misuta_ni

If you are looking for good places for car nuts, there's Quaker Steak & Lube on Hwy.14 (you can see it from the Beltline if you're looking to the west) in Middleton. There's also a 50's diner called Gus's on 151 around Sun Prairie. It's where the old 5 and Diner was. Those are two of our favorites when we're just out for a back road cruise.

I also have to give Big Bear some props. I've always gone to them with my tire business. Even if they sucked (which is not the case), I'd still go, because they support the local autox scene in a big way.

If that is a WI Autocrossers Inc. autox, and people are just looking to go for a good time, I highly recommend doing it. The WAI events usually have a slightly lower attendance than SCCA, and also tend to run smoother, which results in more runs for everyone. Typically, they get in at least 5 runs, and very often 6 runs per day, with fun runs at the end of the day for $1/run, as opposed to SCCA's 4 runs/day or so. It's also a less competetive atmosphere, in my experience. SCCA is fun too, but WAI is more so. If you're looking for a performance tire that can also be run on the street, I highly recommend the Azenis. But if tire wear is a concern, if road noise is a concern, if picking up gravel and dirt and rocks and other small hard things is a concern, I would stay away. If you're looking for something very comparable, but just a little more comfortable, take a look at Hankook's R-S2's. Comparable grip with a slightly softer sidewall. If you're looking for more life out of them, I would start looking at BFG KD's (very good dry traction) or KDW's (best wet traction, good dry traction). But it's all a matter of opinion. -Scott

Gotta go slow to go fast... I used to autox my MR2 Turbo a lot, but I lost compression in one cylinder last season, so I don't plan on doing much this year. It's currently being rebuilt for national level autox. I will be running the Leggy once though this season, just to see what she's got, and hopefuly my NA MR2 once before I sell that. I highly recommend that people at least try it before writing it off. It really is far more benign than most think. That's not to say it's boring though. Even on a slow course, you'll be so busy you won't even realize how quickly it's going by. I wouldn't run full season after full season unless you're really into it (I am), but once in a while is a good thing. The whole argument about speeding up your reaction times and increasing your situational awareness on the street are right on as well. If that was the only benefit of autox, I'd still do it several times a year. My Turbo in action (the "stickers" are actually magnets.) : http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/mr2pmp1/My%20Cars/1992%20MR2T/2006Autox.jpg

It was good to put some faces with the screen names. I enjoyed meeting you guys, and chatting for a minute. My apologies for disappearing, but we had a long day ahead of us and I wanted to check out some of the other cars that were there as well. On another note, autox is usually ok with the dealerships, until you start modding the car beyond the rules of the stock classes. Then the mods get more visually noticeable, and they tend to not like it. I wouldn't push my luck by giving them a copy of the tape or anything though, or by doing mods that can't easily be reversed before takling it in for service, if you know what I'm saying.

FWIW, I'll be there in the Black 2.5i SE with the blacked out grille...I'm just around the corner at Mineral Point and the Beltline, so I kinda gotta go. -Scott http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/mr2pmp1/My%20Cars/2008%20Subaru%20Legacy/LeggysBlackedOutGrille3.jpg

Not officially. I may just try to tag along if they come around my neck of the woods.

I see. I guess I play a bit more dangerously. I'm a fan of long sweepers with things to hit on either side, especially if they involve elevation changes.

Might have to come out and see an old friend then...you guys have any good spots to go play?

Would you rather be 12-2, or 5-8? I know where I'd rather be at this point in the season... It's cool though. We'll still let you live beneath us. Scott H. from Madison WI, btw. '08 black on black 5spd SE. Nice to meet you. http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f8/mr2pmp1/My%20Cars/2008%20Subaru%20Legacy/2008Legacy25iSE4-1.jpg