Marshalltown GoKart track Auto-X 7/9/06

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[Angelbethany]

Hey Guys!  Talked to Steve the other day about going to the strip with you guys, but  my car is torn apart to get ready for summer track event right now.  Anyway, next weekend, Sunday July 8th, the Mustang Club of Central Iowa is hosting an Auto-x at the gokart track in marshalltown.  It's like a mini road course...and it's really fun.  It's really hard to screw anything up if you're not stupid. Registration opens at 9AM, and you have to be there by the drivers meeting at 10AM if you're going to run.  It's $25 to drive, and free to watch.  I always have a great time beating up on the Mustangs...now you can too!  They are all so welcoming.....doesn't matter what kind of car you drive.  For a run, you usually do a lap and 3/4 depending on where they have the start line, and usually about 5 runs in a day.  There's a concession stand with decent priced food, or you can run to the gas station.  If nothing else, come out and watch.  There will be several more events there this summer.  

Their website is http://www.mustangclubofcentraliowa.org

Everyone come!  I'll be there whether my car is ready or not.

[spyke]

Hey Guys this is gonna be as fun if not better than tonight. We should totally make this, also its a lot closer.

[HATEnFATE]

I've raced there before and let me tell you it's the closest thing in IA that you'll get to racing. It's a blast.

I'd suggest to anyone on this site that they show up if you'r at all into racing. You will have the time of your life.

I'd love to run but I lost a little clutch so racing is out for me for at least a month-----unless the spec is up to the challange.

[need4speed]

take the spec.  im tempted to try it out sense my car has all the suspension mods. what are the possiblities of hurtin my car doin this though?

[spyke]

Just dont do anything stupid and you should be fine. Autox is all about skill over speed. Yah times are great but not at the risk of your car. Just play it safe and you'll be fine.

[PAR_tC]

so if i beat a neon will the word get out that i lost again..... jk... beth you wanna run the tc again....?  no hard feelings... i hope to get out there i dont know how the tc will don on corners...

[Angelbethany]

Really, you can't hurt your car.  Tire wear, a little, and some brakes of course, but nothing like a full road course would be.  Just make sure everything is cleaned out of the interior and that your battery is strapped down tight.  That's really about all you have to do.  And really, it's about beating your OWN time each time you go out, and making yourself a better driver.  

And sure, I'll race the tC again....and beat it again  Actually, with the nitrous I'm not sure what would happen.  We shall see.  But...come to marshalltown and see how it does on a track

[HATEnFATE]

I don't want to spoil anyone's idea of what autocrossing is but it can be hard on the vehicle and the driver.

Just for an example, the last time I was there, a younger driver took out the passenger side of his vehicle because he lost control and slid into a light pole. Luckley, his insuarance covered it because it was an SCCA sponsered event and Autocrossing is considered by SOME companies a way to increase driving skill.

Also. two years ago, an SVT contour rolled and was totalled. The insurance DID NOT cover his accident.

Just know what your getting into and remember that you are pushing your car to it's limit.

I'd do it but I'll be getting ready to head to Wyoming. Maybe I can make the next event because honestly, Marshalltown is one of my favorite places to run.

Don't let this post stop anyone from running. It's one of the funnest things you can do with your car and frriends. Ohh and bring chairs and things because there isn't much room to get out of the sun and it can be a long day.

[THansenite]

Like Jason said, there are going to be risks with any type of driving, even to the store.  At least with (legal) drag racing and autoX, you are in a controlled environment.  You have no idea how much I would like to do this next weekend, but I have to go up to the fiance's grandparents for that weekend.  I have been wanting to try AutoX for about 3 years but it never fails that I have something planned for that weekend or I have something come up at the last minute.  Best of luck to everyone.

[Angelbethany]

I don't know about the guy who hit the pole.....but there aren't any poles close to the edge of the track.   I was there the day the guy rolled his SVT...and he was driving like a jackass.  They had given him several warnings to slow down, and he was getting really lose in every corner.  It was only a matter of time...

So, don't let that scare you.   Yes, there are risks, but no more so really than going to the drag strip or anything else you do.  I never get out of 3rd gear....its not that fast of a track.  And, there are plenty of really experienced drivers who would be willing to ride with anyone who wants some extra tips.  Also, if you are registered as a driver, I believe they let you ride along with other drivers as a passenger to learn technique.

[HATEnFATE]

If your driving yourself they will generally let you ride along.

 The pole that was hit was a red/yellow/green light. It was inside the track. the Kid lost control going through a chicaine.

[Angelbethany]

Yea, I think I know which one you're talking about, that is a tricky corner  The only "casualty" I've had with anyone in the group I've gone with was someone took out the timing box once  :oops:

[D1G1T4L]

So checking out their site I see it says to bring "a Ford product" and a helmet. The first I'm not really worried about since it seems we got invited, but on the second... I don't have a helmet and aren't they pretty expensive?

[Angelbethany]

Yes, helmets are expensive, but you can usually find someone's to borrow at the track.  Also, there aren't any Snell rating requirements, so if you have a friend who has a motorcycle helmet, that'll do.   Doesn't matter what kind of car you have, that's just the club's way of getting more "ford" people to go.  Anyone is welcome, I've been going for 7 years now.  (Holy crap!  That's longer than I thought)

So, who's in?

[D1G1T4L]

Yeah, who all is planning on coming to this?