Is there any hard facts that prove this to be beneficial? Balancing the car, etc.? I've always left mine bolted in, never saw a need to take it out. Thoughts?

 

The only "hard facts" that I know of is the basic rule that, given equal power, the lighter car will be faster. A good driver with ten spare tires will still beat a lousy driver with no spare tire, but all things being equal you might as well take it out since it's legal. As for balance, if anything, it UNbalances the car a little since most of the weight is already up front (in Hondas, anyway).

 

Unfortunatly I don't think there are any hard facts... but look at it this way. Say you are tied for first for season points in your region for your class with some guy named Bob (I'm bad at making up names so bare with me). Now say its the last event of the season. Now, after a brutal day of competition, Bob's fast time is 54.351 and your fastest is only a 54.357. He won the day by .006 seconds. he won the class for the season too... by .006 seconds. You'll wish you had taken the spare tire out then... so why not start the habit now?

...and just for the record I've seen closer races in the same class then .006 ... I've seen people lose by .001 seconds... it happens. don't let it happen to YOU!

EDIT : Cause I'm a retard and can't type.


[Modified by Watkinsm3, 5:05 PM 4/3/2003]

 

Hey Ryan,
I've heard that leaving in the spare helps a bit. Also adding 100lb blocks of lead to various corners of the car balances things quite nicely.
I think you should try this some time. Preferably the next event we are competing against each other.

Seriously, I remove everything I can legally remove from the car. Weight is weight.

 

i have mine removed. doesn't do me any good anyway since i have melted plastic hub rings and can't get a spare over them.

 

Will removing the spare significantly change the handling characteristics of the car? Will I have to adjust to compensate, or leave the settings as is?

 

And seriously I have lost the regional championships like that. I was tied with another gentleman going into the last event in STS. On my 4th and final run I posted my fastest run. On his 4th and final run he got me by like 0.046 seconds and won the championships That's like running over a pebble

 

In a word, WEIGHT

Since I have AAA, I don't even cart one around with me anymore... of course that might have something to do with the fact my car was stolen (March last year) and the tool kit and scissor jack are gone too. (sorry for the little rant)

I also try to plan (recently anyway) how much fuel I'll have in the gas tank... 1/4 to 1/8... enough to get to a gas station after I'm finished an autocross.

And for my tubby little self, laying off the Oreos... have to get to Roger Foo fighting weight, 160lbs @ 5' 4" iz, a not a goot.

However mental "mojo" means more then anything.

 

I have trouble believing that you would be able to notice a difference in the handling of the car from just removing the spare & jack... though it is about 30 some odd pounds if I remember. Not insignificant. If anything it may add a little more rotation (since you're lightening the rear of the car) in the turns. You probably won't notice...

 

I'll tell you this...don't run without the spare tire and try to reduce weight in the rear of a truck - unless you're entering a burnout competition. Spare tire and receiver hitch makes a very noticeable difference in handling...especially when apexing the corners. Don't forget that rear tire pressures are critical too.

Vracer111, who autocrosses a truck for fun and experience.

 

I can say with confidence that my Integra pushed more with a full tank of gas as opposed to empty, all other things held equal. I haven't decided what's best for the Subaru, the car is a little quirky in Stock-class trim.