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CaseyGT2001
08-24-2004, 05:58 PM
About 6 months ago I came to a few realizations. The first thing was my fear that someday, something might happen to my car while I'm autocrossing. It's not likely that I would crash the car or anything, but what if something in the motor breaks... I have a 70 mile to-and-from work commute everymorning... what if my car isn't working.. I'd be screwed. The second thing is a little bit harder to chew for us Hyundai fans. My elantra will never be competetive in the SCCA classes I'm racing/eligible in. I enjoy driving the car, don't get me wrong, but it isn't competetive. After 3 years of driving, I feel I have become a much better, dare I say a GREAT driver of the XD Hatch. I've invested a lot of time and money on suspension mods, and learned to drive over again with each upgrade. KIC coilovers... Strut braces...tib sway.... 24mm sway... new wheels and tires... allignments.. I tried everything...

Then there was the 03 season ender event in Fostoria. The difference with this event is that the course layout is always the same. We race at this location twice a year, once in the begining, and usually again as the last event. The great thing is, I get to use the race as a progress gauge. I can see how much I have improved over the year. Due to the lack of rubber after the 03 season, I drove my buddy's STS (same class) prepped 93 Civic Si. you know what was sick? It was my first time driving the car, or a Civic for that matter, and I finished 2.2 seconds faster then I ever have. this was the assurance I need to learn that it was Car and not Driver that kept me from doing as well.
I decided 6 months ago that i wanted to get a second car.... something that I could race without a large investment, and without a large initial investment. the first car that came to my mind was a 94 miata. factory LSD, 1.8, 2 seater, convertable, and rear wheel drive = FUN! It would run me about 2 or 3 grand for the initial purchase, then another grand so I can run prepped in CStock... I was determined to get some money together..
6months later, and I still haven't done much saving.... I only have about 750 bucks.... or had I guess. I ran across this deal that I couldn't pass up. Some of you may have noticed that I've been racing a '90 civic si.... well one of the guys in the region(drives a 911) happend to mention that his dad was looking to get rid of his '91 Si (same car as the '90). the car was in decent shape, 165K miles, black, and best of all, he only wanted 500 bucks for it... 500 BUCKS! and I drove it home..... I couldn't pass it up.

So, I'm now the proud owner of a Honduh Civic Si. Call me any names you want but this car is a GREAT platform for autcross. It competes well in H Stock, and dominates STS.

The thing is, in order to help pay for the Civic's Race gear, I'm gonna need to get some more cash together. SO, look for some auctions in the near future. I plan to use the cash from the sales to help fund the honda project. I really look forward to having a car that I can drive, comfortably, with my Girlfriend, over long distances again. I'm not abandoning the XD by any means, it's still my main car... but it will no longer be my race car.

if you want them, I can try and get some real pictures together. otherwise, incase you want to know, here is what someone else's STS 91 Si looks like..

http://www.mattclower.com/siblog/hello/190/959/1024/91_si.jpg

SWortham
08-24-2004, 06:26 PM
Can't beat that price.

It looks like it'll have a significantly lower CoG than the XD Hatch after you lower it.

Steve
08-24-2004, 06:26 PM
Arrr, so what you're saying is that my Elantra is doomed to not reign supreme in my future Solo2 efforts? This saddens me, for it's reasonable to believe that I will achieve only equal or lesser to your driving skill once I reach the same level experience. I have no pretensions of being the next Tommi Makinen. I'm in somewhat the same situation, 70mile commute everyday, what if the car blows something, what then... I'm stubborn though, I like the idea too much still of building a competitive XD, I'm sticking with it I think, plus I have no girlfriend so rough ride quality, lots of interior noise, who cares, I like it personally.

Time will tell for me I guess, but I hope the Civic serves you well in your Solo2 career, being in contention for the top spot is no doubt a good feeling, I hope it gets you there. What are your first mods to it? Or are you sticking to stock for awhile first? What mods do they allow in stock down there.

SWortham
08-24-2004, 06:37 PM
Steve, the other big advantage you have is the sedan. I would think that the XD sedan would beat the XD hatch in autocross simply due to the lower center of gravity and less weight overall.

only1db
08-24-2004, 08:12 PM
we will just see about that come next year.....i think that my xd will be very competitive....we shall see... ;)

jameswing
08-24-2004, 08:19 PM
Good luck with the new ride.

CaseyGT2001
08-25-2004, 09:57 AM
Arrr, so what you're saying is that my Elantra is doomed to not reign supreme in my future Solo2 efforts?
.............What are your first mods to it? Or are you sticking to stock for awhile first? What mods do they allow in stock down there.

Steve, SWortham is right about the sedan's advantages... The weight difference alone means a bunch of time. (my hatch with 1/4 tank of gas is 2940ish)


As for the first things I am going to do to the car... well...
I need to do a lot of maintnance on it. my list is quite big really. but once it's running nicely again, I'll probably start in HS. I would like to finish out the year in HS(should get 2nd over all). That means, I'll likely drop in a K&N, catback exhaust, Azenis or cheap used Hoosiers, and KYB AGX adjustable shocks. I would like to take the car to STS, but that won't be till next year likely.

Steve
08-25-2004, 10:28 AM
Right on, when I first read your first post I didn't think about the weight difference between the hatch and the sedan. That makes me feel a bit more confident! And your plan for the Civic sounds good, I've been told that starting off in stock lets you get the best start in learning how the car handles. When I get the XD to the level I want we'll have to meet at some Solo2 event halfway between us and see if I can beat the Civic! :diablo: