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Thread: Going to my first autocross event this weekend - any tips

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Missouri
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    432

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    I concur with lets wait to advise until after your first outing. You'll be listening much better after an event gets under your belt.

    But for when you DO get pumped up for more.....the best thing to make you consistant out of the gate and each time thereafter....is GOOD tires with track compounds on a extra set of light rims.Period.

    Then you can add all the suspension upgrades in steps and really notice whats changing.

    Just my experiance and viewpoint......I'm sure some might view things differently.
    Cheers,Vinny
    AC Schnitzer | S-5 | Stainless exhaust | Bodykit | wing| 3pc. wheels | badges | springs | mirrors | steerwheel |
    Schwarz on Blk

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    New Forest, ,UK,
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    Autocross in UK is on grass. Assume your autocross is a non-reversing short sprint?

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    PA
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    5,403

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    on grass?

    like, a lawn? or like weed? lawl. either way thats messed up!

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Chicago, Il. U.S.A.
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    4,243

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    Here it is a course delineated by cones, usually in a large "car park". Timed individual event with penalties for tipping the cones.
    "The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"

  5. #15
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    Dec 2003
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    baton rouge, loserana
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    that would be closer to a rallycross by our definitions id guess, there was talk of starting up a rallycross around here but i am not ****ing up my car in a field. the evo center autocross i usually attend is pretty much run in 2nd gear all of the way around with no need to reverse unless you **** up with a single lap of the coarse and times are in the 40-50 second range
    heres part of a run in da shark
    http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/11...ideo_Part1.AVI
    and the rest of the run, of coarse the only run he gets on film is the only run i have spun on (ever) and for extra fun me and the m3 short shifter get in a battle with the 18 year old tranny as to where 1st was
    http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/11...ideo_Part2.AVI
    so i look like a ass


    Quote Originally Posted by Barney Paull-Edwards View Post
    Autocross in UK is on grass. Assume your autocross is a non-reversing short sprint?
    all america wants is cold beer warm cat and a place to take a poop with a door on it

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio USA
    Posts
    58

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    autocross is an ADDICTING DRUG!!!

    I started out with an '82 626 coupe. (Yeah, I've been doing this for many years)
    Then on to an '82 Fiat 2000.

    I needed more speed!! SCCA Formula Ford for three seasons.

    Now after quitting cold turkey, local club events satisfy the need for speed.

    Also in addition to what other have said, bring a comfortable chair and umbrella in case of bright sun and heat!

    Talk to the others at the event. I'm sure that most will be willing to offer advice and assistance. Some will show up with their cars on trailers! Some will show up with a set of tires. Don't be intimited. Start slow, listen and learn.

    Don't say we didn't warn you.

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    New Forest, ,UK,
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    794

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    Much as I love E34`s, I would have thought a 40-50 second burst of welly would not really suit the car. Arriving at the first corner with hot rear and cold front tyres and cold brakes is a recipe for fun. Any performance increases will be negated for the first 30+ seconds by this,so getting it ALL warm at the start would pay off later, unless you overdo it and overheat the lot. Hard pads etc will /may not work for most of the lap,in that time standard stuff will work fine. most improvement should surely be gained by artificially heating the tyres evenly.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Montreal
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    wow - the event was a lot of fun. since it was a test and tune, I managed to spend 4 hours in the car either running the track, or running the exercises that they had sett up. There were 10 instructors there to ride along with you or drive your car. I managed to lower my time by 9 seconds by the end of the day, and beat the instructor's time in my car by 4 seconds - there is something to be said for familiarity.

    What held me back the most were my all-season tires - definitely a lack of grip. There were some very fast cars there, and some very slow fast cars, if you know what I mean. I think I might be well on my way to addiction now. I didn't take many photos because I was busy driving, but when I get them developed, I will post them up (digicam is broken).

    By the way, I had one of the instructors talk to me about the e34 and say that it is a great car to drive at autocross, one that he enjoyed. I was the only e34, or 5 series period, at the event. Stry, no e30's either, out of 60 cars

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
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    4,894

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    Glad you leaned about the tire... All season tires does suck! Big time... even on normal road, you can tell.

    If you have 16" wheels, go for the General Exclaim UHP, it is cheap, super quiet and tons of grip.

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Montreal
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    2,499

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    still on stock 15's - which means I guess I need to pickup some lightweight 17's with decent tires for the next event.

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