AutoX/suspension/etc advice needed

[dmitrik4]

Ok AutoXers...i'm looking for some advice.

i'm trying to decide whether to stay H Stock or move to STS. there is pretty much no one in H Stock in Philly, but STS is CRAZY competitive. my times from last weekend would have put me 9 out of 16 in STS, and i'm running a totally stock Protege. ok.

from reading the rules, it looks like i can change the springs/struts and stay in HS (or go to STS if i want). if i stay in HS, i would probably spend my (limited) money on suspension mods and keep my stock wheels/tires.

if i decide to move to STS, i will most likely spend $$ on 15" used rims and Azenis (probably 205/50R15), which are actually slightly shorter/wider than stock and would give me a slight gearing/traction advantage. i would also probably go w/ the 21.5mm rear sway bar and front strut tower bar. i say the 15s b/c i bought a set of '88 RX-7 rims (15x6.5") that would handle the Falkens perfectly and weigh even less than the stock Pro rims (which turn out to be pretty light).

also, as far as suspension mods...IIRC, the MP3 springs fit the ES but the struts don't. Are there comparable struts that DO fit?

 

[cjstringer]

You CANNOT change springs and still be stock. You can change struts. Very odd rule.
As for wheels, small and light are good. The 15"s are an excellent choice.
Perfect size and weight for the money.

 

[dolphin]

dmitrik4
Step one in dealing with SCCA is get a rulebook. You can not use common sense when dealing with the Solo Rules. Rule one for stock is if it not allowed in the rulesm then it is not allowed. Depending on what it is like where you are at you can be protested and disqualified for seemingly minor inconsequential change. My suggestion is to keep the car stock and learn to drive autocrosses. Go to a school if they offer one. Once you have gotten reasonably consistant with the car then you can decide what you want to do to the car. This will also allow you to see what other people do to their cars and which changes work and which just look neat. Just my opinion so take it for what it is worth. In any case, make sure you have fun.

 

[low_psi]

yes, like wtf is up with being able to run R-comps in stock classes?:wtf:

 

[MSP Pro]

dmitrik4: Dolphin is giving real good advice. Spend your money on an autox school. I recommend Evolution (formerly McKamey). I've taken their basic course twice in two different years and learned alot each time. And you get lots of seat time and immediate feedback from the instructors, who are nationally competitive autox drivers. BIG improvement in my autox times for about $150.

Don't sink alot of money into this car. It's a nice Protege, but if you've really been bitten by the racing bug and you want trophies, you'll have to buy a car which is near the top of its class. It doesn't have anything to do with how good a car is, just which class it's put in. Example: Mini Coopers, originally in D Stock, sank to the bottom of that class because they were so slow in it. Got put into G Stock (funny how BMWs always seem to be at the top of their classes) and is now dominating. Same car, different classes.

My best advice: just go out in the bone stock Protege and have fun for a few seasons. Really learn how to handle the car. Take a few autox driving schools. Save your money so you can buy the car you want that has a favorable class position. Then you can go for the trophies.

 

[rowan]

That whole "top car in class" thing seems to indicate serious problems with SCCA's classing methods.. but maybe it's unavoidable.

The only class you are not allowed to run r-compound tires in is "STS" .. your local rules are fubar if they say otherwise

Echoing what other people have said you should probably do:
1 - school
2 - tires

Also decide where you will have more fun .. if there is better competition in STS then maybe you should compete in that. More fun than to be all alone in HS .. but less chance of points and trophies perhaps

 

[dmitrik4]

actually, i was already planning to sign up for the Evolution school in Philly in April. dunno if i can swing both Phase I & II this time, tho. $$$$$$ ($225 a class).

beyond that, you're probably right...i was just in a fit of "i wanna spend money on my car!" when in reality, i should save my $$ for law school in the fall. and this way my gf won't kill me.

MSP, that's a good point about the car. the ES seems to be very competitive in H Stock (which, IIRC is where the non-S Cooper finally ended up), but long term i'd like to pick up a used MSP for AutoXing.

 

[dolphin]

dmitrik4,
Autocrossing is probably the most driver intese form of motorsport which is why we all jump in with that suggestion. I have been autocrossing for like 35 years and I learn something all the time. For these reasons both of my teenage children also autocross. It gives them an outlet in the car, it teaches them to control the car and we have fun together.