[BigM]

I got myself invited to a "special" autox over the weekend in Franklin Tn. It was put on by the volvo dealer, Daryll Waltrip, a former Nascar driver and now TV commentator. It was sort of a way to drum up interest in the new Volvo S60 type R. Anyway typical autox course, short about 30-35 seconds and technical. The deal was you had to apply and then be selected, I read about it in the local paper and emailed them about me and my MCS and so I was called and asked to come. Two other MCS's were there also and the usual autox fare. Rules were simple, beat Daryll's time and he would donate $100 to some childrens charity. I got there and first drove the volvo, with a co-driver from the east Tn. branch of scca. He helped me out with the car and its good and bad points and the course. The car is large about 3500 lbs. and has a claimed 300 hp, (didn't really feel that good to me) with brakes that really lack stopping power even when cool. I did a mid 34 first run with the co driver, he got out and I went down to a low 33 where I stayed for the remainder of my runs with the volvo. I then switched to the MCS (still running these damn run flats, they just will not wear out) I did a low 32 and eventually got a 31.5 very good and beat daryll's time at first. Now to that he set his time first and posted a 31.8 clean run before I got started and anytime anyone would beat his time he would go out and run again. Also all of us competitors had to start at the line about 15 feet before the timing line, daryll however would start about 30-50 feet further back giving himself more speed at the start. I complained and he just smiled. It was still fun but I was not terribly impressed with the volvo, I would much, much rather spend 40-45 K on a BMW 3 series.

[SugarBelly]

So, what was Daryll Waltrip's time around the track in your MCS?

[dansmini]

That had to have been fun! Even though, like all NASCAR drivers, D.W. cheated!

[BigM]

Daryll wouldn't drive the MCS, I offered but he said, "We are here for the volvo's".

[scottgib]

I was there both days. My SCCA club from east TN ran the event.

DW got a best time of 30.5 sec. on Saturday. No one beat him in the Volvo and only a couple beat him period. Both were in our SCCA club. The only car to beat him on street tires (Volvo had P-Zeros) was a nationally competitive STS Civic Si driven by two very very good drivers. The Civic did a 29.3 if I remember correctly. He was on Azenis. Also Carter Thompson came with his killer 350Z on street tires and did not beat DW. The Volvo is amazing for a 3600 lb four door stock car. I was able to get the rear end to rotate very well, which is something that I have yet to master with the S. The only knock I had with the Volvo (other than weight and size) is the over powered steering that was too many turns lock-to-lock. There wasn't much feedback in the steering. My '98 Volvo V70 T5 has a much better feel to the steering.

Don't understand your comment on the Volvo brakes. Are you confusing the power assist with stopping power? That thing comes stock with the largest brakes I have ever seen on a production car and they were Brembo's and would only fit inside 18" wheels. I found the brakes to be very good. I got the ABS to activate a couple of times (driver errors).

I ran a 32.3 in the Volvo and couldn't beat that with the S on run-flats. Those tires are awful. I ran the Volvo about 14-15 times over the two days. I only ran the S a couple of times since we were there to promote the Volvo S60 R. Normally I run Kumho V700 for autoXing and just couldn't keep from plowing with the Dunlops. Had I had the Kumhos with me and had a number of runs, I expect I would have been in the low 30.x judging from how I usually compete with Doug Allen and his STS Civic.

An experienced autoX'er came with his Z06 on street tires. His best time was in the Volvo!!!

As for DW's running start, it didn't help that much since there was a 90º turn immediately after the start. He was more trying to be easy on the clutch and tires. On his better runs later in the day he was only starting 5-8 feet back. One of our guys (nationally competitive) came close to DW in the Volvo and started at the right spot. Before the event I expected a couple of our guys to beat DW, but he is good. He even used his left foot for braking.

DW is a great guy and deserves his big fan base. I am not a NASCAR fan, but I really enjoyed my two days with DW.

I had my S there on run flats and gave up trying to find the right tire pressure. What pressure did you run? BTW your time was very good.

The course was so slow that you could hardly use the 300 hp. Due to the traction control and electronic throttle, there wasn't much histeronics when traction was lost. I ran it once in 1st gear only, and I believe the 300hp number. 2nd gear was faster due to the added control.

BTW two press folks ran the car into the hay bails, and a 944s driver hopped a curb breaking a lot of plastic parts on the front of the car.

[scottgib]

I was there both days. My SCCA club from east TN ran the event.

DW got a best time of 30.5 sec. on Saturday. No one beat him in the Volvo and only a couple beat him period. Both were in our SCCA club. The only car to beat him on street tires (Volvo had P-Zeros) was a nationally competitive STS Civic Si driven by two very very good drivers. The Civic did a 29.3 if I remember correctly. He was on Azenis. Also Carter Thompson came with his killer 350Z on street tires and did not beat DW. The Volvo is amazing for a 3600 lb four door stock car. I was able to get the rear end to rotate very well, which is something that I have yet to master with the S. The only knock I had with the Volvo (other than weight and size) is the over powered steering that was too many turns lock-to-lock. There wasn't much feedback in the steering. My '98 Volvo V70 T5 has a much better feel to the steering.

Don't understand your comment on the Volvo brakes. Are you confusing the power assist with stopping power? That thing comes stock with the largest brakes I have ever seen on a production car and they were Brembo's and would only fit inside 18" wheels. I found the brakes to be very good. I got the ABS to activate a couple of times (driver errors).

I ran a 32.3 in the Volvo and couldn't beat that with the S on run-flats. Those tires are awful. I ran the Volvo about 14-15 times over the two days. I only ran the S a couple of times since we were there to promote the Volvo S60 R. Normally I run Kumho V700 for autoXing and just couldn't keep from plowing with the Dunlops. Had I had the Kumhos with me and had a number of runs, I expect I would have been in the low 30.x judging from how I usually compete with Doug Allen and his STS Civic.

An experienced autoX'er came with his Z06 on street tires. His best time was in the Volvo!!!

As for DW's running start, it didn't help that much since there was a 90º turn immediately after the start. He was more trying to be easy on the clutch and tires. On his better runs later in the day he was only starting 5-8 feet back. One of our guys (nationally competitive) came close to DW in the Volvo and started at the right spot. Before the event I expected a couple of our guys to beat DW, but he is good. He even used his left foot for braking.

DW is a great guy and deserves his big fan base. I am not a NASCAR fan, but I really enjoyed my two days with DW.

I had my S there on run flats and gave up trying to find the right tire pressure. What pressure did you run? BTW your time was very good.

The course was so slow that you could hardly use the 300 hp. Due to the traction control and electronic throttle, there wasn't much histeronics when traction was lost. I ran it once in 1st gear only, and I believe the 300hp number. 2nd gear was faster due to the added control.

BTW two press folks ran the car into the hay bails, and a 944s driver hopped a curb breaking a lot of plastic parts on the front of the car.