[1FUN4RD]

Last Sunday was my first autocross.


Had a freaking blast.. But I have a lot to learn.


Looking to go again next w/e.. I think Im going to need a set of track tires if I keep doing this.

[1FUN4RD]

Anyone know the best place to get magnetic numbers?

[Jazzer The Cat]

Welcome to AX and have a few recommendations for you and thoughts to help get the most of these events

I found it easiest to pick up a paint-pen at a craft store to write your numbers on your window(s). This will avoid attaching stuff to your paint which can scratch if dirty when applying these stickers. You may also change your number for whatever reason, so would not have to replace them. This goes on wet, but will come off easily with soapy water.

Running a nice set of tires will help greatly, but keep in mind the rules. You will get bumped up to a higher class with certain mods (just about ANY mod over stock). This may not matter to you, as it doesn't matter to me, but do a bit of research first. You may not even be separated by classes, but usualy to some degree. If you do go tires specifically for AX, look for tires that perform well in COLD or relatively cold situations. AX does not let you warm your tires and generally wont run long enought or often enough to get them to full temperature. For now, set correct tire pressures and monitor this so you don't get roll-over on the sidewalls. You will probably be best a bit higher than your settings for DD use (at least the fronts).

Go out and pick yourself up a good helmet that fits properly. If you are borrowing one, this will get old and have to put someone elses sweat on your head I run a full-face and purchased one for my g/f, as I feel safer this way, but to each his own.

This is a driver endevour and, as such, will help you to become a safer and better driver. You will learn not only the limits of your car, but more importantly... YOUR limits as a driver For the first few times out, I recommend you drive your car exactly as it is and just....

................... HAVE FUN

Jazzer

[1FUN4RD]

Thanks for all the info Jazzer.

A hemet is on my Christmas list. I ran 40lbs of air in the tires, may bump the fronts up to 45lbs next Sunday.
I have Ford Racing springs, struts, & shocks as well as GT500 strut mounts new in their boxes. But I am waiting for my skills to reach the current limits of the car. The car has more to offer than I do right now.
When I am comfortable running the car (as it is now) at it's limits, then I will put on the new suspension & see how much it improves the car.

[1FUN4RD]

Heres a couple pic's my wife snapped of me at the Autocross.

[Jazzer The Cat]

That looks like a real pretty area in which to drive (although, I only saw 1 cone)

Take a look at my vids (in sig) and fun course, but not as nice to look at, unfortunately I like your idea of driving your ride as it is until the CAR begins to hold you back.

Keep it up and continue to post pics and such. Not alot of activity in the AX section as The Good Reverend and I are about the only pepes in here

[1FUN4RD]

LOL.. No cones.. Its a real course.. Same deal with the one this w/e in Mashalltown,IA

They only break cars into classes on the big tracks like Mid American Motorplex. Otherwise it's just line'm up & go when he waves the green flag..

[BWAL]

i would love to try autocross. i never know when any of the events are though until the day of

[1FUN4RD]

Well this is the one Im going to next..

Aug 15, 2009 (Sat) NQS Performance Autocross #3 (Click Here For Details), Gates Open 8:00 AM. Registration 8:30 AM, First Car Off 9:00 AM), Marshalltown Kart Track

[Jazzer The Cat]

***HERE*** you go, pepes


BWAL09... Just do a search for AX in your area and will find something going on with a bit of advanced notice. There is likely a club that you can join and get on the e-mailing list. That is what I did and now AX once a month, but could go 2 or 3 if I wanted.

Jazzer

[NorCalWhtHrse]

I want to come out so damn bad

[1FUN4RD]

Got a new helmet so I dont have to borrow one Saturday at the next autocross!!

What do you think??

It is Snell 2005 rated.

[Mustangshar]

DAMN!!! Nice Helmet for sure and yes this will give you great driving skills to apply to everyday.

This is something I always wanted to do...but I am not willing to put a regulation roll bar in it. I am thilled for you! Also, don't you need to know how to swap out brake pads?? See I can't do that stuff...not happening.

[1FUN4RD]

You don't have to have a roll bar or change brake pads to run your car on a autocross event. This is not competition but rather 1 car on the track at a time & you go as fast as you feel comfortable going. Then each time you try to be a little faster, smoother, etc than the last time.
Just a mixed group of people & rides having fun & becoming better & more capeable drivers.

[Jazzer The Cat]

Brakes upgrades are not as important in AX as other track events

I think good pads are nice to have either way, but they won't get hot enough during an AX run to require anything special. It is also not necessary to run a roll bar, as you will be hard pressed to get into a situation or go fast enough to roll over (at least not on any AX I have done!)

Mustangshar... I think that EVERYONE who drives a car should do some type of HPDE at least one time!!! Sooner or later, you will very likely be in a situation in which you need to quickly avoid an accident. Understanding the limits of your car and more importantly YOU as a driver, is a very worthwhile endeavor. I am taking my g/f up with me at next AX event to drive her bone stock '02 Honda SE sedan for the first time. She always rides with me, but will be driving this time. It will be a new experience for her to really get on the gas and more over THE BRAKES and see how this feels.

Jazzer

EDIT: 1Fun.... stop typing so darn fast

[Mustangshar]

Holy Crap..this may in fact be what I've been looking for...kind of an inbetween. I would however like to correct my suspension..I don't like the way this car feels. No roll bar no swappin brake pads...YEAH! It may be too late for me to plan some trips BUT 1Fun-where in IA? I know there is one in St Louis area but would like to at least be with people I know. I could do an overnight I'm sure there is a hotel.....maybe I can organize a MM meet LOL for next Spring/Summer.

In fact I WOULD even give up a Car Show Weekend-so I am serious. I just want to get my car where it should be. Perhaps the challange now is finally getting seat time,, I am driving her everyday this week.

But this is something we should all do-get ONE with the car.

[timberwolf]

Dave.... . it looks like fun, I GOt your e-mail about it....I'm not sure work will allow me to GO thou...

[Jazzer The Cat]

I recommend you take your car exactly how it sits at this moment. AX is a driver mod endeavor, so drive her as she is. You will be able to go at YOUR pace, as 1Fun says, and just enjoy your drive. Make note of your time and don't compare it to anyone else. Once your first run is complete, just run it through your mind and imagine how you may be able to improve upon it and be smoother. The second time through, you WILL naturally pick up a second or two. After a few runs, push her a bit and see how she responds to ever-more aggressive braking and cornering.

You WILL have a great time, so just DO IT!

Jazzer

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by 1FUN4RD I ran 40lbs of air in the tires, may bump the fronts up to 45lbs next Sunday.

That sounds WAY high to me.

Here's the quick and sleazy way to check if your tire pressures are right:

1)About 3 place around the tire, put a chalk mark that goes from the tread surface over the shoulder and onto the sidewall.
2)Make a run.
3)Look and see how far the chalk has been rubbed off. It should be right at the transition between the treadface and sidewall. If you're not rubbing all the way over, you've got too much pressure. If you're rubbing on the sidewall, you don't have enough.

Here's the better way:
1)Buy a probe-style pyrometer (not one of the laser-beam instant read units, though that would be better than nothing)
2)Immediately after a run, check (and write down) the tire temps at the center, inside, and outside of the tire.

Ideally, the temps will be equal across the treadface, but...
If the center is hotter than the outsides, you've got too much pressure.
If the outsides are hotter than the center, you got too little.
If the outside is hotter than the inside, you don't have enough negative camber.
If the inside is hotter than the outside, you have too much negative camber.

Have fun with it, man! I'm also of the "don't change anything until you KNOW it's holding you back" camp. Now that Jazzer's finally beat me, I can justify some mods, hahahah

[1FUN4RD]

Thanks for the tips Rev.

I'll try the chalk trick. I can see from the last track day where the outside 2in of the front tires look scrubbed. That's why I thought of adding a few more lbs of air in them.