SCCA Autocross

[JaceTheAce]

Anyone else here into SCCA Solo 2 autocrossing? I figured there'd be some of you on here... I just started getting back into it. Here's an in-car video of me at the event last Saturday. FYI...at the very end, the audio does not match the video. You Tube seemed to have messed up the video when they converted it from MPG.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VySpFiKmuto

 

[Sheep]

Anything done to that civic?

My buddy just picked up a CRX and is going to drop in an integra motor, then turbo it.


Yeah, he's crazy.

SheepStar

 

[Matt34]

Can't watch the video due to my slow-*** connection but I've been wanting too give it a try. I need to get some stiffer sway bars and would like to go with some coil overs.

Ever year Arizona DPS sets up a course out on the airfield on post and we take our crown vics around, you sure won't confuse them with a M3 but it's still fun.

 

[j_garcia]

Not bad. I would recommend better tires and maybe some additional suspension work. Nice control of the car though. What class? Improved hand positioning might help a little too. I use the crossover method for steering, which keeps two hands on the wheel as much as possible. Tire pressure is critical for auto-x also, so do a test run, check the tires, adjust to get the best grip for the final run. Seems like a relatively big course, but I didn't see any course workers? We have a very healthy number of auto-xs in this area this time of year.

My buddy came in 2nd overall for Solo 2 nationals in a supercharged Civic hatch a few years ago.

 

[JaceTheAce]

Anything done to that civic?

My buddy just picked up a CRX and is going to drop in an integra motor, then turbo it.


Yeah, he's crazy.

SheepStar

Nothing done to it at all actually. I want to save mod money for a BMW M3...I plan on buying a used E36 M3 next year sometime.

 

[JaceTheAce]

Not bad. I would recommend better tires and maybe some additional suspension work. Nice control of the car though. What class? Improved hand positioning might help a little too. I use the crossover method for steering, which keeps two hands on the wheel as much as possible. Tire pressure is critical for auto-x also, so do a test run, check the tires, adjust to get the best grip for the final run. Seems like a relatively big course, but I didn't see any course workers? We have a very healthy number of auto-xs in this area this time of year.

My buddy came in 2nd overall for Solo 2 nationals in a supercharged Civic hatch a few years ago.

Thank you - I posted the vid on another SCCA message board and they gave me similar suggestions for improvement. It's great to take in-car videos to have other people give good advice/suggestions.

My handwork on steering is what really needs improvement. I need to learn to get in the habit of shuffle steering (like what you said). Plus, many people are telling me I should just keep it in second gear. Switching from 2nd down to 1st then back to 2nd shortly after adds a "full second". I really don't know though because the 1.6 liter, while 160HP/111 ft-lbs torque and a light car, it has such little torque in the low end that I think it might do more harm than good in some cases.

Answering your questions... I was in G Stock class the past couple of years, but since the new Si's came out I heard my car (as stock) has been moved to H Stock. Also... there were course workers everywhere, they were just hiding under the trees it was really hot and humid that day.

I set the tire pressure in the rear tires 4 psi higher to induce oversteer. It seems to work the best in my car. And...regarding tires... I REALLY need better dedicated tires for autocrossing...like some Kumho R-Compounds on a lightweight wheel maybe. I'm running on plain Yokohama ES100's. While great for everyday driving, they aren't very good for the track. Also...they squeel a lot on that parking lot because it was freshly sealed to protect the asphalt from the elements.

 

[j_garcia]

If you're going to do it a often, get yourself another set of light rims (used, who cares if they have road rash?) and some sticky tires just for auto-x Yes, you have to change them when you get there, but then they don't have any heat in them from the drive there, they stick a hell of a lot better and both sets of tires will last you longer. G-stock allows any tire do they not? Does that car have 5 lug or 4 lug? My buddys used to run a certain Mazda Millenia rim on their Type Rs because they could be found dirt cheap and they were surprisingly light and strong, with some Hoosiers or Kumhos.

Definitely forget shifting, it does add time even if you're very quick on the shift. That motor has a wide enough RPM range that it should be OK, though you will be running higher in the RPM band (which is where more of the power is in this car anyway ) Yes, a bit of oversteer is what you want, because push is a bad thing on a tight, short course, which nearly every auto-x course is.

It doesn't take a lot of practice to learn to shuffle steer. Force yourself to do it, and it will become like second nature.

*edit - check and/or change your oil before you go...

I wrecked my R before I got to Auto-X it... It has also been a long time since I went to an Auto-x too