thinking about auto-xing

[sho_bc]

So, i've been thinking about doing a winter-series of auto-x events locally, and wondering about what class i might be in, tips, tricks, etc.
mods:
3.2L, lightened flywheel, BBBs, tokiko, eibach, rod shifter, y-pipe, catback, rear strut tower brace, slicers, nothing-special all-season tires. i think thats all?

now, the plan would be to run the car as-is without doing anything like getting a more aggressive alignment or change wheels/tires etc. just show up, empty the trunk, maybe take out the backseat(?) and run. not trying to be ultra competitive or anything, more of a "learn the limits of the car and get familiar with them" kinda thing while having fun being agressive legally and working on improving that driver-mod.

i THINK i'd be in STX with those mods? any other thoughts advice?

 

[Ian Macoomb]

If you've never autocrossed before I wouldn't bother doing anything extra to the car. Just take it as is. You won't be competitive your first time out. In fact you'll probably find you go of course a lot in your first few events. We get guys lots of track experience that come out and auto-x and they still have problems staying on course. It takes a bit of practise to learn to read the cones. At least it does in a parking lot style course. You get out there and sometimes all you see is a sea of cones.

My biggest tip is get there early and walk the course as much as you can. Don't start changing anything until you've plateaued as a driver.

In auto-x the biggest factors are driver, tires and suspension. For tires I'd recommend either Falken Azenis RT615's or Kumha Ecsta 710's.

 

[sho_bc]

this is where they're held: http://www.bcdrivingcentre.com/
Yah, i wasn't planning on changing anything. more to get a better feel of the car at its limits. i think i'll only have time for a small handfull of events before up-ing and leaving vancouver. (a polygraph and background check away from being sent to Regina for RCMP Depot)

Do you think that sounds like the proper class? STX? The classifications are quite wordy and about as fun to read and understand as reading through canadian traffic laws.

 

[Shoaz]

I think your plan is a good one, and I'd guess that you could talk to the organizers and find somebody to help class the car. Usually people are very willing to help the n00bz, so don't be afraid to take advantage of that for both classing as well as whatever else they're willing to help with.

Most of all, just have fun. The thing that usually slows people down the most is overdriving rather than underdriving.

Also, find out if your local organization ever has practice days. At a typical autocross you get very little track time, but practice days can be very good for track time. It may be the difference between 3 runs and a dozen or more.

 

[sho_bc]

yah, i definately plan on starting out slowly and then building up the speed. maybe even having an experienced person ride shotgun with me to help me out.

the group running these winter events actually ran an auto-x school back in september that i would have LOVED to attend, but i was in Australia at the time. there are no practice days... but several sessions throughout the winter. these are meant to be more low-key and fun than the "regular season" ones, and is supposedly a perfect time for newbs like myself to try it out. they estimate about 5 runs.

right now i'm trying to rope some people into going with me. that way i'll know some people there at least and won't show up a complete newb (both in driving and in knowing people).

 

[sho_bc]

another question... what about tire pressure? should i leave it at stock? more? less? i won't have a compressor with me to add air if i lower the pressure at all.... haha i'm guessing i should just leave it at stock.

first event is next sunday. looking forward to it!

 

[Ian Macoomb]

You'll definitely want more than the stock pressures in your tires. Go to a gas station and inflate the tires to around 45 psi and then you can always go down. You'll want more pressure in the front than the rears.

 

[Shoaz]

You'll definitely want more than the stock pressures in your tires. Go to a gas station and inflate the tires to around 45 psi and then you can always go down. You'll want more pressure in the front than the rears.

x2

And a five or seven gallon air tank is a cheap investment at Wal-Mart or wherever. You can fill it up someplace that has air, (a friend with a compressor?), throw it in the car and leave have it in your spot with your spare and some basic tools. It'll give you a chance to increase pressure a couple pounds if need be. It's not a must-have, just handy.

 

[sho_bc]

any recomendations for "basic tools" to have? i was just going to bring some extra fluids and a torque wrench for the lug nuts in case those needed tightening for any reason.

 

[dohcsable]

whatever is needed to check things.....what is done to your car that you think would net you in stx currently????

Andrew

 

[sho_bc]

mods are listed above. i've since discovered i'm in Street Modified due to engine swap, big brakes, and BBBs.

just thinking about what might break... brakes are new (less than 1k miles) on all four corners so rotors and pads are fine, bled the fronts when we upgraded them, and i assume when the shop did the rears, they bled them too, but i'm trying to schedule in a full system bleed with Gene_sho. i have a quaife so i'm not worried about diff pins, its most likely going to rain and i'm not running sticky tires so i'm not worried about too much friction snapping axels...

 

[Shoaz]

Autocross isn't that ******* the car other than the tires, depending on the course. If it's wet, even better. I love wet tracks because it's very easy on the equipment.

 

[sho_bc]

hm, just re-checked the weather forcast. looks to be clear skies, and even sunny! :sun: very unlike vancouver winters... lol

 

[shomesomesho]

3.2L and a Quaife . . . that'll be so much fun.

If you are just starting autocross, one of the best things you can do is hitch a ride with one of the more experienced drivers (ask nicely and say you're a novice). Guarranteed you will be amazed and also learn quite a lot.

If you find you like autocross, and really want to get into it, the next best mod is tires. Not saying that the other mods are unimportant, but everything else pales in comparison to a really good set of tires.

 

[sho_bc]

if i hadn't just spent a grand on a digital SLR, i'd probably be picking up a set of extra wheels and tires. even if i do get really into it, i wont' be able to spend much time and energy on "getting the car dialed in" for at least a year, i'm sure.

 

[Shoaz]

if i hadn't just spent a grand on a digital SLR, i'd probably be picking up a set of extra wheels and tires. even if i do get really into it, i wont' be able to spend much time and energy on "getting the car dialed in" for at least a year, i'm sure.

There's no hurry, just go out and have fun and learn what you can. Just realize that your lap times should really only be compared with lap times of other people on street tires.

Resisting the urge to spend any more than you have to to get the car ready is, IMHO, a very good idea. I used to take our Saturn station wagon to autox practice days without doing anything but pumping the tires up, so you should be fine. Once you do start spending money for "go faster", it's a slippery slope.

 

[sho_bc]

i hear you there. i've spent a couple of thousand at LEAST in the past 6 months on the car. the only thing i'll do to it from this point forward is subframe connectors and wheels/tires.

 

[shomesomesho]

You're already have a very nice advantage with the your suspension mods (Tokico, Eibach) and 3.2L/Quaife. And the '89's are lighter and more nimble compared to the later Gens. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well you can do with what you already have. Get good at the basics, learn from others, then move forward from there. And don't forget to have fun! :woohoo:

When you decide to go balls-out and get better tires, PM me and I can point you in the right direction (I've pretty much tried every "major" street and R compound brand in my SHO and can tell you what works well, and what doesn't).

If you're ever in the Seattle area, come hang out at one of our autocrosses. I've been autocrossing hard-core for 2 years and have a fully autocross-prepped 3.2L SHO (click here for detailed specs) that frequently finishes in the top 10th percentile overall and has won multiple class championships thus far. So don't ever let anyone tell you the old SHO can't be a competitive autocross car!

 

[sho_bc]

(your link doesn't work)

what class do you run?
I don't think i'll be coming back south of the border for quite a while... i'm looking at shipping off to regina (hopefully) within 3-6 months for the RCMP. I've got my fingers crossed that timing and fortune will let me graduate a few days before the seattle convention, come home for a week or so and drop by the convention before shipping off to my first posting.

 

[gimpysho]

AutoX newbie

After your first run and talking to the experienced folks her in the SHO community you'll find out smoth is fast not fast is fast! Please chime in afterwards & let us know if you are smitted.