Hey guys, I just found out about the SCCA sanctioned autocrossing out here in denver...all this time the course was only 30mins away from me and i had no clue, can you believe that? anyway i am going to sign up to take part in the march 26th event. Any words of wisdom for a novice autocrosser?

 

I second that. I want to try a RR event at willow springs.
What would you tell someone who has never been before?
Anything in particilar I should check on my car?

 

Auto-x and RR are both slightly diffrent....

First, the Auto-x event:

1) Be prepared to LEARN. go with an open mind, and realise that you are not going to be competative your first time out (unless your last name is schumaker). Make sure you have all the general saftey stuff needed for SCCA auto-x (no hub caps, helmet, wheel bearings have no play, battery tie down), and that you know what class your car is legal for.

When you show up and register, make it clear that it is your first time. Also, ask if can have someone show you the ropes. They should at least get you in touch with someone that can ride with you, and coach you. and also go out on course, and walk the course with you, to show you what line to take, and what to look for in the course walk. Them knowing it is your first time, should be more than willing to accomadate that, and help you learn.

You might also call the local SCCA before you go, and talk to them. I am sure they are going to require that you have a copy of the rule book. You can also find out if there is anything special you will need, or want as a first timer.

I would also suggest posting on frrax.com and seeing if there are any regulars who post there, that might be willing to help you out on the first day.

Lastly, Listen, Learn, and most importantly have fun!



Bens3rdGen -- What type of event is this? HPDE with a car club? SCCA Open Track, Solo1?

For going on a road course, there are a few extra saftey items, depending on the group. The Audi group that I go with, tests the water level in your brake fluid, so bleeding the brakes just prior to the event is a must. Make sure you have fresh brake pads, as you WILL go thru a lot of brake material during a full day of racing.

on the road course, if you are going with an instructor, they will explain most of it for. Key things, is make sure you know the location of all the flagging stations. And very importantly, remeber to wave to and thank, the corner workers on your cooldown lap.

Again, the best advice, is to talk with the group you are going on track with. Make sure you know all the stuff that will be checked when you tech in. Make sure your car is up to snuff.

 

Yea it's with a club so kind like a HPDE event.
I'm sure if I pay attention to the instructor I'll be fine. I was more concerned with what the weak points on the car are. I don't want to have it blow up after 5 mins of racing. New pads are a good idea. I got an alignment. I think I'm going to have the cooling system pressure checked tomorrow. Anything else?

 

Beyond the normal stuff, fluids, etc. Just get a list of things that will be teched, and make sure you are set on all of them.

That, and don't try to be a hero, listen to exactly what the instructor is telling you. A good instructor will slowly work you up to going fast, so he/she can get a good feel for your driving skill. If you get passed 40 times in a session, don't let it get to you. Just keep trying to drive your line, don't worry about who you are passing, or who is passing you. Smoothness and a consistant line are the goal.

 

I would recommend some cooling mods if your setup is stock, I dont really do the AX or RR thing but I do goto track events and I've found the stock cooling setup is not acceptable for heavy duty applications like track lapping. I guess this wouldn't be as big of a deal for AX but it could be a big deal for RR. The fault IMO is the stock 220 degree thermostat and fan switch combo. This does not leave you with a big buffer zone for the car to cool itself down when heating up fast (it only begins cooling at 220 deg which is too late IMO). I would recommend changing both the fan switch and thermostat to the 180 degree versions, this will give the car much more time to cool when it begins to heat up, probably keep you at/under 200 deg all day long no matter how hard you push the car. Aside fom that I would check all the fluids and brake pads like Dewey said, pretty much verify that all the parts of the car that require fluid have the correct ammount of fresh fluid and also make sure all wear items are in good condition (which includes tires).

I would also say spring for an aftermarket steeringwheel before going out. No so much a needed item but it does make it alot more fun IMO (personal preferance I guess).

 

This link is helpful for auto cross http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

For HPDE I always take my car to a mechanic that is familiar with the rigors of a track day to check it out prior to going on track. In fact many schools require this. The last time I went the mechanic found two items that would have been very bad on track. Good brake pads are very important and I do not mean the lifetime pads at autozone.

 

be easy on the throttle is all i can say...

over 600 wheel hp isnt gonna like coming out of the turns well. just walk into it as easy as possible

have fun

 

Cooling

Drain the antifreeze and run water with water wetter. Put in a 160 t stat Antifreeze does not cool. It raises the boiling point. It also makes a mess if spilled on the track and many tracks will not allow you to run it. Also if you mess the track you may be given the clean up bill for the oil dry. No antifreeze no problem.

Run you heater and fan on high, this will aide cooling.

Tires
Take a good tire gage and check the before and after pres on all tires. If you have 245/50/16 I would start with 32lbs front and 28 rear IF the rest of your car is stock. If you have other ideas then do that. I know that this works on the 3 3rd gen v8 cars that I have run all with different tires.

Take off the plastic tire valve stem covers. I have seen them melt.

Brakes
Go to the ford dealer and buy the ford Hi Po brake fluid. It is cheap and more than adequate for a track day. Change fluid.

Steering
Add a power steering cooler. Splice into the hard line with rubber line and add an auto trans cooler. I have seen two 3rd gens burn up the boxes and blow out the fluid before the cooler was added.


Saftey
REVOVE ALL and ANY loose items from your interior. It is no fun trying to drive with a ball point pen under your heal.

Clean the glass real good.

Take spare belts and hoses.

 

fill your tires up to the max psi temp on the front and 3 lb's lower on the rear if running Non "R" coumpound racing tires- meaning everyday normal street tires. I have even run my fronts 2 lbs over max psi on fronts at 53psi when the max front was 51psi with best results on a cooler day. 51psi on a hotter day. Its common to slightly over inflate so the sidewall does not roll and scrub the tire over the edge of the tread onto the sidewall.

Put some cheap organic brake pads on the car (soft pads) to improve pedal feel and modulation and also easier warmup during a short run.

Drive with two feet- one on the brake and one on the gas. Practice using your brake pedal through the corner while using the throttle at the same time to set the attitude of the car. You've heard the term trailbraking? thats it.

And most of all, what out for ringers in V6's

 

yea Orr89rocz, if i can get it to stay grounded out of the turns, i'll be leaving hella fast!

 

Thanks for the info guys, that's what I was looking for.

Ben

 

Lee, where exactly is this?

 

Five7, its just past DIA to Mt. Elbert if you know where that is. Go to www.rmsolo.org and you'll get all the info.