New to Auto X

KHoff7 · 08-02-2007, 09:52 PM

I am looking into Autox, Im going to watch an event this Sunday to see what its like, if i were to start racing auto x what are some essential mods to the subi (04) its stock.

jb181 · 08-03-2007, 02:18 PM

Best thing to do and what I did was learn to drive the car on the track with out mods. Once you understand how the car reacts under different conditions, etc, braking, under steer, over steer. Once I learned how the car handle and I started to get consists run times I started upgrading the suspension added coilovers, front and rear sway bars. Hope this helps.

Nose Nuggets · 08-03-2007, 04:03 PM

^^^^
absolutely correct. i would highly suggest you take a driving class of some kind. i fully support the Skip Barber Raceing school classes. they dont any anything rally specific but its all the same physics and vehicle dynamics, just different conditions.

KHoff7 · 08-03-2007, 08:58 PM

Thats what I planned on doing, About the racing school I still have to look into it im not sure where any are around here.
Thanks!

Big Sky · 08-03-2007, 10:15 PM

don't be afraid to jump right in

, let somone know you are new and they will have someone show you the ropes. see if you can ride along w/ somone who has been at it for awhile and then see if they will ride w/ you. autox is 90% driving, 10% setup

you'll find folks friendly and more than willing to help out somone new (even when your not so new too

)

KHoff7 · 08-04-2007, 11:34 AM

I know a good bit about lines and such from racing onroad rc cars but im not sure how much of it would carry over to real cars.

2006WRXTR · 08-04-2007, 02:14 PM

Big Sky is right. Just enter in an event. Chances are, there will be a novice group in which to enter. Just let people know you are new and they'll take care of you; giving advise while you walk the course; answering any questions you might have. You might even be able to ride with someone during their run; not uncommon.

Good luck! And report back after your first event!

KHoff7 · 08-04-2007, 02:51 PM

Ill let you know, but I probably wolnt be racing until next year or in a few months since I just started driving and I don't think a learners permit would be enough to be able to race.

metroscub · 08-04-2007, 07:04 PM

drive for a while first man, learn your car. I went a full fives races with stock suspension and tires. I only now have full suspension setup and god tires(and many more engine/exhaust mods)

KHoff7 · 08-04-2007, 09:42 PM

Yea im definatly not getting anything for atleast a year I just like asking questions and reading to learn as much as I can about the car.

metroscub · 08-05-2007, 01:51 AM

there is a book called secrets of autocross , google it, get it. I have read it like four times, it helps put it all into perspective really well

nick4592 · 08-05-2007, 05:14 AM

Upgrading the Nut behind the wheel helps more than any mod you can do.

Big Sky · 08-05-2007, 10:38 AM

that book is a good one- I'd recommend getting reading it

^ very true- seat time (preferbly some of it w/ a good driver/instructor) is the biggie

KHoff7 · 08-05-2007, 04:27 PM

Well im back from the event and it sure looks like something I would like to try but it looks like its very hard on tires espically my daily driver all season tires, would you recommend specific race tires to use just for the event? or just run the first event on my street tires and if I like it get race tires?

metroscub · 08-05-2007, 05:25 PM

i would suggest running on street tires at first, at least a few races, mainly because if you start races right away on more purposed tires, then you may develop bad habits from the get go that will be harder to break further on down the road. Race specific tires do not give much if any warning before they lose grip, so once the threshold is met, you just go sliding, where as street ties will scream a ton, and generally suck the entire time, which helps you learn to compensate for the errors that insufficient grip may cause.
just my .o2