This video was taken back on 3/31 here at Clemson's autox club event. This M3 had bald tires on the back, and only made like 1 or 2 runs without losing it! It was pretty exciting to watch. The car is a '98 or '99 w/ black vader seats. (mmmmm) The guy has an AC Schnitzer badge on the back, but I didn't bother to ask him what he modded! Anyway, for your enjoyment...
http://wsbf.net/robert/autocross_3-31-01/m3_spin.mpg

He was pretty close to that tree... Whoever setup that autocross hardly left any margin for error in that one section. That could have been ugly :-(

Alright, after watching it a few more times, they seem to use trees as additional cones throughout the course! Don't think i'd be taking my baby there anytime soon.

The trees are actually pretty far from the course itself. Only 1 person has hit a tree and caused minimal damage. A worse danger is popping it up on one of the curbs that surrounds the lot. This is the biggest "open lot" we got around here, so we just have to watch ourselves! I agree that the trees are a mennace!

Originally posted by E36 Fanatic
This M3 had bald tires on the back, and only made like 1 or 2 runs without losing it![/url]

Actually, bald tires should give him more grip in an auto-x type situation. The less tread the tires have, the less tread flex you have and the more rubber that is able to touch the road. More rubber touching road = more friction = more grip. Why do you think racing tires have NO tread?

Tread is only needed in order to increase grip in situations where something, such as rain or dirt, is limiting the amount of grip that the tire can have on the road. In this case, the tread acts as a way to clear the water/dirt and allow the rubber to be in direct contact with the road.

On a clean, dry surface such as this auto-x parking lot, balder tires will increase the amount of grip that the car has...as long as the tires aren't so bald that they either a) haven't completely depleated the tread rubber and are running on the inner structural rubber (some tires use two diff types of rubber...some don't) or b) don't explode. :eek: We all know that a tire with a hole in it doesn't perform very well. :D

I think the reason this guy spun is simply because he isn't a very good driver. His line is completely incorrect and his power/steering/braking inputs are not smooth at all. A good driver would have probably never been so out of control in the first place, and if he were, he would have been able to save it without a full 360 degree spin. None of this is a personal attack on the guy, he just needs more time at the wheel as we all do.

How often do ya'll have auto-x's down there at Clemson? I go to Wake Forest but I have a good friend down there...I might have to consider paying him a visit next time ya'll have an event. That is, if you don't mind getting schooled by someone from Wake. :D

I agree he needs to learn more about the limits of his car and the track. Sorry if I didn't clarify when I said bald.... the chords inside the tire were showing in some places.
Bottom line is that it's pretty funny to watch if no one gets hurt and nothing gets wrecked!
Nick

Geez! Wrong line, not smooth, in too hot...

He was out-of-control from the time he first let the clutch out!

Bob ///M3

I see this kid around campus alot. A 99 M is a hot car for a college kid to own. I had figured it was a 95.

Still trying to track him down and see what he's done to it. Seems like a nice kid; We aways wave when passing.
Hope he doesn't find this thread:p He deserves it though as I've seen his driving habits.
Anyway, those tires he had on might as well have been slicks. They were bald as bald could be. Though I saw him on campus yesterday and he had new rubber on the back but was SMOKING in the car :(.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
I'll need to educate him on proper car care and basics of racing a $40,000 auto. What he really needs is a good driving school to get the full potential out of that car and more importantly not hurt himself or worse yet a friend/loved one.
These ///M's aren't kid's toys - I could say more, but I won't as we're all thinking it.

I've been Autocrossing for 10+ years and also chaired many events..I WOULD NEVER RUN AN AUTOCROSS WITH THAT MANY OBSTRUCTIONS NEAR A COURSE! NEVER PERIOD!..........................
The venue is unsafe..........

Sorry but I can't beleive what I just saw...Maybe it's the camera angle...

Steve
Boston Chapter Autocross Chair
2001 OFest Autocross Chair

The only 'autocross' I've seen is the BMW Driving Event, but is it normal to have all those cars and trees in the center of the course? Plus the course looks like a loop. I half expect the spectators to pull out a half-keg. It looks more like a Friday night donut session at Wendy's than an official event - doesn't look like anyone's even running it.