anyone else out there autocrossing their Mazda 3s besides myself? how are you comparing to the rest of the cars in your grid?

 

i have not seen one at the autoX track...how have you done against other cars in your class?

 

im giving the other cars some good competition...this was my fifth autocross competing in the STS class, coming in in sixth place.

'Street Touring' - Total Entries: 12 Trophies: 5 Times Total Diff.
1T 109 Louie, Mike 91 Honda Civic Teal 46.708+1 44.943 45.183 44.863 44.863 -
2T 233 Matsumoto, Steven 96 Acura Integra 47.736 48.037 46.962 47.170 46.962 2.099
3T 411 Smucker, Don 83 VW GTI White 48.716 47.881 48.531 48.398 47.881 0.919
4T 216 Williams, Bob 04 Saturn ION Red Line 49.981+off 49.430 48.490 48.415+1 48.490 0.609
5T 320 Richards, Zach 02 Acura Rsx-S 49.617 49.465 49.551 53.884 49.465 0.975
6 420 Simonelli, Jeff 04 Mazda 3S Silver 50.580 49.658 50.016 49.494 49.494 0.029
7 115 Brownawell, Chad 01 Mazda Protege ES 50.878 51.618 51.328 51.369 50.878 -
8 332 Benson, Kenneth 03 Acura RSX type-S 58.743 55.452+off 52.788 58.042 52.788 1.910
9 317 Lindsey, Chris 04 Acura Rsx Type S 58.190 53.794 52.824 52.932 52.824 0.036
10 110 Hamilton Jr., Keith 03 Mazda Protege5 53.536 52.929 53.276 53.762 52.929 0.105
11 103 Young, Cy 92 Mazda MX3 Black 59.965+off 57.860 56.022 54.238 54.238 1.309
12 302 Cooper, Mindy 02 Acura Rsx-S 47.456+off 48.162+off 47.225+off 48.120+off off 54.238

 

nice work! what have you done to your car?

 

1. AEM Cold Air Intake.
2. Custom Catback Exhaust
3. I've purchased a TEIN Basic Coilover Supsension and a bunch of MAZDASPEED goodies as well (rear camber links, strut and sway bars). i am still waiting to install these parts until next spring so these parts dont experience unneccessary wear and tear throughout the winter... but, the 3s already handles like a dream, it'll be unstoppable once i finally beef up the suspension.

 

what kind of tires are you running for the autoXing? stockers??

 

i did not like the stockers but i am still using my everyday all-season performance tires. they are BFGoodrich Traction T/A 's 215 / 50 R 17 91 V (the stocks were 205). they handle great in dry, wet, or snowy conditions and they arent wearing too fast at all. soon, though, i hope to purchase some tires with which just to autocross...probably the Falken Azenis, which seem to be pretty popular in my autocross region (Susqehanna SCCA) or BFGoodrich g-Force T/A 's.

 

do you like your catback exhaust? how does it sound?

 

i could not be HAPPIER with my exhaust than i am...its a really low, deep tone that has a rough growl to it. and when the car is just about redlineing it sounds like a straight up F1 car, which sounds awesome being revved in covered bridges and parking garages . i get many compliments and head turns with it. the throttle response has drastically improved as well. oh, and its not too loud either...i can comfortably make long trips without it getting annoying. the four inch tip fits perfectly in the little cutout on the rear bumper...its sticking out a little bit, not too much though...just enough so that im not getting any sludge on the bumper.

i could get a sound and/or video clip on here if youd like...

 

hmmm... can we get a sound or vid clip? im kinda curious what it sounds like :P