986 Autocrossing Racing Strategies

[Topless]

Originally Posted by j.fro

I'm glad to see more AX folks on here! My 2000 986 S is set up for SCCA F Prepared and PCA Improved 04 (that might be a bit off). Stock 3.2 internals, but otherwise very modded. A word to AX newcomers (vets know and understand): autocrossing is addictive, like crack cocaine. The lengths we'll go to for a win or to shave hundredths of a second are nuts


Here's an FTD run at one of this year's Shenandoah regional AX events:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Loh1FPDcQ1k
This year has been the first year for me to use a video camera, and I've used it to help identify areas where I can make small improvements such improving car position on course.

This year I've also made the switch to Hoosier A7s (F 245 35 18/ R275 30 18) from Nitto NT01 tires (same specs, haha) and I've been chasing an understeer problem.
I'd love to see what alignment/ setup specs others are using. My car is 2630#; I add another 150ish.

With the Nittos, my specs were:
Front, zero toe, -3.2 camber, 32PSI, stock sway bar, KSport coilovers w/6K springs
Rear 3mm total toe, -3.2 camber, 34PSI, no sway bar, KSport w/ 8.7K

With the Hoosiers:
Front, zero toe, -3.4 camber, 34PSI, stock sway bar, KSport coilovers w/6K springs
Rear 3mm total toe, -3.2 camber, 36PSI, stock sway bar, KSport w/ 8.7K

Any thoughts on my setup or understeer issues??

Quick lap J.Fro

I am mostly a track guy but do AX a bit in SoCal. If you are running FTD maybe you should be giving the rest of us AX tips.

RE: setup and understeer, I am not sure what springs you are on as mine are rated in lbs. As you know, A7s generate a lot of lateral G so you need more stiff and roll control to make the most of them. I would also look at corner weights and F/R rake. Sometimes raising the rear 10mm moves static weight forward and creates more grip where you need it most in AX. Worth a look.

Keep banging the cones and making that 986 look good on the right coast!

[stephen wilson]

I'm a pretty good road racer, but I really struggled at the Pocono Solo a few weeks ago, like 5 Seconds off the pace IIRC. It's was only my 2nd Solo, and I had the most trouble with slalom cones. My car has stone stock alignment, and Pilot Super Sports, which really aren't the hot ticket. How much time am I losing in tires and alignment ?

[GatorLapis]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

I'm a pretty good road racer, but I really struggled at the Pocono Solo a few weeks ago, like 5 Seconds off the pace IIRC. It's was only my 2nd Solo, and I had the most trouble with slalom cones. My car has stone stock alignment, and Pilot Super Sports, which really aren't the hot ticket. How much time am I losing in tires and alignment ?

Going from all season to bridgestone potenza 71r's plus alignment its gonna be a 3-4 second faster.

[stephen wilson]

Thanks, though the Super Sports aren't an all-season, but a very good Summer street tire. So possibly a bit less than 3-4 Seconds ?

[j.fro]

The Super Sports are a 300 tread wear tire. If you went to a 200 like the Dunlop Star Specs, you'd pick up a couple of seconds and the car would feel noticeably more glued down. BTW, 200 tread wear is the minimum for cars in SCCA street classes, and a few manufacturers have tires aimed specifically at this rating.
Watch for a test n tune or AX school and you can get some slalom practice. You really have to get set up right for a slalom from whatever is before it. If you get behind on the initial cone you're screwed for the whole thing.

[stephen wilson]

An AX school would be great, one of my problems is I'm not sure how close I'm cutting the cones. I think I'm leaving too much room, since all but 1 of my runs were clean. I'll never be truly competitive, because I don't want to burn through expensive "R-comp" tires with aggressive alignment settings. I want my car to stay primarily a street cruiser. I missed the 200 treadwear minimum when I read the rules.

[Racer Boy]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

I'm a pretty good road racer, but I really struggled at the Pocono Solo a few weeks ago, like 5 Seconds off the pace IIRC. It's was only my 2nd Solo, and I had the most trouble with slalom cones. My car has stone stock alignment, and Pilot Super Sports, which really aren't the hot ticket. How much time am I losing in tires and alignment ?

More seat time would probably help a lot. Properly "attacking" a slalom is not an easy thing to get right, especially if the cones are not spaced equally. It is a rhythm thing that involves using the throttle, steering, and in extreme cases the brakes; you only learn with practice. Since this is only your second autocross, don't beat yourself up over it!