Going to my first A/X this saturday, Any advice for a n00b? Options

[mudfoot76]

This saturday I have my first A/X. Garold has given me a few tips already for setup, but I'd like to solicit the rest of you for advice. The event is being held at a local airport, and promises a "huge" course, using one of the mile-long runways. Supposedly, the tarmac material is much more abrasive than typical streets or track surfaces. I'm used to driving on a road course (Putnam Park), and I know this will be different and need the car set up differently for optimal performance.

Tires - 205/60-15, I'll set them all to 35 PSI cold
Suspension - I have adjustable Konis (red), and rear springs are 140#, fronts stock. Stock front sway bar, no rear bar. At the track, I have the shocks set at 1/4 turn up from full soft. I'm planning on setting to full hard for saturday.
Brakes - fresh Motul, freshly bled. Hawk pads in good condition. 19mm m/c fwiw

I have all my tools ready to go. I'll be there for the course walk. Is there anything that I've overlooked?

[Joe Ricard]

Well I assume you are driving the teener vs. the MCS

If you have done track events before just do what you always do but for Autocross do everything 3 times as quickly.

Having done the opposite AXing for 2 years and then doing my 1st lapping day only 3 weeks ago. I noticed there is more time to set up the car for a turn. Driving the correct line is much more difficult for me running cones because you have several turns linked together within 100 yds.

Walk the course as you intend to drive. Make mental notes of where you believe you can brake hard and then trail brake where to roll on the gas. Most courses for me are 3rd gear with occasional 2nd gear out of tight turns. But that's my ZD 5th in 3rd gear spot for ya.

60 series tires should be interesting. expect to have them roll to the side wall pretty significantly, and require pressures closer to 40 PSI to keep the shape stable and tread in contact with the ground.
I would also run your Koni's @ 1/2 to 3/4 rebound and only adjust the rear. I suspect you will experience loose corner entry which will require stiffer rear rebound so you will need some room to adjust.

Brakes will be fine Hawk what?? Track pads will be useless for AX as you will never build any heat. I would bet better braking on stock street pads. I have yet to put my new Porterfield R4S pads on yet.