I'm thinking about trying Autocross in my MCS. Which class is best to learn in? I see mods cause the car to be in higher performance classes - am I better learning in the H Stock class and keeping mods to a minimum, or doesn't it matter?

Thanks!

 

The MCS is in G Stock, and that is the best place to learn to drive your car. Although your Pilo CAI is not legal for stock class.

 

Oops, sorry, I meant G stock... I am about to do some mods to the car, but I am better off avoinding those that will push me up into the higher performance classes?

Thanks again.

 

It depends on your autox goals. If you just want to learn to be a better driver, go ahead with the mods. If you want to be competitive, stick with stock until you can drive well enough to tell whether the mods are helping you or hurting you. Mods can make the car harder to drive, since you will have more adjustments on the car, rather than just the nut behind the wheel.

 

I saw the CAI is not legal, but that is easy to remove. I was going to put some H Sport springs and a new rear sway bar on (I suffer with the understeer just on regualr roads...). Would these be ok? The rulebook seems somewhat vague on specifics. I would value some advise on interpretation.

I have the 17" S-Lites that came with the premium pack, but read somewhere on here that you could only use the 15" or 16" stock wheels. Is this correct?

As you can see, many questions.

Thanks again....

 

You have already moved yourself out of stock class with the Pilo intake. You would now be legal for STX or DSP depending on if the intake removes the "separator" from behind the airbox. Some suspension mods are legal in both of these cleasses. What do you plan on doing?

 

You can use 16x6.5 or 17x7 wheels with an offset of 50mm +/- 1/4".

If you want to stay in stock class you can't change your springs or rear swaybar. In stock class you can for suspension basically modify:

Shocks
Alignment using manufacturer approved methods/hardware
Front Swaybar

Take a really good look at the rules. If they don't say you can do something, then you can't.

 

I will remove the CAI if necessary, and I wanted to go with a rear swaybar, H-Sport springs and adjustable rear control arms...

 

I started getting confused with the rules when they mentioned shocks but not springs... So, if I get the work done mentioned above, and maybe a new exhaust, where which class would I end up in?

Thanks

 

With CAI, Springs, Rear Sway Bar , and lower control arms you would be legal for STX or DSP.

With just those mods you would be way under prepared. But either class would allow you to run pretty much any wheel you wanted. STX would run on street tires, DSP on Race Tires.

 

Hi Keith,

What other mods are done to get prepared for those groups?

Thanks!

 

the short list:

Coilovers
Camber plates
Limited Slip Diff
Lightweight seats
Header
ECU upgrades

And lots of tuning; both suspension and engine.

 

You're in the same position I was two years ago: trying to decide how to get started.

Believe me, stick with G Stock your first year. Don't even worry about shocks; the stock units are pretty good. Do a couple of novice schools, maybe on the S-Lites. Then invest in a wheel tire combo; anything will be an improvement. THEN put together a strategy for STX for your second year.

The list Motoring mentions is a good one; but it'll set you back a few bucks.

Anyway, plunge in and have fun.

 

For anyone new to autocross:
If you have an MCS or MC stay in stock classes for Solo II.

You can read the rules, it is legal in stock classes to:
Get any drop in air filter- a new (only for autocross) gauze, foam or green filter will work.
Get a performance alignment- 1/16" toe out in front and zero toe in the rear and if possible with your MINI, a little more negative camber.
Consider any Cat back aftermarket exhaust- could save a little weight, adds a little HP, might add some noise.
Shocks and front swaybar can be upgraded but it isn't necessary.

You can initially run on stock wheels and runflat tires. If you want to do better then you can find the lightest stock rims you can find (for cheap) and put on either competition tires (an expensive option- kumho victoracers/V710/V700, vs Avon Tech R/Ra vs Hoosiers) or near competition street tires (Falken 615 or Hankook Ventus Rs2).

Go for fun runs with the more experienced drivers, go to driving school for autocross or for on the track, try to watch the better drivers and study what they do.

Adjust your tire pressures and find what works best for your track conditions, weather, and driving style.

In my area a skilled driver in a stock MC can equal or beat the raw time of a less skilled driver in a mid modded MCS. Stock classes get a favorable handicap on time so it isn't uncommon for an H-stock MC to finish in the top 2 to 4 places for the day counting PAX handicap.

I have an MCS in Street Mod class and figure I have to drive a 60 second course about 6 seconds faster than a stock MC to beat his PAX time. That might translate into roughly a 150+ yard gap.

 

I was in your shoes about 5 months ago. This is my first year autoxing and I'm completely addicted. I thought about doing mods, but realized that my time and money would be better spent my first year just learning to drive!! My stock summer performance runflats are just about done after multiple events and even a very well spent school at my local SCCA. I learned more at the school than in all of the prior events combined. I just splurged and bought myself a new set of 16X6.5 Rota Slipstreams (www.18racing.com) for $490 for the set, pretty cheap for a 13lb rim. My driving skills still need tweaking, so for tires I opted for the Falken Azenis 615 which are only $85 a tire and will last longer than the $155/per tire Kumho. By next year, I'll be ready to take the plunge into more serious competition and upgrades, maybe even in STX. Bottom line, there's no reason to break the bank when there's plenty to fix in your skills, 90% driver and 10% car. Like Minihune said, an well skilled HS stock MC will beat a lesser skilled driver of a more heavily modded car. In fact, I just beat a SRT-10 Viper last weekend, but at the same time, I was beat by a stock Civic in HS.

 

Thanks everyone for all the excellent information.

Can anyone point me to finding a driving school to go to. I have been to the SCCA site, and don't see how to find them for my local area (South Jersey/Philly).

Thanks!

 

Well, look at Phily's schedule for this past year thus far, http://www.phillyscca.com/. Go to the "Monthly Schedule" and notice that on Apr. 1st and 2nd, they had a school. Most of the time the schools will be at the begining of a season and not at the end. Try getting in touch with someone from the board there locally by email. You'll be surprised how fast you'll find help. Also, here's the website to the So. Jersey SCCA, http://www.sjr-scca.org/.

Hope this helps

 

We put together an autocross guide... http://www.soloracer.com/autoxguide.html

Its not MINI-specific, but it does have some good general info.