Scca Autocrossing - when to my first event this weekend

[Ryan]

Wow - so much fun A local group of car enthusiasts invited me out, gave me tips, etc. They let the modified guys have a run first, so I ended up working the course for part of the first heat - a good solid hour of running around, putting cones back up - it was such a cock tease watching all of the STis, Corvettes, etc, etc ,etc!!!!!!

And finally, I got my chance :

1
2
3
4
5 - three wheel action!
6 - Panhandle Gearheads members
7 - Morgan and I - she was the one who invited me out

8 - One of the two casualies of our group
: one guy TC threw a CEL light, the other, and cone got lodged under his Accord, disconnecting a coolant hose.

I can't wait to get a dedicated set of track wheels, undoubtedly the biggest weakness I was running with. Never the less, I can't wait until the next meet

 

[overst33r]

I'm glad you had fun. Just remember, the best modification you can make is yourself and your driving. No need to spend tons of money on new tires/wheels.

 

[alkemyst]

Tires are pretty important...you can get by with just some cheap steelies though. A good set of semi worn performance tires used makes a good choice as well.

Many street tires get pretty fuxored after a few track events esp with full tread you can get chunking. Not to mention most OEM tires are terrible handling so you never really get a feel for what the car should be doing.

I know a couple guys from the Z-car club down here and porsche clubs heading up to Road Atlanta.

 

[Aikouka]

I went to a local one once but didn't compete. I'd have to try it first but from just looking, all I saw was a sea of cones and I have no idea how my mind could process that much orange into being a clear path . Maybe It's a lot different when you have it in front of you, but I doubt it. Give me a defined track and I bet I'd do just fine.

 

[alkemyst]

The track is quite clear once you are driving it. Looking at it from the side is no easier to navigate than any tight track. You always want to walk a track first or ride it if you can.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
The track is quite clear once you are driving it. Looking at it from the side is no easier to navigate than any tight track. You always want to walk a track first or ride it if you can.

Yep. You get to walk the track before the event starts so you can see how it is like you would be driving through it.

 

[helpme]

As stated eariler, the best mod is the driver mod. It takes a while to install, but once done, it is well worth the effort.

Autocross is tough due to the high frequency of driver input, a difficult to visualize track and constantly changing layouts. It may be low speed, but it's by no means easy.

Once you feel the need for more speed, head out to a track day on a big track

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Ryan
I can't wait to get a dedicated set of track wheels, undoubtedly the biggest weakness I was running with.

That, and a Scion xB

Nice you had fun. I've gone a few times, and while it doesn't quite offer the thrill of high-speed road courses, it's still good times.

 

[Ryan]

Yeah - I don't plan on hardly any mods. Simple things like a possible strut brace, and better sway bars are pretty cheap - then I'm going to look at getting a cheap set of 14"/15" wheels/tires. Used, of course, but just so I can save my 17" ones for daily driving. I don't plan on poring money into it, just as you guys said, the best mod is the driver themselves.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Ryan
I can't wait to get a dedicated set of track wheels, undoubtedly the biggest weakness I was running with.

That, and a Scion xB

Nice you had fun. I've gone a few times, and while it doesn't quite offer the thrill of high-speed road courses, it's still good times.

Haven't had the xB for over a year now

 

[helpme]

Originally posted by: Ryan
Yeah - I don't plan on hardly any mods. Simple things like a possible strut brace, and better sway bars are pretty cheap - then I'm going to look at getting a cheap set of 14"/15" wheels/tires. Used, of course, but just so I can save my 17" ones for daily driving. I don't plan on poring money into it, just as you guys said, the best mod is the driver themselves.

I would check on the rules regarding wheel size changes. If you want to compete in the stock class, you may have to stick with the OEM size. I'm not an autocross person, so I may be remembering incorrectly.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Congrats!

A strut brace is likely worthless in terms of bang for the buck, but sway bars are definitely your best investment aside from tires & driver mod.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: helpme

Originally posted by: Ryan
Yeah - I don't plan on hardly any mods. Simple things like a possible strut brace, and better sway bars are pretty cheap - then I'm going to look at getting a cheap set of 14"/15" wheels/tires. Used, of course, but just so I can save my 17" ones for daily driving. I don't plan on poring money into it, just as you guys said, the best mod is the driver themselves.

I would check on the rules regarding wheel size changes. If you want to compete in the stock class, you may have to stick with the OEM size. I'm not an autocross person, so I may be remembering incorrectly.

Well, they let me compete in the stock class with 17 wheels that didn't come on my car, but this place I went was pretty laid back, so maybe the didn't notice.

 

[swtethan]

Maybe I should bring out my '08 SI :Q

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Ryan
Well, they let me compete in the stock class with 17 wheels that didn't come on my car, but this place I went was pretty laid back, so maybe the didn't notice.

Probably because they weren't performance wheels? I don't know what your car has but that's what I'd assume or just that it's one minor thing that most likely won't give your car a tangible advantage.

Originally posted by: alkemyst
The track is quite clear once you are driving it. Looking at it from the side is no easier to navigate than any tight track. You always want to walk a track first or ride it if you can.

Yeah, the drivers walked the track but I didn't since... well I wasn't a driver (although it's not like me doing it would've been a problem or anything).

I think the one job I'd do in life more than what I'm doing now (soft. engineer) is racing. Relatively dangerous job, but I absolutely love the feeling when I take a corner and enjoy trying to determine the best way to take said corners (yet of course never doing such an activity to an extent to put myself or anyone else in danger).

 

[randomlinh]

welcome to the club It's a lot of fun. I wouldn't bother w/ r-comps until you just can't improve anymore. Dedicated streets might be good if you don't want to run through too many tires. I have summer tires, and I run them at the events as well. Unfortunately, I also drive 20k miles a year, and wear them down so fast... ha.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: swtethan
Maybe I should bring out my '08 SI :Q

You have an 08 Civic Si? oO

I am looking to get one, but I am hesitent because of the fabric used on the seats and such.

I am also wondering how a Mazdaspeed3 would do in an autocross event. I may have to go try to find one to run with my Neon first just to get a feel for what it's like

 

[daveymark]

azenis FTW!

for autoX, tires are the best suspension upgrade

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: swtethan
Maybe I should bring out my '08 SI :Q

You have an 08 Civic Si? oO

I am looking to get one, but I am hesitent because of the fabric used on the seats and such.

I am also wondering how a Mazdaspeed3 would do in an autocross event. I may have to go try to find one to run with my Neon first just to get a feel for what it's like

I run autocross in my ACR neon and it's awesome. I just really need to practice more and learn to brake less.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: swtethan
Maybe I should bring out my '08 SI :Q

You have an 08 Civic Si? oO

I am looking to get one, but I am hesitent because of the fabric used on the seats and such.

I am also wondering how a Mazdaspeed3 would do in an autocross event. I may have to go try to find one to run with my Neon first just to get a feel for what it's like

I run autocross in my ACR neon and it's awesome. I just really need to practice more and learn to brake less.

I always knew those neons had no floor boards.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

cant wait till i get my 10+ year old suspension changed out, new rims, and a few other mods before i race in the pretty much stock class. no power upgrades. i should have fun the first few times as a rook.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Nice British car you have there!

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: swtethan
Maybe I should bring out my '08 SI :Q

You have an 08 Civic Si? oO

I am looking to get one, but I am hesitent because of the fabric used on the seats and such.

I am also wondering how a Mazdaspeed3 would do in an autocross event. I may have to go try to find one to run with my Neon first just to get a feel for what it's like

Yes I do, what worries you about the fabric on the seats? I cant wait for dry/warm weather. Summer tires arent too good in rain/snow.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: swtethan

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: swtethan
Maybe I should bring out my '08 SI :Q

You have an 08 Civic Si? oO

I am looking to get one, but I am hesitent because of the fabric used on the seats and such.

I am also wondering how a Mazdaspeed3 would do in an autocross event. I may have to go try to find one to run with my Neon first just to get a feel for what it's like

Yes I do, what worries you about the fabric on the seats? I cant wait for dry/warm weather. Summer tires arent too good in snow.

Fixed...rain has no bearing on summer tires

 

[helpme]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
cant wait till i get my 10+ year old suspension changed out, new rims, and a few other mods before i race in the pretty much stock class. no power upgrades. i should have fun the first few times as a rook.

But are you a going to be driving... an AE-86?!