Clemson Sports Car Club

Hey - I'm Grant. I'm a first year PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering. I attended the last AutoX but wasn't able to participate at the time. I'll be there for the Nov. 1st AutoX, though the car is much faster than I'll ever be as a driver.

I drove from California in my E36 M3/2/5. Car has 143k miles, so maintenance keeps me busy. The PO installed an X-brace, strut and sway bars, Dinan stg. 1 software, and Bilstiens/H&Rs. And I just got Direzza Star Specs Z1s. Worst tire choice ever for here - they are really really sticky in the dry, but the car is a real handful driving even in light rain.

Cloud's Rest in California:

Welcome, nice car. We've got at least one other Californian on here.

How's that drive across the country?

Welcome! I'm surprised that the Star Specs are crappy in the wet. I thought I heard they were decent in wet conditions . That may sway my decision on whether to get those as my next set of tires.

jedimario Wrote:Welcome, nice car. We've got at least one other Californian on here.

How's that drive across the country?

Driving across the country was awesome. Nevada and Colorado are still my favorite states to drive through (4th trip across the states) - they have awesome national parks, and lax speed laws, and its just beautiful country. With nearly 100 hours of maintenance I put in on the car before taking off, I was quite happy it made it with no problems - despite 2 people, and a very very full car, riding on stupid short throw Bilstiens.

Clemson2k Wrote:Welcome! I'm surprised that the Star Specs are crappy in the wet. I thought I heard they were decent in wet conditions I don't know. That may sway my decision on whether to get those as my next set of tires.

Call me next time its raining and we'll go out. I drive to Spartanburg to BMW twice a week, and yesterday it was pouring and I spent much of the drive pretty white-knuckled. Car was all over the place. Maybe its my specific suspension combination, and tire choice, but I wouldn't buy them again for here. Los Angeles though? Yes please...

Yea I've got Bridgestone RE01r's on my car (which are basically the same, grip wise, as the Star Specs) and they handle surprisingly well in the rain. Thats why I was surprised that yours don't handle well. Maybe your car has too much power unlike mine

Welcome to the forums. Have a pleasant stay.

welcome! see you at the next autox!

Alright, another California license plate running around!

I'm up from norcal (Tracy, to be exact), so you might as well be from a different state, but welcome to the club.

Welcome Another Californian here (although i now have SC plates). Im from LA and have done the cross country trip 5 times with my Camaro, dad, and all my stuff in the car so i know what its like.

Have you done many autocrosses before?

Clemson2k Wrote:Yea I've got Bridgestone RE01r's on my car (which are basically the same, grip wise, as the Star Specs) and they handle surprisingly well in the rain. Thats why I was surprised that yours don't handle well. Maybe your car has too much power unlike mine Laughing

I'm pretty sure the guy who had TOD at the last autocross was on the Star Specs, so you might ask him what he thinks of them. I don't know him but someone mentioned his name - I think it was Perry, driving a WRX.

humjaba Wrote:Alright, another California license plate running around! Very Happy

I'm up from norcal (Tracy, to be exact), so you might as well be from a different state, but welcome to the club.

Gerbo Wrote:Welcome Smile Another Californian here (although i now have SC plates). Im from LA and have done the cross country trip 5 times with my Camaro, dad, and all my stuff in the car so i know what its like.

Have you done many autocrosses before?

I'm from the Bay Area originally, but I spent several years moving around SD/LA/Ontario so I know SoCal. Actually, a shop I used to work at just took a Cadillac 330mph out at Bonneville on Monday, so I've been thinking about LA a lot these past couple days.

The image from Cloud's Rest was this summer, heading up to start the JMT.

I have not done many autocrosses before. I've attended a handful of driving schools over the years, and driven a variety of cars on tracks, but I won't say I'm any better a driver for the opportunities I've had. I have a lot to learn.

Thank you for the welcomes, I'll see you all on Nov. 1st.

Welcome and nice car. The Star specs are on par with the RE-01R's. I don't know why they would be so bad in the wet. My RE-01R's are at the wear bars and yet they still grip fine in the wet. I am surprised my girlfriend hasn't posted on here. She is from north Cali. Will be nice to see the M3 at the autocross.

zps2004 Wrote:Welcome and nice car. The Star specs are on par with the RE-01R's. I don't know why they would be so bad in the wet. My RE-01R's are at the wear bars and yet they still grip fine in the wet. I am surprised my girlfriend hasn't posted on here. She is from north Cali. Will be nice to see the M3 at the autocross.

I only had issues with teh RE-01R's when snow came to ohio. Then i wasnt going anywhere fast with them on the wear bars. (in 1st no gas i couldnt move forward.)

Hell yeah GO KINGS/RAIDERS!

Maybe this autocross I will get a chance to get out there with you guys. good luck with the car, I'm sure Zach is jealous.

straight four Wrote:

zps2004 Wrote:Welcome and nice car. The Star specs are on par with the RE-01R's. I don't know why they would be so bad in the wet. My RE-01R's are at the wear bars and yet they still grip fine in the wet. I am surprised my girlfriend hasn't posted on here. She is from north Cali. Will be nice to see the M3 at the autocross.

I only had issues with teh RE-01R's when snow came to ohio. Then i wasnt going anywhere fast with them on the wear bars. (in 1st no gas i couldnt move forward.)

I used mine in the snow and got stuck on a speed bump. The open areas of the tread filled with ice so it became a slick.

zps2004 Wrote:I used mine in the snow and got stuck on a speed bump. The open areas of the tread filled with ice so it became a slick.

that was way too funny, I even got it on video.