Let me take a shot in the dark and say I couldn't be competetive in any sense with an automatic, or am I wrong? Is there anyone here that runs an auto tranny or know someone who does? Not that I'm planning on keeping the thing, it's going out as soon as I can find a tranny. I'd just like to get started in autocross, but kind of embarased of my slushbox.

Thanks

 

I'm sure you'll find some people that like an automatic or sport shift but for the most part, manual transmissions give you far more control and throttle response than an automatic will.

 

I know, I really wish I got a stick off the bat, but at the time I didn't care.
thanks for the reply.

 

You could be competitive with anything if you drive it well. Don't worry about driving with an automatic. There's nothing wrong with it -- it's better than sitting on the sidelines watching.

There are several nationally-competitive drivers in F Stock who have automatics. This year's national champ has an auto. The 2000 Pro Solo champ had an automatic. A friend of mine trophied at the '99 national chamionships in ESP with an automatic.

 

yay! I don't fell so bad now... Too bad I opted not to participate in my local club's last autocross of the year due to 'tranny envy'

 

I raced my auto 1993 Civic Ex back in 1996, 1997, 1998 in STS and took PA State Championships in 1998 in STS, 3rd place NorthEast Divisionals/PA State Championships in 1999

 

NICE
did you do anything to the tranny to make it perform better? (short of getting a aftermarket torque converter).

 

u could look into getting some work done to your auto from level ten they specialize in performance work on import auto's. they have a shift kit which would make your trans shift quicker and harder plus hold rpms a lil longer. if u wanna chk them out their site is http://www.levelten.com

 

well the thing is I'd rather swap tranny's, but thanks for the link.

 

I know of a guy here locally that won the Nationls in a Sentra SE-R automatic.

He also smokes our entire club still!

 

Mike, not to be nit-picky, but I had thought that the wing was not STS-kosher.. guess I gotta go home and check my book again.

As for the topic, if your car is safe and you want to learn and you understand the risks, NEVER sit out due to tranny/engine/tire/etc. envy! If all I had was an 84 Chrysler Minivan, I'd have a blast autocrossing it! It's about fun and learning. Don't worry about your car.. you'll be losing for all kinds of reasons other than your car! (at least at first).. when you're getting the most out of the car, then worry about going to something better.

 

I think the full assortment of body kits is allowed in STS so long as you aren't replacing body panels with lighter pieces (i.e., carbon fiber).

 

Automatic Shiftkits are a big no-no in Stock and STS classes. With a shift kit, I would assume you'd be in no less than a SP or Prepared class. Those classes suck for beginners.

Leave your tranny as-is, run around the autox course in D2 and go have fun. In reality, and automatic is better to learn autox in because you don't have to worry about shifting and can concentrate on driving.

 

CivicSi Racer...how were you rookie of the year in 2000 when you started autoxing in 1996???

 

You cannot do any tranny work in STS.

 

Check your rules again. STS was made for the import guys: body kits, aftermarket wings, and such are legal. But realize I was a pioneer in STS back in 1997 when it first came out. Back then it was called ST, STR, STU and the rules weren't as defined as they are now. The only thing body kit you cannot do are carbon fiber hoods or front fender wells.

 

That reminds me of the guy who won the rookie award at the Harrisburg Pro Solo ... two years in a row!

 

Because I just joined the ASCC in 2000 and everyone else has been doing it longer than me in this club

So hence I'm the newbie.

 

"Automatic Shiftkits are a big no-no in Stock and STS classes. With a shift kit, I would assume you'd be in no less than a SP"

Actually Shift Kits are not allowed in SP... they are in Prepared

 

I've won over $1k in bracket racing my auto 95 civic. Sure...a turbo ef could beat me on the street, but I am takin home the cash at the strip!!!!!

 

Haha, that reminds me of the time years ago when I lost in the finals to an auto 1981 Subaru that was dialed in at 23.00sec. At the time I had an 88 Trans Am and was dialed in at 13.60. Imagine sitting at the tree watching the other car drive off for about 10 seconds. It looked like the guy was 3/4 way down the track when my tree lit up. Anyway, I got a slightly bettter reaction time than he did but bogged the start and only run a 13.80 and the Subaru ran something like 23.05. Not a chance... The guy won $500 cash and a rather nice SnapOn tool set worth about $5,000. I had to "settle" for $250...

There are days when I actually miss drag racing...

 

Strick Automatic
Auto w/ Sports shifter
Auto w/ Sports shifter and F1 style buttons