Mid-Ohio Class Preparation

[JonnyMiata]

I am going to be taking the Acura High Performance Driving Class at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on May 13th. I am wondering what I should be doing to the car before I take this class. I have opted to use my MSP instead of the Acura RSX S-Types. What should my tire pressure be? Should I tape up my head lights?

We will be competing in an autocross competition. I have a feeling my MSP will handle a bit better than the RSX's in this part of the class. I can't wait. I bought a new helmet and have been studying the handbook they sent me.

It looks like the class is very long and is being taught by professional drivers from F1, CART, Indy, Pikes Peak, Formula Ford 2000, and oh yeah....NASCAR. It should be a blast. I am going to try to get some pictures and post them here.

Wish me luck!

 

[koolracer]

Don't have any suggestions on what to do to the car, but have fun. This is my favorite track to visit, and I only wish I could get down there for a performance driving school.

Can't wait to see pics!

 

[Go Mifune]

I'd at least put 38+psi fronts and 36+ rears. Other than that just take out driver side floor mat when racing and set your seat so your sitting high and close to the steering wheel (so u can see the cones good and reach the wheel with ease).

Have a good time!

 

[cjstringer]

On stock rubber, run ~50-52 PSI front and 35-37 rear for autocross. This will keep the tires from rolling over and give great traction.
You may shrug, but check my results, then tell me I'm wrong.
Everyone else has their own opinions, but it works, and works well.

I run lower pressures in the rear, not the 40+ others like. Though the higher pressures function similarly, they also don't give as much warning if the rear were wanting to break loose. At lower pressures, you get really good feel and know if the car is wanting to get tail happy. If you like snap oversteer, go higher. I'll stick with low.

 

[scapamouche]

Don't worry, cj.... not ALL of us will slam you I'm coming to the same conclusion on my MSP for tire pressures. Not as extreme, but similar.

This weekend I have a 2 day autox where I plan to test running low rear pressure one day and HIGH rear pressure the other. Both methods are supposedly workable, but I've never tried going HIGH to get the rear end to come out...

 

[MSP Pro]

I've run 3 autox courses in my MSP on the stock Bridgestone RE040s and have had excellent handling with 38 Front / 35 Rear. The tire wear on the front shoulders shows this is about right for a relatively tight course.

I've also noticed that when the sun comes out and heats up the asphalt, the RE040s will get MUCH stickier. I dropped from a 60.8 to a 59.0 with just 10 minutes of sun on the course. Air temps were high 60s to low 70s.

Andy, how's the rubbing with the Azenis Sports? Still just on the edge of the tread? Was it the inside right rear? Did you find them at much of a discount from the $117 each price I've found?

Good luck on the autox and happy hunting! You're going to open up a lot of people's eyes on the autox course! And repeat your mantra: Smooth, look ahead, edge of adhesion.

 

[scapamouche]

I paid the same price as you found: $116,ea shipped. From Discount Tire Direct...

They still rub on the inside, but only under heavy cornering, but when the car is fully loaded, they rub on the OUTSIDE edge too: against the fender lip. As before, it's not bad, and it won't puncture the tire, but it is unnerving listening to it rub over every bump....

I'm moving cross country in a couple months, and I think the RE040s are going to go back on the car for the trip....

 

[JonnyMiata]

Scapamouche

Are the your Azenis Sports wider than the stock Bridgestones or do those tires run wide?

Thanks,

 

[Go Mifune]

all the way to 50's cj wow. I put mine up in 40's once it felt like trying to steer truck. I don't know felt kinda like body roll does in the front. I dropped them back down to 39 before the race so never tried the course with them in the 40's.

I will give it a try and see how goes.

 

[scapamouche]

Not only are the Azenis RATED wider, but they also run wide!

There is a 10mm difference in ratings, but put next to each other, the width difference is more like ONE INCH!!!!

Quick update: I found out today that the main rub on my rear tire was NOT the strut!!! There is a plastic fender well in back that's mounted pretty loosely, and the tire has been rubbing on IT! In fact, I've worn a hole thru that peice... There has been slight wear on the equivalent piece on the passenger side rear, but it's better fastened down, and isn't worn thru.