I've been wanting to do auto-x for a while in my EM2 civic but my parents have called me every word that could mean stupid. They say I'm going to mess up my car and will have nothing to drive and will have to pay for any damage caused. I'm now 18 and can sign up without their concent. My question is, What is the likelihood of anything being damaged on my 05 civic (completely stock) It's my pride and joy and I would be torn to shreds if anything really did happen to it. Will my brakes brake down, hurt my suspension, damage the engine? Or can my car take a bigger beating that I give it credit for? Thanks all.

 

You could damage your car driving your car to the grocery store. Can you damage your car at an autox? Yes, I've blown a motor, a transmission, multiple drive shafts, etc.

That being said, autox is relatively easy on cars as long as you don't do anything silly. Make sure things like pads, rotors, brake lines, axles, etc are in good order and the engine isn't low on oil or coolant. You know the usual things a car guy checks on a regular basis.

 

I have been autoxing for 7 years now and have been very fortunate to not have any breakdowns. A torn out fenderliner from coneage is about it. Autocross is very safe as long as you dont drive like an idiot. Get to know your car, listen to other people who have been doing it for a while and just have fun.

 

for the past 2 years with 25 autox events and 2 novice schools i havnt had any real problems. worst is about a 7 in crack on the side of my front bumper due to hitting double stacked frozen cones(was very windy and about 20 degrees outside..) not very noticable, car still runs so im golden. other than that, some minor paint scrapes from nailing cones and i had one of my front fenderliners ripped out. no biggie. 185k miles on my car and im still pushing her to the limits.

autoxing isnt very hard on ur car. good routine maintenance(oil, trans fluid, brakes, etc..) and u shouldnt have any issues. ur brakes, suspension, engine and all will hold up fine so long as everything is in good working order.

 

I think you have a higher chance of damaging your car going to an autocross or store than at an actually autocross.

Is there 0% chance=nope. Just like any sport anything can happen. The worse thing I've heard happen (wasn't there but I attend their autocrosses) was a VW Jetta flipping over. VW=high center of gravity, stick DOT R tires, going sideways = bad already.

But in the 10 years (about 250+ autocrosses) I've been autocrossing I've personally never ran into a problem except for some cone scuffs (which buff out with some polish) and on my recent car the head gasket going, but that is because the car has 214,000 miles on it.

Yes autocross put some wear and tear on items like tires, brakes, and suspension components but no more than drive through NYC at 5pm.

 

theres alot of good info given by everyone here.

one thing that i want to add is an idea to get your parents to change their out look at what they think auto-x is. try to take them out to any local event and have them observe/spectate/participate with the surroundings and how organized and safe auto-x really is. then maybe they would be a bit more supportive of your ideas and goals.

as far as wear tear goes. just keep up on your reglular up keep and just glance over your pads,breaks,fluid levels and suspension from time to time.

 

I'm with JDM. Take them to an event, maybe even have them participate.

Here's my opinion on the subject. Autocrossing is a great outlet for people to drive their cars fast versus doing it on the street. Here's something you need to prove to your parents - what you learn autocrossing will make you a much better driver on the street and may save your life (and others). You're in TN, but this site has lots of information on advanced driving http://www.incontroladt.com . Everything that is shown on it directly applies to autocrossing.

Damage to your car? I would not be concerned about damaging my car other than more tire wear than normal. If you goto an event that you ever feel uncomfortable with, then either driver slower or just don't participate. Prove to your parents all the benefits you'll gain by doing it - your tires and possibly a little more wear and tear on your car can be replaced. What you get by doing it can't. Good luck!!!

 

Do you have any friends who'd let you codrive their cars?

Like everyone says, damaging your car is not much of an issue if your club lays out safe courses. The benefit of being able to control your car better in adverse situations after having autocross experience far outweighs the risks. And it's LEGAL. Tell your P's that.

If a car can't mechanically handle an autocross event you shouldn't be driving it on the streets anyway.

 

Just go and get some painters tape at Home Depot and tape up the front bumper on the sides so they wont get scuffed when you smack a cone. The only other thing I could say would be dont drive like a total idiot. Most Autocross courses are setup to avoid and obstacles on the site, but that doesnt mean you cannot hit anything if you are driving like a nut! Just use some some common sense and have fun. Your car will come home in one piece.

PS...Take the family there and show them what it is all about. I bet you they will come home with a new respect for the sport.

Good Luck!

John

 

The only damage you are gonna do is to yourself for not trying it sooner.
Get out there and get hooked on it already.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CivicSiRacer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think you have a higher chance of damaging your car going to an autocross or store than at an actually autocross.

Is there 0% chance=nope. Just like any sport anything can happen. The worse thing I've heard happen (wasn't there but I attend their autocrosses) was a VW Jetta flipping over. VW=high center of gravity, stick DOT R tires, going sideways = bad already.

But in the 10 years (about 250+ autocrosses) I've been autocrossing I've personally never ran into a problem except for some cone scuffs (which buff out with some polish) and on my recent car the head gasket going, but that is because the car has 214,000 miles on it.

Yes autocross put some wear and tear on items like tires, brakes, and suspension components but no more than drive through NYC at 5pm.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can total cars at autocross events if you drive beyound your means. New Mustang Cobra convertable with overconfident driver trying to save it Vs. concrete light pole support way off the marked course. Concrete light pole support wins a 30+mph frontal impact match by totaling the Cobra and injuring the driver (drivers helmet into top of windshield support). That's the worst I've personally seen, but it wouldn't have happened if the driver didn't go crazy and try to save it for a long and not even try braking before impact.

Autocrossing is nothing at all on cars that are in proper operating condition, just added tire and pad wear. Now taking your car out for an HPDE on a roadcourse, that is hard on a vehicle with much more chance of reliability issues because of a lot more stress being put on the car. You have a honda man...you can beat on the motor every day and have it still be reliable if you take care of it! As long as you aren't riding the rev limiter in 2nd gear, autocrossing is no different than daily driving from the motors perspective.

The benefits of autocrossing far outweighs any teeny tiny amount of additional wear you are adding to the car. Being able to know how the car responds in emergency situations and learn what to do in those situations is by far one of the best benifits for anyone getting into autocrossing. Will give you a chance when something happens on the road and you have a split second to make a life/death decision and act on it... Also in similar regard, the looking ahead ability you gain helps out with situational awareness on the road so you can evaluate all the bozo's on the road (cell phoners, non signalers, blind drivers, etc...) and deal accordingly with them. You should be able to tell what they are going to do before they even know what they will be doing...LOL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vracer111 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You have a honda man...</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

After 4 years of autoXing, the worst I've done is go through tires and brakes a little quicker, and I ripped a fender lining out once, but that one on the way

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdm civic 2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">one thing that i want to add is an idea to get your parents to change their out look at what they think auto-x is. try to take them out to any local event and have them observe/spectate/participate with the surroundings and how organized and safe auto-x really is. then maybe they would be a bit more supportive of your ideas and goals.

as far as wear tear goes. just keep up on your reglular up keep and just glance over your pads,breaks,fluid levels and suspension from time to time.</TD></TR></TABLE>i could not have said it better myself. in this debate with the parents i would also point out the modifying the car is what has the higher potential of breaking it. not auto-xing.

 

Well you could always use the argument that its better than street racing.

 

when i first went autoxing i was 16 and my parents were the same way, but after taking them to watch a local autox event they changed their mind.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94accordsedan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've blown a motor, a transmission, multiple drive shafts, etc.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's it, no codrives for j0o

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Targa250R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That's it, no codrives for j0o </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm just that good... besides I already spun your car.

 

I would recommend Falken Tires, and adjusting your camber to a positive degree front and back.

Have AutoX tires and have street tires. Trust me on that one.

And listen to what everyone else said.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by teamhonda_johnb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would recommend Falken Tires, and adjusting your camber to a positive degree front and back.

Have AutoX tires and have street tires. Trust me on that one.

And listen to what everyone else said.</TD></TR></TABLE>why would you want positive camber?? an what the crap does that have to do with the thread??

 

anything can happen but if you drive within your limits and you keep up on regular maintenance you should be fine. In my last autox i saw a guy lose control of his z06 and hit a curb. I also saw a bone stock car crash because his original ball joint broke. So the choice is up to you but dont start racing unless you are willing to walk away from a totalled car because **** happens.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hayasa15 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">anything can happen but if you drive within your limits and you keep up on regular maintenance you should be fine. In my last autox i saw a guy lose control of his z06 and hit a curb. I also saw a bone stock car crash because his original ball joint broke.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Both of those situations could just as easily occur anywhere on the street, so don't let examples like that scare you away.

Poor maintenance habits lead to problems under stressful conditions. Ball joints should always be replaced at the first sign of play. Fortunately, most regular motorsports participants maintain their cars well and have them inspected regularly and serviced as needed. There are a few who don't, however.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hayasa15 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">anything can happen but if you drive within your limits and you keep up on regular maintenance you should be fine. In my last autox i saw a guy lose control of his z06 and hit a curb. </TD></TR></TABLE>that wasnt in south jersey this last year was it? if so it was my buddies z06. the techs checked it out and it was fit to run the rest of the day.

if not, oh well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hayasa15 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In my last autox i saw a guy lose control of his z06 and hit a curb. I also saw a bone stock car crash because his original ball joint broke. So the choice is up to you but dont start racing unless you are willing to walk away from a totalled car because **** happens.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yikes, these are extreme cases for AutoX. The bottom line is YOU are in control of the car. Don't drive beyond where you feel in control. Ask an experienced driver ride with you the first few times, most AutoX's are a friendly bunch and happy to help a noobie get started. Start slow and build up speed. Just the fact that you did not forge your parent's signature to AutoX sooner tells me you're probably mature enough to to be sensible with your car. AutoX is about as safe as motorsports get. Can you hurt your car? Sure, but no more so than you could screwing around on the street.

I also don't think examples of people throttle steering their Z06's and Cobras into wrecks is really something you need to worry about in a Civic. The worst you are likely to do is understeer over a cone and have to buff up your air dam. Plus you will build practical driving skills to keep you safe on the street. Then when you get the $ for a Z06 you'll know better than to throttle steer it into a curb. Get out there and do it!

 

If you guessed it, yes, I am going to suggest a different approach. What is it?

Karting.

Having a dedicated machine for driving close to the limit, at the limit, and occasionally over the limit has it's advantages.

I'll give you a monetary perspective:

If a ball joint does fail in said Auto X, how much to repair?

Ball joint from Kragen: $43.99 to $$65.99
Tool rental for ball joint install: $100.00. Refundable after tool is returned.
Any other damage that the failed ball joint may have caused: $$$$$

A kart has no ball joint! It has caster pills (solid piece of metal), king pin bolt, and a spindle. Cost to replace:

King pin bolt ~ 7.00
Spindle ~ 25-50.00
Caster pills ~12.00 ea.

I have had to replace a spindle after a crash. But before I did, I was able invert my steering rod and was still able to go to the track. Plus, I could have done the repair trackside in less than 10minutes and be back on the track.

I could go on about this, but it is an option.