Autocross experience

[allworknoplay]

Well as the title says this is gonna be about autocross. the last two weekends I have attended and raced. Holy shit this is so much better than drag racing. The challenge to not hit cone while still pushing the car to the limits is amazing. I plan on finishing up this season just to have fun and enjoy. Hopefully by the end of the season I will have a good understanding of my car. I am yet to turn on traction control due to not being that confident taking turns this fast with no supporting mods. I may try it next time depending on the course layout. experience

The community was very welcoming and let me ride with others just the basics down (1 person did complain that it game me an advantage... well you can go fuck your own face kind sir) I was hoping to see another fellow S197 driver but only new edge mustangs.

The class I am running is STP. My go CAM-C for next season since I plan on competing. For any autocrossers out there. how was your first time out? also pointers are always welcome.

 

[allworknoplay]

Also I will be uploading videos to youtube later today.

 

[Boaisy]

My first time was in a 2004 Impala with the 3.4L V6. For SCCA, that stuck me into GS class with GTI's, Civic Si's, etc. Was somewhat competitive, but due to SCCA's "catch-all" it really gave the Impala the short end of the stick.

When I got my 12 GT, it probably took a couple events to get used to the 4x increase in power, and moving from automatic to manual. The basic manual transmission mechanics didn't bother me, it was just racing conditions with a manual that was different. After a while, ended up being competitive even vs. other cars that were a bit more "autocross oriented." After a couple of years, ended up getting into HPDE's with it.

 

[Sky Render]

Turn off traction and stability control. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, turn the traction/stability controls OFF.

Seriously. All you're going to do is wear out your brakes, go slower, have the car "fight" you around the course, and have less fun.

 

[TGR96]

+1 on turning off the nannies. You may spin out more often, and fishtail coming out of turns on a regular basis, but that's half the fun! And fellow auto-crossers always appreciate that kind of stuff. It gets boring out their waiting for someone to knock over a cone. LOL

Welcome to the world of autoX. I think it really is the most "bang for the buck" fun you can have in motorsports. You don't have to have big $$$ to go out and have just as much fun as the guy who does.

The only problem is, like Boaisy said, it can lead to HPDEs, and that can get kinda pricey. But man it sure is fun, as well!

 

[allworknoplay]

Turn off traction and stability control. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, turn the traction/stability controls OFF.

Seriously. All you're going to do is wear out your brakes, go slower, have the car "fight" you around the course, and have less fun.

I was getting people saying both sides. yes everyone said the wear on the breaks can/will be greater than with out it. Some said since I have never driven a car like that before having it on will give me some idea of what I am doing without spinning out so much.

 

[Sky Render]

The people who told you to leave the nannies on are morons. You cannot properly control your car with them on; it will "fight" you because it thinks you're driving on the street.

 

[oldVOR]

What group have you been participating with for the AutoX?
I'm not too far away and if schedule permits, may come down.

 

[allworknoplay]

What group have you been participating with for the AutoX?
I'm not too far away and if schedule permits, may come down.

VMSC next event is July 10th at RIR

 

[allworknoplay]

The people who told you to leave the nannies on are morons. You cannot properly control your car with them on; it will "fight" you because it thinks you're driving on the street.

Well I shall turn them off next time.

 

[bujeezus]

I don't autocross but I'd rather learn with it off as opposed to relearning after I'd gotten used to all the granny stuff.

 

[Thenorm]

I am yet to turn on traction control due to not being that confident taking turns this fast with no supporting mods. I may try it next time depending on the course layout. experience

The class I am running is STP. My go CAM-C for next season since I plan on competing. For any autocrossers out there. how was your first time out? also pointers are always welcome.

don't worry too much about supporting mods. Driver training is the biggest thing. Turn off TC/ESC. The things i had to adapt to specifically for this car was being so gentle on the throttle, power oversteer won't get you anywhere fast. Also very smooth steering, but still being able to quickly catch the car when it steps out.

if you do want to mod to get faster, tires is probably the biggest thing. get the Bridgestone RE71R. they are unbelievable good

I'm autocrossing in stock class, and the car will still hustle. (all i have are camber bolt, koni yellows, and the re71R)
exhibit A. this sunday's autocross.


you can follow my autocross build thread/race log
http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127925

 

[allworknoplay]

Okay, I am updating this with having the "nannies" turned off. Honestly could not FEEL the difference but I did a run my fastest time with out them on. With that being said it was my top 7 times out of many runs. Today We have another event and I had another fellow mustang owner ride with and said the top 2 things I need for next season are pads and tires. Currently just have economy pads and cheap all seasons tires. I have a set of 18x10 wheels (too much of a deal to pass up 49.99 a wheel) I want to plan to have new tires for the start of next season. Should I go ahead and get the top notch tires or go with a lesser tire to see how that helps? I am willing to go all the way with my tires but with my driver level I am worried it will hide some flaws I have. (these set of wheels will be a dedicated set for only autocross events. Also I have changed to Cam-C) Sorry if I am sounding like a complete idiot.


Edit: Also the size tire I heard that is best for my wheel is 275/40 for autocross. Is that true? I know I could fit wider but not ideal.

 

[Sky Render]

What do you mean by "top notch"? You should get the best street (200 TW) tires you can afford, but you should NOT use R-comps while you're still learning.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk

 

[allworknoplay]

What do you mean by "top notch"? You should get the best street (200 TW) tires you can afford, but you should NOT use R-comps while you're still learning.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 using Tapatalk

Yea I honestly do not know why I worded it that way my bad! I have been looking at the Nitto NT05s for my 1st set

 

[Sky Render]

NT-05s are very old tech. I'd look at BFG Rivals or Bridgestone RE-71R (my personal favorite).