Thinking about AutoX
 

I am thinking about doing some local AutoX this year to round out my HPDE events and have a few questions.

-- I have the Fr & Rr Racing Beat sway bars, the REVi and Ram air. I understand the rear bar and maybe the REVi puts me out of B-Stock. But what does it put me into?
-- I am also running on Azenis 245\40 tires which I assume are fine in any class, maybe just not the ideal tire for AutoX.

-- I am in the eastern PA area ~1 hour to Philly. Where can I get started without feeling like I am jumping into the major leagues? I am not interested in getting my name on the national lists.

Thanks folks !

STU would be good for you. Since r-compounds are not allowed there, the Azenis are a good tire for the class.

STU or SM... Don't go SM.

You're pretty screwed in any class, but don't worry about that. Just run to have fun in whatever class.

There's a comprehensive listing of SCCA sanctioned autox events in the northeast here. Philly region is very active and Susquehanna region hosts some events out towards York and Hershey. Autocrossers, Inc. is holding a series at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, MD this summer too.

Come to SM... where anything goes.

:smiley309

STU is the better 'fit' for the level of preparation you have.

if i were you, i would take out the rear sway bar and the intake, since they really don't do very much. (maybe ther sway bar) and run STOCK B CLASSS. cause RX8s are dominating most stock b classes around North America. I personally run STOCK B class on stock tires. Interesting enough, i can keep up with 350Z and Porches that are on R compound tires. so RX8 is a good choice.

yeah, the rx8 is looking to be the most competetive bstock car at the moment. even with just v710's you can run against prepared 350z's and mr2's and stay reletively close

As a fellow 8 owner who modded my car prior to being initiated into Auto-x...I would agree with the advice of pulling the sway bars and intake...and going B-stock. You'll definately be more competitive. I'm in STU and am getting stomped. Just depends on what you want to get out of the experience...or how much more money you are willing to spend.

What about BSP?

It would be tough to keep up with the vetts and sti's.

i run STU in the philly region. drop me a line if you have any more specific questions about our events. there's an autox on 4/30 in atco, nj with the SJR region.

Were you running in Heat 3, co-driving with Jon? I saw the result and had my jaw dropped with his best time of 50.262. Your car's got Advan AD07 and 17'' wheel that day only, right? I gotta step up with my disappointing 51.522, on OEM-sized Kumho ECSTA SPT and Koni rear. I ran in Heat 2 myself. For the record, Heat 2 was mostly wet until run 4. (My poor excuse) :icon_bs:

I hope he keeps on co-driving your car, as a benchmark for me. Good to have a RX-8 in STU just to see the potential of the car with mods.

yep that was me and jon. my only "mods" are 255/40-17 ad07's and 17x9 ET40 5zigen fn-01r's (forged not cast. i mention that because the fn01r-c's are mighty popular.).

always get someone faster in your car, right? :icon_tup: he said he left time on the course too. :worship: i'm still coming to terms with RWD, but i'm gettin' there. it did definitely dry out later. i think we met briefly at the last warminster event when my friend nick was co-driving. i think nick rode along with you. good luck next event (sadly 5/20...).

you guys missed the point again.

He says he does HDPE.

Removing those parts will interfer and affect his driving habits on the race track for HDPE.

Therefore to round out your driving skills and fun keep, what you got and enter into the appropiate class for your Mods when Autocrossing.

I agree with Razz1

I would be interested to know your setup as I am having a difficult time with the Subys, Evos and M3's in STU here locally.

I currently have the full MS suspension, stock wheels and tires (I know, I know), RB intake and exhaust.

I'm looking at getting some lightweight rims, wider/stickier tires.

my setup is as above: wheels/tires. the 275mm tire allowance for 2WD is a great equalizer. i'll be very eager to put on 275 ad07's if/when they're produced. i may do 10" wheels next year to stretch the available rubber to the pavement.

however, my co-driver was still 2.483 secs. behind the 1st place evo8 which is bone stock (great driver to boot). :Eyecrazy: modifying the driver will be all important if rx8s are to compete against the boost buggies in STU. we can't just floor it and let the diffs do the work. :boring:

Thanks all.

My intention with AutoX is to have fun and 'learn the car' in a slower speed environment than HPDE and am okay with getting thrashed in STU. My mid-life passion is the track so I don't want to remove my sways etc but I understand the tradeoffs. And frankly, while the intake may not give me much HP -- it sounds great so it will stay as well - :ylsuper:

The forum comes through with insights it would have taken a few months\years to learn.

One more question -- On the track I usually start with 36psi cold in my tires - OEM Bridgestones - an adjust from there. I am thinking for AutoX the tire pressures may need to be a little higher. Any thoughts on tire pressures for Autox for my Azenis?

I have tried several different tire pressures on my stock Potenzas...and have even tried differing the tire pressure front and back to limit my plowing.

This is what has worked for me...34 Psi front and back. I am rolling the edge a little, but have found that having more tire pressure I just plow too much into the corners.

I have tried 36 up front and 32 in the rear...but I keep going back to 34 front/back as my preferred setup.

The Potenzas have a treadware of 140.