another newbie...

[hesedmedia]

Hello all,

My name is Ward, and I'm sure there are about to be many laughs at my expense :D, also not sure if this is the right forum or not, but here goes.

My father used to take me to (I think it was) Payne Engineering to watch some of the solo's that ran there, and pretty much ever since, I've wanted to get into autocrossing, but haven't had the time, nor vehicle, what with school and such. But I've graduated university and would really like to develop some driving skills, mostly for safety, but also for fun.

Anyway, I've only got an 06 corolla at the moment, and was wondering if it was suitable for this kind of thing, as I haven't seen or heard of hardly any of them used for autox across the mighty interwebs, and thought it might be less injurious to my pride if you were to scold/laugh me away here rather than in person at the next event :). It's entirely stock, which I think puts it in H-stock, but I also realize that probably just because a vehicle can be classified doesn't mean it's a very good idea to run it hard (my dad expressed concerns that a motor that holds such little oil might have difficulty being run that hard).

Do I need to wait until I can find something more popular in autox circles, or is general consensus that you show up with what you can? Is anyone aware of a valid mechanical reason why this vehicle shouldn't be put through paces like these?

[mordant80]

Welcome! I know there have been Corollas run with us in the past but i'll admit I don't know much of anything about them. Maybe Martin will chime in, he likes Toyotas, lol.

[crobin4]

Take a look at the pic in my signature, to see what cars a suitable. Almost anything!:wink:

[hesedmedia]

lol yeah but im wagering that your wagon, in terms of engine, may be a bit more... er.. robust.

anyway, thanks for the input guys, and I assume the first step is just to come out to the march 21 event and watch/ask how to get involved?

[Jason V]

No need to wait.. come on out and have some fun!!! All you need is a valid drivers liscense and the car needs to pass a basic saftey inspection ... just make sure the battery is secure (tied down well) , fluids are topped off, and loose interior items are removed (change, bobble heads, Garmins, i pods, ect...LOL). I would also pump up your street tires to about 42 psi front and 38 rear. Can you make it out March 21st!!

[mordant80]

lol yeah but im wagering that your wagon, in terms of engine, may be a bit more... er.. robust.

anyway, thanks for the input guys, and I assume the first step is just to come out to the march 21 event and watch/ask how to get involved?

Man, you called Chris out for sure. Not your average wagon, atleast anymore. But yea, come on down. $35 dollars and you can run with us if you want. I don't think the car would have any problems. Biggest issue would probly be that the pavement at Riverside is pretty rough on tires. Just let us know at the registration booth that you're new and we'll help you out.

[hesedmedia]

Man, you called Chris out for sure.

Oh, HA! I meant it as a slight to the reportedly flimsy corolla, not the subaru! It appears in his picture that he's lifting that one front wheel, and I meant that, were I to attempt such shenanigans, I might encounter some maintenance issues.

But thanks, I'll plan on coming out the 21st, if only to watch/ask questions if nothing else.

I really appreciate everyone's responses, thanks again!

[ShortysTRM]

If you start at one of the spring events, you should get a large number of runs and a lot of seat time to get you ready for the more competitive and populated summer events.

[mordant80]

If you start at one of the spring events, you should get a large number of runs and a lot of seat time to get you ready for the more competitive and populated summer events.

You ever gonna start runnin again Troy?

[gtfour77]

You ever gonna start runnin again Troy?

Yeah Troy, are you? are you??? We miss you guys! Bring the baby and have a picnic sometime!

[gtfour77]

Welcome! I know there have been Corollas run with us in the past but i'll admit I don't know much of anything about them. Maybe Martin will chime in, he likes Toyotas, lol.

Lol, you got me John, I am pretty close to my toyotas (heck we got 3 of them now...ouch!) Ward, there is nothing that should stop you from autocrossing your corolla, just put a couple of extra psi in your tires and come out to play with us! You're welcome to come for a ride with me or Tara. Hope to see you on the 21st.

[SentraWV]

Welcome! I started off in a base Escort - a much worse starting point than a modern Carolla, seems to me.

On the other hand, if you want to pick up something sportier, I happen to know that Royal Subaru/Chrysler/Jeep just came into possession of a Mazdaspeed3, gently used, of championship pedigree. With snow tires!

NP: The Flower Kings, "Deaf, Numb, & Blind"

[crobin4]

Welcome! I started off in a base Escort - a much worse starting point than a modern Carolla, seems to me.

On the other hand, if you want to pick up something sportier, I happen to know that Royal Subaru/Chrysler/Jeep just came into possession of a Mazdaspeed3, gently used, of championship pedigree. With snow tires!

NP: The Flower Kings, "Deaf, Numb, & Blind"

Congrats, Jon! dibs on codrive!:D

[ShortysTRM]

Definitely want to. bought new power steering pump, axle, and some other stuff a few days ago to try to get it in better working order. Main issue is still the trans having no second gear, which I'm pretty sure is a worn band. I was going to try to rebuild it myself but getting it out is harder than pulling a motor, so I think I'm going to put it back together as is for now.

[hesedmedia]

Lol, you got me John, I am pretty close to my toyotas (heck we got 3 of them now...ouch!) Ward, there is nothing that should stop you from autocrossing your corolla, just put a couple of extra psi in your tires and come out to play with us! You're welcome to come for a ride with me or Tara. Hope to see you on the 21st.

I would love to ride along for a run! I'm hoping to make it the 21st, but I work in video production and the schedule can be pretty unpredictable, but I've got my fingers crossed.

Thanks everyone for the replies, hope to meet you all soon.

[hesedmedia]

Welcome! I started off in a base Escort - a much worse starting point than a modern Carolla, seems to me.

On the other hand, if you want to pick up something sportier, I happen to know that Royal Subaru/Chrysler/Jeep just came into possession of a Mazdaspeed3, gently used, of championship pedigree. With snow tires!

NP: The Flower Kings, "Deaf, Numb, & Blind"

Ha! I just got the corolla from Royal (one of, it seemed like, three manual transmissions in the state!), so not only will there not be any vehicle purchases, but I'm looking at a solid bologna diet for a while :(

[TimMaddox]

Hello all,

My name is Ward, and I'm sure there are about to be many laughs at my expense...

There won't be any laughs at your expense, I got the market covered on that one. Just starting my third year and I imagine the laughs will continue for a few more, so this is a good time for a rookie to get in while they are still laughing at someone else. Just upgrade to the newer Toyota sticking gas pedal, and I am sure your times will be awesome.

[Hraefn]

Someone cut the roof off of my Corolla, removed the back seats, and put the durn engine in the trunk!

[TimMaddox]

Oh, I see, you have an MR2