i have a turbo integra and was wondering if it was safe to participate in autox races. I'm boosting 6psi only but I would think it would be a heavy load on my car because I heard during the race you stay mostly in 2nd or 3rd gear on the higher RPMs betweeen 5000 and 7000.

 

Should be safe for everybody/thing except your tires. I usually shift to second when first runs out and leave it there for the remainder of the run, there are exceptions where first or theird is needed. Go and give it a try, take it easy at first, you will still have a ton of fun and meet some new people.

 

There's a guy here, ajn, he just started autoxing with his turbo Honda. As far as I know everything's been fine.

 

Your inside front tire will be vaporized at every turn. But all in all, autocrossing is not too harsh on a car.

 

Thats good to know. There's an autox this Sunday and I'll probably just watch this time. I'll ask around and gather more opinions. But thanks for the quick replies.

 

Wouldn't you guys recommend a limited slip Diff?

 

Well that's a given. Every car needs an LSD!

 

b18b98, are you here in ATL? I'll be there and believe me, you'll be on yourself if you don't run..... It'll just eat you up inside. Trust me on this one. Come out, pay your $30 and have a good time!

 

Am I the only one that has come to the realization that autocrossing chews up tires way more than road course events? My old RE730s looked like absolute hell by the time I got rid of them.

 

Throw some negative camber on that. the outsides of my tires are getting masacred because I'm too lazy and broke to get an alignment (and camber kit, etc) until I get shocks and springs in about june, but I think that's my problem.

 

I just came back from an autox school today. It's a blast. There is a huge improvement with those Khumo's compared to my stock 65 series American Generals. I can't get enough of this sport. I will be attending another event at Six Flags tomorrow if your interested. I know that pre-registration is full, but they might be letting spectators in tomorrow. Not sure though.

You have to try it out. The only disadvantage though is really the class that I am in. I can hardly compete with most of the cars in my class. I just wish I had started out in a stock class just to be more competitive. The turbo has put me in Street Modified. There is basically no rules. There is a lot, I mean a lot, more things that I would need to do to the car to be competitive. Like, LSD, better driving, R compound tires, etc.. That's why I want to sell the car and start off with a stock platform and work my way up.

I definitely think you should try it out. You and I are basically running the same amount of boost. The engine can handle the abuse in 60 second intervals. I tried it once, and I am hooked. I will never go to the drag strip again

good luck,

aj

 

Hey there! I've been going to the 1/4 mile tracks for a couple years now. Just test and tune for fun. But I REALLY would like to give AutoX a try. I'm about as fast as I'd like to be in the 1/4 (high 13's with street tires and full interior).

But, I have no idea how to get started! I don't know where the events are held or anything. I live in Fort Worth, TX. There's the Texas Motor Speedway to the north, and the Ennis Texas Motorplex to the south. And there is a Six Flags near here, do they sponsor AutoX events??

Where should I start?


[Modified by AutoSol, 11:47 PM 3/9/2002]

 

ajn, i am hopelessly outclassed too. but i don't go to compete, just have fun. but road courses are my addiction now!

Edit: and when i say outclassed, i mean both my skillz (or lack thereof) and the car. i feel i'm learning more about the car on road courses though, maybe due to the sheer amount of time spent in the car. up to 2 hours behind the wheel as close to 10/10ths as you dare, as opposed to 3 or 4 minutes behind the wheel for autox.



[Modified by 4doorH22, 1:14 AM 3/10/2002]

 

Autocrossing is a fantastic way to keep from getting rusty. I fully intend on going to a bunch this summer.

 

FYI.... I doubt that you care seeing as how you are going for the first time (I still dont care...) You will be thrown in to a class where you have 0% chance of competing for 1st.

NOt a problem if you dont take it super serious like some people do though

 

unless he runs novice class

 

take a look at the scca.org website. specifically, this link will allow you to find your local scca group which hosts events and likely a driver's school.
http://www.scca.org/getstarted/divisions.html

and this is good preliminary reading about auto-x in general:

http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

good luck,
phil