What you are missing if you're not autocrossing!

[frftw]

i gotta go autocrossing once my cars running. would i fail tech for a plastic battery tray/tie down in the trunk?

[flohtingPoint]

i gotta go autocrossing once my cars running. would i fail tech for a plastic battery tray/tie down in the trunk?

If your battery is secure and non-mobile and there is nothing near that can affect grounding, you'll pass. You may get some guff if your battery is not in a box though.

[takethewall]

People who just go to track days always feel like they're better than people that autocross. Both are so much fun, and people who put down autocross are missing out on a great way to hone your driving skills.

I'll join in on some pictures:

[Bubba1]

BZZT. Not true. I do primarily HPDE and track days as thats my personal preference. I do not put down autocross at all. I happen to like it. Sorry to poke a hole in your theory.

Nice pics! Can you make Carlisle again? Beautiful Z.

[Mr1der]

If your battery is secure and non-mobile and there is nothing near that can affect grounding, you'll pass. You may get some guff if your battery is not in a box though.

I assume they frown on stuff leaking fluids everywhere too right?

[Bubba1]

I assume they frown on stuff leaking fluids everywhere too right?

Yep.

[r34 gtr]

Flight of the Toyota = awesome. Made the video complete.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wz3mT84K-w

Autocross is awesome. Keep it up guys. I will be out there with you as soon as I get my bastard child 240sx running again.

Until then, I will be rallycrossing the Frontier in 4wd high. She ain't winning no races, I tell you what.

[takethewall]

BZZT. Not true. I do primarily HPDE and track days as thats my personal preference. I do not put down autocross at all. I happen to like it. Sorry to poke a hole in your theory.

Nice pics! Can you make Carlisle again? Beautiful Z.

Okay, okay... not all people... but I hear a lot of it. And I am definitely trying to make it to Carlisle this year.

[Red coupe]

BZZT. Not true. I do primarily HPDE and track days as thats my personal preference. I do not put down autocross at all. I happen to like it. Sorry to poke a hole in your theory.

Nice pics! Can you make Carlisle again? Beautiful Z.

You are seriously one of the minority. Most people who do track days act like auto crossing is beneath them or like people who autocross are wasting their time with out track days.

[flohtingPoint]

You are seriously one of the minority. Most people who do track days act like auto crossing is beneath them or like people who autocross are wasting their time with out track days.

You have your elitists in both sports. You have your NASA folks who think cones are a joke and you have your solo 2 folk who think track people make bad autocrossers. Fact of the matter is, it's two different skill sets. Autocrossing is done on worse tarmac and it's up to you to remember the course and invent your fastest line through it. Tracks have better tarmac, a clear line, but you have to worry about stuffing your car, handling yourself in traffic, overtaking, etc.

Like Bubba, I enjoy both.

[93coupe]

I registered for the track at Carlisle. Jim and Bubba, I will be looking for a lot of pointers.

[Philipio]

I drive a 240 with a stock engine. I have no interest in slowly accelerating to 110, straights would be just a boring reminder of how slow my car is...

You're crazy. Have you ever been to a track or do you just think that's how it is? A slow 240 is a momentum car, just like a Miata. I have a stock engine with bolt-ons and built suspension/brakes/etc. I've only been to track days, haven't made it to an autocross yet. Having such a slow car teaches you how to really drive since you can't screw up every turn and just floor it in straights. I really enjoy passing faster cars than mine. Last time I even passed a pretty well setup Miata; I was proud of that one.

[flohtingPoint]

I registered for the track at Carlisle. Jim and Bubba, I will be looking for a lot of pointers.

Sure thing, no problem =) Feel free to poke by my car and if I'm not busy I'll gladly help you out. If I'm about to make a run, go grab your helmet and come for a ride along (thats the only reason I have two seats in my Corolla). We have plenty of track time available, so I can come over to your car, inspect what you have going on, look at your setup, make suggestions and work on your driving.

This applies to everyone at Carlisle that would like assistance. You can probably find me near my car or in my car, so feel free to pop by and ask for help if you want it. I'll be there to make runs in my car but I also need breaks from the Corolla =P

[nissangirl74]

If I'm about to make a run, go grab your helmet and come for a ride along (thats the only reason I have two seats in my Corolla).

Me too?

[flohtingPoint]

Me too?

Of course =) Once I get the lay of a track and I find my optimal line (usually 1-2 runs), if it's not a competitive atmosphere (which this wont be for me, as there is no season points up for grabs), I dont care if I have a passenger on every run after that. I have two race seats, both with 5-point harnesses and like I said, the only reason I keep that other seat and harness in there is for ride-alongs. Just look for the Italian with the black helmet on and the Brawn GP lanyard coming out of his pocket.

Now, if Pez were going to be there, it'd be a different story =P I'd have a set of A6's, a set of V710's and as a backup, I'd have my old beatup set of S03's and we'd do some battling! It'd be Senna vs Prost all over again!

[PEZi]

Looks like your vehicle pulls as hard in a straight line as mine does

yeah... it prolly pulls a little less hard to be honest... there's almost no way i make as much power as the rolla.... i might make a little more torque tho

the only thing i have going for me is grip... i just don't slow down for turns and keep it moving and i'm good

[flohtingPoint]

yeah... it prolly pulls a little less hard to be honest... there's almost no way i make as much power as the rolla.... i might make a little more torque tho

the only thing i have going for me is grip... i just don't slow down for turns and keep it moving and i'm good

LOL, I'm positive you have more tq. The torque band on 20 valve 4ag's is atrociously low. It's got the same kind of torque band that older honda motors have.

Aside from velocity stacks, the motor is relatively stock. I had plans for fuel management, cams, etc, but most of my money is going to the MR2 for STS.

Like your vehicle, mine is all about carrying speed, no room for mistakes that can be covered up with horsepower on a straight.

[Red coupe]

You're crazy. Have you ever been to a track or do you just think that's how it is? A slow 240 is a momentum car, just like a Miata. I have a stock engine with bolt-ons and built suspension/brakes/etc. I've only been to track days, haven't made it to an autocross yet. Having such a slow car teaches you how to really drive since you can't screw up every turn and just floor it in straights. I really enjoy passing faster cars than mine. Last time I even passed a pretty well setup Miata; I was proud of that one.

lol a miata isn't really any faster in the straights then a 240. Better chassis, but that is easily a good driver vs not.

Anyways, its not like I am saying a 240 should never be on track... And I am really not a HP guy, nor am I complaining about the cars lack of power, believe me I understand momentum car...

My point was, rather then see how much momentum I can bring through a turn, the wait for my car to reach the next one... why not just autocross where I can constantly see how much momentum I can carry into the next corner that is immediately after this one.

The fun part is seeing how much momentum you can keep in that under powered car through the corner, not how that momentum plays out in a drag race down the next straight... Why not just do the fun part, over and over again, 20 or 30 times per lap?

[PEZi]

Now, if Pez were going to be there, it'd be a different story =P I'd have a set of A6's, a set of V710's and as a backup, I'd have my old beatup set of S03's and we'd do some battling! It'd be Senna vs Prost all over again!

haha... indeed... i love the A6's so much! the grip is insane

If your battery is secure and non-mobile and there is nothing near that can affect grounding, you'll pass. You may get some guff if your battery is not in a box though.

battery not being in a box is fine... so long as its AGM (dry cell, gel cell or spiral cell)

here is mine lol

[flohtingPoint]

haha... indeed... i love the A6's so much! the grip is insane

battery not being in a box is fine... so long as its AGM (dry cell, gel cell or spiral cell)

here is mine lol

You should try V710's next. Comparable grip but last longer.

I have an Odessy, which is AGM and there are times where I find myself explaining that to the techs working NASA and SCCA in the DC region.

[93coupe]

Is there a link where I can find the requirements to get my car on the track? Welded diff and all seasons might be messy.

I need to get an alignment, and I need to see if I can fit in my car with a helmet on.

[flohtingPoint]

Is there a link where I can find the requirements to get my car on the track? Welded diff and all seasons might be messy.

I need to get an alignment, and I need to see if I can fit in my car with a helmet on.

Your diff or tires wont matter. It's not something we look over at tech. You want to focus on:

-Leaking fluids-Unsecure items, battery, exhaust, motor (yes we have sent someone home due to motor mounts)-Safety items (seat belt, secure seat, etc)-Cleaned out car (everything gone from the interior that isn't bolted down)-Secure wheels-Noise (your car cannot be obnoxiously loud to the point where people are complaining about your exhaust note)

I have to slouch a bit in the Rolla with my helmet on.

[PEZi]

I have an Odessy, which is AGM and there are times where I find myself explaining that to the techs working NASA and SCCA in the DC region.

that's because techs are idiots... bring them a print out of the rules if they b**** too much... it says specifically only wet cells need boxes

Is there a link where I can find the requirements to get my car on the track? Welded diff and all seasons might be messy.

don't worry... they don't care if you're running a welded with all seasons... as long as you have tires with no cords showing, tight wheel bearings, pedals with positive feedback and battery that is held down properly you're good

most sites have helmets you can borrow.... and if you're too tall with the helmet on then lean your seat back gangsta style you black a** mofo

[Mr1der]

beware of Torry, that little s*** will lay down some fast times on ya.

[skydragoness]

There's nothing wrong with them. I daily drive with a set of Z1s, rain and shine, and haven't had any issues, even when it was pouring down. They've also seen a fair amount of road course use.

Thanks for the feedback. So excellent hydroplaning resistance you'd say? I'd gladly compromise on other things if a tire has excellent wet traction. It rains a lot in DE. They're well priced too.

I

I drive a 240 with a stock engine. I have no interest in slowly accelerating to 110, straights would be just a boring reminder of how slow my car is...

I registered for the track at Carlisle. Jim and Bubba, I will be looking for a lot of pointers.

Oops. I missed this. We have to pre-reg for Carlisle?

[Bubba1]

Thanks for the feedback. So excellent hydroplaning resistance you'd say? I'd gladly compromise on other things if a tire has excellent wet traction. It rains a lot in DE. They're well priced too.



Oops. I missed this. We have to pre-reg for Carlisle?

Don't worry, Sky. I just added you to the list. You're in.

beware of Torry, that little s*** will lay down some fast times on ya.

Very true. Torry is always among the quickest at Carlisle, but he'll have a handicap this year as he's running a rental. Greenblurr93 in his RX-8 and Bill Miller in his corvette will also be coming to give you guys some tough competition.

[Mr1der]

will it be a Vette again?

[skydragoness]

Don't worry, Sky. I just added you to the list. You're in.

Sweet! Thanks Bubba!

[Bubba1]

will it be a Vette again?

It'll be fun to find out.

[Bubba1]

Is there a link where I can find the requirements to get my car on the track? Welded diff and all seasons might be messy.

I need to get an alignment, and I need to see if I can fit in my car with a helmet on.

For Carlisle, the tech requirements are on the first page of the thread below. You'll have to scroll down a bit. I think you'll find them pretty easy.

zer...age=1