Autocrossing cars...

[jtace]

Just trying to dig up some ideas for good autocrossing cars. It's something I'd like to get into when I graduate in a year.

I've thought about the camaro of course but I'm wondering if it's gona cut it handling wise. I know the RX-7 is a great car, it's on my short list so far, but I'm a bit hesitant with the rotary thing and all. heh.. :D Any thoughts on cars like the Acura RSX Type-R, or the WRX?

Just looking for some interesting opinions on things while I got plenty of time to think about things. :)

[Aw614]

A hear that a Nissan 240sx is a good car, but I think it needs suspension tuning and a different engine since it has a truck engine and the suspension is soft. The manual tranny is capable up to 400hp. An integra is also good for AutoX. I think that is why they are first place most of the time of tv races

[DCMattius]

Josh, just go to some of the Solo II websights and see what's winning stock. You could start at the Nationals. I know in my class, those non-turbo MR2s are hard to beat along with the 89 Porsche 924s.

[jtace]

Good idea mate. :) heh..

[Cheyenne]

Hi, Josh!

Solo2 is wonderful. You'll love it no matter if you're competitive or not. And Class isn't all that important, nor is preparation. There are often "street" tire classes and such so you don't even have to buy "autocross-only" tires if you're on a tight budget.

As far as cars go, the RX-7 is extremely difficult to beat for price and longevity. Don't worry too much about the rotary, if you miss a shift, they're almost impossible to damage by overreving compared to cars with "valvetrain". The torqueband may take a bit of getting used to, but it's not that difficult. Personally, I wouldn't recommend a front-wheel drive car as they are more difficult to get decent times with especially when you have a very slippery or very abrasive surface. All wheel drive cars like the WRX can be very, very fast, but they require an extremely aggressive technique and you're going to burn off your tires for a good time. You will often see small puffs of black smoke coming off the all wheel drive cars if they're driven fast. That's the tires turning into powder! I'm not saying front and all-wheel drive cars can't be fast, they can, but you have to develop special techniques to get them to their full potential whereas the rear wheel drive cars can be driven quite conventionally. Also being able to induce oversteer and understeer with throttle inputs is a very valuable thing.

Though, personally, I would recommend you take whatever car you have now (you do have a car?) and just go to an event and enter. You don't need any special safety equipment to run. Just as long as you have your seatbelts, your battery is tied down and you've got all your lugnuts/bolts on, you're should be set, just your basic safety stuff (no threads showing on the tires!). If you are not in the SCCA or other sanctioning body, the fee may be higher, but it's never burdensome. I think it's $25 in my area if you're not a member and $15 if you are. They always have helmets available if you don't have one of your own.

This will tell you better than I can in a posting here, this is the Solo2 Newbie Bible...Solo 2 Novice Handbook (http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm)

You will also want to know what class your car belongs in before you set out, as the hosts may need to process lots of people and they can't spend time going over your car to see what class it belongs in. Here's the Solo 2 Car Classes...SCCA Solo 2 Car Classes (http://moutons.org/sccasolo/)

There are, of course, other sanctioning bodies than the SCCA and often local clubs have variants of their own rules. Also various regional areas of the SCCA may have developed some of their own regs to control of even-out competition elements that are unique to their areas. This info, though, should get you going.

Give it a try before you buy. Please, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. You can experience all the fun in just about any car, van or truck. Get the feel for it, see if it's for you.

Personally, I used to campaign an Acura Integra in the "C Street Prepared Class" (CSP). Now I run a Mazda RX-7 that, with a little de-tuning, is suitable for "A Street Prepared" (ASP).

[jtace]

Well I'm not gona mess with my current car, it's a 93 Saturn SL2, with over 200,000 miles on it. The engine honestly needs an overhaul, the piston rings don't seal properly anymore, as I get blue smoke out the tailpipe when cold or under accelleration and high rpms. And to be honest I don't have much time with school keeping me very busy, next fall I might find some time and check it out though at least. The tires are wore pretty unevenly on the back too, the shocks were shot which I had to replace over spring break.

I'll be getting a new car once I graduate so I figure I might grab one that I'd like to do some Solo2 with. I'm tempted by the WRX or the acura integra type R. The RX-7 is on the list of possibles too though.

[Justin Martin]

I want to try autocross, and I actually have a car to do it in, I just need to get it running, lol. I've had a '83 Toyota Celica GTS for a few years, it's a beater, but it gets good gas mileage and is fun to drive. And it's one of the last rear wheel drive ones too. Only problem is that it's electrical system is kinda screwey, it blows fuses faster than a '72 Triumph. ^_^ Which is it's current problem, it developed a short several months ago that keeps killing the battery, and i'm not going to buy a new battery for it until I find the short. And I hate messing with electrical problems, and it's tough to be motivated to fix that stuff when my truck's running just fine. ;) I guess I could autocross my truck, but it'd be alot more fun in the Celica.

However, I recently found a 240Z for sale, looks like a survivor, the paint's pretty badly worn, but the body is dent and rust free, and all the original trim is on it. Most of them around here have terrible bodies, they're so beat up and full of bondo that it'd take thousands to put them back right again. This one looks like it justs needs paint. I need to stop by and see how much they want for it....

[Aw614]

Mazda Miata is also a good car and can be bought cheap. My VW is also a good car for AutoX since it weighs 2070lbs. All I need are larger tires and a short shift kit with linkage rebuild and I think I'll be okay

[[XR]Pale]

I have to go with Chey on this one as we are both members of the RX-7 club...Hers a 95 and mine a 93. They are great cars. Mines a bit too Xtreme (please don't mind the pun) to be in a stock (or close to stock for that matter) class. I would love to be able to race it though. Even stock, all around fast, agile and fun car.

Matt
[XR]Pale