my sons first auto x

[M DOUGHERTY]

Hi guys
My 18 yr old son matthew ran the challange car on sat.. It was the Hershey 2 day event on the 27/28th. I rode in the scare chair next to him for all 4 runs and could not be prouder.
1st time ever racing anything
first time ever driving a C car ( other than moving it in the driveway )
first auto X.
I feel there is no better way to learn how to handle one of these cars.
he dropped a full 20 seconds between his first and last runs, and listened great.
He is now hooked and cant wait for next season.

We were joined by my brother who co-drove the same car.

I co-drove Brendans ( Leftover build ) 86 mustang built from left over parts obtained from FFcars forum members. What a great car.
Yes I beat him by 2 seconds in his own car. I was 5 seconds behind the challange car. not surprising since it is all stock V-8 mustang suspension.

Chris Allen also joined us in his coupe. It was his first auto X also.
Chris hadd his friend there with a mini, and brens friend brought out a Chevy cobalt SS.

It was a blast my wife even set up a buffet in the trailer for anyone that passed.
Chris was the only one to take pics. and I am waiting for him to share.

We had to skip the sunday run and evacuate our shop moving all the cars and equipment, in anticipation of Sally's visit.

well thats all for now
Later
Mark D

[JKleiner]

All right Matthew (and Brendan )!

Hope you all ride out the storm without incident.

I'm looking forward to seeing the whole Dougherty gang again soon!

Jeff

[MikeKelly]

Originally Posted by M DOUGHERTY

I feel there is no better way to learn how to handle one of these cars.

I've never seen anything that will teach car control as quickly and efficiently as autocross.

Good to get him started early.

[M DOUGHERTY]

Thanks Jeff
I cant wait to catch up with you and yours also.
You should have seen him. Not nevous at all, just focused.
By the last run He got out of the car vibrating like a power sander.
telling me where could pick up more time if he only had more runs.
Just wait till he gets to run it with the change over next year.

Bren and I beat his car like a rental. LOL
but we could not overcome the understeer. His car pushed like a D9 bulldozer. But having only 100 miles on the car since finished we had no development time on it.
He is now armed with good feedback and a positive path forward.
So now it is hold off on the twin turbos and design a new suspension. I know we could just throw money at it and buy off the shelf parts, but what fun would that be.
We have some crazy ideas and a great shop that ( thank god ) did not flood last night.
Later
Mark D

[Cone Basher]

Mark: Saw your post on the intro forum. I did not go to the Auto-X in Columbus Ohio last week so I did not get a chance to test the changes you suggested because it was raining. It has been raining here for 4 days,we have lots of mud on the farm but we still have power. Coupe is done till next Auto-X season. My son also drives my Coupe in Auto-X when he can get to an event. He grew up racing motocross and has a different drive style then I do and the thing that really ticks me off, after 3 years of racing my Coupe and making numerous changes, when he shows I have only had a better time once in XP by .002. I have more fun at an Auto-X event when he shows up, it is a fun day. Did you guys like the A6 tires?
Thanks for the help:
CB

[M DOUGHERTY]

CB
we ran hoosier r6 tires. and they were great.
crazy amount of stick.

of coarse the setup helped. lol
later
MarkD

[Wade Chamberlain]

Mark-
Too late for this season, but when you guys run there again, let me know. I may take a ride up and play.

[TD]

Way to go Matthew.

[M DOUGHERTY]

Thats funny wade
We plan to come down and.run with you guys

[M DOUGHERTY]

Tony
Come.run with us next.spring
We will have a new mk4 challange car up.and running by then.

[Nels Prario]

That is awesome Mark. As you know my son runs my car in HPDE events and actually in Autocross events. Pretty cool to see your son "Or Daughter" learn to handle a vehicle like this. My Son is about ready to pass me dang it. Keep him going and he will continue to improve and will ultimately take Dad to school.

[Wade Chamberlain]

Originally Posted by M DOUGHERTY

Thats funny wade
We plan to come down and.run with you guys

Sweet. Always cool having more FFR's come out to play.