First Autocross

[MBEARDEN]

Might try my first autocross this weekend...the weather forecast is 65 and overcast and the course is a stadium parking lot...old asphalt.

 

I have an 2003 Birkin/ Zetec with Falken Azenis 615 tires. 205/50/15...I have some Hoosier slicks but it doesn't look like I can use them since I am a novice.

 

Any setup advice...tire pressure...ride height...anything else that might help.

[pi7ot]

I used 16 Psi cold x4 on 205 50 15 Kumho Victoracers which were R comps.

If I carried a passenger, I would raise the rear pressures by 2 psi to prevent nasty understeer. Adding a passenger increases the vertical load on the rear tyres, and so shifts the balance of grip rearwards.

Other members on this forum have used higher pressures.

 

m

[James A]

I use Hoosier A6s and run 24psi cold with a target pressure of 28 hot, I have tried a lot of pressures in A6s and R6s and find high twenties to be best.

[MBEARDEN]

I think the Hoosiers are marked R25...they might be 4-5 years old but appear to have been used only a few times...and it looks like I can use them Saturday. The Hoosiers are about 1.5 inches shorter that the Falkens... If I use them I will have to adjust the ride height...the stadium is only a mile from my house so if I use them and adjust the ride height I would probably just drive them to the stadium...

[Boxologist]

skip the Hoo Hoos for your 1st event.

Go with 18-22 psi on the old Azenis.

Andy Hollis' Top 10 autoX tips ->http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=44932 repeated ad infinitum around the intarwebz.

 

Ignore the rest of the car setup. It won't matter.

 

Find out if they have a novice chief. He/she will be a big help in getting u situated for the day ASAP. If they have a pre-reg system, please use that. Especially if there is a prepay option. It saves a bunch of time on everyones part. If they have a mentor/buddy system for their 1st timers take part in it.

 

Get an instructor for your 1st runs. First to keep you on course from the get go, and then to give advice.

 

 

I take it you're going to Arky SCCA's season finale weekend? This seems to be their local forum: http://autox.i-55.com/forums/index.php?showforum=40

Edited November 8, 2011 by Boxologist

[MBEARDEN]

Good Advice.

 

The Little Rock event is the one I am going to...the comp director is a young man I knew from when I had a Rotax kart....

 

A friend is going also...his first autocross too...he has a Superformance Cobra...he is really excited.

[MBEARDEN]

Things went about as expected at my first autocross on Saturday. Windy and about 65 degrees. It is an old stadium parking lot with very old asphalt and slick. Got confused on my first run...and did a little better with each run. My tires were made in 05 and seem pretty hard...I do think I need more front brake bias...on the street the car stops fine but not what I expect...not sure if I could lock the front brakes. Another problem is I noticed is that with the helmet on, my head was pushed too far forward by the headrest...not a comfortable position.

 

Overall it was a very entertaining day. Will try it again.

[JohnCh]

Another problem is I noticed is that with the helmet on, my head was pushed too far forward by the headrest...not a comfortable position.

 

I had the same problem with my old Bell M3, and recently replaced it with the HJC AR10 II which fits my seats just fine.

 

-John

[Guest Terry]

Might try my first autocross this weekend...the weather forecast is 65 and overcast and the course is a stadium parking lot...old asphalt.

 

I have an 2003 Birkin/ Zetec with Falken Azenis 615 tires. 205/50/15...I have some Hoosier slicks but it doesn't look like I can use them since I am a novice.

 

Any setup advice...tire pressure...ride height...anything else that might help.

 

Look ahead

Learn the lines

Dont over drive the car

[James A]

"look ahead" +1000 !