Autocross questions

[bigcanoe]

Hey guys,

I have started getting interested in autocross. And since the NB is my daily driver and only car, its the candidate! What kind of options as far as grouping do I have? I have been thinking of chipping the car, but right now its stock.

[raff]

If yo're going to run SCCA events - stock class is pretty much limited to very minor mods. Running "street prepared" gives you alot more leeway but also puts you up against major $$$.

See the link below:
http://www.scca.org/contentpage.aspx?content=61

In the middle of the page are downloadable rules but more importantly there's also the class descriptions.

Where are you located?

Good luck.

[noR]

I checked the rule book (p163); we still get shafted in the update/backdate rules.


Golf, GTi, Jetta are all on the same line; but the New Beetle Turbo is on a line by itself. But I'm gonna stretch it and say that includes the Turbo S.


Rules for Stock category start on page 59 (page numbers, not pdf pages).

[bigcanoe]

I live in central NC, south of Raleigh, around Sanford.

So a Turbo S is stock and is in the same class as the 1.8T? Seems unfair

[noR]

SCCA events means SCCA rules, so you'll really need to learn those to be 'somewhat competitive'. I chipped way back when it sent me to Street Modified. This meant I was just racing the clock; cause there's no way I'd be faster than that modified corvette, etc.

If you're intersted, I recommend rolling by the rules. It'll keep you from getting that "aww dang it." Feeling later.

I'm only going to focust on the things that 'make sense' or lend themselves to me.

[noR]

Perfectly fair. You're allowed to swap the Turbo S's motor and transmission into your car and race against a stock 1.8t GTi. But yeah, kinda weird. Maybe someone will look to see if "New Beetle Turbo S" shows up in E stock or F stock.

The "New Beetle 1.8t Turbo" was found in GS.

[noR]

allowed interior/body mods:
Gauges
Steering wheel (+/- 1" in diameter change maximum)
Spare tire/tools/jack/fastening screw may be removed.
Roll cage may be added
Certain improved seatbelts/restraints may be used
May add 1 trailer hitch
[... didn't see it listed, but I think pedals may be altered in form (to aid heel/toe)]

[noR]

tires:
... looks like they have a list of approved tires somewhere? we'll have to come back to that.

wheels:
same width and diameter as standard. (we had 2 options: 205/55R16 .. 225/45R17)
it must not have an offset more than +/- 0.25 inch from a standard wheel for the car.
Wheel spacers are permitted, provided the resultant combination complies with the above requirement.
Wheel studs, lug nuts, and/or bolt length may be changed.


I'm taking a break there, stopped on page 63 if someone wants to continue w/the shocks/struts and so-on.

[raff]

Shocks can be replaced/changed with certain limitations.
Sway bars can be added or removed.

Reading the rule book or at least prinitng the section on what's permitted (beginning with the book's pg 60)would be beneficial.

Attending an autocross and talking to other competitors is helpful especially regarding tires and tire pressure.

The most significant improvement in your times will come from experience (seat time).

On the link below scroll down to the second heading Solo/autocross for an educational forum

http://sccaforums.com/forums/default.aspx


Also below is the North Carolina Region/SCCA

http://www.ncrscca.com/

[noR]

Shocks/Struts
Any brand/model that follows these rules:
Same style (lever, tube) ... can swap gas/hydraulic.
Only up to 2 adjustments to the shock. (height & dampening okay, height/bound/rebound not okay)
Must retain stock mounting points (no upper camber adjustment plate, no long control arms).
Height adjustable shocks must have the spring held at stock height.
Full extension of the damper must be within +1"/-1" of the stock extension.
No Electronically controlled shocks. [for your beetle]
You may change bushing material (including metal), and bushing styles (spherical bearings), and types.


Brakes:
Rotor/Pad Materials may be changed
Braided steel brake lines are not permitted
Speedbleeder screws are okay.


Sway Bars:
Front sway bars may be removed or replaced.
Any bushing material is allowed.
Rear sway bars are not permitted.

Suspension:
Standard suspension springs must be used (??? Does this mean no coilovers?)
Adjustments can be made to geometry through factory adjustment arrangements only.
Suspension Bushings which relate to the vehicle ride height may not be replaced.
Replacement control arms must be standard factory parts.
Shims are allowed, and may allow you to make adjustments out of normal specification.

Electrical System
spark plugs and ignition coils may be replaced (even inline capaciters welcome)
No engine management changes (chip)
Extra battery tie-down's are allowed.

Engine and Drivetrain
Air filter element may be removed. No other intake parts may be removed (snorkel)
Engine may be rebored to mfg's first standard overbore, not to exceed 0.02"
New Pistons must be equal or greater in weight as standard.
May not switch from cast to forged pistons.
Rotating and Reciprocating parts may not be balanced.
Port Matching is not allowed.
Catback exhausts are okay as long as they meet requirements (3.5 and 3.3.3.B.15)
Replacement cat's must be OE.
Any Oil filter is allowed, even if it requires an adapter minimal hardware is allowed for this.
Installation of oil catch can is allowed.
Thermostats may be added or substituted.
Silicone hoses allowed as long as they're the same shape/size/ridgidity as standard.
a Reverse lockout may be used.
Differential, transmission, clutch, ratios, fuel injection system must be standard.
Any oil/grease is allowed (as in synthetic, or space-age polymer blah blah).
ESC/ASR may be disabled w/the push of a button, but use of a vag-com, removal of fuse, or modifications to do so are not permitted.

[noR]

If I didn't mention it; you're not allowed to do it in STOCK class. The only rules I mentioned are for STOCK class.

That's the 2009 rules as they pertain to New Beetles. I skipped a few that wouldn't really affect us.

As you can see, there's not alot you can do except:
Change the brake rotor & pad. (hawk HP+, and EBC Greenstuff are my favorite streetable)
Change the tires.
Get Light 16" wheels.
Better restraints. (the less you move in the cabin, the better you'll do)
shocks/spring combo. (can't get coilover, but could go w/ClubSport kit)
Remove your front swaybar. (or not, Idk if that's a good idea)
Swap swaybar bushings with poly.
Lower control arm bushings could be replaced.
Shims may be used in the rear to give you more toe-out. (be careful about brake rotor alignment)
Good spark plugs (we have pretty strong ignition system already, but you could go MSD)
Remove the air filter element if it's not a dusty environment. (20 minutes can't be that bad can it?)
Slightly larger Catback system?
Turn off ASR/ESP.

That's all except for the update/backdate rule. Which says you can use parts from any YEAR of that vehicle's manufacture. You could use Turbo S springs, Turbo S turbo, Turbo S transmission, Turbo S injectors, Turbo S/Sport seats.


regarding tire pressures: I recommend a high rear tire pressure; and a low/medium front tire pressure. If it feels like the backend is squirrelly, you've gone the right direction; now just keep it from getting out of control.

Also: Get a helmet, and a good tire-pressure gauge w/a button to release pressure. Each heat the tire temp goes up, and so will your tire pressure.