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

[ChrisFoley]

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

38psi.

Full tank, half tank or empty tank?

1/4-1/2 tank.

Spare tire in or out?

Out. Clean out your glovebox too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

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)?

Leave the stock shocks in the car.

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

Half a quart.

[okieflyr]

If it is your very first auto-x ever, don't try and set records on your first and second run. Drive the course at 8/10 the first time or two to get the feel of the car and not miss any gates. Be looking 2-3 gates ahead so you can keep your foot on the gas longer without surprises.

[Randal]

Find an instructor to ride with you.

If not trailer out here and we'll find you a good one!

[mskala]

Hi Scott,
If you're talking about NCR, barring car problems I will be there.
Look for this thing:

I think Chris has the bases covered. They usually have a large
number of runs for the day and always have instructors for each
group. Before you leave home check that the battery is secured
well and check the CV joint bolts.

Mark S.

[ww914]

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

Without a doubt, go the first few times with an instructor. Even if you walk the course, it will look different when you get the green flag. This is coming from a guy with only 5 AXs to date. Getting off on the right foot is important.

[scott_in_nh]

Hi Scott,
If you're talking about NCR, barring car problems I will be there.
Look for this thing:

I think Chris has the bases covered. They usually have a large
number of runs for the day and always have instructors for each
group. Before you leave home check that the battery is secured
well and check the CV joint bolts.

Mark S.

Hi Mark,
I haven't registered, but I am considering the Sports Car Club of NH event at NHMS.
Where is Devens Field?

[scott_in_nh]

I will take everyones advice and take a couple of runs with an instructor!

SCCNH has a rookie class this year, could be fun....

[mskala]

Hi Mark,
I haven't registered, but I am considering the Sports Car Club of NH event at NHMS.
Where is Devens Field?

Devens is in Ayer, MA. It is a very good site for us.

[scott_in_nh]

So I had a great time at the AX with my son.
After the morning session (3 runs) I was in 2nd place in the novice class.
I never did go with an instructor.

In the afternoon I needed to step it up a couple of tenths like everyone else, but choked instead and finished off the podium.
I started at 38 psi and lowered it to 36 psi in the afternoon, but it turns out everyone else was lowering their tire pressure a lot more do to the cold conditions.
I’m sure it was partially me trying too hard, but the track definitely felt greasy in the afternoon.

On straight time I was about mid-field of 60 cars, so not to bad considering I’m new and was virtually the only car there on all season radials!
I’m not obsessed with it at this point, but would like to compete for the rookie championship.

For the novice class you are limited to tires with a UTQG of 140.
I have a set of 5.5 steel rims and am looking at a set of Toyo Proxes R1R in a 195/50/15.

I don’t see any other tires for these rims that meet the UTQG requirement.
Is this worth doing? I’m going to burn the Goodyear GT’s off anyway, so maybe a dedicated set of tires doesn’t really cost any more as they will let me get another two years out of the Goodyears?

[Matt Romanowski]

Sounds like you had a a great time. You should really come down to Devens and do an NCR PCA event. We have a few folks, like Mark, who are really fast and great to learn from. Check out the details at www.ncr-pca.org. It's a very 914 friendly region (I'm Presidente!).

[mskala]

Sounds like you had a a great time. You should really come down to Devens and do an NCR PCA event. We have a few folks, like Mark, who are really fast and great to learn from. Check out the details at www.ncr-pca.org. It's a very 914 friendly region (I'm Presidente!).

Also it turns out that NCR is having one event at NHMS, it is on 5/11.

[scott_in_nh]

Sounds like you had a a great time. You should really come down to Devens and do an NCR PCA event. We have a few folks, like Mark, who are really fast and great to learn from. Check out the details at www.ncr-pca.org. It's a very 914 friendly region (I'm Presidente!).

Also it turns out that NCR is having one event at NHMS, it is on 5/11.

What is it going to cost? Do I have to be a member?

[mskala]

Sounds like you had a a great time. You should really come down to Devens and do an NCR PCA event. We have a few folks, like Mark, who are really fast and great to learn from. Check out the details at www.ncr-pca.org. It's a very 914 friendly region (I'm Presidente!).

Also it turns out that NCR is having one event at NHMS, it is on 5/11.

What is it going to cost? Do I have to be a member?

Go to ncr-pca.org. I think they send registration stuff to motorsportreg.com. You
have to register early. Porsche drivers don't need to be members.

[rjames]

Nice job, Scott! You're an inspiration. I've been wanting to try a AX, but every time I watch an in-car video I feel like I can't tell where the gates are and fear I'd be running over cones more ofrten than not. Maybe one day...

[scott_in_nh]

Nice job, Scott! You're an inspiration. I've been wanting to try a AX, but every time I watch an in-car video I feel like I can't tell where the gates are and fear I'd be running over cones more ofrten than not. Maybe one day...

Go for it Robert!
Walking the course and watching other cars helps a lot - it isn't that hard to stay on course (I missed one cone all day and it was on my last run when I knew better).
They will also give you an instructor if you are having trouble so don't fear!

[Woody]

Dunlop direzzas and hankook RS3s are the street tire of choice down here. Not many people run the R1Rs. We also have a couple guys running the Yokohama AD08s but if I was you I would look towards the dunlops or the hankooks and try to squeeze a 205/50/15 on the car.

[scott_in_nh]

Dunlop direzzas and hankook RS3s are the street tire of choice down here. Not many people run the R1Rs. We also have a couple guys running the Yokohama AD08s but if I was you I would look towards the dunlops or the hankooks and try to squeeze a 205/50/15 on the car.

I would consider going 205 if:
it will work on a 5.5 rim
it won't rub on the fenders without rolling (I do not want to roll the fenders at all)
it is a real imrpovement over a 195 that fits the rim better

the direzzas were very popular with the SCCNH crowd, go figure (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[scott_in_nh]

DZ101 any good or do I really need the ZII?

[okieflyr]

The Direzza STAR Spec tires are the ones to run for auto-x. They just released the second generation of the tire but i'm not familiar with the results or popularity concensus yet.