Thinking about AutoXing

[work_in_progress]

My car club in Bismarck is really big into AutoXing, and thought I may give it a try this summer. I've been to a few events and it looks pretty wicked. Are there any suggestions to get my car ready for it? I am a little worried tho about messing my car up again as I just threw a rod a few months ago. Just want to make sure I do it right before trying to push my car again.

[sonza68]

Mainly, just check fluids, tires, etc. and if you're due for an oil change, try to do that before the event. Tech inspection will check the following items, so make sure they're sorted:
- tires aren't corded
- battery is tied down solidly
- throttle return spring works (shouldn't be an issue)
- brake fluid is at an appropriate level
- jiggle test on the wheels to make sure there isn't excessive play
- all loose items are removed from the car (including wheel covers/centercaps)

Otherwise, read through the FAQ in this section. For your first event, your goal should be to get comfortable navigating the course. Speed will come later as you build seat time.

[work_in_progress]

Okays. Just concerned about doing any further damage to my car that can be prevented.
Looks like a blast, can't wait till it warms up!

[EricF]

As for preparing your street cougar for AutoX

I'd start with extra air in your tires to the tune of 5-10psi more than normal
also if you aren't already run 6qts of oil instead of the factory 5.5
that will keep the possibility of oil starvation(and spun bearings) away.

Then finally, when they have the "novice" drivers meeting they will most
likely point out "instructors" don't be shy, let them ride with you
they will have plenty of pointers for you as well. Some may even offer to drive
your car(or you can ask one)

Most of all go out have fun, its worth it.

[azbobbybooshay10]

Alot of us actually run 6.5 quarts of oil and never have had a problem.

[GuidoThePenguin]

A little long, but here's my old "autocross FAQ" I made to get people started on it.



"Who can run?"

Anyone with a valid driver's license can run any safely operating car.

Anyone 18 or under must have a parental waiver signed by their parents or legal guardian. Any driver who is 15 to 18 must have a licensed driver over the age of 18 in the car at all times.


"What class is my car in?"

There are 29 classes of cars (not including ladies classes) based on what type of car you have and the level of modification you've done to it.

Stock classes (SS-HS) are basically stock cars with little or no modifications

Street Touring (STS-STU-STS2-STX) allows minor work like intake/exhaust/springs

Street Prepared (ASP-FSP) allows more work than ST

Prepared (XP-EP) allows engine work, driveline, and other major work.

Mod (AM-FM) allows just about anything

Street Mod and Street Mod 2 (SM-SM2) allows major work while retaining most of original vehicle.



"What time do I need to be there?"

For first time drivers, I HIGHLY recommend getting there early to get your car tech'd and prepared. And to give yourself time to be in the new driver course walk-thru.


"What are some things I should do when I show up to autocross?"


General info:

Clean out everything loose in your car, including floor mats.
Check fluid levels.
Check tires for damage/leaks.
Make sure car is in good and SAFE running condition.


What to bring with you:

Tire Pressure gauge
Common tools
Sunscreen
Water/Cooler
Snacks
Chair
Helmet (if you have one)

If you have your own helmet, it must be Snell95 rated or higher. DOT only helmets are not legal. It must have the Snell Foundation marking on it. It can have both.

Most clubs provide some loaner helmets. Check to make sure ahead of time.

Some other things to remember is that autocross events are not fashion shows. You do not need to wear your Sunday best when you go to the track to race, nor do you have to dress like your in a Paris fashion show.
Often times, a decent t-shirt and some shorts will more than suffice.

Its also good sometimes to bring a friend along to help you in setting up your car, or to offer words of encouragement.

Liquid refreshment is also a must, especially on those hot summer days. Try to stay away from carbonated drinks (Coke, Pepsi) and stick with water or sports drinks (Powerade, Gatorade).

Shoes are also important. Its a good idea to bring a good pair of sneakers that are comfortable for standing in for long periods of time, especially when you are having to work the course. As far as driving shoes, any pair that fit snuggly on will do.

[shoult]

A little long, but here's my old "autocross FAQ" I made to get people started on it.

"What class is my car in?"

There are 29 classes of cars (not including ladies classes) based on what type of car you have and the level of modification you've done to it.

Stock classes (SS-HS) are basically stock cars with little or no modifications

Street Touring (STS-STU-STS2-STX) allows minor work like intake/exhaust/springs

Street Prepared (ASP-FSP) allows more work than ST

Prepared (XP-EP) allows engine work, driveline, and other major work.

Mod (AM-FM) allows just about anything

Street Mod and Street Mod 2 (SM-SM2) allows major work while retaining most of original vehicle.


One thing your class list left out it one of the most important. ALL classes EXCEPT the Street Touring classes can run DOT approved RACE TIRES! These are worth about 5 seconds for a 60 second lap over even the BEST street tires.

You might also want to look over some notes I left in the AutoX FAQ Sticky found here

http://www.newcougar.org/forums/autocross/106106-autox-faq-2.html#post1404721

As I always suggest, newcomers should not expect to win but they should always expect to have fun!

[GuidoThePenguin]

One thing your class list left out it one of the most important. ALL classes EXCEPT the Street Touring classes can run DOT approved RACE TIRES! These are worth about 5 seconds for a 60 second lap over even the BEST street tires.

You might also want to look over some notes I left in the AutoX FAQ Sticky found here

http://www.newcougar.org/forums/autocross/106106-autox-faq-2.html#post1404721

As I always suggest, newcomers should not expect to win but they should always expect to have fun!


I always tell people to hold off on the race tires until they think they're ready to commit to autocrossing on a regular basis and make the financial investment needed to get more rims and the tires.

I still run street tires when I run now and am turning lap times better than alot cars running on 'race' tires. Last event I was 10th in overall times out of 45 cars. But thats just me and my 8 years of autocrossing in everything from an HS Ford Aspire to an SS Viper to an A-Mod Formula Vee.

Learn on street tires. They'll tell you when your fixing to cross the line as far as grip alot more gradually than race rubber does. Its good for learning where the limit is and how to find it.

I find it better to build a better driver than a faster car. I'm running in ESP in whats essentially a stock car except for a CAI and slightly wider tires than STX allow. This with 60 lbs of stereo in the trunk.

[shoult]

I always tell people to hold off on the race tires until they think they're ready to commit to autocrossing on a regular basis and make the financial investment needed to get more rims and the tires.

I agree about learning on street tires. When I got back into Autoxing after a long hiatus I did my first season on street tires. It was an easy decision for me since in order to stay in stock class I had to buy stock sized rims and tires to fit. My street wheel/tire package had been +1d which would have put me in ASP rather then AS (no Street touring back then). But I think it's important that new drivers understand that there will be cars in their class running race rubber. I've seen to many newbies either get pissed off because most of the cars are running race tires, or dejected because they realize they'll NEVER get fast enough to beat those tires.

I still run street tires when I run now and am turning lap times better than alot cars running on 'race' tires. Last event I was 10th in overall times out of 45 cars. But thats just me and my 8 years of autocrossing in everything from an HS Ford Aspire to an SS Viper to an A-Mod Formula Vee.

Having a great understanding of the wheel of traction and how it effects your car is a great thing. But physics say that if you put two equal drivers in two equal cars the one with the stickier tires is gonna go faster. In the middle TN region if you want to win, you better bring the tires cause you AREN'T going to beat these guys without them no matter how much experience you have. You will also beat many of the wanna be fast drivers with all geegaw, doodad, legal (or almost) go fast part thrown at their car. I always remember the guy that brought out his Mallet Corvette and though he was going to kill everybody only to find out pretty much everybody beat him. He just couldn't understand that all that power on a short twisty course wasn't going to win him anything if he couldn't keep the car hooked up. He roasted a REALLY expensive set of Kuhmo VictoRacers that day.

AutoX is a real test of the driver, not the car. I've always said, "To go faster, adjust the nut behind the wheel!".


I find it better to build a better driver than a faster car. I'm running in ESP in whats essentially a stock car except for a CAI and slightly wider tires than STX allow. This with 60 lbs of stereo in the trunk.

Gotta ask why you just don't put the stock filter back on? If you're running a stock wheel size you could move back down into the appropriate Stock class instead of the prepared. You can pretty much use any tire you can shoehorn onto a stock sized rim, although right size usually work better then too wide.

Another of my favorite quotes is "To go faster, just add lightness" (Colin Chapman). That trunk full off Stereo kit HAS to go. Put it on a board with some quick connects and pull it out at the track (or before you leave for the track). With my MR2 the only stereo I needed was the sounds coming from right behind me and the firewall.

[GuidoThePenguin]

Race rubber is faster. That I wont deny. I like to remind people how much faster I would be if I had some Victoracers or simular tire on. The few that do beat me are the ones running on the better tires.

But its better to learn on streeties first.

My problem is my "race" car also doubles as my "show" car. I've got lots of trophies for doing both with it.

Pretty soon it will become strictly a show car. But for now I enjoy flogging it around the course until I can get another one like it and make it the race car or get a ride with someone elses car. The added weight of the stereo is a small price to pay. It helps some to keep the rear planted, but ultimately it hurts.

Taking the CAI out is too difficult to do as it would require re-tuning the car everytime I took it off and put it back on. The new Mustangs are very finiky when it comes to swapping out engine parts on it. The engine management just throws a fit and puts the engine in safety mode without a proper re-flash.

[shoult]

Taking the CAI out is too difficult to do as it would require re-tuning the car everytime I took it off and put it back on. The new Mustangs are very finiky when it comes to swapping out engine parts on it. The engine management just throws a fit and puts the engine in safety mode without a proper re-flash.

This is off topic for the original question, but you can get Flash tuners for the newer mustangs that will let you hold multiple tunes. You could reprogram in the time it takes to put your helmet on and adjust it.

[GuidoThePenguin]

This is off topic for the original question, but you can get Flash tuners for the newer mustangs that will let you hold multiple tunes. You could reprogram in the time it takes to put your helmet on and adjust it.

I know. I have the SCT tuner for mine. To me its still too much of a headache to go through the process everytime I autocross and back. Besides I dont have a filter element for the stock box anymore as I gave away the K&N that was in it to one of my vendors that has a Shelby GT. And god knows where the stock one is now.


I like the added challenge of racing faster cars. I dont judge my times based on what would be in FS. I judge my times based on other drivers with simular autocross experience as me. With or without race tires. I like beating cars in CS, BS, AS, etc.

We have a couple who races an AS S2000 on race tires. Its stretches the term "stock" to the SCCA limits. Mouton struts, etc.

On what was a 45 second average course, they were running mid to high 38s. I was running high 41s, low 42s. So 3-4 seconds off their pace to me is more than acceptable given their National tour experience and the fact I'm on street tires.

[work_in_progress]

Hey, thanks for posting everyone. I took a little roadtrip to KY this week so I wasn't able to keep up. Looks great tho, i'm so ready for the summer to hit and no more wet roads. We just got another snow storm blow thru, not bad but enough to make me wonder how long winter is gonna last. I like the chalking up the tires idea to gauge what pressure is like. Haven't seen anyone around here do that, have to remember to take a piece of chalk with me!