Originally posted by SVTCole:
I should note that APT, one of our favorite trolls, ran the autocross school on Saturday (I could never find it) and posted time's equivalent to the Audi S4 times in his new IS300. I think he mentioned one modification, but I think he could have nearly won STS if he had run Sunday. He had a wedding to attend unfortunately. Dave Andrews, you had no such excuse. 
I have an open filter element air filter as my only modification.
The course was run backwards, and the start was lengthened compared to the end of Sunday's direction, likewise, the the finish of Saturday's school was shorter than the start on Sunday. The start was much shorter than the start on Sunday which would favor quick accelerating cars, plus the slolam was 3 cones on Sun, vs. 4 on Sat. My wife was jotting down the times of me, Tony, the S4, and one other car I can't remember. I had a 24.17 and a 24.19 (+1), and the rest mid 24's and my first run 25.2. S4 had mostly 24's, a 23.999, and a 23.989.
After talking with Pascal on Sat evening, he said I would lose about half a second to the S4 before the first turn (0-30 maybe?) and I was getting about perfect launches considering the dusty track. AWD prevails in that condition. But, I must have drove the rest well because I made up some ground. I think the key was the hairpin which I think I had down pretty well. What I think I sucked at was the slolam.
So, I need to get some money so I can afford more tires. I bet my stockers would last two more events tops. They just suck. I really wish I could have run on Sunday. Maybe next year I will bring my GSL-SE to the autocross. 4 tires for the cost less than one for the IS.
Cheers,
Aaron
