Going to my first auto-cross, in the RX-7, what do I need to know?

[Kentetsu]

An earlier post recommended reducing your tire pressure for the race. I do not agree with this, but it may depend on the size/type of tire you are running. I usually run my tires at 35 for street, but will go up as high as 50 for autocross. Here's how to tell what pressure you'll need, without getting very technical or requiring additional equipment.

Use some chalk or shoe polish to mark the sidewall of your tire, right up to the shoulder. After your first run, see how the markings have worn off. If it shows that you are rolling the tire over onto the sidewall, increase your pressure. If it shows that you are not anywhere near the sidewall, then you can reduce the pressure. The idea is to use all of the tread surface, without going onto the sidewall.

Good luck, and have a good time.

[josh18_2k]

well, you're supposed to set tire pressure with a pyrometer. camber too. they sell them at autoparts stores, but i dunno how much they cost.
the chalk is a nice bandaid tho.

[albertomg]

I have no issues seeing with a full faced helmet....

Just go and have fun. Since its your first event, you'll spend most of the time trying not to get lost in the sea of cones. I still get lost sometimes but I'm not out to break any records.

[SJ_chameleon]

Originally Posted by Kentetsu

An earlier post recommended reducing your tire pressure for the race. I do not agree with this, but it may depend on the size/type of tire you are running. I usually run my tires at 35 for street, but will go up as high as 50 for autocross. Here's how to tell what pressure you'll need, without getting very technical or requiring additional equipment.

Use some chalk or shoe polish to mark the sidewall of your tire, right up to the shoulder. After your first run, see how the markings have worn off. If it shows that you are rolling the tire over onto the sidewall, increase your pressure. If it shows that you are not anywhere near the sidewall, then you can reduce the pressure. The idea is to use all of the tread surface, without going onto the sidewall.

Good luck, and have a good time.

I agree. At all of the autocross schools and meets I have been to the older guys who have been at it a while tell me to raise my tire pressure when they see how low it is.

[P71]

I guess step one is to fix my busted driveshaft

[josh18_2k]

Mar 30th in salem yo. you think you'll make it?

[88turboii]

as far as batteries, when you relocate them to a bin inside the cabin.. does it have to have a cover? I have the battery in a box, which is bolted down, and the battery is strapped into the box. the top is open though

[SPICcnmFD]

I think as long as it's behind the driver it's not considered in the drivers comparment.

I just have mine straped down on a tray under the passengers side bin with racers tape on the terminals and I've never had a problem anywhere, including a Nat. tour, and multiple HPDEs.

[scotty305]

Originally Posted by Kentetsu

An earlier post recommended reducing your tire pressure for the race. I do not agree with this, but it may depend on the size/type of tire you are running. I usually run my tires at 35 for street, but will go up as high as 50 for autocross. Here's how to tell what pressure you'll need, without getting very technical or requiring additional equipment.

Use some chalk or shoe polish to mark the sidewall of your tire, right up to the shoulder. After your first run, see how the markings have worn off. If it shows that you are rolling the tire over onto the sidewall, increase your pressure. If it shows that you are not anywhere near the sidewall, then you can reduce the pressure. The idea is to use all of the tread surface, without going onto the sidewall.

Good luck, and have a good time.

I agree with this also: it's a lot easier to let a little air out of the tires after a lap than to add more pressure.

Ask about instructor runs when you are at the registration table; the region I run with allows you an additional run with an instructor driving if you request it. It's really helpful to see what your car can do in the right hands, keeps me from spending money on suspension or tire mods when I really just need to "fix the nut behind the wheel."

If you're at a practice event, try to ride shotgun with other drivers if there is time when you aren't driving or working. It's nice to see the difference in lines, braking points, and steering is especially important on an autocross course.

[Kentetsu]

Yeah, the loose nut behind the wheel is right! The biggest lesson I learned was when my fairly well prepped '85 was down with a blown engine for the last race of the year. Perfect_circle allowed me to co-drive his car for the race, but it was nearly completely stock (I think he had exhaust). Original suspension, old tires, etc. What a difference from my own car!

Well, once I finished throwing a fit and trying to make the car do what it wasn't capable of doing, I settled down and started "driving what I've got". At the end of the day, I really doubt I could have turned in a better time driving my own car. That was when I learned that very little of your actual performance is related to what you are driving. Its very important to drive what you've got, rather than trying to make your car perform above it's capabilities... You can gain a lot of time by just slowing down and driving within the car's limitations...

[Nopis1O]

Originally Posted by Kentetsu

Yeah, the loose nut behind the wheel is right! The biggest lesson I learned was when my fairly well prepped '85 was down with a blown engine for the last race of the year. Perfect_circle allowed me to co-drive his car for the race, but it was nearly completely stock (I think he had exhaust). Original suspension, old tires, etc. What a difference from my own car!

Well, once I finished throwing a fit and trying to make the car do what it wasn't capable of doing, I settled down and started "driving what I've got". At the end of the day, I really doubt I could have turned in a better time driving my own car. That was when I learned that very little of your actual performance is related to what you are driving. Its very important to drive what you've got, rather than trying to make your car perform above it's capabilities... You can gain a lot of time by just slowing down and driving within the car's limitations...

i think that is really my biggest problem is just slowing down and taking the corners better. does anyone know of or have a picture of a track with a birds eye veiw of the apex? im more of a visual learner and kinda want to check somthing like that out. what do you guys think is the best race book?

[dhays]

Great thread! I'm brand new to Autocross as well. I've only done a handful of events, both practice and "real". I need to figure tire pressure as well. On Sunday I was trying to see when my tires were rubbing on the edge. This weekend I'm going to take some chalk with me so I can see for sure. My FD tends to understear quite a bit with me driving it. I waste a lot of time by not braking soon enough or hard enough.

Unfortunately, my FD has to run SM2 in SCCA events (thanks Chadwick for the info). My FD is a dog. Even so, I know I have lots of room for improvement as I try to learn how to drive. It is a LOT of fun. Nopis10, you should consider coming up to the BSCC events in Bremerton. It is a great group of folks. Very relaxed and very helpful. They also have some very fast drivers. You can always find someone to ride with you and give you pointers and they will often offer to allow you to ride along.

Two things really helped me. The first was walking the course with experienced drivers. They see things in the course that I never would and give great ideas on how to drive it. The second was to have an experienced RX racer drive my car with me in it. This guy, who races an FC, climbed into my car cold and drove it 5 seconds faster than my best time, even with the one spinout he had. Enjoy it!

[Nopis1O]

Originally Posted by 88turboii

as far as batteries, when you relocate them to a bin inside the cabin.. does it have to have a cover? I have the battery in a box, which is bolted down, and the battery is strapped into the box. the top is open though

some places are more uptight about that than others. a drycell like an optima is your best option. just make sure its not in the drivers compartment(ha.) and get a good tiedown. ie not ducktape or zipties and you should be fine just about anywhere.