I'm competing in my first autocross in a few weeks. I have some experience with kart racing but, this is my first auto racing event. I have a 2008 S without an LSD. Should I have traction control on or off during my runs? Thanks for responses in advance (I searched but came up with nothing).

 

Off. Always off when tracking or auto-Xing

 

How does traction control rob power? Sorry for my rookie questions.

 

I am by far no expert on how DSC works but I believe that it controls each brake as the computer see fit AND will over ride your throttle input. If it can't correct what it percieve as an out of control vehicle by applying the breaks, it will cut the throttle way back. I recently experienced this for myself in the rain on a roadcourse track when I forgot to turn off DSC. The car would bogg down in the turns like I was in too high a gear. Ugly, very ugly!

 

try it both ways, and draw your own conclusions...

FWIW the normal method of launching the Mini at an autocross involves getting a fair amount of wheelspin off the line. DSC does not care about this, but the ASC component of the traction control system hates it and will cut power so dramatically that you will notice right away...

but there's no substitute for first hand experience, so have at it!

 

+1 try it both ways...on a circuit track like hockenheim i run faster times with it on. fot auto x i would personally leave it off if you dont feather the clutch.