Novice AXer, needing some tips Options

[blitZ]

I started AXing this year and really enjoy it. The local SCCA group are a great bunch, it's always a good time. However, I'm not doing very well. I'm in SM2 class, which is tough, but overall I'm coming in the bottom 10%. I have stock front and rear sways, but removed the rear sway to resolve some nasty over steer issues. The car still wants to spin when I really push it.
I typically just leave it in second, but the last event was a large course with some fast sweepers so I tried using 3rd a few times.

I know the driver is the major focal point in regards to improvement, but any input from the seasoned veterans would be appreciated.

Current setup

2056, stock djet
9550 cam
100lb springs in the rear.
Stock front sway bar
New Bilsteins
Front Camber 1.2
Rear Camber 1.3
Toe In 1/16 all around
Caster 5.5
205/55 Fuzion tires, not great, better than what I had.

Thinking of doing a 5 lug conversion this winter, starting to scrounge parts. A setup to offer more adjustability.

Wish List

911 front end including 19mm 911 torsion bars
Some after market adjustable front sway bar
Eric's 5 lug trailing arms
140lb rear springs
Adjustable rear shock perches
16 x 7 minilites
Stickier tires.

[jhadler]

A decent adjustable front sway bar, and a good alignment (you will be amazed at what a good alignment can do). That will give you a good base setup to work with.

After that, it's seat time, seat time, seat time. Go to every event you can. Get as many experienced drivers to ride with you as you can. Ride with as many experienced drivers as you can. Go to as many autox schools as you can.

Nothing lowers your times like practice and experience.

As for being competitive in SM2?? Sorry, but SM2 is a cubic dollars class. Unless you have a small fortune that you're just itching to throw into the wind, I would hold off on going gonzo with car mods. Get the sway bar and alignment, and then spend a season getting used to the car. I would even recommend against going to R tires until you've had at least a season under your belt. New drivers going to race tires are problematic for two reasons. 1) Race tires are highly intolerant of mistakes. Mistakes that you make on street tires will generally result in noise and poor times. Those same mistakes on race tires can often result in the destruction of an $800 set of tires in very little time. And 2) Race tires, with the amazing grip they afford, and lack of tire squeal, tend to mask a lot of bad driving habits. Learning what those habits are on street tires, and learning how to drive the tires will result in considerably better times, and will help your race tires live much longer and productive lives once you do switch to them. I didn't say not to drive R tires forever, just a year. Race tires are FUN!!! :-)

That being said, drive, drive, drive.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Spend the money on autox schools and registration for events. Once you have a better feel for the car, and have become more familiar with the classes that are offered, then you'll be in a better position to decide what you really want to do to the car. Know the rules. Sometimes a seemingly minor mod (in your eyes) will actually bump you up into a class with what I like to call the trailer-riding-fire-breathing-monsters. But hey, in SM2 it doesn't get much worse. You're already playing in deep water... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

-Josh2