Kizashi and Autocrossing

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Evanzo7
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Never thought of doing Autocross (or Autotesting which is what we call it in the UK) in a Kizashi, would feel too big of a car to me, I'd still do it though, mega fun!

I won a local title of Autotesting back in 2012 in my Ford Fiesta! This was the ideal car for it, could navigate the course with no difficulties at all!
Also despite it's looks it would have been fully road legal, just needed a change of tyres.
Second fastest car there was a Ford Ka, so that just goes to show that little cars & their nimbleness are key to it!
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"If in doubt , flat out" - Colin McRae 1968 -2007
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SRN
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:53 pm
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Evanzo7 wrote:Never thought of doing Autocross (or Autotesting which is what we call it in the UK) in a Kizashi, would feel too big of a car to me, I'd still do it though, mega fun!

I won a local title of Autotesting back in 2012 in my Ford Fiesta! This was the ideal car for it, could navigate the course with no difficulties at all!
Also despite it's looks it would have been fully road legal, just needed a change of tyres.
Second fastest car there was a Ford Ka, so that just goes to show that little cars & their nimbleness are key to it!
I wish they would bring the Ka to the US. I love small cars.
Looks like what you're doing the the pictures there is closer to what we call RallyCross here in the States. Which is also wicked fun! Autocross is a little less punishing on the car, though.
1986 Suzuki Samurai JX (Tintop)
1990 Mazda Miata
1994 Isuzu Trooper
2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS Sport (6MT)
Tom Kizzie
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Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:04 am

I see alleycats on the fiesta :D
about 8" width just like the kizashi 18" wheels
kizashi 6mt black
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KuroNekko
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Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

SRN wrote:PE3 was this past Sunday. My morning run group was crap. I was three vehicles back from the start line for my first run and it started to hail! Lasted for a few minutes while they held the start, but the track turned into an ice rink. No grip, so my times were terrible,but so were everyone else's! Collected two cones on my second run because I was sliding and unable to stop in a puddle. Afternoon was better. Ended up 5th of 6 in my class and 37th of 67 overall according to the PAX.
Next event is the 28th and 29th of this month. Gonna tinker with the camber and toe a bit and maybe shave a few seconds. We'll see!
For those that are interested, the timing sheets are here: http://utahscca.com/autocross/schedule
Have you considered trying to upgrade the parts available for the Kizashi regarding handling? RRM made a few for the Kizashi including a strut tower bar, rear sway bar, and a chassis brace. I have the rear sway bar and it certainly had an effect. While that is no longer available new, RRM may have some strut tower bars and chassis braces still available. The chassis brace replaces the one closer to the rear of the vehicle.

https://roadracemotorsports.com/store/i ... 74oa5e6q32
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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SRN
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:53 pm
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

KuroNekko wrote: Have you considered trying to upgrade the parts available for the Kizashi regarding handling? RRM made a few for the Kizashi including a strut tower bar, rear sway bar, and a chassis brace. I have the rear sway bar and it certainly had an effect. While that is no longer available new, RRM may have some strut tower bars and chassis braces still available. The chassis brace replaces the one closer to the rear of the vehicle.

https://roadracemotorsports.com/store/i ... 74oa5e6q32
For this season at least, I want to race stock. Any of those modifications would put me into the Street Touring or Street Prepared class.
For the next event, I'm going to be ticketing with my camber and toe to see how that helps. I'll keep you guys updated.
1986 Suzuki Samurai JX (Tintop)
1990 Mazda Miata
1994 Isuzu Trooper
2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS Sport (6MT)
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Evanzo7
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SRN wrote:
Evanzo7 wrote:Never thought of doing Autocross (or Autotesting which is what we call it in the UK) in a Kizashi, would feel too big of a car to me, I'd still do it though, mega fun!

I won a local title of Autotesting back in 2012 in my Ford Fiesta! This was the ideal car for it, could navigate the course with no difficulties at all!
Also despite it's looks it would have been fully road legal, just needed a change of tyres.
Second fastest car there was a Ford Ka, so that just goes to show that little cars & their nimbleness are key to it!
I wish they would bring the Ka to the US. I love small cars.
Looks like what you're doing the the pictures there is closer to what we call RallyCross here in the States. Which is also wicked fun! Autocross is a little less punishing on the car, though.
Those pictures are from a special Christmas event where we just got to drive the track!
Normally it's with cones & a change of direction every 50 or so meters!

Great events though & as for the KA, that would look tiny in the US :lol:
"If in doubt , flat out" - Colin McRae 1968 -2007
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SRN
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:53 pm
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

PE4 was yesterday. Track was VERY technical, which was fun; but my first run was epicly horrible! Missed two gates entirely! After that screw up, things got better. Collected a few cones on one run and went way too hot into a box in the afternoon a racked up another DNF. Best time was 53.300 on a prefect run. Not sure I ever could have gotten better with my setup. Ended up 5th of 7 in my class and 54th of 80 overall according to the PAX.
Got two events this Saturday and Sunday. I think I'm going to look into AutoX tires here soon and try to max out my setup to whats allowable under the rules. The tires alone I think will put me in touching distance of the top runners in my class.
For those that are interested, the timing sheets are here: http://utahscca.com/autocross/schedule
1986 Suzuki Samurai JX (Tintop)
1990 Mazda Miata
1994 Isuzu Trooper
2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS Sport (6MT)
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Speed_Racer
Posts: 383
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:58 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

Do you have a GoPro? If so, strap it inside so we can ride along next time!
'12 Kizashi,'03 SV650,'04 DL1000
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SRN
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:53 pm
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Speed_Racer wrote:Do you have a GoPro? If so, strap it inside so we can ride along next time!
I don't; but if you're in Salt Lake, you should just come out!
1986 Suzuki Samurai JX (Tintop)
1990 Mazda Miata
1994 Isuzu Trooper
2012 Suzuki Kizashi GTS Sport (6MT)
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Speed_Racer
Posts: 383
Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2012 7:58 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

SRN wrote:
Speed_Racer wrote:Do you have a GoPro? If so, strap it inside so we can ride along next time!
I don't; but if you're in Salt Lake, you should just come out!
Small world! I didn't see the link and realize it was the Utah SCCA you have been talking about. I'll keep an eye on that schedule and try to drop by one of the upcoming events (as a spectator haha)
'12 Kizashi,'03 SV650,'04 DL1000
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