My first auto-x.. how to prep?

[STIwish]

Okay, I will be running my first auto-x this weekend, its not SCCA but the classification is by SCCA rules I do believe. Its on a large, ex-military airfield that hasn't been kept up since the late 40s... very slick and it eats tires very quickly... its a very long and fast course favoring power... 2 miles long with speeds that reach 100+ in the straights... Im going to go in running only an MBC... okay, so what do I need to do to prepare my car and myself for this? never run on a course before and Im hoping I dont go out and lose to an old domestic POS... any pointers guys?

[tysonK]

100+ mph...holy shit...make sure your brakes are in good working order!

[STIwish]

Yeah, is the fastest auto-x course ive ever seen.

[MattR]

Well, first off, If the event is following Scca class rules, your MBC will be illegal in Dstock or STX classes.You might want to check on the legality of that mod.

Secondly, make sure you take a tire guage with you. Start out with your normal tire pressure or higher since you're on re-92's. In between each run, monitor your air pressure, becasue it will vary greatly as teh tires heat up. You have to decide if you want to run more pressure which will give you stiffer sidewalls and more response, or if you wnat a bit lower pressure, which will give you more traction, but cause the tire to "roll over" a little.,assuming of course you're still running your stock tires.

Finally, as far as run times go...since this is the first time you'll have your WRX on the track, take it easy on your first lap to get a feel for the cars turning, acceleration, etc. You'll be surprised how much your car pushes through the turns trust me...

Focus on being smooth, and not jumpy behind the wheel...And most importantly, have a good time, and don;t take it too seriously like the vegas guys in Hawthorne, Getting too seriuos is a good way to ruin the experience...enjoy....

Matt

[STIwish]

Keep em coming! Think an extra set of brake pads would be good?

[sperry]

Matt said a lot of good things. But I think the info on tire pressure could use a little clarification. On non-race tires, lowering pressure will decrese grip, since the car will tend to roll onto the sidewalls (that's where all that screetching will come from), adding air pressure will increase grip, since there will be less sidewall rollover. Start out at say 42 psi all around. After each run or two check the pressures, you will likely have to bleed air out of the tires since the pressure will go up as the tires get hot. With non-race tires, usually you will want a little more pressure up front than in back say 44f/42r to help the car rotate.

http://www.subrew.com/ has a great autocross primer with a Subaru tilt. I would disconnect the MBC and run in a stock class the 1st few times out. Also, remember to ask questions... most people at autocrosses are very cool with helping new drivers get into the sport.

Reno SCCA has a nice intro FAQ about SoloII here: http://www.renoscca.com/intro.html
that includes stuff to bring, and basic setup info.

Good luck!!

[MattR]

Yeah good points, You have actually raced on RE's, so your suggestions have a little more experience behind them Definately get rid of the mbc for now,,,,

[tysonK]

Make sure to bring sunscreen, lots of water, maybe a hat.

[MattR]

And bug spray if your racing in Hawthorne or any other desert wasteland

[sperry]

Oh, and you won't have to worry about brake pads... just know that a few autocrosses will do a number on the stock pads/rotors. I did about 5 autocrosses and 10k miles on the stock bits before needing to turn the hell out of the rotors and install new pads. I've got a set of slotted rotors and new pads sitting in my kitchen... I'll need to install them soon!

[MattR]

Originally Posted by sperry

. I've got a set of slotted rotors and new pads sitting in my kitchen... I'll need to install them soon!

Really? What did you get???

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

Really? What did you get???

Stoptech's... they cost about the same as stockers, but are slotted... we'll see how they do once they go on. I'm not expecting anything dramatic... they'll just look cooler..

[MattR]

Yeah Definately, i was considering getting some soon, I want to check them out...Is the install pretty easy? I've never done brake work, except bleeding. Cool

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

Yeah Definately, i was considering getting some soon, I want to check them out...Is the install pretty easy? I've never done brake work, except bleeding. Cool

Well, brakes can be easy... you could just take 'em apart, install the new parts the way the old ones were, and be done...

However, to do a brake job right requires anti-sease(sp?) and special tools and a bunch of experience I don't have, so that's the one job I leave to the pros.

Which reminds me... the place I used to take my car to screwed over my roommate, so I'm not going there any more. I need a new brake shop, any one know a good place?

[STIwish]

Okay, MBC is gone.. ill be totally stock so maybe ill stand a chance at maybe placing... MAYBE... i have to wonder where im going to fill up the tires out there though.. hopefully someone will be running a compressor I'll be video taping the whole thing... ill post a nice edited video next week sometime