Going to first autocross

[2015GTSTORMTROOPER]

I have been a car guy my whole life, and have been wanting to get into autocross/track events but never really had the time. Finally found an event that I can attend.

I'm looking for advise on car set up (mostly tire pressures), and approaches to driving techniques..and other little things that help when at the event. I have always valued having a good handling car over extra hp. Previous cars: Integra Type R (yes a real one) S2000, RX8, and 09 Mustang GT with full Steeda suspension.

Car is 15' GT/PP completely stock, and I will be running it this first time in this configuration to get base line performance specs before I start to modify.

All your help and advise is greatly appreciated

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[Finally]

See if you can make friends with one of the guys at the event who has done this before, and get him/her to ride with you. Lots of experience free for the asking.

 

[kz]

Check this thread out : http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24778

Lots of valuable info.

For the mods - if you want to continue auto crossing, you may want to think hard about mods going forward and appropriate classing.

 

[dontlifttoshift]

Go to this thread http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24778

If you have never autocrossed, you will not get any performance baselines. Just concentrate on driving. Autocross is a drivers sports and setup is worth tenths and driver is worth seconds. The single biggest improvement, other than driver, will come from tires.

 

[ABQautoxer]

I think this is the best starting place for someone like you:

http://www.sccastartingline.com/resources.php

Then read the tips about pressures and what not.

 

[2015GTSTORMTROOPER]

Thank you everyone for the reference material, I'm excited to get out there and learn about my driving and the car.

 

[ABQautoxer]

Also, it might appear there are groups/cliches when you get there, but that's just people having a good time pre-event. Everyone was a newb once and almost everyone is very willing to help the new guy/gal. Just don't be shy.

 

[jdub.csu]

Turn off all the nannies (race and hold the traction control button for about 8 seconds until advance trac turns off and start around 36-38PSI front and 32-34PSI rear. That should give you a pretty neutral car. You want those temps when cold not hot (cold for me is like 60 degrees).

Biggest thing to stress is throttle control and using the throttle to help you rotate it around the course. The stock tires are great to learn on but when you step up to some real rubber you will be amazed what this car can do.

Make sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and have a great time

 

[2015GTSTORMTROOPER]

Thank you Jdub, I was really comfortable rotating the car in my 09 so I am really looking forward to learning this new car and how it behaves to throttle input/cornering.

Any suggestion on setting the tire temps, as they will be hot when I get there (2 hr drive) with temps in the 90's. Figured I would set the temps to factory spec when I leave and adjust accordingly.

 

[Chameleon]

1. Don't go in expecting amazing times.
2. Ask lots of questions.
3. Have fun

 

[Renner]

Thank you Jdub, I was really comfortable rotating the car in my 09 so I am really looking forward to learning this new car and how it behaves to throttle input/cornering.

Any suggestion on setting the tire temps, as they will be hot when I get there (2 hr drive) with temps in the 90's. Figured I would set the temps to factory spec when I leave and adjust accordingly.

I actually was leaving my factory Pzero tires at 32 psi and they were holding well for Autox...got over 1.1G with them. Now I use dedicated extreme summers at 30psi and much happier.

the pirellli will be fine at stock psi and you can also bleed them off in between runs 1-2 psi

 

[jdub.csu]

I actually was leaving my factory Pzero tires at 32 psi and they were holding well for Autox...got over 1.1G with them. Now I use dedicated extreme summers at 30psi and much happier.

the pirellli will be fine at stock psi and you can also bleed them off in between runs 1-2 psi

I personally had the tires rolling on me at that low of pressures. These cars rotate with a lot more confidence and control compared to the solid axle cars. I suggest bringing chalk with you and mark up the sidewalls at 12-3-6-9 oclock positions so you get a feel for what tire pressures work best. Bring a water spray (weed spray bottles work great) for the tires as they grease when too hot. Have fun! I'll hopefully win my class again this weekend with mine

 

[Renner]

I personally had the tires rolling on me at that low of pressures. These cars rotate with a lot more confidence and control compared to the solid axle cars. I suggest bringing chalk with you and mark up the sidewalls at 12-3-6-9 oclock positions so you get a feel for what tire pressures work best. Bring a water spray (weed spray bottles work great) for the tires as they grease when too hot. Have fun! I'll hopefully win my class again this weekend with mine

We did chalk mine the last even I was using the stock tires and that's where I found the PSI was correct. Of course they are nothing compared to extreme summers but I really had no issues with them at 32 PSI

 

[2015GTSTORMTROOPER]

So far there is only 19 people signed up for the event, and I am the only one in my class (FS). So hopefully I will be able to get a lot of runs in to play with different tire pressures. Thanks again all for the advise!

 

[jdub.csu]

So far there is only 19 people signed up for the event, and I am the only one in my class (FS). So hopefully I will be able to get a lot of runs in to play with different tire pressures. Thanks again all for the advise!

Talk about a small event. Hopefully you get a lot of runs. We have on average about 150 made up of mostly miatas, brz, s2000's and wrx's.

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