Another autocross, another lackluster performance.

[DistantTea]

7th our of 11 in D stock... got beat by another MSP, an SRT 4 on R compounds, two WRXs and two drivers of a well setup ITR.

I'm really not feeling it yet. For one, the brakes feel really really weak compaired to my old S4. I'm having trouble coming to a quick stop and modulating them. Also the bridgestones can't do crap for me below 40 degrees.

I think the bottom line is I still don't know how to drive my car since the other MSP beat me by almost two seconds with an identical setup. But I guess everything is realitive.. since I had a faster time than 70% of the field, including half of super sport.

So what can I do about my brakes? I really want something stronger and more fade resistant without leaving stock classes... brake fluid? pads? What kind for street and autocross?

Mods so far for AutoX: None

Mods planned: Scroth Harness, Kumho 225/45/17s on ASA FR1s, something with my brakes... but what?

 

[derrick1623]

try the kvr carbon fibre pads.

 

[scooby]

I would always bleed a little of your brake fluid out just befor you go racing because when you are out there the fluid gets really hot and dose not stop as well. With newer fluid it will not fail as fast as it has not been over heated. But better pads always help

 

[Natey]

Sorry, I don't know the rules but I think SS brake lines would help out with the brake-fade.

 

[cjstringer]

SS brake lines will move you to STX. Get some red line brake fluid, or another high temp brake fluid. Also, you might try GreenStuff brake pads, or Hawk. They both make really good performance pads. Can't do rotors as that will move you to STX also, but you can have a new set of factory rotors Cryo'd, and that's what I plan on doing if I can't sell my car soon.
Also, how long have you been doing the autoX thing? You really can improve once you get more seat time. Also, ride with the people that are beating you! Figure out what they are doing that you are not. Trust me, it earned me 6 seconds doing it last year, and it helped a TON!
The Kuhmo V700s will help, but the biggest improvement will come from experience. You won't get any better without practice. I've been in and around racing wince I was about 9, so I've had about 21 years of exposure. Just make some friends and have some fun. The skill will come along in time.
If you have any Q's be sure to throw them out! I love to help with this stuff, and I know dolphin and dmitrik is pretty good too.
Good luck, and keep at it!

 

[DistantTea]

Last autocross was my 5th event in two years. I did three events in my S4 avant and this is my second in a manual tranny car.

So yeah I'm green, especially when it comes to a manual car. I'm going to check out greenstuff pads... and get some more information about better brake fluid.

The guy that had the identical car to mine gave me alot of pointers. I obviously didn't know jack about air pressures since I thought I could run 35/35 because of the 40 degree temps. The other guy, john souder (former neon ACR master extraordinaire) had his MSP at about 48/42 and slowly brought it down to 44/40 over the four runs we got. When I brought my fronts up to 42 I didn't bring the rears up at all. The inballance caused the wild tail action you can see in that movie I posted in the MSP forum.

We only got four runs, so by the time I figured out what was wrong my runs were over. I did adjust them for my wife before her run though and she improved two seconds. She's had about 3 hours total in her life driving a stick... so I think she's doing awesome.

We're hitting virtually every event we can to get better. I just haven't found my zen yet.

 

[scapamouche]

I'd recommend learning the limits of the car AS IT IS and NOT getting mods until you'ver truly reached the limit of the car. If you only have 5 events over 2 years, it's going to take time to get up to speed.

Instead of worrying about the brakes (I personally think they're GREAT, and my old Celica had AWESOME brakes) I'd look for an autox school to spend your bucks on.

Look how much experience does the other MSP have? If he's just moving from an old car to a new one, he's going to have an edge on you. Remember, autox is 90% driver, and only 10% car.... I am competitive locally with the faster STX WRXs with a STOCK MSP on Falkens. I also moved to the MSP after over 2 straight years of autoxing my Celica: I was pretty seasoned.

If I were you, I wouldn't be upset over not being a barnbuster right off the bat. That's how too many people give up. Instead, work on improving your skills, and GET ALL THE SEAT TIME YOU CAN!!!!! ASK QUESTIONS!!!! HAVE FUN!!!!!

 

[cjstringer]

I agree with scapa.
I'm still running factory brakes all the way around. Pads too. Nothing special for the fluid either. (Still in an MP3) All I've done is change the oil. practice is your biggest issue right now. A drivers school should help you out a ton.

 

[dolphin]

DistantTea,
As others have said, the key is practice and seat time but you need someone that will work with you. Sometimes you can not feel what you are doing wrong while someone outside the car can see it.

If you do a search You will find lots of advice on the basics of autocrossing. One bit is walk the course as much as they will let you to make sure that you know where you are going to drive. Just remember to hove fun.

 

[scooby]

The main thing is to have fun. like everybody said because once you are having more fun and not trying really hard you tend to get faster casuse you are more relaxed.