i like competition, with that said - i want to put my car on the track ( with turns ) and see how well the car does. where shoud i start? i don't know where to go and who to talk to for some informative information. I've heard of people talking about auto-cross, but i don't know what that is and i don't know if that's what i want.
Any comments, web-sites, and general advice would help. Thanks.

 

http://www.scca.org is a start.

http://www.skipbarber.com

 

well, either way (auto-x or circuit) youre dealing with turns... start with suspension stuff, stiffen the chassis a bit... take away some body roll. Maybe upgrade your brake pads, if you have some power to your car look at brake lines etc...
suspension/tires/brakes= good autox or track car. That stuff before power mods.

 

HAHAHAHA, expect lame responses to this question.

Try autoXing first. There are many local clubs that sponsor events. I was a member of BMWCCA. You don't need a BMW to join either. I have done an event with the 350Z club too.

DEs are the best. I've run with the Ferrari Club, Porsche Club, Corvette Club, as well as an organizer called CarGuys.

Where do you live?

As for mods to your car, you don't need any. Just make sure your car is in good running order. You'll get a lot of idiots who think you need to mod your car to do these events. You DON'T!!! I ran my Prelude with 173K miles ALL STOCK for a few events. The car handled GREAT!!

Glad to see you are looking to use your Honda for what it was designed for!!!

 

I know that our Preludes were designed for the track in mind. Acceleration is good, handling is great, top speed - we need a little help there. Overall, no complaints.
I live 10 miles from Boston, MA ... where would i go to find these sponsored events?

 

NASA has some good HPDE events, i don't know if there is a drivers edge racing events near you either.

the best thing to do is learn how to drive your car first then mod. and actually the prelude was designed as a test bed for technology for honda / luxery sports coupe. sorry to bust your bubble but its true, but its still a fun car to drive at the track

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AndyD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As for mods to your car, you don't need any. </TD></TR></TABLE>
uh no, youre right you dont, but they help...

 

yea, if you are doing a circle track then some ajustable coilovers will help, so you arn't wearing out one side faster than the other. tein, kyb, and i think skunk 2 makes some nice ones as well. if you are doing auto x then you still want the ajustablilty but different way to use it. I have never done any of this myself so dont quote me on this, but i have a few friends that like to do it from time to time.

 

^well he can, but seeing as he is new the sport. its easier just to go out there and learn then mod later.

doing all this suspension stuff could hurt him / confuse him with settings.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by petern101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^well he can, but seeing as he is new the sport. its easier just to go out there and learn then mod later.

doing all this suspension stuff could hurt him / confuse him with settings.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly!! I don't expect ricers to understand this. Too many "enthusiasts" think about modding the car first. That's why I wasn't surprised to see the responses so far. LOL

If anyone is serious about driving faster, they would first take the car out stock, get a feel for the car, then SLOWLY mod the car to get it to respond how they feel fit.

For most of the ricers who own Hondas, simple mods are all that is needed. A more firm suspension, brake pads, tires, and an open-mind is all that's needed. Anything else is nice, but not needed to enjoy yourself.

There's a reason why there are so many out there who mod their cars heavily, yet you never see them at the track. They just want to play the part of racecar driver. LOL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by street_ride14 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I know that our Preludes were designed for the track in mind. </TD></TR></TABLE>i tend to disagree.

but i do agree with everyone else, get used to your car at first. mods tend to hide your driving errors so just get the basics down first

 

A good place to start might be to read the autox/road racing forum on this site. But as for finding events near you, go to http://www.scca.org.

Autocross is a low-risk event that takes place in large parking lots using courses laid out by orange cones. I recommend you start here to learn car control in an environment where you can screw up and spin and it doesn't matter. Racetracks are much higher risk. Also, for autocross you don't need to change any equipment. For the track, you have to get performance brake pads and brake fluid.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AndyD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
As for mods to your car, you don't need any. Just make sure your car is in good running order. You'll get a lot of idiots who think you need to mod your car to do these events. You DON'T!!! I ran my Prelude with 173K miles ALL STOCK for a few events. The car handled GREAT!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes! I autox'd my Prelude S with well over 100k miles for three years, unmodified. I kept it unmodified so I could stay in stock class. Now I'm modding my suspension for the track, but by now I figure I've earned it.

 

yeah and track costs way more in prep.

i didn't mod my car much but i did have to get new tires (all season's ain't gonna cut it)

and a bunch of fluids / pads / general maintance stuff.

plus you need a helmet, motorcycle helmets work for auto x but if you want to go road racing, some places require a Snell rated helmet.

i made the mistake of buying a m2000 helmet first and then having to fork out for a Snell rated helmet.

 

You still need a Snell M90 (maybe M95) rated helmet for SCCA autox.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AndyD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If anyone is serious about driving faster, they would first take the car out stock, get a feel for the car, then SLOWLY mod the car to get it to respond how they feel fit.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
well I assumed he has a decent feel for his own car, guess not. sorry

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by street_ride14 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I know that our Preludes were designed for the track in mind. Acceleration is good, handling is great, top speed - we need a little help there. Overall, no complaints.
I live 10 miles from Boston, MA ... where would i go to find these sponsored events?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm new here too, but i know there is going to be an event at the new hamshire international speedway this weekend, to bad i'm gonna be out of town I'll post a link later i'm at work right now and i can't get to that site.