My First Autocross. Suggestions.

[Jordanbutter]

I'm getting ready for my first autocross with the Continential Divide/Colorado Region of the SCCA. My car will be in Street Modified (mainly because of the 16g ). My modifications list is up to date and I'm working on getting the widest tires i can but I'm trying to do this all on a student budget. So I'm looking for some suggestions on some inexpensive upgrades or tweaks I should make before I get started. Also I'd like any tips on faster times, better driving and what I can/should do while I'm at the event. Any other advice you all can give is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tsiboosted]

First and foremost man, just go out ther and have some fun. What Hankook tires are you running? Secondly, when they have the course walk through, being this is your first AutoX event. Try and get with some guys that have done it before and talk to them about any tips than can give you on any sections of the course. Walk the course a few times (time permitting) to get familiar with the course. So it is not a suprise when you get to a certain section. When it is your turn to run, try and just drive the course the first run. NOt a SUnday drive mind you, but a spirited drive on the course. There is no way you are going to set the fastest time of the day on the first pass. Get familiar with the car and how it is going to react and handle out there.

Make sure everything is in good condition. Tires, no leaks, battery secure, everything loose out of the car, fuel levels etc. etc. Tire pressure gauge to make sure you have the pressure you want in the tires. Chairs, water, snacks, things like that will make the day go by a little better.

Again man, just go out there have some fun, stay safe and just enjoy the day. Do not get discouraged if you are not the fastest car out there. Chances are you will not be. Go out there, drive to the best of your abilities as well as the cars and keep trying to improve every run. You will get hooked and not be able to wait until the next event. Good Luck and let us know how it goes man.

 

[talonTSIDriver]

Two things that will make you faster more than anything else, and in this order:

1. SEAT TIME

2. TIRES

 

[Ludachris]

The biggest thing you need to remember is that this is your first event and you're probably not going to do very good. Take this time to learn how to read and remember a course. It's going to be more important to get comfortable with going through the course at about half or three quarters of the speed you think you can do it just to learn the line. Visualize where you'll be hitting your brakes and where you'll be turning in. The course walk is very important for newbies. Walk it as many times as you can just so it's that much more familiar.

Don't put much pressure on yourself to do well or you'll probably just mess up more. The SM class is going to have very fast cars in it. Don't even worry about competing with them. Just have fun.

And finally, make sure the car is ready, as Eddie suggested. There's nothing worse than getting to an event and failing tech.

When's the event? Is it in the Springs? If I can't make it out keep an eye out for Clayton in his Evo MR with the Buschur decals. He's usually at all the local events and he's fast.

Hopefully I'll see you out at some NASA events in Pueblo this year!

 

[TKW#13]

Two things that will make you faster more than anything else, and in this order:

1. SEAT TIME

2. TIRES

+1 The more time you get on the track the more you will know what you need to do to your car next.

3. Suspension

 

[turboAWDfanatic]

+1 on everything stated so far. Also remember these things:

1) Drive SMOOTHLY. Don't try to power through the turns, it only slows you down. SMOOTH is the key
2) Find instructors to ride along with you and if you're comfortable with it have them drive your car while you ride in the passenger seat
3) As said before, SEAT TIME is your greatest asset
4) Don't worry about any more mods. Build your skills first. Now, if you're going to be modding anyway for what you want it to do on the street, okay...but don't spend extra money and time modding for better AutoX times until you have developed skills
5) Look ahead while on course. Way ahead. If you're looking right in front of you it's already to late and you've blown the turn
6) Pick a gear and stick with it. On most courses out here in the SoCal region I'm rarely out of 2nd gear. It's almost never worth it to downshift to 1st for more boost. It will rob speed upshifting back to 2nd. This varies from course to course, though.
7) Go to practice days if they have them in your area. Its more expensive, but you get tons of runs and you don't have to worry about the competition. Experiment with tire pressures and any adjustments you can make to suspension
8) Go to this website if you haven't already:
RMSolo School Introduction
9) Again, as stated before, HAVE FUN!!! You'll be surprised with how your car feels at the limits. It will be a fun learning experience, and you'll build skills that can come in handy in emergency situations on the road. Most people at AutoX are really cool people. Don't be afraid to ask for anything. Most people are willing to help.

Good luck!

 

[Jordanbutter]

Yeah its at the world arena in the springs on the 16th (I think it the last of the winter series). The summer season starts on the 30th but I figured I'll get one that doesn't count in first so I can do ride-alongs and ask tons of questions with out getting in the way of someones championship dreams. Yeah I don't think I'll be competive since I have last years, I think, DSP Topeka Champion who moved up to SM to run against so yeah. But my friend, with his SR20DE(T) swapped Nissan 200SX, and I are definantly going to make this a fun year. I'm going to have the Hankook Ventus V4ES tires. I was told DOT slicks aren't really good to have for your first year and besides right now I only have one set of wheels. Oh and two quick questions. Can I fit 245's on the stock GSX wheels? Cause one tire place said yes and one said no. And what tire pressure should I run? Higher or Lower than normal? Normal being 32psi. Thanks alot guys.

Yeah I am registered with RMSOLO and I did just sign up for the school so that should help as well.

 

[talonTSIDriver]

Be ready to be bit by the road-race bug!!

 

[talonTSIDriver]

YAnd what tire pressure should I run? Higher or Lower than normal? Normal being 32psi. Thanks alot guys.

Go to the event with tire pressue at max. Its easy to lower air pressure. After you made your first few runs, if the car seems to push into the turn, then lower the front air pressure, if the car seems to twist out from behind you, then lower the rear. get the idea....

 

[Ludachris]

Yeah its at the world arena in the springs on the 16th (I think it the last of the winter series). The summer season starts on the 30th but I figured I'll get one that doesn't count in first so I can do ride-alongs and ask tons of questions with out getting in the way of someones championship dreams. Yeah I don't think I'll be competive since I have last years, I think, DSP Topeka Champion who moved up to SM to run against so yeah. But my friend, with his SR20DE(T) swapped Nissan 200SX, and I are definantly going to make this a fun year. I'm going to have the Hankook Ventus V4ES tires. I was told DOT slicks aren't really good to have for your first year and besides right now I only have one set of wheels. Oh and two quick questions. Can I fit 245's on the stock GSX wheels? Cause one tire place said yes and one said no. And what tire pressure should I run? Higher or Lower than normal? Normal being 32psi. Thanks alot guys.

Yeah I am registered with RMSOLO and I did just sign up for the school so that should help as well.

Bummer, I was hoping to make it out and watch or maybe even participate. But that's the same weekend as NASA's first event in Pueblo.

 

[tsiboosted]

Good posts by everyone. The key factor in this is SEAT TIME....You can NEVER have enough of that in this sport. Tire pressure is difficult to say, as Andy said, it is easier to lower than it is to raise it. Unless you have a compressor you can take with you.

Stay smooth, stay smooth, stay smooth. I cannot stress that enough. The more you are pitching the car side to side and jerking into turns the more time you are scrubbing off. get out there, relax, learn the course and just drive smooth. like Luda said, you are not going to be the fastest guy out there your first try. Learning the ability to learn a course and retain that information in your brain is what you will need to tame first. Speed will come the more times you do this. SMOOTH !!!!!

Now the thing with slicks and AutoX with me is, they are a waste. I run slicks on road racing events and it takes 2 laps; or sometimes more, to get the to temperature. I have no idea how people that run them think they are at temp doing an autocross event. But I could be wrong on that, I just dont see how they are getting them to temperature on a "lower speed" course in most times under 90 seconds.

 

[talonTSIDriver]

Now the thing with slicks and AutoX with me is, they are a waste. I run slicks on road racing events and it takes 2 laps; or sometimes more, to get the to temperature. I have no idea how people that run them think they are at temp doing an autocross event. But I could be wrong on that, I just dont see how they are getting them to temperature on a "lower speed" course in most times under 90 seconds.

Good point Eddie, and the answer is: STUTTERBOX LAUNCH!!! Heats up the tires fairly fast.
YouTube - GSS Auto-X

 

[Zero Bar]

Other than seat time and maintenance as mentioned, "LEAVE THE CAR ALONE"!! Don't mod it any more and try not to worry about or mess with tire pressure other than having it at a good median pressure. Work on yourself as that's the biggest variable in any form of racing!!

"Tighten the nut behind the wheel"

 

[tsiboosted]

Good point Eddie, and the answer is: STUTTERBOX LAUNCH!!! Heats up the tires fairly fast.

Are you on slicks there Andy? Those things were all over the place man. Screaching and carrying on like that. DAMN !!!...I have actually went around on a 1.8 mile circuit on 2 warm up laps...Went to go full throttle through a very high speed turn (100 mph+) after I thought I had my tires warm and ended up about 75 yards off the track after I stopped sliding and spinning. To me, slicks and AutoX are jsut not worth it. But to each his own I guess. I just cant see dropping close to $1,000 on tires to not warm them up and get the proper grip out of them. But like I said, its up to you in that situation.

Did you flat spot on that one lock up on the backside of the course?

p.s. - Sorry for hijacking the thread here. Back onto your 1st AutoX

 

[talonTSIDriver]

Those were on toyo Proxy RA1's. Hoosier makes an auto-X slick that does not need to get super hot to be sticky.

Did not flat spot the tire.

 

[tsiboosted]

Those were on toyo Proxy RA1's. Hoosier makes an auto-X slick that does not need to get super hot to be sticky.

Did not flat spot the tire.

Oh, ok man. How soft are those Hoosiers having to be to not have to get hot to be sticky? What compound are they? What’s the life expectancy out of them realistically? Just curious is all on this one.

 

[Jordanbutter]

Thanks guys I'm getting the feeling seat time and being smooth is the best approach to this. Yeah pretty much from now on any part I get will have to be given to me cause I will be spending money on races and an autocross class.

BTW Luda there's a winter series event on the 2nd at the new Dicks Sporting Goods Park up there in Den. I'm going to see if I can make it up there to watch.

 

[tsiboosted]

Thanks guys I'm getting the feeling seat time and being smooth is the best approach to this. Yeah pretty much from now on any part I get will have to be given to me cause I will be spending money on races and an autocross class.

BTW Luda there's a winter series event on the 2nd at the new Dicks Sporting Goods Park up there in Den. I'm going to see if I can make it up there to watch.

You got it Jordan. Have some fun, be smooth and get that all important seat time. You'll soon be saving all your pennies to get enough money saved up for hotels and entry fees for other races and schools. Welcome to road racing

 

[talonTSIDriver]

Oh, ok man. How soft are those Hoosiers having to be to not have to get hot to be sticky? What compound are they? What’s the life expectancy out of them realistically? Just curious is all on this one.

They are an R-Compound. Treadwear rating of like 40. Friend of mine used a new set of hoosier's at a lapping day, used them all up in about 40minutes of track time.

 

[Jordanbutter]

Thanks alot guys, I've been trying to do as much research as possible, so that aside from driving time and all I can be prepared as much as possible. I'm really excited to get going and into all of this. I've always wanted to race my car without having to dump tons of money just to be even close to competetive. With autocross I feel like I can make myself competetive with, be it lots of, practice and skill, not just sheer power and money.

 

[talonTSIDriver]

Read Away:

DGs Autocross Secrets aka Autocross to Win

Autocross.dsm.org - Required Reading

 

[kwheeler]

My local club has a Novice class that is not eligible for season points or trophies.
I started out in that class, it takes most of the pressure off to be good from the start. One disadvantage I found real fast though was I'm much more competitive than I thought and and E-Mod car cannot compete with H-Stock unless it's prepped to the limit of the rules, which mine is not.
I have to run in E-Mod because I swapped a chevy LT1 into a Datsun 240Z but I have not turned it into a total race car. So I "graduated" myself to our local open class pretty quickly.
Moral of the story, plan your mods for the class you want to run in before you make them.

You should check to see if there's a Novice class available and run in it for a few events. You'll get a feel for how the events are run, how your car handles and you own abilities without worrying about "winning". I also recommend attending a drivers school if your club hosts one.
We do one every year and it has made huge difference for me, in fact I didn't have a very good idea of what my Z was capable of until an instructor took me for a ride in it. Just that one ride help me cutr an average of 3 seconds off my run times (depending on the course) which were already fairly good.

Oh, The reason you'll be told to not run slicks the first season is "good" tires will mask bad habits by making you look better than you really are. Run a good set of street tires and concentrate on being smooth in your transitions. Having to manage with less traction will make you a better overall driver.

kwheeler

 

[turbosax2]

Read Away:

DGs Autocross Secrets aka Autocross to Win

Autocross.dsm.org - Required Reading

Totally off topic, but did anybody else notice "The Fast and the Furious" on DG's required viewing list?

 

[Jordanbutter]

There is kind of a novice class setup. If you're in your first year/season of competition (baised on number of events attended) you are considered a novice. I will run with all the people in SM and my times will be put in with the whole class. However my times will also be put in a pool of novices in SM as well. So technically I could win both SM novice and SM. Yeah right, but I'll keep dreaming.

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

They are an R-Compound. Treadwear rating of like 40. Friend of mine used a new set of hoosier's at a lapping day, used them all up in about 40minutes of track time.

I think you are getting confused.
For tires for competition use there are A-Compounds and R-Compounds. The A-compounds are used for autocross coursese and require a lot less heat to be sticky. However, these overheat fairly quickly and I would associate their grip as a street tire overheated when that is done.

The R-Compounds dont overheat so quickly which is why they are used in road racing.

For a good all around tire for both autox and road racing. I would suggest Falken Azenis. These are the stablemate street tires for the main of road racing and autox. I have "heard" through the grapevines however, if you still on a street tire and want the grip of a race compound (and want to be as competitive in street tire class as possible) then to shave the Ziex 512s down to 2/32nds and that gets them to a softer compound beneath.