I've been itching to go to an autocross school (Evolution) for a while now, but I always have managed to be out of the country while they are being held. This year, I might have a chance to go by attending one that is a not the one in my home region. So I am happy about that.

The down side is that Philly region will have most of its events at the small Boeing lot this year, so I was planning on skipping much of the season to save money by avoiding entry fees and avoiding buying race tires (I don't enjoy the Boeing lot that much). I was going to skip on buying race tires at all this year, since I've heard that winter weather hardens the compound, and I wouldn't want to only get a few events on them before putting them in cold storage for the wenter, where their value will decrease.

So my question becomes: Is it still worthwhile to go to the autocross school on the beloved (read 'despised') Acura stock Michelins? (or is the whole rumor about race tires losing grip when they go through a winter just an old wive's tale/massive exaggeration?) Will I be missing out on a great deal of the value of the school if I am on (rather crappy) street tires?

 

IMO, it shouldn't be a big deal. In the Phase I and II's, the instructors are trying to teach *you* to be faster (look ahead, look ahead, look ahead! ), not necessarily trying to teach you how to drive your car faster and get the most out of it. The focus is making you a better autocrosser by helping you improve your approach to driving a course.

 

Personally, I can't think of a better method to go burn those things up and then go get some better rubber...

 

While the Michelins are a lousy tire, they won't prevent you from learning the basic lessons taught during a phase I or II evolution course. No matter the car and it's setup, the Evolution course teaches YOU how to be a better autocrosser. You'll be amazed at how helpful it is. And you'll be faster, too.

 

I ran phase 1 and 2 the other weekend in Petersburg on street tires -- in fact, I'd suggest running on street tires for the simple fact that you *will* burn up a set of race tires at a school, especially if you do back-to-back phase 1 and 2.

Karen

 

In our region they do not allow a novice driver to use race tires. You must obtain a top 5 finish to move out of novice and out of street tire.

I think you will be just fine on street tires. Working on your driving before investing in race tires.

Good luck.... you're going to have a blast!

 

Ausmith: heh.. just because I haven't made it to the school yet doesn't mean I'm completely the novice.. my blessed Michelins have seen me several top five finishes (yes, even when there are more than 5 competitors.. ), occasionally outpacing race-rubber equipped vehicles.. Of course, I'm far from Pro, too.. which is why I want to get seat time, segment time, and instructor time..

CamaroFS34: my street tires ought to be able to survive the school, no? I'm a cheap bastard, and I really drive rather sedately when not at autocross (reference cheap bastard, gas mileage, and tire wear)-- I'm hoping to get at least another whole year out of them..

Also, due to the aforementioned monetary attitude, I had not planned on doing Phase I and II back to back, just Phase I.. is there a greater benefit to taking them back to back as opposed to spacing them out to say one per year?

 

You have to figure that a one day class could give you as many runs at say 4 to 5 auto-X events or more. So you should be looking to leave those tires on the pavement for after the school is over and getting some new tread for the main season.

 

My street tires had a year's worth of wear (about 35K) on them, and I'm still on them two weeks later, so take that as you will....

Karen

 

I'm runnning the Evo schools on my Azenis tires. Why not give those a try?

 

I say run the school on whatever you're going to run on during the season. If not then I would at least get rid of those awful V4s and get some Kumho 712 or Falken Azenis

 

I went down the same road last year when I took the Evolution school. I had already put a few events on race tires, but I didn't want to burn through a whole set in one day if there wasn't going to be a good reason. I ended up doing the school on street tires (azenis) and I'm very glad I did. I would suggest you do the same. The only time I would suggest doing the school is if you've been on race tires so long that you would have to relearn to autocross on street tires (which would be distracting).

Grip doesn't mean sh*t at the school. In fact, I had so many consecutive runs that my front tires increased 8-10 psi and were as slick as butter by the end. It was actually a good thing, because it amplifies problems that will be masked by sticky tires. You'll get much better feedback than just run times, so dont' worry if your times get slower as the day goes on because of your tires. YOU will know if you're getting faster or not.

Burn the hell out of those crappy tires

 

Plus you're probably used to the Michelins, as bad as they are. And, while you improve on the XGTs, you'll know it's because of the school. Scientific method. Then when you get your V700 (Victoracers/Ecstas <= anybody tried these), you'll drop another bunch of seconds. At least that's what I'm hoping.

I ran with the stockers. It's recommended esp if the surface is hard on tires. Just remind the instructors of your stock condition before they go mowing down 8-10 cones like in my case. I was, "Umm, this is not a type R."


Look ahead!

-allen

 

Mike, because I'm a CHEAP BASTARD! I want to buy as few sets of tires as I can, and get the most out of the tires that I can.. so I'm going to use the Michelins as long as I can safely get away with it. For actual performance tires, I want to run V700s since I might have a decent chance with a GS-R in G Stock with the 2002 class realignment.. The Azenis aren't as grippy as the V700s and don't last as long as the Michelins.. they don't do either job well enough for me to buy them unless I go to STS.

Of course, as I said, I'm going to wait until the next season, or wait until I find a convenient region with a better lot than Boeing.. I don't really want to spend that money to campaign at Boeing.. heheh.. Boeing autocross -> tempest in a teacup..

If Philly isn't going to be doing anything other than Boeing for the forseeable future, I'll just buy me a kart to use there..