autocross

[Pi Kapp Rob]

I started autocrossing my TS this pasted weekend. With the mods that I have on my car the SCCA put in the the STX class. for me to stay competitive in this class, not only will i have to learn how to drive my car alot better, but also tighten down everything. I was thinking about putting new springs and shocks on my car, along with buying some lightweight wheels and some 140 treadwear DOT tires. In STX class I can't run R compound. I have 200 treadwear now, so i think i can get away with the tire and wheel for a little while. please tell what you think.

[yelojkt]

It is your responsability to class your own car. But if your new to this I'll forgive you. Tell me what your mods are and I'll tell you what class you should be running. The only thing you could have done to put you in STX is run 235 tires or 8" wide wheels or both. If you are running 225's and have changed your shifter and exhaust you can still run STS. Just get me a list of your mods.

[Pi Kapp Rob]

Cold air intake, tire 225/45/17, 2.5" turboback thats it. the tech guys told me it was stx and if you are telling me it is sts, then what gives.

[TechnoTrix'd]

Each "local" area interprets the classifications a little differently. At least that is what I have found.

They may take your cold air intake as a "forced air intake", which would put you into STX.

Overall, our cars are not great Auto-x cars. I run in the DSP class, and that is directly due to my modifications.

I have been successfull in this class, but mostly due to the competition in my area.

If I were to go to a national event, I would get smoked because the BMW's rule DSP.

I would look at Auto-x'ing as a great way to learn more about how your car handles and just have some fun with it.

TechnoTrix'd...

[Pi Kapp Rob]

exactly, i'm not trying to be to in at the top of the class, i just what to stay competitive. There are only a few cars in the class and i was running only about 5 to 10 sec behind them. i don't think that this is to bad for my first time out. I just think that i can be come competitive with some suspension work.

[v-dubed]

umm chip/amd exhaust.... if ur gonna run with the stock intercooler id dump some hight octaine gas in their so u wont pull timing from heat soak.... cia is worthless... jsut gut hte stock airbox...

[yelojkt]

As per 2005 SCCA rulebook. 14.10 B. The air intake system up to, but not including, the engine inlet may be modified or replaced...For turbo-charged or supercharged engines the engine inlet is the compressor inlet.
A 2006 rulebook in the Wichita region is $20.00. I'd say buy your self one so you will know for sure. And TechnoTrix'd is right due to the haevy front end, high center of gravity (especially with a sunroof), weight, and the fact that our rear suspension is based on decades old technology we are not to competitive against real racers in real race cars. But you can still woop-up on some really fast cars, and that is always fun in a bug. You need to ride with some fast guys and pay attention to how they drive (like madmen), Brake late and hard,learn how to use the throttle, read your tires(how much roll-over are you getting), lock youself down into your seat somehow and forget all about how you drive on the street. This is auto-cross not defensive driving. But do all this smoothly and your time will come down greatly. Post your times for your races in Hobbies/Motorsports. My first race this year is March 19, I can't wait. See you in motorsports.

[noR]

high octane gas for an autoX? What the heck you smokin' today v-dubed? haha There's no such thing as heat soak on a 1 minute track.

Anyway. Sounds like you're doing fine PKR; 5 seconds behind for your first autoX, that sounds like you're in a great position.

Unless you just want to spend the $ to play the sport; leave everything like it is and do another 4 events. I garuntee you'll see results.

Especially if you:
Take a seasoned veteran for a lap asking for pointers afterwards; ride a few laps with other people; and walk the course with a veteran.

That 5 seconds will drop like a hot coal. Why waste $ you don't have to to "be competitive" when your car already is?

...
That said I run SM... well last I checked. Someone's been telling me I might be okay for DSP again, I dunno, don't really care. I'm not going to play by their rules just to "be competitive", they post raw times too and that's all that matters to me. Was I faster than so-and-so? Cool.

[noR]

You can get the rules for free here in a pdf format:

http://scca.org/Solo/Index.asp?IdS=0000CF-E3F7500&x=050|070&~=

[Pi Kapp Rob]

here is the results from the race on sunday. I was running in GS class, but that was because i missed classed my car. So look down to STX they went in the second group. the fastest guy was barely 10 seconds faster than me , and he real magnetic numbers, i had blue tape that i had to borrow off of somebody else

http://www.buccaneerregion.org/solo/...6/JAX-2-06.pdf