My first Auto-X coming up on the 23rd (A few pics)

[ShadowsFa11]

A little nervous on this one. Just looking for any tips you guys might advise for my first event. I have a 1993 hatch with a stock RB25, Megan street coils, 235 mm tires front and rear. I've been practicing some "race" habits while daily driving, such as proper shifting, steering, heel toe, ect.. but not sure how much it will help, seeing as I wont be using higher gears.

What tire pressure and damping settings would you recommend?

[PEZi]

try 3/4 stiff all around... 38-42 psi depending on your tires

ignore heel toe... to be honest, if you need it you're on a poorly designed course... for AX you launch, shift to second, then drive it like a go kart (left foot braking) the rest of the time

ride along with people as much as possible... learning from others while in the car with them is way better than any words can ever be for you

[ShadowsFa11]

Thanks for the tips. Do you mean 3/4 of a turn?

[PEZi]

sorry... don't know you're exact adjustability options

it sounds like you have adjustable dampening right? if so... 3/4 or 75% stiff is a good start... then adjust based off of what you feel in the turns

[ShadowsFa11]

Alright thanks!

[PEZi]

the biggest thing is WALK THE COURSE... get there early... learn the course... and try and figure out everything you're gonna do before ever even getting in the car

good luck man!

[EnjoiNismo]

the biggest thing is WALK THE COURSE... get there early... learn the course... and try and figure out everything you're gonna do before ever even getting in the car

good luck man!

When you guys do the parade run, do NOT focus on the car in front of you, drive the course, don't follow the car.

[PEZi]

wtf?!? lol... we don't get parade runs... only walks

[n00b240]

Yeah I wish we had parade runs at our events. My only advice would be to sit in as many cars as you can, and try to get someone to sit in yours for some pointers. You should be in second the entire length of the course. If there is a tight hairpin, you may need to shove it into first coming out of the hairpin. You will know it when you drive it. As on subsequent runs you will know the areas you improve on

I'd also put a few dots of shoe polish, to maximize tread use, You dont want to be rubbing on sidewall, if so, you need to release some air. If you aren't using all the tread add more air. And adjust accordingly. Keep both hands on the wheel as much as you can, and move the seat up as far as you can that is comfortable to you. Bring some water, and get ready to have a ton of fun.

EDIT: dont be afraid to push the car on the sweeping turns, the worst that can happen is you spinning out and maybe hitting a cone

[ShadowsFa11]

Yeah I wish we had parade runs at our events. My only advice would be to sit in as many cars as you can, and try to get someone to sit in yours for some pointers. You should be in second the entire length of the course. If there is a tight hairpin, you may need to shove it into first coming out of the hairpin. You will know it when you drive it. As on subsequent runs you will know the areas you improve on

I'd also put a few dots of shoe polish, to maximize tread use, You dont want to be rubbing on sidewall, if so, you need to release some air. If you aren't using all the tread add more air. And adjust accordingly. Keep both hands on the wheel as much as you can, and move the seat up as far as you can that is comfortable to you. Bring some water, and get ready to have a ton of fun.

EDIT: dont be afraid to push the car on the sweeping turns, the worst that can happen is you spinning out and maybe hitting a cone

Good info, thanks alot. Should I have the rear damper setting lower than the front to reduce oversteer? I have very little weight in the back of the car as I removed pretty much everything.

[Caveit77777]

This isn't exactly a race tip but its still damn good. Idk how your auto x will be setup but I know at the one I go to its in a fairly secluded area with no food or drink vendors sooo bring your lunch

[PEZi]

Good info, thanks alot. Should I have the rear damper setting lower than the front to reduce oversteer? I have very little weight in the back of the car as I removed pretty much everything.

as i said before... a square setup to start is the way to go... unless of course you have bigger sways or something else that would cause oversteer.

the reason for this is because with the tight cornering of most AX courses, understeer is way more common... you will tend to drift your way out of corners if you get on the throttle too early, but that is more of a throttle control issue

i always say to start with the settings the same all around.... if the car oversteers too much, then adjust it down.... unless of course it is hard to adjust... if its not too bad to adjust, you WILL have time between runs to adjust it to your liking

This isn't exactly a race tip but its still damn good. Idk how your auto x will be setup but I know at the one I go to its in a fairly secluded area with no food or drink vendors sooo bring your lunch

this is also true... ask your local people about this though, as i know my region always brings in vendors regardless of where we are

[ShadowsFa11]

^Seems reasonable . Thanks.

[Takumi788]

Hey man. I like the comment about a square set up on all four but feel it out. I have track coil overs, I'm running 235's also and a fat sway bar in the rear and i tend to lean more towards soft in the rear and hard in the front for coil over settings. You will feel faster and in more control when you have the right setting. Mess with settings through out the event. Try to minimize under steer by balancing the over steer.

*Stuff to bring - FOOD, jack and spare tire, tire pressure gauge, all necessary tools (just in case), and all the rest that was listed ^^

[ShadowsFa11]

Sounds good. Do you know your exact settings for the damping? I will most likely start off with a sqaured setup and adjust accordingly.

[ShadowsFa11]

Had an absolute blast today at the event. Auto-X really gets your heart racing.
My car preformed really well and I was satisfied for my first time. I placed 4th out of 14 in the novice class. Looking back now I know I could have pushed my car a little harder. I was having ignition troubles while running the car every lap. It would feel like the cylinders would misfire. This also happens randomly while daily driving. Realllyyy need to check it out.
Here are some pics.





My friend Todd whippin it in his stock Miata:



And my friend Kyle with his LS1 powered FD:



And Clint with his coupe:



My buddy also recorded one of my runs. I will post it up as soon as he uploads it.

[StryfeS13]

Glad you had a good time bro. No point in being nervous if you placed 4th out of 14! That's pretty good!

Check your spark plug gap for that misfire issue...or bad coil pack maybe? Also do a boost leak test.

Nice 240, and I'm diggin the FD.

EDIT: I caught your edit haha, I like that coupe, too.

[ShadowsFa11]

Thanks! I just replaced the spark plugs and that wasnt the problemo, I havent inspected the coilpack thoroughly it could very well be the problem.

[StryfeS13]

Did you gap them? If it's not the coil packs, i'd definitely do a boost leak test, and check timing.

[ShadowsFa11]

Yep they came pre- gapped. But the jerking happens even when I don't boost it- any RPM any gear. And yep I'm checking the timing tomorrow. The thing is, sometimes my car will run perfect for a week, then all of a sudden it will randomly skip one day, then it might go a few days in a row without, then a few days in a row of skipping, and repeat.

[ShadowsFa11]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X8ZSkrM_1w

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo8gdj-N03E

[mattblancarte]

Congrats. Track days are fun.

[S13AL]

I've gone to a couple autox events and had a good time as well, but now I'm looking into lapping days/time trials.

[ShadowsFa11]

Same here! At Road Atlanta you can work a corner for a weekend. They pay for your hotel, one meal a day , and also an extra dinner. If you work for two weekends you get a ticket to race one weekend for a day. I cannot wait to do this.