May start runnning MY2002 S2K in the local monthly autocross. Course setup is usually short and tight since it is held on an old miltary staging airfield. Couple of questions:

1) What kind of additional wear and tear (other than tires and pads), could I expect to see and are there ways to minimize? What will go away earlier than normal if I race?

2) If I were to run a dedicated set of wheels/tires, what would be the best option? (assuming stock setup, and then perhaps minor mods like sway bar, etc.)

3) What pads and fluid are best for this type of driving, and would they be OK for street as well?

4) What class does the stock S2K run in, and assuming same driver, does it do well in class?

 

Since autocrossing is a short series of short bursts of performance, the typical wear is only in tires and brake pads. Shocks will be an issue since they get used every day but it won't be autocrossing that will do 'em in.

The lowest cost solution is to pick up someone's stock wheels and put Kumho Victoracers on them in the 225/50 front/245/45 rear combo. This will lead to oversteer since the rears are only .5" wider than the fronts so a front bar should be added. The larger Mugen bar is the cheapest bar (~$400) but the more expensive adjustables could prove to be more useful, especially as you gain experience and desire to keep doing this. You can use the 265 Kumhos on the rear but the increase in diameter will slow acceleration and raise the rear of the car.

Frankly, I have used stock pads/fluid since I started in 1974. The stock pads are effective at lower temperatures and temps normally don't get up to boiling the fluid, especially for a single-driver car. There may be gains out there for changing but it's certainly not required.

This year, it's B Stock (BS). I wouldn't be surprised to see us back in AS next year...

 

I did my first auto-x yesterday, and unfortunately, I wasn't completely aware of the classes. I have an AEM CAI and that bumped me from BS to BSP (ouch!) Isn't it also true that if you have suspension mods, like swaybars, springs/shocks, and x-braces that it will also bump you to BSP?

 

R compounds, shocks, and front swaybars are okay, but springs, rear swaybars, and taller wheels aren't.

 

You're classed wrong - the S2K is in ASP, not BSP. Lose the CAI - it won't help much in an autocross anyways. Besides, it's fun for a stock car to meat the modified ones...

 

That's what everyone said, take the CAI off, but I looked at it, and decided it's too much of a pain in the @$$ to take off for just one short day, besides....I wasn't planning on winnight anything being my first time out, so I didn't care what class I was in. If I really get into, I'll make some changes, and see if there is a way to keep the bottom half of the intake in when I put the stock airbox on for the auto-x.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jguerdat
[B]This year, it's B Stock (BS).

 

Sumtoc2,

Hunt Stage Field is the best place I know of to gain early experience autoXing. They guys there are very, VERY laid back and you can run until the tires fall off of your wheels if you want to. I went to an event there a couple of years ago and there were only 12 or 14 drivers and I believe 4 of them were national champs. All of them were willing to give personal instruction and help. It's a little too far for me to go to often but I try to make it at least a couple of times each year.

If you'd like to make some points with the Wiregrass region they are in serious need of help this weekend at the Solo I at Skelly Field near Opp. Course workers are needed to help where needed. There will be no cones to chase but workers are still needed. I believe they'll also feed you if you work. I'll be there doing the timing and helping out with the SP 35 Lola which is the same car I broke at Talladega last month. If you can make it out I'd love to talk with you when I'm able to get out of the motor home between timed runs. If you want more info send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you the pdf about the event.

 

I did autocross for the first time this Saturday, 5/25.

It was a blast! Fully stock vehicle, BS class.

I found myself in 1st gear the whole way except for one straightaway.

A kid who drives an integra mentioned that I should be in 2nd gear, and I told him that he definatly didn't want to be doing the track at 3-4000 RPM in the S.

Any other autocrossers find themselves primarily in 1st gear on the track?

Btw, I went from a 97 second first run to 84 seconds third run, no cones hit!!!

I was very pleased with my performance, and can't wait for the next!

San Diego guys, get your butts down there! I was the only S2000! July 4th next event at Qualcomm. Any newbies who want to give it a go, let me know and I'll walk ya around.

 

1st gear is usually not indicated since it adds to the pitching of the chassis when getting on and off the gas. That said, there are courses that simply need to be taken in 1st.

You may want to try 2nd, giving up acceleration but adding smoothness. 2nd may well be the faster gear, especially if you're hitting the rev limiter a lot. I usually use 1st only when there's a very slow section such as a pin turn (180 deg. turn in a very restricted area). Driven properly, you can still get the rear to move around very easily.

Keep it up!!