Autocross

[Wolfenstein]

Hi,
I'm a newbie to autocross an car racing in general. I'm participating in my first autocross event this weekend and need some advice on how to prepare the car and what needs to be done after racing. Tire check/change is obvious but what other parts of the car needs attention?
Do I need to change oil? Brake parts? Brake fluid? Tranny oil?

Thanks!

[gomarlins3]

None of the above, just gobhave fun and try to learn. A tire change to R compound would help, but it's not necessary. I would suggest having your rear tire pressure about four pounds less than the front. That is kind of a rule of thumb for most autoXer's, but it varies from driver to driver.

[Java Junky]

What Go said Wolf.
1) He's got current experience with this n'
2) Fun'z not havin' ta godda change nothin'. Run whu'cha brung.
Good luck n' keep us posted.
All us Walter Mitty's enjoy a good read.
Java

[controller]

Empty your car of garbage or loose items that would move around from heavy turning, braking, and acellerating. Just thought I'd mention the obvious.

[gomarlins3]

Originally Posted by controller

Empty your car of garbage or loose items that would move around from heavy turning, braking, and acellerating. Just thought I'd mention the obvious.

Actually, that's not obvious and VERY good advice. I have worked tech for SCCA autoX events and you would be surprised what people leave loose in their cars. Don;t forget to remove the floor mat on the driver side if it is not held down with a post. If you have the full floor mats (the ones that cover the hump) you should be ok.

[Dmaye]

I wise we had autoX around here

[rusyus]

QUESTION!!! (sorry to hijack your thread)

is European alignment allowed if i want to stay stock? one of the rules for stock says: suspension geometry may not be altered.

Aslo, do koni's perform any better in autocross?

thanks.

[chazdawg35]

Originally Posted by rusyus

QUESTION!!! (sorry to hijack your thread)

is European alignment allowed if i want to stay stock? one of the rules for stock says: suspension geometry may not be altered.

Aslo, do koni's perform any better in autocross?

thanks.

Hey Dude I would stay stock even with the suspension.

[4406pack]

i auto-x every chance i get, and the one piece of advice i would pass on is watch the race as other go around the course, talk with the other drivers questions, they will be more then happy to give you advice about the track, what to look for while you are driving, if you have to marshall the course, watch how drivers take curtain turns, get to the track early, walk the course as many times as you can, the first few times, dont try and win the race, learn how your car handles, when you think you will have to shift, when to brake, this again goes back to watching other drivers, but above all, have fun, going out and doing what our car was made to do, its a blast, i have a few videos on past threads that show me having fun...

[rusyus]

Originally Posted by chazdawg35

Hey Dude I would stay stock even with the suspension.

i know it will, but is there any advantage of konis over stock shocks?

[gomarlins3]

Originally Posted by rusyus

i know it will, but is there any advantage of konis over stock shocks?

Koni Yellows are adjustable, but I am not sure whether they take you out of AS or not.

As for the alignment question, no, I do not believe it would move you out of AS. then again, unless you are at an National event, I seriously doubt anyone is going to check your alignment against the US and UK specs.

[D1sclaimer]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

Koni Yellows are adjustable, but I am not sure whether they take you out of AS or not.

As for the alignment question, no, I do not believe it would move you out of AS. then again, unless you are at an National event, I seriously doubt anyone is going to check your alignment against the US and UK specs.

Koni's will put you in Street Prepared and an alignment won't change your class.

[rusyus]

Originally Posted by D1sclaimer

Koni's will put you in Street Prepared and an alignment won't change your class.

Stock

As a rough guide, if your car has modifications beyond this list it is not eligible for Stock Category:
Anything available on the exact model and year of your car as standard or optional equipment, as installed on the factory assembly line (nothing available only dealer-installed is allowed), plus
Standard OEM identical replacement parts
Accessories, gauges, appearance, comfort, and convenience items (not replacement driver's seat, though) that basically don't help
Added roll bar or roll cage to spec (not required, though)
Driver harness (no cutting seats to install, though)
Trailer hitch and/or tow bar mountings
Any wheel of diameter and width identical to a stock or factory optional wheel, offset within +- 0.25 inch
Most street legal tires that will fit the mounted wheels and stock bodywork
Any shock absorber of the same type and mounting as original; no change to standard spring mountings is allowed; suspension geometry may not be altered; gas or hydraulic shocks are permitted
Any brake linings; pre-1992 cars may use solid/braided metal brake lines.
Any front anti-roll bar (no change to stock/optional rear anti-roll bar, if present)
Manufacturer specified ignition settings only
Any replacement air filter element (or removal of air filter element); no plumbing changes, however
Engine bored no more than .020"; no balancing or porting/polishing of head
Replacement of any part of the exhaust system past the catalytic converter (if quiet)
Any oil filter
Added clutch scattershield


Are these the correct rules?

[JDMzimbo]

What would you guys recommend i set my tire pressures at, i have stock ap1 wheels, with yokohama s-drive tires. i usually have it at like 32psi in the fron and like 30 in the back, but i dont really know what to set them at.

[gomarlins3]

I run four pounds more in the front than the rear. As for what the pressures are, it depends on the ambient temperature. Cold, I go lower. Higher temps mean higher pressures. Surface conditions will also dictate my pressures. Slick surfaces mean lower pressures.

[D1sclaimer]

Originally Posted by rusyus

Are these the correct rules?

You're right. I was a wrong newb.

Heres the proper rules for that

13.5 SHOCK ABSORBERS (Stock class)
A. The make of shock absorbers, struts, and strut housings may be
substituted providing that the number, type (e.g., tube, lever,
etc.), system of attachment and attachment points are not altered,
except as noted below. The interchange of gas and hydraulic
shocks absorbers is permitted. The following restrictions
apply:
1. No more than two separate external shock damping adjustment
controls are allowed. This permits the use of shocks
which originally came with more than two external adjustments,
which have been converted to double-adjustables,
only if the additional adjustment controls have been permanently
disabled (e.g. via welding, epoxying, grinding off).
Gas pressure adjustment is not considered a damping adjustment.