hey all, ive been toying witht he idea of getting into AUTOX for about 2 years now, ive always been a 1/4 mile guy but my last few cars seemed to be more fun turning instead of going straight. i recently sold my mk2 GTI and picked up my 05 MCS and have decided i definately want to try AUTOX this up coming year so im just looking fo rsome pointers on what i should focus on and maybe what upgrades to get next . currently i have VMAXX coilovers and i removed both rear mufflers. reading the SCCA rules however it look slike i may need to change my exhaust to quiet it down. also i have a 16% pulley kit from WMW to install also and i will be ordering control arm bushings and new motor mounts soon. im just so overwhelmed trying to read the rulebook and also im quite fearful about not remembering the outlay of the track when the time comes . thanks so much for reading and any help is appreciated!

 

I've run with several clubs, and it's very rare for exhaust volume to be a problem. The worst you'll probably get is the cringing faces of corner workers as you go by. Until you install the 16% pulley, you can run in Street Touring Xtreme (STX), after which, you'll bump to Street Modified - FWD (SMF).

The best advice I can give you is to show up and run your car however it sits now. As long as it's safe, don't worry about the classing. Have some of the faster guys ride with you as instructors, and if they're willing to let you ride with them, do so. If your club will allow instructor runs, get someone who is a good driver (look for the old guy in a miata, possibly wearing a red jacket) drive your car with you in it.

The things you can change which most drastically affect lap time: Driver, then tires.

 

+1 to what Alphafox said. Also, keep in mind that everyone gets lost on course occasionally. it happens...My first time out I got lost 4/4 runs...after you do it for a while you'll see your way through the cones. Do as many course walks as possible, try for at least three, remember that course walks are not for socializing, they are for you to commit as much to memory as possible, find lines, break the course up into smaller chunks. You'll see a lot of cones but the course may just be a slalom, a sweeper, a couple hard rights, finish line. Don't over complicate it. Have fun. I am stuck in SMF because of a pulley. Only other mods are intake and exhaust. My RTP times are crappy as a result. It's either ditch the pulley or go all out on the mods. Somehow the latter makes more sense to me

 

The aftermarket coilovers will put you out of stock classes and into D Street Prepared (R compound or street tires allowed) or Street Touring X (if you have street tires). Once you change the pulley you get bumped up into Street Modified Front wheel drive which is usually more competitive (high power modded FWD anything).

You say you have removed both rear mufflers, and replaced them with what? Nothing? If so, then yes that will be loud, get any aftermarket cat back exhaust or add some high flow mufflers that fit. While most times autocross events don't restrict participation based on (a strict) loudness of mufflers there is a limit (as to not disturb the neighbors and get complaints).

I personally think it can be a big mistake to add the pulley and compete in Street Mod F class before you are ready/experienced.

For getting to know the course, be sure to walk it many times and pay attention to various parts of the course where turns are really tight, slalom cones are unevenly placed, or where there are relatively longer straights. Realize that one part of the course leads to the next so to enter a long straight at top speed requires you to execute the preceeding turn correctly at just the right entry speed to maximize your exit speed and so forth.

I usually draw the course quickly and use it as a reference, I mark the slow and fast areas and walk off the distance in paces for the slaloms, more distance for each cone means you can carry more speed in that slalom.

Be especially careful of decreasing radius turns as you need to slow a bit more to turn a tighter radius.

Be sure to ask for an instructor if it is offered and get an experienced driver to drive your car on the course at the end of the day with you inside so you can see/feel what it is like to cover the course at that speed.

Don't be shy about making errors, you'll learn more by making errors which you can correct next time.

 

Stover91,

Did you get the chance to autocross your MINI or not?

WHat did you think?

Where you in SMF class?

 

Anyone else giving autocross a try for 2015-2016?