting a few necessary upgrades to run in autox type events. It will debut at something this fall if things go as planned. It will very likely turn slow times but put on a great sound and smoke show. Until then I play pit crew and lead builder for my wife's 88 GTA that runs all over the country having just completed USCA Vegas followed by a trek cross country to run and play in Pigeon Forge at Cruisin the Smokies as part of the BFG Share the Ride initiative. We'll make it to another USCA event and Holley LSFest in addition to some of the SoCal Hotchkis autox events and at least one more GoodGuys All American Sunday.

So, yes, we drive them as much as possible although both vehicles have been long retired from true daily driver status. That job goes to some other less noticeable and identifiable vehicles.

I had the pleasure of watching your wife run in the Crusin the smokies...she did great!! She really wheels that car around. Hopefully we will be to grow that event as it was a ton of fun...this year we had scheduled a derby party for Saturday so I really only got to participate in the AutoX but the cars and people were awesome!

[rickierockit92]

Now I'm really getting the itch! Hmmm... Most guys drive to events or trailer? Any events you recommend in New England? I am going to do some research.

[SSLance]

I hope we get to run together sometime!! Maybe a USCA event?

Thanks for the kind words Keith, USCA Pikes Peak is on my schedule in pen and USCA NCM is on it in pencil...very light pencil...but it still may happen. Would be great to meet you in person and check your car out as well. Have you been to a USCA event with it yet? They are fantastic events...enough seat time to wear yourself plum out.

[RobNoLimit]

If your a little nervous, come out to an event and ride along. But I would suggest riding in a slower car with a mid level driver. Hopping in the 48 hr vette with Chris is exciting (really) but it just may make you more apprehensive. My wife Tina has been talking about it for two years or more. She rides with me at every event, and her car has been driving around for a year or more, shaking it down before we paint it. Finally I got her to go out to a two day SCCA event at Smokies stadium about two months ago. - She really doesn't want to drive the car much without paint and full interior. But she had a blast. Then, she got to take it to Raleigh to the GoodGuys event (thanks Keith) And ran it there. The Monday after Raleigh I was talking with a painter about getting the car in and she tells me, "you can't send it to him next week" - "I'm taking it to Nashville and then there's an EVO driving school the next weekend at Smokies Stadium that I'm signed up for. He'll have to wait 'till there's a brake in the season". - "Oh, how about some better tires on my car?" Yeah, her goals for the car are changing, and now she drives to work two or three days a week just to be more comfortable in it. She's not the fastest, or the slowest, but if you saw her come off track at the Cruisin the Smokies Auto-X, she had the biggest smile. She even gave a few rides. She still wants it painted and a really nice interior, but now she's focused on the drive quality too. So, take your car out, finished or not, and have some fun. We'll all help you out. I'd be glad to show you which cones to watch for, lord knows I've hit em all.

[parsonsj]

I'm working to get my wife involved too. There's a company around here that rents Miatas for HPDE use that she's been talking about. My biggest issue getting her into it is that the kids (19 and 21) are still on the payroll, and still require a lot of time. :(

My ultimate goal is to get her skill set to a point where we can attempt a One Lap. But that might just be a dream...

[Nicks67GTO]

Iv'e got a little work to get done yet but I should be making my Goodguys auto X debut in DesMoines this year. Iv'e just got a couple details to iron out....Yes it does make me nervous for a bunch of different reasons. That said I drive mine a lot during the summer which is probably more dangerous than a closed course.

[BADNBLK]

Right now, mine is getting a few necessary upgrades to run in autox type events. It will debut at something this fall if things go as planned. It will very likely turn slow times but put on a great sound and smoke show. Until then I play pit crew and lead builder for my wife's 88 GTA that runs all over the country having just completed USCA Vegas followed by a trek cross country to run and play in Pigeon Forge at Cruisin the Smokies as part of the BFG Share the Ride initiative. We'll make it to another USCA event and Holley LSFest in addition to some of the SoCal Hotchkis autox events and at least one more GoodGuys All American Sunday.

So, yes, we drive them as much as possible although both vehicles have been long retired from true daily driver status. That job goes to some other less noticeable and identifiable vehicles.

Tom I'm hoping that Pikes Peak USCA is on the event list for you and Valerie. Your trailer has obligations to keep me out of the sun between rounds haha!

[Project92rs]

Tom I'm hoping that Pikes Peak USCA is on the event list for you and Valerie. Your trailer has obligations to keep me out of the sun between rounds haha!

It was but plans have changed. Our next USCA event will be in Fontana.

[hotrodalex]

My car is daily driven. I think it gives me a pretty good advantage on the autocross course, actually, since it's the only car I'm used to and I have lots and lots of seat time in it.

I'll be heading to Nashville in a VW this year. Can't wait, the thing is a street legal go-cart. It's also half the width of the American cars so that's a nice autocross advantage!

[BADNBLK]

It was but plans have changed. Our next USCA event will be in Fontana.

Bummer. I was looking forward to meeting you guys.

[DesertFox]

Bummer. I was looking forward to meeting you guys.

Sorry dear, had some other opportunities come up for that week there were 1) closer and 2) too much fun to pass up.
One of these days we will meet up

[71RS/SS396]

If your a little nervous, come out to an event and ride along. But I would suggest riding in a slower car with a mid level driver. Hopping in the 48 hr vette with Chris is exciting (really) but it just may make you more apprehensive. My wife Tina has been talking about it for two years or more. She rides with me at every event, and her car has been driving around for a year or more, shaking it down before we paint it. Finally I got her to go out to a two day SCCA event at Smokies stadium about two months ago. - She really doesn't want to drive the car much without paint and full interior. But she had a blast. Then, she got to take it to Raleigh to the GoodGuys event (thanks Keith) And ran it there. The Monday after Raleigh I was talking with a painter about getting the car in and she tells me, "you can't send it to him next week" - "I'm taking it to Nashville and then there's an EVO driving school the next weekend at Smokies Stadium that I'm signed up for. He'll have to wait 'till there's a brake in the season". - "Oh, how about some better tires on my car?" Yeah, her goals for the car are changing, and now she drives to work two or three days a week just to be more comfortable in it. She's not the fastest, or the slowest, but if you saw her come off track at the Cruisin the Smokies Auto-X, she had the biggest smile. She even gave a few rides. She still wants it painted and a really nice interior, but now she's focused on the drive quality too. So, take your car out, finished or not, and have some fun. We'll all help you out. I'd be glad to show you which cones to watch for, lord knows I've hit em all.

I don't think anyone had a bigger grin on their face than Tina did at CTS, she looked like she truly enjoyed it.

[Kcorrigan2]

Now I'm really getting the itch! Hmmm... Most guys drive to events or trailer? Any events you recommend in New England? I am going to do some research.

Trailering vs driving for me is a question of where the event is and what I will be sleeping in. If the event is close enough to home where I do not need to spend the night I always drive. If I am going to spend the night I usually bring the Motorhome to sleep in so in that case the car gets trailered. I have seen very few cars actually break on the Autocross to the point where they could not be driven back home and those cars belonged to guys who are driving in the pro division and are ready to repair at the track. If there is a failure you will often receive as much help as you want getting it fixed.
There is a Goodguys event in Springfield, MA. And numerous SCCA events in you area...look up your local SCCA chapter and search under Solo...which is the SCCA brand name for autocross

[Kcorrigan2]

My car is daily driven. I think it gives me a pretty good advantage on the autocross course, actually, since it's the only car I'm used to and I have lots and lots of seat time in it.

I'll be heading to Nashville in a VW this year. Can't wait, the thing is a street legal go-cart. It's also half the width of the American cars so that's a nice autocross advantage!

I will be in Nashville as well and will watch for the VW....great to hear you will be there.

[Kcorrigan2]

Thanks for the kind words Keith, USCA Pikes Peak is on my schedule in pen and USCA NCM is on it in pencil...very light pencil...but it still may happen. Would be great to meet you in person and check your car out as well. Have you been to a USCA event with it yet? They are fantastic events...enough seat time to wear yourself plum out.

I competed in the Texas USCA event this year. It was the first outing for me and Velocity after a complete new front sub and suspension. I was not yet comfortable in the car but managed to place 6th. What a great time I had and yes I was completely spent after the event...lots of seat time!!
Theses are great multi-part events that really allow you to get to know your car....hopefully I will see you at one of the events this year. I am looking forward to meeting Barney!

[BillSalZman]

I want to drive...the kid is off the payroll and I am ready to play. I've build a ton of cars for other people who want to sit behind them at a show. That was cool then, but now, I want to drive...
I volunteered at the Daytona USCA event last year. It was my first racing event. I had an ear to ear grin the whole time!! I built a car to participate in this year's event but they aren't coming to Daytona in 2015.:(
I have three first gens and I have an ear to ear grin each time I drive them around town. I am embracing the aftermarket, but slowly...kinda paycheck to paycheck purchases. I am sorta at the stage of RobNoLimit's wife...huge grin and learning. I'm selling one or two so I can build what I really want, now that I think I know what I want.
I want to drive in autocross events, Powertours and other events within few hours of home. I have a nice trailer but I want to build a reliable car that I can drive. Hopefully if we participate more there will be more events.

[Kcorrigan2]

I want to drive...the kid is off the payroll and I am ready to play. I've build a ton of cars for other people who want to sit behind them at a show. That was cool then, but now, I want to drive...
I volunteered at the Daytona USCA event last year. It was my first racing event. I had an ear to ear grin the whole time!! I built a car to participate in this year's event but they aren't coming to Daytona in 2015.:(
I have three first gens and I have an ear to ear grin each time I drive them around town. I am embracing the aftermarket, but slowly...kinda paycheck to paycheck purchases. I am sorta at the stage of RobNoLimit's wife...huge grin and learning. I'm selling one or two so I can build what I really want, now that I think I know what I want.
I want to drive in autocross events, Powertours and other events within few hours of home. I have a nice trailer but I want to build a reliable car that I can drive. Hopefully if we participate more there will be more events.

The ear to ear grin is the best part of everything we do. It's like a good belly laugh...its a bit painful at first but then you get used to it ��
Sounds like you have some nice rides...I look forward to seeing you at an event...be sure to stop by and say hello!

[BADNBLK]

Sorry dear, had some other opportunities come up for that week there were 1) closer and 2) too much fun to pass up.
One of these days we will meet up

It's all good! I'm sure there will be pics of both events for us to share

[NWFreerider]

I have done 2 auto crosses this season. I just built my car over the winter so they are the first I have done. I enjoy doing them and testing myself and my cars ability. The event I just did last weekend was over 100 miles from my house so I spent a lot of time driving, although it was mostly on the road! I will do some more auto cross events over the summer and definitely be doing some track days at my local road course. Just like taking my Jeep on the trails, it's fun to put my vehicle to the test that I built.

[Space Dynamics]

I'ts my daily driver, and I hope to make it to a HPDE session when I know the engine wont explode: