Getting Ready for Autocross

[carldev96]

This is going to be my first year autocrossing season and I can't wait. The first event is on April 20th and I'm trying to get my car together. I do have a couple small questions for you experienced guys.

1) I have an auto, should I just leave it in 2 during the run? I was told 60 was usually the top speed anyone hits and I want to keep my shifting down and keep the engine in the power band.

2) Do you really do a lot of hard braking other than at the finish of the run. I'm on a limited budget and am wondering if it's nessesary to invest in some better brake pads. I've got 4 wheel disks

3) Finally, Is there anything I should worry about breaking, such as sway bars that should be replaced as they are known to be weak? I went to 5 of my cousins events last year and only saw 1 car go home on a tow truck(silly audi). Just want to do some preventitive upgrades.

Thats all I can think of at the moment, but I'm sure I'll be bugging you guys a lot this season. Thanks for the help

carldev

[Wicked 3800 V6]

If you go balls out (even if you don't?) each run of 5 runs for 10 events (50ish total) ...
Figure a set of tires, rotors, and pads (including a brake fluid flush) each season, starting now. Tires will be your biggest wear item, then brakes ... A set of track pads would be nice. Autozone offers our rotors (figure you'll wear the fronts each season and the backs each two?) for like $30 or so each with an unlimited warranty, so I hear. People joke about being sponsored by AutoZone. (look, it mighta been advance. i need to do my research).
As for tires, you can "run what you brung", but you'll "wear holes in what you brung" very quickly. Lots of folks go with DOT legal AutoX tires (Kuhmo Victoracers, Yoko A032R, Nitto 555-somethin'), but you could save $50 each and go with Kuhmo 712's. I hear race tires are worth 1 to 2 secs each minute. And since runs are a minute long ... if you're consistently back 2 secs, upgrade tires.
Street tires chunk (entire tread blocks coming off) sometimes. And run lots of pressure (just not to / from the course).
Get a helmet for yourself. You'll feel safer, and it's easier than borrowing one EACH run / race.
No, you won't bust sway bars. Worst comes to worst you'll snap an endlink, but I wouldn't worry too much. As for the Auto, put it in 2, and if you find yourself consistently redlining / FCO'in, move up to 3. But you shouldn't need more than 45-65 mph.
Full on Gas, Full on brake, most of the time. No need for easing, unless you're not going dead straight, as you'll risk a spin.
-Rob

[ March 03, 2002: Message edited by: Wicked 3800 V6 ]</p>

[MustangEater8251]

Sepends on the course you are at. Do not worry to much about breaking a sway bar.

Make sure your battery is secure, the car club I go through is strict about it.

make sure you really know the course, get there early and walk it a bunch of times they get confusing.

As for braking hard and gasing hard do them both but remeber to keep the car as fluid as possible, do not jerk, and rememeber tires sqeualing isn't always good.

[carldev96]

Thanks for the good info guys. I think I'm gonna invest in some performace friction brake pads for the up comming season. Unfortunatly I cannot yet afford good tires, so I'll have to use my cheep cooper GT's. Probably what I'll do is tear those up and put some all seasons on my stock rims and by some 17" rims for next year.

Last question, how do you guys secure your batteries? Do you just tie them down with some rope? Thanks

carldev

[V6Bob]

If you want to be competitive next year best check the rulebook and see where the 17 inch wheels would put you. I would think they would move you into a much higher class with people with tons of mods.

[carldev96]

I'm already going to be in the street prepared class since I'll have an intake and a few other small things. I want to be in the same class as my cousin so he and I can compete against each other. Thats what I'm really looking forward to. He's going to destroy me, but it should be fun.

carldev

[North Cali Autocrosser]

One of the best things to do between now and your first race is get use to left foot braking, it feels weird at first but you'll run a lot smoother and have faster times. Everywhere you go around town use your left foot to brake so when you go to the track it will be a reflex and not something to think about. Being able to have one foot on the gas and the other on the brake keeps your car from flopping around so much once you get it down.