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Lotus Europa Forums => The Paddock => Topic started by: rjbaren on Thursday,August 18, 2022, 04:27:11 AM

Title: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: rjbaren on Thursday,August 18, 2022, 04:27:11 AM
This year I auto crossed my Europa again with the BMW club.  The car performed as it should with no problems at all.  I also put some Toyo tires on a set of Cosmic wheels.  I ran with 205 60 13s rear and 185 60 13s front.  Wheel wise, the rears are 6" wide, and the fronts are 5.5 inches wide.
In September of last year, I auto crossed with Barum street tires in the stock sizes and the car did OK but slid more than I wanted.   This time the grip was much better.  Last year I was 2nd to last of all cars and this year I was 2nd to last in my class but faster than a number of cars in other classes.  Unfortunately, out of 8 runs I DNFed once, and hit a cone on all but 2 runs.  So, I believe the car is up to snuff, but my driving ability needs work.   Then again, I was running against injected cars with ABS, and traction control.  A lot of M2, M3s and M4s, two Mustang GTs and 4 Corvettes including a Z06 that I almost beat, a few Porches and of course some Miatas.  All in all, it was a lot of fun.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: BDA on Thursday,August 18, 2022, 07:24:10 AM
Great progress and great fun!  :trophy:
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Polopharm on Thursday,August 18, 2022, 09:02:56 AM
Hi. Good work just getting out and doing it!
My limited experience with autocross( i have a lot of road course miles) is your 1st and 2nd gear ratios are very important to quick times. Also in a relatively low power car its even more important. You need the grunt to accelerate from a near standstill but also the ability to wind it out as the least shifting you do the better.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Bainford on Thursday,August 18, 2022, 09:07:18 AM
Wow, that sounds great. Keep at it, until you can spank those Vettes.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Clifton on Friday,August 19, 2022, 12:46:33 PM
Awesome. I assume R888R's. If so it sounds like you are hooked. As with anything, you get better/faster the more you do it and find the limit. Any pics?
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: rjbaren on Friday,August 19, 2022, 02:18:06 PM
Here is a picture taken during a run.  I can't believe I got it to load.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: BDA on Friday,August 19, 2022, 02:51:46 PM
Looking good on three wheels!!  :pirate:
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Clifton on Saturday,August 20, 2022, 02:46:52 AM
That's a frame worthy pic.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: TurboFource on Saturday,August 20, 2022, 04:28:54 AM
 8)
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Bainford on Monday,August 22, 2022, 08:50:18 AM
Woohoo! Pulling a wheel. Cool photo.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Polopharm on Monday,August 22, 2022, 10:23:07 AM
Would tightening up the front end, getting less roll help? Assuming its not a high speed turn, i would think it would help. Not sure if these cars are that much different for set up.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Clifton on Monday,August 22, 2022, 02:01:42 PM
Would tightening up the front end, getting less roll help? Assuming its not a high speed turn, i would think it would help. Not sure if these cars are that much different for set up.

A lot of cars lift a wheel with sticky rubber and especially with heavier bars. Mine does.  Most front wheel drive cars lift a rear. You just don't want a rear drive car lifting a rear tire. If you look at a lot of autocross pics, you will see it often.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: rjbaren on Friday,August 26, 2022, 12:47:14 PM
That's a frame worthy pic.

You make a good point, so I printed and framed it. 
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Clifton on Saturday,August 27, 2022, 08:38:22 AM
That's a frame worthy pic.

You make a good point, so I printed and framed it.

Cool. I did one of mine and hung it  the garage with some other past rides in action. These kind of pics are much more harder to come by than just a parked one.
Title: Re: I auto crossed my Europa again
Post by: Polopharm on Saturday,August 27, 2022, 10:47:20 AM
It is  a great picture and I understand about lifting a wheel.
In the picture it looks like the rear is squating down likely under acceleration and the front is lifting and rolling, which would add more understeer.
That was my point.