Just though I'd step in an ask.
I'm interested in the VMP AutoX events. I'd only being doing it for fun as my car is mostly stock, a daily driver, and just a little worn.
I'm very familar with motorsports and automobiles in paticular, I don't have any problems with what's required to knowledgable maintain and race a vechile.
But....,here it is,...it's an Automatic......{dodging tomatoes}
At the last VMP there's was only a GTI and Jetta in my class, but like I said, it's more for fun and the experience. I doubt I'd be close.
So would my 205/50ZR15 STOCK 95SE 4Dr Auto w/130K just keel over and f*n die after a day of cone-dodging. It's in general good heatlh, but otherwise fairly plain.

I'm trying to talk my brother into bringing his '01PreludeSH, so I can drive that too. He runs it ragged anyway (redline and 4-wheel drift before there was even 500mils on it, so I'm not worried about his car.



[Modified by AkiraLite, 4:35 PM 1/17/2002]

 

While I wouldn't consciously decide to autocross an automatic, there's nothing wrong with doing so. slowSER's Lightning is an automatic. The FS National Champion was driving an automatic. Derek Butts' IS300 which finished 2nd or 3rd at Nationals is an automatic.
Only if you don't take care of it otherwise. My 245/50ZR16 STOCK 96Z28 1LE MM6 w/208K seems to do just fine, and it's a domestic!


Karen

 

and its got 4,230,801 autocross runs on it

 

Well... my '95 Integra RS wore 205/55/14s and 205/45/16s when it was basically stock, and 215/40/16s when it was STS modded a bit... 65k on the clock and its fair share of autocrossing, no adverse wear and tear on it. Just jack the tire pressures up to something around 40psi or a little more when you get to VMP, and you should not have to do really anything else assuming the car is in decent condition otherwise, ie intact wheel bearings, working throttle return spring, no cords showing on tires, battery tiedown tight, working brakes, working seatbelt etc etc.

 

Eh, you're just jealous the Saturn didn't last that long!

You also haven't counted the 1/4 mile passes, or the track days.

Kare

 

i auto x'd my auto crx and did better than i thought i would.....was top 25% the day i did it!! it was sweet! oh yeah 140k on mine when i auto'xd it

 

shush the old car had track days on it, and had 130,000 on the clock when i sold it last year. Its still running well from what i hear... however the new car is another (long and bitter) story, and i'll chock that up to shoddy mechanical work by the dealer.

But, mr2 (or maybe civic Si hatch) is on the way, and i just picked up a '83 RX7 to start building for spec-RX7

 

Go out there, your car and tires will be fine. You must remember one thing though have fun. You should bring food and drink and dress for the weather. Get there early, walk the course several times, ask questions. good luck

 

They actually say it's better to start off on street tires cause you willl be able ot hear your car when it reaches it's limit. Can't really do that on DOT racing tires.

 

Big Thanks to all for the replies. I'm definately going to try and get there.
The only thing I need to get checked is the CV and WhlBearing. Don't want to mess those up.

One more question...For those that have run automatics, which is more abusive??>
Manu-shifting 1-2-3 to keep the rpms and engine-braking effect OR
Let the tranny do everything.
The Integra Auto seems to be able to read my mind at times, knowing when not to shift up and what not.
TNKS again,
Chris

 

Just put it in "2" and leave it. If you put it in "D," it might upshift when you don't want it to (like letting off the gas in the middle of the turn) and you'll lose a bit of time (and unsettle the car) when you hit the gas again. 1st gear is worthless on most autocross courses.