Anyone here do AutoX?

[Toastedlightly]

Anyone here participate regularly in AutoX?

I've started getting into it over the past couple years and it is a blast. If you have any inkling of trying it you should check it out.

I've found that I like to participate in the minimal prep classes (the street classes). The focus in that category is more so on the driver than the tuning of the car itself.

If anyone is in the Minnesota/Wisconsin region, check out the local club. It has a nice large following and hosts many events throughout the year.

 

[satyajitmenon]

I think some of these guys do...

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2466464

What car do you AutoX?

 

[Midwayman]

I've found that I like to participate in the minimal prep classes (the street classes). The focus in that category is more so on the driver than the tuning of the car itself.

As always it depends on what level you compete. You get to nationals and they will be built to the limit of the rules. Hell even stock classes have silly expensive shit they do at national level. Plus there is the added fun that there are realistically 1-2 cars per class that are really viable.

Key is really just going and having fun with it and not getting too hung up on classes, etc.

 

[tcG]

Love autocross. Can't do it enough, and I do it roughly every 2 weeks.

 

[Toastedlightly]

I think some of these guys do...

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2466464

What car do you AutoX?

_V5A4249 by dale sand, on Flickr

I run a 99 Miata in EStreet. Run with the typical trimmings of RB front swaybar, koni yellow shocks, RE71R tires, and an agressive alignment.

I've been steadily improving. Managed to get 11th overall raw time and 5th overall PAX at a recent event (lots of the fast guys weren't there). My goal is to be nationals mid pack by end of next year (~20 events between now and then).

That other thread seemed to have deteriorated to "inflate to sidewall"....

 

[satyajitmenon]

My first Auto-X car was a '95 M-edition Miata. Had FM's Stage 2 suspension package and TR wheels with ZIIs. Was lots of fun in STR, but not very competitive (noob driver plus not the most competitive package in STR).

Switched to an E46 330i with koni yellows running in FS. Again, not very competitive against the Mustangs, and E90 M3s.

Now I'm in a new WRX in DS, with RE71Rs. Competitive and a lot of fun.

I still think the Miata was the most fun to drive through.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Gratuitous self promotion.

Video from last week's autocross. Local hot-shoe on the left, me on the right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9dQyB-q9no

 

[Toastedlightly]

Gratuitous self promotion.

Video from last week's autocross. Local hot-shoe on the left, me on the right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9dQyB-q9no

Its amazing how the fast guys are just fast in almost anything.

 

[jlee]

Its amazing how the fast guys are just fast in almost anything.

Heh yeah. A few years back, black2na drove my '04 Forester XT (on all-season tires and stock suspension) in an autocross and beat every WRX and some of the STi's, all of which were running high performance summer rubber.

They were annoyed.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I'd like to do this and hone my skills but I can't really justify sitting around in the hot sun all day just to do 3 one minute runs.

 

[satyajitmenon]

I'd like to do this and hone my skills but I can't really justify sitting around in the hot sun all day just to do 3 one minute runs.

Yeah. If it's just to get some seat time, it becomes hard to justify standing around for 2 hours (or chasing cones) just for a handful of sub-60 second runs. Although hopefully you're getting more than just 3 runs. I know in my club, we consistently get a minimum of 5 (often 6) runs.

Most folks who continue to autocross after the initial excitement wears off and are willing to brave the sun chasing cones do it for a few different reasons. The common ones being:

1. Competition - the desire to beat your fellow competitor can be a powerful motivator. I've even seen guys switch to higher/competitive classes just to have some serious competition.

2. Camaraderie / Hanging out with friends - There's little cliques that get formed, especially when folks race similar cars (e.g. the ft86/twin clubs, Miata clubs in many cities). And people use it as an alternative to Cars n Coffee to actually drive/ride in different cars. Especially during fun-runs or Instructor runs.

3. To become better drivers - Most autocrossers (even your own competitors) are very willing to help you become better and even give you driving tips which will help you beat them.

 

[Midwayman]

I'd like to do this and hone my skills but I can't really justify sitting around in the hot sun all day just to do 3 one minute runs.

Tracks days are a way better proposition $ per minute seat time and in terms of wasting time sitting around. Sure its a lot more up front, but its worth it.

 

[natto fire]

Heh yeah. A few years back, black2na drove my '04 Forester XT (on all-season tires and stock suspension) in an autocross and beat every WRX and some of the STi's, all of which were running high performance summer rubber.

They were annoyed.

The first time I ever did it, 10 years ago, I entered with two friends. One was all talk about how he was going to blow my time out of the water, he had a modified '89 Supra Turbo. I had a stock '94 Integra GS-R. Wouldn't you know I beat his time by almost 2 seconds. The other friend had a stock 3000GT VR-4. I forget what he ran, but he was easily the most timid driver of the 3 of us. I wish I could go back and run the course in his car to really compare apples to apples.

Luckily, the auto-x addiction didn't sink in to me, but I had lots of fun the 4 events I did run way back.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Yeah. If it's just to get some seat time, it becomes hard to justify standing around for 2 hours (or chasing cones) just for a handful of sub-60 second runs. Although hopefully you're getting more than just 3 runs. I know in my club, we consistently get a minimum of 5 (often 6) runs.

Most folks who continue to autocross after the initial excitement wears off and are willing to brave the sun chasing cones do it for a few different reasons. The common ones being:

1. Competition - the desire to beat your fellow competitor can be a powerful motivator. I've even seen guys switch to higher/competitive classes just to have some serious competition.

2. Camaraderie / Hanging out with friends - There's little cliques that get formed, especially when folks race similar cars (e.g. the ft86/twin clubs, Miata clubs in many cities). And people use it as an alternative to Cars n Coffee to actually drive/ride in different cars. Especially during fun-runs or Instructor runs.

3. To become better drivers - Most autocrossers (even your own competitors) are very willing to help you become better and even give you driving tips which will help you beat them.

I think that hits the nail on the head on why I do it. The competition, the hanging out, and the becoming better driver.

I'd also like to add that it is a much lower risk than the alternates which allows you to really push yourself extremely hard with little negative consequences.