1st auto-x next weekend, Next AX September 8th- only 7 points out of 3rd place with 3 events left! Options

[scott_in_nh]

74, stock 2.0, stock front swaybar - no rear bar, stock front inserts, may mount an older set of adjustable Koni's I already have on the back, either way 100 lb springs, 195/65 Eagle GT's.

Looking to have fun, not too worried about much else, but I have a few basic setup questions:

I'm going to chalk the tires, but what pressure should I start at?

Full tank, half tank or empty tank?

Spare tire in or out?

The konis need to be adjusted out of the car - soft, medium or firm (keep in mind I will have to live with it on NH streets too)?

Should I overfill the oil a bit? If so how much?

What am I missing?

Thanks,

Scott

[scott_in_nh]

I'm the only 914 in SCCNH which is kinda fun - everybody loves my car and its the fastest 914 there! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I would like to go to a PCA event and will keep an eye on their schedule for an event I can make it to.

I don't have the money right now for tires so it is somewhat moot, but in the novice class I am only 1-2 seconds from being in 1st place so tires are on the short list!

Keep in mind these will still be street tires as that is all that is allowed in class.
R spec DOT tires are not allowed, but "high performance summer tires" as tirerack catagorizes them have way more grip than the "high performance all season tires" I have on there now.

My brakes work well, but I have no idea what pads are in there as they came with the car.

I will wait until after tires to go to 140 lb. springs.

As I mentioned I am having fun, but I have more fun when I can actually compete.
The other drivers in class are novices too, but to a one they are on the stickiest tires allowed and I'm not (and am still coming in 3rd)....

When they post the complete results I will take a look at the PAX time and see how I compare to the stock performance group I would be competing in if it weren't for the novice group. This might give you guys a better picture of where I am actually at.

[SirAndy]

When they post the complete results I will take a look at the PAX time and see how I compare to the stock performance group I would be competing in if it weren't for the novice group. This might give you guys a better picture of where I am actually at.

I try one last time, after that i shut up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


You think your car is holding you back and i think you are dead wrong.
It's a common beginners mistake and we all fell for it in one way or the other.
A experienced driver could hop in your car the way it is right now, crappy tires and all and run circles around the other guys in your class that run "sticky" tires.

It's not your car that is holding you back, it's you holding your car back.

Get over your pride and ask for a few instructors to drive with you.
Let them give you pointers on how to drive the car faster. Learning to control momentum is a beautiful thing.

The sooner you understand that, the sooner you will be competitive.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[scott_in_nh]

I try one last time, after that i shut up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Hi Andy (and Randal), promises, promises! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Only kidding, I am listening and agree with almost everything you are saying!
I am sure my responses are being take way too seriously (happens on forums all the time), so please recognize that I am having a discussion, am playing devils advocate at times, am having some fun (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) and have my own point of view!

You think your car is holding you back and i think you are dead wrong.
It's a common beginners mistake and we all fell for it in one way or the other.
A experienced driver could hop in your car the way it is right now, crappy tires and all and run circles around the other guys in your class that run "sticky" tires.
It's not your car that is holding you back, it's you holding your car back.

While I am a beginner without a lot of seat time in any particular form of racing, and please do not take this as me thinking I am a great driver - I am posting this so that you can know almost as much about me as you seem to already think you do, I have driven:

Several all night SCCA road rallies

A few AX events in the past

A fair amount of laps in a kart. it was my younger brothers but I spent some good seat time in it. He beat Scott Sharp and Randy Lajoie regularily.

An outlaw mini-sprint on dirt - I came in 3rd I 1st time driving it during time trials on a 1/4 mile dirt track. My older brother won 3 championships with it.

A paved circle track winged midget that exceeds 3G's of cornering (at least when my brother drove it) and had a 250+ hp autocraft motor in a 900 lb. car

A legend circle track car where I went fast enough my 1st time in the car to qualify mid pack (if I were to buy my own and race that is)

Did laps in a Ferarri 308 GTB at Lime Rock

I drag race my motorcycle - it is a slow one 11.66 @ 114 mph. 0 - 60 in 3.5 seconds.

I will ride my brother's 8 second drag bike this summer.

I have a single and multi-engine commercial instrument pilots license.

I grew up on dirt bikes and boats (I have a 16' 71 Glastron that does about 55 mph)

My point here is that I am not a great driver as I was off learning how to fly when my brothers were doing all the real racing, but I'm no hack either - I do have skills.
I'm new to AX but I learn quickly and recognize that I need more seat time and sure some instruction as well.
I know this sounds like I am blaming the car, what I am saying is that I know where my skill level is and I recognize what the skill level of those running in my class.
The guy running 1st can definitely drive AX better than me at this time.
The kid in second does not drive better than me.

Yes, my car has more to give then I am getting out of it, even with the current tires, but it isn't putting me on an even playing field either. Yes, one you of guys with a lot of 914 AX experience could run circles around the other rookies, but you aren't a novice, nor are you competing in a novice class.

Get over your pride and ask for a few instructors to drive with you.
Let them give you pointers on how to drive the car faster. Learning to control momentum is a beautiful thing.

It is not a pride issue.
I have already ridden in some of their cars to see how they get it done and have no issues with taking one for a ride in my car. Pride hasn't stopped me, making great improvements on my own has, but only temporarily.
Now that I have a little seat time I will take an instructor out my next opportunity.

The sooner you understand that, the sooner you will be competitive.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

How is 3rd place not competitive? Why are you so set against me competing on a level playing field with the rest of the cars in my class?
What class do you run in? What tires do you run? Can you win your class with all season radials? If not that must mean you need to learn to drive it right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I believe my PAX time would put me at least mid pack in a non-novice class (I'll confirm or eat crow when able).

We are all rookies, we are all getting better each time on the track which makes it hard to catch the next guy, but I am reeling in 2nd place, on my own despite the all season tires.

At least Rich understands me (and knows me personally)..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)