The following is information from several threads put into one thread for ease of information to people who may want to go autocrossing. WARNING- once you start you won't want to stop!


WMichaels
I drive to the event with normal tire pressure. I have an air tank that I bought a month ago. I fill it with air prior to leaving the house (I have a big compressor in my garage) and use it to air up my tires when I get to the track. Befroe I got the tank I used the compressor that's in the trunk. The compressor that comes with the car doesn't look like it's built for a lot of use..... I typically run 41 lbs in the fronts and 39 in the rears. That seems to work very well. BTW.... Buy a good tire pressure guage. Did they show you how to mark your tires with chalk so you can tell if you need to ad or remove air pressure?

As for shifting.... I have the auto stick so shifting is a piece of cake. Most of the people that have manual trannies usually shift into second and leave it there. Only very rarely do the down shift. It really depends on if there are and extremely tight gates.

All and all the Crossfire does very well. My times are very consistant with the 350Zs (touring suspension versions). And am beating BMW M3s. The only cars in DS that really stack up pretty well against the Crossfire are the SRT 4s and the WRXs. Nothing else in DS is coming very close.

Lastly... Make sure the traction control is OFF. If you have it ON it will ad 2 - 3 seconds to your times on average.
There's nothig more beautiful than an ALABASTER Crossfire on an Autocross course with it's tires screaming!!!


Keljen
For starters it depends on what tire you run.

I run the stock Michelin Sport

I started at 39 rear and 41 front per Wes M. I had good tire wear in the fornt. This weedend I went to 39 all around, car drove better, but I did see more wear on the front tires.

Tire pressure also depends on your driving style and how you want the car to feel.

Try your first run at 40 all around, Second run see how you like the feel and look at the tires (use chalk) because the air will expand due to heat, you will find that when you ck the pressures all four tires will be a little off, you will also know what tire is workin the hardest.

Before the third run, bleed the tires to a pressure you want to set for your last speed runs. I would not go any lower than 38 based on what I have seen.

Let me know how it works for you!


Landho
If you have the PS2 tires, they are designed with softer compund on the edges. So it will wear more. Since you are being aggressive with the tires (as compared to normal street driving) your tires will wear faster. I consider it part of the cost of the sport...

landho
Helmets: Most events require a snell M2000 or SA2000 rated helmet. full face or open face doesn't matter. DOT only rated helmet (cheapies) are not allowed. There should be a holographic label inside the helmet that Tech inspection will look for. Sometimes, loaner helmets are available at the event. Some snowmobile, atv, motorcycle helmets are M rated. You'll probably want to put 42/40 or 40/38 psi in your tires on that day.

BobaFettm
Where can I purchase one of those helmets?! ... It sounds like they are speciality or something... Any places in Michigan Land? or do I need to buy them online?

Landho
yep, motorcycle shops have them. Make sure you look under the lining of the helmet for a holographic label that says SNELL M2000 or SA2000. Anything older than 2000 (e.g. M1995) should not be purchased. Although the x1995 is still valid until the x2005 is out, this helmet is only acceptable for a couple of years max. (BTW Snell x2005 is not out yet.) Just Snell word on the outside back of the helmet is not enough. Gotta have that special label...

Landho
IMO, for autox, you don't really need a full face one like this. It may get hot and it's hard to talk to someone if there is an instructor riding with you. You'll only be wearing it for about 5 minutes each time. For that price, you can get a SA rated helmet which is better in protection than the M rated. If you might take your car to a track, such as waterford hills or gingerman, they don't allow M rated helmets.

Landho
Autocrossing? recommend bringing:
helmet
air gauge
sun tan lotion - it's suppose to be sunny
chair - if you wanna rest
water to drink
blue painters tape or shoe polish (for numbers)
and don't fill your gas tank full...
$$ to pay for registration...

WMichaels
I hope you read this before you head out.... DON'T add the pressure to your tires until your at the event! Use the compressor that came with the car. Driving around with that much pressure on the streets is not a good idea. And make sure to lower your tire pressure before you head home.

Landho
If you come to the SCCA events, we can find experienced drivers to ride with you and give you tips, or have them drive your car and you can see what can be accomplished...or you can ride in their car. But you'll need to plan for a whole day (till 5pm) because you will need to work. I was the last car out today and ended with 29.5xx. I think someone in our class got 29.0xx. The next scca is at pontiac silverdome in 2 sundays from today. Check myautoevents.com. They start early. But I think it's better organized. The coneheads reports that they will survive to jump out in front of another car another day

Tire pressure was 39f, 38r

WMichaels
SCCA requires that your lugs are inspected for condition and security when you go through tech. That's the primary reason for removing your center caps. Secondary reason is to prevent hub caps from coming off on the course and causing a delay while it's retrieved by a course worker.


Keljen
Don't over drive the car to start with, if you have a 6 speed you will mostly be in second gear for the race once you start. The Crossfire breaks alot better then it accelerates, so use that to you advantage.

I would say for your first time out, is try and finish without hitting any cones, (1-2 sec penalty each) Make sure you get there early and walk the course with a note pad and pen, draw out the course and start driving the course in your mind.

Watch other cars on course and learn from them, watch their times and see who is fast and who is not. The funny thing is the cars that look fast are usally not fast, it is the smooth driver who is hitting the good times.

For your first time out tire pressure will not be that critical but start with 39psi in the rear and 41psi in the front, after your second run check and blead back to your starting pressure, the pressure will go up with the heat in the tire. I am still working on the right pressure and still have not found the "sweet spot".

Don't want to overwhelm you, just work on a few small thingsl, like getting use to the car and driving cones, then start to work on your times a few races out!

Remember to take off your wheel caps, remove your floor mats, jack, air pump and all loose stuff in the car before tech.

Seatbelt: pull tight once on and twist the buckle once and lock in place, this will keep it tight around your waste to keep you from sliding in your seat.


That is my two cents worth, I am sure others will have a few cents too!

Good luck and let us know how you did!

 

"Have fun!"

Thats key! I went out there had a great time.. only pulled off a 31.503 as my best time... and even pulled off a 49 because of cones adding into it once ... but you know what... I'm gonna be out there next weekend! because it was a great time!!!!