986 Autocrossing Racing Strategies

[jakeru]

I've enjoyed autocrossing since around the time when the Boxsters started being sold. On the autocross course, I remember watching someone in my region who purchased one of the first Boxster's (before the "S" was out) out on the course, the car was amazing to watch go it went through the turns. Later on, the "S" was out, and this same guy (an older fellow who owned a series of autocrossing Porsches - always yellow) had upgraded to one. (I think he also had a late-gen air cooled 911 Porsche at some point, and all his Porsches were yellow!). Kind of a funny story, but I remember watching him run his "S" right off the track on one of our wet weather days up here in the Pacific Northwest. The spot he ran off the track eventually also had many other cars with off-course excursions. (This is where a runway crossed over to an access road - funky site). I remember having conversations with him about his Boxster, like asking him if he wanted to upgrade his factory shocks, and him saying no the factory ones were good. (Which apparently he was right about). And then him waxing on about how awesome abs was, (but then I always suspected it was a contributing factor to him going off-course.) Hah!

Anyway, I ran a d-stock neon ACR back in the day, then a VW in FSP class. I've been to nationals three times and took home one trophy in the FSP. Kind of fell out of it when I had a kid, but have dreams of getting back into the game one of these days. Fast forward to today, I've got that Porsche my wife and I have always fantasized about, although it's a daily driver, not a dedicated race car. Still, we hope to get it out there are enjoy it on the autocross course sometime. Even though it will no longer be the "car to have" in stock class (or street class - whatever they're calling it nowadays?) with the recent SCCA rule changes.

Always loved the way the neutrally balanced Boxsters looked on the autocross course! I'm still working on some repairs and mods (SCCA-legal of course, like US-spec M030 suspension conversion) that make the Porsche handle and perform the way I expect a Porsche to. Not quite done yet, it's a work in process. Only had it for about a year so far and am getting a good baseline feel (although I have started the suspension mods already). It's just a base, not the "S", but it's mine and both wife and I think it's fun!

Autocrossing tips - a lot are to do with walking the course and developing mental techniques to navigate it at speed. Look ahead! Have fun! (Hard not to!)

[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??

[GatorLapis]

Originally Posted by j.fro

...

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??

I would add toe out on the front to improve turn in... I would go with .06 per side to start ( This should help reduce understeer). Then toe in on the rear at least .125 per side. The toe in on the rear will help the car stay planted.

Understeering: To reduce it try raising the rear as much as you can without losing grip aka 2 more psi. This will make the rear a bit more loose but it will also reduce understeer. If that is not enough try lowering the front by .5 a psi at a time.

P.S. You can also add a 5mm, 7mm or 10mm spacer on the front if you already haven't to increase the track length of the car therefore reducing understeer.

[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.

[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!