The Ohio Auto-X and Track Event chat thread

[pmartz16]

If you think autocross is expensive don't do a track day.



Yeah now you're asking me about stiffer springs.

Yeah I am going to do the VIR one but I won't do many of them. I like the autox its a lot of fun and I have plenty of power. Most of the time when I saw a higher HP car they were spinning around. now I just want to fine tune handling and try different brakes and tires lol. I knew the modiction would never go away

 

[princess peach]

Yes I can. And no, you don't count

 

[THE Phen]

Yeah I am going to do the VIR one but I won't do many of them. I like the autox its a lot of fun and I have plenty of power. Most of the time when I saw a higher HP car they were spinning around. now I just want to fine tune handling and try different brakes and tires lol. I knew the modiction would never go away

Don't necessarily need power for auto-x. Hell the car I drove yesterday has 115 to the wheels and is a s*** ton faster than anything else I've ever driven at an auto-x.

 

[WillD]

And how much does that car weigh Phen?

Is he running an aftermarket ECU or piggyback?

 

[THE Phen]

1750ish lbs. It was a Megasquirt setup.

 

[WillD]

Did he tune it himself?

 

[THE Phen]

No. DIY Autotune did it. Talked with the guys while I was down there. They're looking for an MSM test vehicle. Too bad I'm far away.

 

[2003.5_MSP]

Wanting some input on autocrossing... Well first things first I will need to rebuild my motor before hand... But I would like to run with forged engine running 10psi, upgraded braking system... What class would this put me in and what does each abreviasions mean stf, sts ex...can some one get me a link to all the rules/safety equipment needed... Thanks

 

[Cleverfrog]

pretty sure you'll just be smf. you need a helmet or can use a loaner. i think its snell 2005 or better? idk. im a newb.

 

[princess peach]

helmet: http://soloracer.com/pyrotectopen.html good cheap way to start

no need to build anything, just make sure the car has had proper maintenance done, nothing leaks and wheel bearings are good.

 

[WillD]

Off the top of my head I'm not familiar with what class that level of modification would put you in.

But here is a link to the rules:
http://www.scca.com/solo/content.cfm?cid=44517

The abbreviations are the classes. ST = Street Touring. There are sub-categories of ST that are STF, STS, STX, and STU. Street Touring FWD, Street Touring Sport, Street Touring Xtreme, and Street Touring Ultimate.

If you have any questions after you take a look at the rules feel free to ask.

Edit: Not sure what your budget is for a helmet, but it has to be Snell rated. Which means a little sticker on the inside that says "M2005", "M2010", "SA2005", or "SA2010". M = Motorcycle, SA = Special Applications. A motorcycle helmet is typically the cheapest way to get a helmet that works, they can be found for around $100.

 

[2003.5_MSP]

Well helmet is done as I race motocross already I'm just worried bout car... All car maintance is good except I need new upper/lower control arms I do believe... And as far as building it I want my fmic on with bov and a fresh top end as its my daily and has 175,000 on the clock

 

[WillD]

"Freshening" is OK in any class just as long as the engine is still within factory specs.

 

[Cleverfrog]

Well helmet is done as I race motocross already I'm just worried bout car... All car maintance is good except I need new upper/lower control arms I do believe... And as far as building it I want my fmic on with bov and a fresh top end as its my daily and has 175,000 on the clock

msp only has lower control arms.

 

[2003.5_MSP]

"Freshening" is OK in any class just as long as the engine is still within factory specs.

Only thing I have performance wise is 3" tbe exhaust... And by within factory specs you mean all timing, psi stuff like that? Sorry for all the questions I'm new to auto cross

 

[2003.5_MSP]

msp only has lower control arms.

That's what I meant, just got done replacing upper/lower control arms on my bros car

 

[WillD]

Only thing I have performance wise is 3" tbe exhaust... And by within factory specs you mean all timing, psi stuff like that? Sorry for all the questions I'm new to auto cross

Just basically the internals of the engine have to be within the OEM tolerances. For example you can't have a larger bore than stock or something like that.

Just going with the list of items in your signature, the TBE exhaust and lowering springs would put you in STX with the MS3, MS6, and RX-8 (among others but those are the Mazdas in that class). "Technically" you can't run stuff like a rear window spoiler in that class unless it was offered by Mazda or Mazdaspeed, but unless you go to a national event and win no one will care.

The other thing about ST classes is you can't do anything to the ECU to increase boost levels. Downpipes, aftermarket intercoolers, basically "hardware" modifications that increase boost levels are OK. That said, you can't go from a TMIC to a FMIC in ST that would put you into Street Prepared. In SP you can do a whole host of other modifications.

The bottom line is, there are 2 paths you can choose to take. 1: Mod your car how you want and figure out what autocross class you end up in. 2: Pick an autocross class that allows the most modifications that want and mod specifically towards that class.

Typically people who do autocross for fun every once in a while do #1. But if you are serious about it and want to eventually do national events and be competitive you need to choose path #2.

 

[2003.5_MSP]

So would I have to take off the window spoiler if I mod my car the way I want and find a class to run in?

 

[WillD]

Unless you go to a national event it won't be an issue.

 

[2003.5_MSP]

Unless you go to a national event it won't be an issue.

Cool I was worried... Ill look at the rules when I get home, and if I have questions ill pm ya...