piknockout
07-31-2008, 02:29 PM
What, you thought this was a street racing thread? None of that here. This is my evaluation of the comparisons of my Spec V in STX vs. a friend's STX WRX that I co-drove recently down at Fed Ex Field. I posted it in a couple of forums, thought some might find it interesting. Enjoy!
Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=38972344
Cliffs: WRX was slightly faster in 4 runs than the Spec V with 2 runs, but it was a WRX style course. The Spec V has a legitimate chance, just needs a bit more work and a better suited course. Details below.
So, at the last Autocrosser's Inc. event on Sunday July 20th, I had a chance to co-drive a friend's STX prepped WRX, along with the opportunity to get two fun runs in the Spec V so that I could get a comparison on the same day, same course, same driver and see how far off the pace the car is. The WRX is nearly fully built to STX prep with only some minor items missing.
WRX Impressions and Results
Let me just say that driving an AWD 3,000lbs. beast is MUCH different than driving the Spec V. Where I'm normally used to diving into corners and tossing the car around, doing so in the WRX just introduces massive understeer. The key is going in a little slower, finding the line, and powering through the right line. Took me a couple of runs before I finally got the feel of how to drive the car, and by the 3rd and 4th run I was able to secure the STX win for the day with 52.625, only 0.005 seconds faster than the car owner's fastest RAW time (he coned it away though). The time was good enough for 16th in PAX for the day out of roughly 150 drivers. Not to shabby for never driving the car before.
Spec V Runs
So I had the opportunity to take two fun runs in the Spec to see what I could do. It was good that I already knew the course, but wasn't entirely sure how the car would react on course. Needless to say on the first run I completely overshot a section of the course thanks to cold brakes/tires in the second corner, essentially throwing away that run.
On my second run I had Ian Baker ride with me to give me any help/pointers both during/after the run. After blowing the one section on the previous run, I wasted time by braking WAY too early for that section on the second run (as can be seen on the video, as well as hearing my commentary). I also ran a poorer line than I should have in a couple of spots, and at the end of the run I finished with a 53.3xx, roughly 0.7 seconds slower than my 4th run in the WRX.
Conclusion
There's absolutely no doubt that the WRX is the car to have in STX, as has been proven over the last few years on the National level. The fact that with no experience in the car, I was able to run a time 0.7s faster in 4 runs than I could in the Spec V in 2 runs. I do feel that with another run or two, I could have brought that time down very close to the same 52.6xx time. But alas, we'll never know for certain.
What I do know though is that the course was VERY much an AWD course with almost nothing but sweepers. This gives the WRX a big advantage right off the bat. Considering that fact, I don't think the Spec V can be completely counted out. Of note, the WRX was on the new Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec, which seems to be emerging as the top tire...at least for the heavy AWD cars. With a set of Dunlops on the Spec V and getting the Koni's revalved for the higher rates, along with slightly higher spring rates in the rear, I really think the car has a legitimate chance at a solid performance on the National level. Now who wants to give me $1,200 before Topeka? :mrgreen:
The deciding factor though will be dependent on course design. If there's too many sweepers or too much straightaways/high speed that requires 3rd gear on the Spec V, it's going to be REALLY tough. On the other hand, if speeds can stay low enough where the Spec V is just banging off the limiter with enough slow spots where the low end torque, short gearing, and LSD can do it's job, I believe there's an advantage there...but it all depends.
Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=38972344
Cliffs: WRX was slightly faster in 4 runs than the Spec V with 2 runs, but it was a WRX style course. The Spec V has a legitimate chance, just needs a bit more work and a better suited course. Details below.
So, at the last Autocrosser's Inc. event on Sunday July 20th, I had a chance to co-drive a friend's STX prepped WRX, along with the opportunity to get two fun runs in the Spec V so that I could get a comparison on the same day, same course, same driver and see how far off the pace the car is. The WRX is nearly fully built to STX prep with only some minor items missing.
WRX Impressions and Results
Let me just say that driving an AWD 3,000lbs. beast is MUCH different than driving the Spec V. Where I'm normally used to diving into corners and tossing the car around, doing so in the WRX just introduces massive understeer. The key is going in a little slower, finding the line, and powering through the right line. Took me a couple of runs before I finally got the feel of how to drive the car, and by the 3rd and 4th run I was able to secure the STX win for the day with 52.625, only 0.005 seconds faster than the car owner's fastest RAW time (he coned it away though). The time was good enough for 16th in PAX for the day out of roughly 150 drivers. Not to shabby for never driving the car before.
Spec V Runs
So I had the opportunity to take two fun runs in the Spec to see what I could do. It was good that I already knew the course, but wasn't entirely sure how the car would react on course. Needless to say on the first run I completely overshot a section of the course thanks to cold brakes/tires in the second corner, essentially throwing away that run.
On my second run I had Ian Baker ride with me to give me any help/pointers both during/after the run. After blowing the one section on the previous run, I wasted time by braking WAY too early for that section on the second run (as can be seen on the video, as well as hearing my commentary). I also ran a poorer line than I should have in a couple of spots, and at the end of the run I finished with a 53.3xx, roughly 0.7 seconds slower than my 4th run in the WRX.
Conclusion
There's absolutely no doubt that the WRX is the car to have in STX, as has been proven over the last few years on the National level. The fact that with no experience in the car, I was able to run a time 0.7s faster in 4 runs than I could in the Spec V in 2 runs. I do feel that with another run or two, I could have brought that time down very close to the same 52.6xx time. But alas, we'll never know for certain.
What I do know though is that the course was VERY much an AWD course with almost nothing but sweepers. This gives the WRX a big advantage right off the bat. Considering that fact, I don't think the Spec V can be completely counted out. Of note, the WRX was on the new Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec, which seems to be emerging as the top tire...at least for the heavy AWD cars. With a set of Dunlops on the Spec V and getting the Koni's revalved for the higher rates, along with slightly higher spring rates in the rear, I really think the car has a legitimate chance at a solid performance on the National level. Now who wants to give me $1,200 before Topeka? :mrgreen:
The deciding factor though will be dependent on course design. If there's too many sweepers or too much straightaways/high speed that requires 3rd gear on the Spec V, it's going to be REALLY tough. On the other hand, if speeds can stay low enough where the Spec V is just banging off the limiter with enough slow spots where the low end torque, short gearing, and LSD can do it's job, I believe there's an advantage there...but it all depends.