So much I could say to this, but I'll refrain....lol. Too easy.


Funny, I knew you'd say something like that. Both are engineers who wrote those quotes and both competitively compete in the SCCA Nationals (FYI, that's the big event for autocrosser's).

I do, its why I actually race my car and don't just act like I do.

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MightyP, that post is just what's needed. Lets keep this thread inline. If Mr.Engineer wont let anyone comment but himself and his ego, then I'll refrain from posting. PM is always open though, but sadly, this doesn't help anyone else...

 

Additional question, closed face helmet, or open face, and why?

I'm going shopping and getting fitted for a helmet for use ONLY inside the car (both autoX and possibly for track days @ Summit Point) so... advice?

Also, being 6'2" and wearing a size 8 59fifty ball cap, wondering if wearing a helmet is going to cause me to learn the headroom limits in the tC... really would HATE to have AX cut short before I even get to a parking lot.

...aaand follow-up for whomever has actually driven an AX race. How do you judge your own directional ability? I've looked at 2010 SCCA practice courses, and I'm concerned even after walking the course if I'll get easily confused knowing which way to go where after each set of cones. Do you think you have an innate ability or knack to driving courses?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stOne

Funny, I knew you'd say something like that. Both are engineers who wrote those quotes and both competitively compete in the SCCA Nationals (FYI, that's the big event for autocrosser's).

I know who the SCCA…I’ve built several cars that competed in the SCCA…that is how I got to design and build an F-1 car…but like I said, the SCCA is kid stuff compared to F-1. I built a car for a Long Beach race as a wild card entry, when the host country was allowed wild card entries…you calculate how long ago that was. I am also very indebted to the SCCA, because I had a lot of fun there and that how I got my foot into F-1.

I will repeat again what I said 1stOne…you do not understand the dynamics of suspensions and are not qualified to give design recommendations. Now for constructive criticism;

Instead of trying to impersonate an engineer, why don’t you report as a test driver? I think you could do that. I’ll give you an example…on my first run, I had XYZ on my car…in between runs I did ABC to the car and my time went up by 2.3-seconds. Hey guys, don’t do ABC to your car. It does not work. Then I did QWE to my car and it is only 0.3 seconds slower than my first run…etc.

 

I'm 6'1" and have no issues with a helmet. However, you will notice that depending on your seating position, you may touch the roof. Head to your local bike shop and try on a few. Most sales staff will have no issues with you testing the fit in the car.

Open face or closed....well, that's a matter of choice. I run closed face, but I like the look. Its not needed though. Check with your local ruling and see if you require an M or SA class helmet. If they require SA, you'll find that open face are often cheaper than closed.

Check www.saferacer.com and see what falls into your price range.

Oh, and walking the course just gives you an idea. You'll pick it up after the first few runs so long as you take your time. If you rush yourself in the first few, you'll spend the rest of the day trying to figure it out.

I don't claim to know everything, that's you. I only comment based on experience. I've had hundreds of alignments, including race prepped ones. I know how a car should be setup in general terms, the same as you. Specifics are based on driver and event. We both don't know that. So when I say "castor is good" and you reply with "your wrong", that's not helping anyone when castor is actually good for handling, but will increase straight line stability.

Try to work with people rather than try to call people out. I don't respect your opinions because of your comments, therefore I don't care if you designed a space shuttle or a bathroom toliet. I've done lots of cool things too, but I'm not about to spout off to everyone about what it is, cause guses what, no one cares. If you wanted people to listen, then treating people with respect is usually the best place to start.

 

Ooo, ooo, ooo!!! I can answer these questions!

Helmet: First, if you go to an SCCA event, they'll probably have helmets you can use, so I'd ask your local chapter before you go out and buy one. Using one from the chapter will let you play with sizes, types, etc all doing what you actually want to do with it and not just in a store. Once you get to where you're going to buy one, make sure you check the rules for all the events you might race in. Open face will obviously be cooler (since you won't have your AC on racing) but closed face has better protection and some races require a closed face helmet. It needs to be Snell approved and I'd suggest you get a Snell SA helmet. It's more expensive than regular motorcycle helmets (Snell M), but but has better protection and depending on the event, a Snell M helmet might not be allowed. Last, get a TIGHT helmet. It will loosen as you wear it and the foam forms to your face and you don't want your helmet loose at all in an accident. In your tC, you probably won't need anything more than a Snell M, but you may want to ride with someone running a faster car (riding is a lot of fun too!). And don't forget to bring eye-wear when you try helmets. Make sure your sunglasses/glasses fit with the helmet on.

Don't worry too much about getting lost on the course. We had a couple people take a corner too tight and miss an entire loop while I personally missed one of the gates my first time around the track. I would suggest you ride with someone experienced at least once. You'll get to see the track from the car (which looks a lot different) and get a feel for about how fast you should be going, what gear, where to shift, etc, etc. Get in with someone who will go first or second and you'll be back to your car in time to run without holding things up.

Hope this helps

 

For a helmet, get the cheapest M rated helmet ($~70) unless you plan on tracking as well in which case you'll need an SA helmet ($200+)

 

Well…I’ve always said, if you’ve got a $5 head, buy a $5 helmet…

A full-faced helmet is the only way to go, but it just takes a few runs to get used to the restricted vision inside your car.

 

^ Agreed. Don't go cheap. And I've read motorcycle helmets provide a wider field of vision than SA, but can't speak from experience. I have my motorcycle helmet that cost me ~$200 and works wonderfully.

 

Eibach or hotchkis TVS if you want a slightly more aggressive feel.

The gmax 68s is a cheap, and very good motorcycle lid.

 

Ah well, tried on some Bell, even some Arai helmets... seems an XL is just not my size. Have to go XXL...and I'm going to be all gangster lean driving with a helmet on. I seriously have to lean back and to the left in order to not be smacking a helmet into the sunroof lip or the glass. SO... no AutoX for me, I'm just to big.

 

^Boo... Need to find a way to make it work. I'm assuming you had the seat all the way down...

 

That seat is on the floor. I'm 6'2" but I have a long torso, so that may be part of the issue.

Ah well, I will root all of you AXrs on...

 

Perhaps my nearly 7 years in the military and overactive sense of honesty are going to bite me, but I'm concerned I may have to bump up yet another class in AutoX or de-mod my car.

I have read and re-read the rules for the ST class and I come back to 2 paragraphs in the '11 SCCA rulebook.

14.J about half way through says, "Solid metal mounts are specifically prohibited." I can't see how the Torque Solution Motor Mount is anything but a solid metal piece.

and this would seem to apply if I get any of the currently available cat-back exhausts...

14.E.3. "Be of the OE quantity and type (i.e. oxidation, three-way, etc.)"

It seems all the cat-back exhausts for the tC remove 1 of the cats.


I know how I interpret the rules, but I was wondering if anyone else had an input.

Thanks

P.S. Going from the Street Tuning Category to Street Prepared (which I think the exhaust and motor mount do), I can run a better car than 1stOne, with fatty wheels/tires, upgraded exhaust from header to muffler, even change some engine components out and go with lightweight body pieces. Ugh

 

don't see the problem in getting a cheap helmet if you're only going to use it for autocross. you wear it for a total of 5 minutes 10 times a year, and unless you do something really stupid the odds of you having to actually use your helmet is very close to zero.

If you track, it raises the odds a bit, and if you ride a motorcycle, then by all means get a good helmet.

 

Not sure if it helps, but the TS website says "The heart of the mounts are made of high grade polyurethane material." soooo I guess it isn't solid metal?

As for the rest, I would pose the question to someone in your local chapter, there should be an email or something... I mean, I was going to go early and tell them everything I did to the car so I was in the right class... tho it's a moot point now.

 

^LOL, I didn't even notice that on their website. Good catch and thanks! And I actually did email my chapter president.

 

Heard back from the chapter in the motor mount and exhaust. They would consider me ST class even with an exhaust that removes a cat.

 

Oops. Stupid phone! Anyway, ST has to be emissions legal but since only 1 cat is required in the southern states and my car would be legally registered in FL, I'm good. So I guess I'm staying in ST for a while and sticking with 225 tires.

 

can't wait for reviews on the sways. auto-x season is over for me this year, but next year I should have springs, sways, and if I'm lucky wheels/tires.

 

What MightyP Learned in Round 2 of AutoX:

1. The stock Yokohamas are most definitely low-profile passenger tires. I went up as high as 46 PSI in my front tires and still ate up the sidewalls. If I don't already have new tires for my next race, I will be running 40 PSI up front and 47 PSI in back. Had my rears at 47 PSI and the back end felt like it followed pretty well.

2. A water can is definitely worth the $15 to keep my tires cool.

3. STX is the class I want to be in. I go from a .820 handicap to a .824, but can put 9.0" wide wheels and up to 265 tires. I still can't put on an LSD, BBK, or CF parts, but to do those mods, my handicap would be closer to .840

4. I need to remember to bring sunscreen to these things... (This is what my face looks like at the moment, though I'm not angry)