Took the Marauder Autocrossing

[wesman]

I have had the Marauder a week, and that's as long as I could wait. Here we go.
First thing went for an alignment:
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/alignment2.jpg
The guys at the shop said 'Is it pulling to one side?' I said no, I want to AutoX it. Mouths open. Then laughs and smiles.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/alignment1.jpg
The techs at the garage told me that camber wasn't adjustable. Should have checked here first. Anyways it was neg 1.9, not bad & I got a little toe out at the front.
Next thing is pick up new race rubber that I ordered. Not for this car.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/racerubber.jpg
Swap 'em at the event. I was laughing at the stock stamped rear control arms when the wheels were off. Thank god for metco.

Stickers on the tires.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/slammed3.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/slammed.jpg

[wesman]

I turned on the air again and watched it rise way past where I thought it would stop.

Oh well this is racing height.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/bbswheels2.jpg


Ready for plate swap
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/confederate2.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/skullnbones3.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/skullnbones4.jpg


Numbers & stickers check
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/confederate3.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/bbswheels4.jpg

[wesman]

Let 'er rip!
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/barriesolo.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/barriesolo2.jpg
My oh my, she spins with shorter tires on! 225/45/17s

That was actually a mistake that I just kept my foot planted for. About 3 seconds into the run. The next 360 loop was on the slalom section 20seconds later. So I kept my foot in it again. The organizers were unimpressed and they threw the red flag at me. Seems they don't want hooliganism in their precious lot. Nobody mentioned that at the drivers meeting!

Some more contained runs with different passengers
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/barriesolo3.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/barriesolo4.jpg


Last run with the streets on.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/action2.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/action1.jpg
I'm outta here!
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/skullnbones2.jpg

[Krytin]

Camber is adjustable - several threads about this. I'll let you know for sure on wednesday after I get the new front tires & alignment - they made it to 30k miles & still have tread but insides are getting too worn.

I love the slicks! Let us know how you make out on the auto-x!!

[wesman]

I did OK for a whale with small tires. I think I beat almost half the competitors. About a hundred cars showed up.

[wesman]

It was funny seeing people's reaction to my new car. Most of them smiled and approved. One of my friends would not believe it was mine. Then I told him to sit in it, he saw the gauges and said 'Oh, now its starting to make sense'.

[wesman]

I can't believe how tall the rear tires are. 4.10s are a must.

[FiveO]

Very sharp looking wesman...very sharp.

Love the blue!

[wesman]

I am in touch with a photographer that was at the event, I am trying to get some more pictures of suspension movement.
here is one
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/bb/barrieslide.jpg

[GordonB]

Wes,
You need to get the ADDCO rear sway bar that is 1" (25mm vs. stock 21mm). It prevents much of the dog from wagging its tail!!! Also if you can geta set of Mac & Zack or METCO control arms you will do even better in the Auto-X.

Cheers!
GordonB

[wesman]

Wes,
You need to get the ADDCO rear sway bar that is 1" (25mm vs. stock 21mm). It prevents much of the dog from wagging its tail!!! Also if you can geta set of Mac & Zack or METCO control arms you will do even better in the Auto-X.

Cheers!
GordonB
The addcos were on the way the day I bought the car.
The metcos are on the way now.
Eibachs too.

[woaface]

OOOOO. DROOOOL.

Straight line speed to me is becoming more and more unimpressive. But slow cars that handle well aren't intriguing either.

A mixture of the two is :awe: when coupled with the fact that the car weighs 4200 pounds.

[dwasson]

Looking good. And, aint it a kick to know that the car will turn at the end of the straight?

[TAF]

Lookin good Wes!!!! I know I still owe you info on shocks...I should have some info soon. :up:

[wesman]

OOOOO. DROOOOL.

Straight line speed to me is becoming more and more unimpressive. But slow cars that handle well aren't intriguing either.

A mixture of the two is :awe: when coupled with the fact that the car weighs 4200 pounds.
I know what you are saying Woaface, but I have been going the other way lately, my other car can handle like a bastard but it would take a three stage solid fueled booster rocket strapped to the doors to achieve Lidio's 1/4 miles. With the Marauder I want to hurt people's feelings in a straight line and a curvy line. Being heavy just means more tire wear.
This autoX was bone stock except I bolted on Hoosier A3S04s 225/45/17 on BBS RK wheels 17 X 8 with a 45 offset. To my utter surprise the thing acutally hustled. Staying in the seat was another matter. KB dead pedal is on the way, and a CG Lock.

[wesman]

Lookin good Wes!!!! I know I still owe you info on shocks...I should have some info soon. :up:
Todd I ordered everything you mentioned. I really hope its here & installed before my next event. I saw the stock rear control arms when I was changing tires, not good.:down:
Rest of the car,:woohoo:

[QWK SVT]

Wesman - That looks like a buncha fun! I'm guessing that it was local? Where was it, and who organized the event?

[wesman]

This one was in Barrie, Twin Lakes Motorclub hosted it. Barrie Molson Centre.

Here are some pics with the sig.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/JJ2M5868.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/JJ2M5869.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/JJ2M6170.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/JJ2M6171.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/JJ2M6176.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/JJ2M6368.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/JJ2M6369.JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Wesman%20II/`1/JJ2M6370.JPG

[HwyCruiser]

wesman,

Here's a trick for you to get some more visibility on the track: fold the side mirrors out so they present the least cross section in your line of sight. They'll just about disappear for you. ;)

- JD

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Todd I ordered everything you mentioned. I really hope its here & installed before my next event. I saw the stock rear control arms when I was changing tires, not good.:down:
Rest of the car,:woohoo:

I was wondering how I missed this thread. Then I noticed it was in the regional meetings section. I'm make note to check these more often now. :D

How is the car handling now Wesman? Did you get all your parts installed?

I got a few mods planned before my season starts this March/April. I hope I get them all done in time.

Nice pics!!! :bows: