[Modified by Typel2, 9:55 AM 1/26/2003]

 

How long have you been autocrossing in stock class?

Also a non-OEM steering wheel is illegal in stock class.

 

The best thing to do is start autocrossing the car bone-stock, as is, OE tires and everything. Once you have half a season or so with instruction (6-8 events) then you will get a better feel for what you want the car to do.

http://moutons.org/sccasolo/ - That should help you out with allowable mods.

But to answer your question - Konis are rather popular because they are reasonably priced, adjustable and can be revalved later. I have used both the Ecsta V700 and Victoracer and i felt they both offered about the same level of grip though the Victoracers turned in much better. Victoracers 36f/38-40r, Ecsta 30-32f, 32r

RJ

 

[Modified by Typel2, 9:55 AM 1/26/2003]

 

[Modified by Typel2, 9:55 AM 1/26/2003]

 

I do not have a set of Koni's on my autocross car.

As for the steering wheel, it is likely not an issue for a novice at a local level (check first).

 

[Modified by Typel2, 9:55 AM 1/26/2003]

 

Bumping the rear tire pressures up helped the car rotate better. I've been doing this for 3 or 4 years, although the first year was on crappy street tires.

 

[Modified by Typel2, 9:56 AM 1/26/2003]

 

this was on a saturn sc2 with KYB shocks, larger front sway bar, autocross alignment, tires, 4-point roll bar.

You will likely need a few more PSI in the tires for an ITR.

 

[Modified by Typel2, 9:56 AM 1/26/2003]

 

I am terribly sorry i offered my time to help you

The problem is all you will get is general recommendations. But you're going to need experience and seat time to develop what works best for you in terms of shock settings, tire pressures, and alignment. The type of events you run (short tight courses, long open courses), the weather you run in (oppressive heat vs. freezing cold), the surface you run in (quality of asphalt, concrete), etc etc, are all going to factor into what is going to work best for your car and your driving technique so any "actual data" you get is going to be relatively useless and may in fact point you in the wrong direction.

 

[Modified by Typel2, 9:56 AM 1/26/2003]

 

[Modified by Typel2, 9:57 AM 1/26/2003]

 

Its not a matter of arguing. And no i'm not going to own your post count or something stupid like that. However the advice of determing what works best on your car given your driving conditions is something that you are going to determine. Want cliff notes for a FWD car?

-1/8" total toe out front
0 toe rear
Camber isnt usually adjustable....

36-40psi front tires, 34-44psi rear (cold) for Victoracers (depends on above factors)
Ecstas like much lower temperatures (32-33psi hot) or else they will chunk up in the middle of the tire

Shocks - 1/2-3/4 stiff front, 1/2-full stiff rear

Start there, get instruction and seat time (lots of it) have experienced drivers take runs in your car, make sure you take notes and log all your changes to the car in a book for later reference. Make incremental changes, and only change one thing at a time (i.e. dont change tire pressures if you are also changing a shock setting)

 

[Modified by Typel2, 9:56 AM 1/26/2003]

 

First, I would check out the http://www.scca.org and then find the region locator for the region you fall under.

From there you can find a schedule and more than likely a FAQ link for new members.

My advice would be to pack a lunch, air your tires up about 10psi over max, and bring clothes for any weather. Bring a lawnchair too as you'll be doing alot of sitting around. Oh and a couple sheets of paper, tape and marker for your numbers.

When you show up, inform the registration folks that this is your first event so they might pair you up with a more experienced person to show you the ropes of how an event is run.

Once you get registered, go take everything out of the car that is not fastened down, including the trunk area. Once that is done, you should have a number and class to run in (from registration) so put that on the car somewhere. Use the paper and marker for this and tape it to your rear 1/4 window. Shoe polish works in a pinch, but is often illegible or ineffective during rain.

Once you have your numbers on, go get your car teched, where they'll check it for basic safety. Wheel bearings, lugs, tires not showing cord, working brakes, throttle return springs, tight battery, no major leaks, positive battery terminal covered, empty trunk and cabin, helmet certification if you have one. Loaner helmets are usually available, but they are usually short in supply and you share with others who may not smell as good as you.

Once you're teched, you go walk the course. This is an extremely important task and one that will seperate the winners and losers. Walk the course as many times as you can, focus on where it goes, where you might want to be at a given point, where you may want to brake for a turn, etc.... Walking with someone who knows is very helpful. Most clubs have a "NOVICE WALK" where an experience racer will explain different portions of the course, what you may want to think about applying to your run and why. By all means, don't miss this. Everyone has embarrassing runs at some point, but this will minimize the chances of you going off course and getting frustrated early on. If you can strive to walk the course enough to learn it to the point of replaying it in your mind, then you're lightyears ahead of the game. It'll make your runs unfold much more smoothly since you'll know what to expect once you're moving about the course. Note that after walking a few times, some folks will be very quiet and extremely focused on the course as they walk. This wouldn't be the time to ask questions or interrupt their train of thought. Afterwords would be easier to approach them. Just a thought.

Try to take a ride with someone before you go run. This is generally allowed and most folks will gladly take you around to show you where to be (or not to be) for a smooth run. Simply asking if you can is enough. Leave them a run or two by themselves so they won't have any excuses for not finishing better. Not that they would blame you, it would be a personal and silent "but if I wouldn't have..." type thing.

When it's time for you to run, relax and focus first on negotiating the course cleanly. Speed will come later. Once you finish your run, return to the grid as you did before you ran and wait for your next run. In this time you can pop the hood to help cool off the motor, you can check and adjust your tire pressures, or you can run up to the timing board and see your progress. If you hit some cones, you might be able to ask someone to watch you run so they can tell you where you may improve. Dont forget to return your helmet so someone else can use it unless you have permission to keep it in your car throughout your runs.

After your last run you should have had a blast! You should have improved your time from your first run and you should be happy with your times considering your experience. Now rest for awhile before you go to work (depending on your run/work order).

The club should definately pair you with an experienced person for your work assignment since safety is paramount. They will show you how to safely **** a cone, check for penalties, and respond to situations. Your judgement of a cone penalty is as important as another's judgement of your penalty. If a cone is replaced wrongly or not replaced at all, the next driver can stop and get a re-run, stretching the day out longer. Knowing your area and the most likely targeted cones will make your work assignment easier and maybe more enjoyable. Working before you run can help you get an idea of how to make your own runs or what will work better time-wise. Working last sucks, but someone has to do it. Take it in stride and enjoy the moments of seeing examples of great driving along with outright maddening off-course runs by those who may not have prepared enough.

Stay for the trophies even if you don't earn one. Applauding your peers is directly recipricated. It also allows you to meet and talk with those who did earn trophy and gain insight on their performance, preparation, etc....

-A friend of mine from the RS forum wrote this up for me. Great advice!

 

Its ok, he deleted his comments that the thread had "gotten stupid" and should be deleted.

 

Thx for everything..
... haha ..
here.. take this