Do you autocross?

[dubspeedGTi]

I was just wondering how many people autocross here? With what and what type of setup do you have(ie;suspension, brakes, wheels, tires)? I am thinking of autocrossing my GTi. I am currently autocrossing in my CRX but I wanted to also do it in my GTi. Just wonder what works for all of you? Thanks.

[Smartiepants]

Re: Do you autocross?

I would say Simon (Boy Racer) and Bart are the main autocrossers of the bunch. They should be able to help you out.

[MrHeavyFoot]

Re: Do you autocross?

I was just wondering how many people autocross here? With what and what type of setup do you have(ie;suspension, brakes, wheels, tires)? I am thinking of autocrossing my GTi. I am currently autocrossing in my CRX but I wanted to also do it in my GTi. Just wonder what works for all of you? Thanks.

I autocross my MKIV Jetta. Running on H&R Sports with Koni Yellows and a Neuspeed rear sway with Kumho V70A tires. It does all right locally, but to tell the truth, MKIV dubs aren't the greatest autocross cars. Kinda heavy, no camber adjustment and if you drop them too much the suspension geometry go out of whack.

If you're just going out to have fun, go ahead, run the GTI. If you're trying to be seriously competitive, there's probably more potential in the CRX (not that I know a lot about CRX's).

And in reply to your sig.....

Autocross: If it was any easier, they'd call it road racing.

[dubspeedGTi]

Re: Do you autocross?

thanks for your input mrheavyfoot. that was exactly what i was looking for. I plan on running primarly the crx but I also wanted to try with the GTi. The events here are mostly just for fun anyway we don't compete to win. There is only about 4-5 people that come out for our events here. Most everyone goes to the other side and drags. You said the you have the H&R sports how much of a drop are thoes? Do you have an pics of your car with them on. Also you didn't mention what wheels / size you have.

i am looking for someone that autocrosses with 18"s because the brake upgrade that I want to do requires 18"s and I wanted to see how other people do with that big of a wheel.

[MrHeavyFoot]

Re: Do you autocross?

thanks for your input mrheavyfoot. that was exactly what i was looking for. I plan on running primarly the crx but I also wanted to try with the GTi. The events here are mostly just for fun anyway we don't compete to win. There is only about 4-5 people that come out for our events here. Most everyone goes to the other side and drags. You said the you have the H&R sports how much of a drop are thoes? Do you have an pics of your car with them on. Also you didn't mention what wheels / size you have.

i am looking for someone that autocrosses with 18"s because the brake upgrade that I want to do requires 18"s and I wanted to see how other people do with that big of a wheel.

If you're just running Race City on Friday nights, you may as well run whatever makes you happy. Watch out for those walls and light poles though.

H&R sports are around 1.25" drop I think... went from 4 finger gap to 2 finger gap. Don't have any decent static pics around that would give you a good idea of the drop. My R compounds are 225/50/15 mounted on 15x7 Enkei RP02's.

18" wheels aren't the best idea for autocross. The general rule of thumb is get the smallest, widest wheels that will fit over the calipers (and in the wheel wells) and put the lowest profile/widest tires on them you can. I could have gone to a 225/45/15 but its tough enough getting the jack under there as it is. Bigger wheels = more mass and most of the mass is further away from the center, resulting in a higher moment of inertia (or whatever its called). i.e. slower accelleration and braking.

If you're just going out for fun on Friday nights, I wouldn't worry too much about that though. Concentrate on learning to drive.

[dubspeedGTi]

Re: Do you autocross?

thanks. No I don't go to race city, I am located in germany. I know the stuff about smaller wheels and all that but as I said before the brake upgrade that I want to get calls for 18" wheels. I am not sure if you can fit smaller but that is what the web site says. This car is a dailydriver as well. I need some good brakes for the autobahn. The brake kit that I want to get is from eutunning it has 14" rotors with 4 piston porsche calipers up front. In the rear I think it is 11" rotors with the stock or TT calipers. I also will be taking this car to the nurburgring sometime durring my stay here in germany. I am located about 45 min away from the ring. I am hoping that bart or simon will find this thread soon. I have read that bart has 18"s on his car but I do not know if he autocrosses with them. thanks again, when you do find some pics please post them.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Do you autocross?

Well I can just provide you with info, both Bart and Simon use 18" wheels at the moment for AutoX with street rubber. If you are going to run 18s then you just need to find light wheels.

[dubspeedGTi]

Re: Do you autocross?

thanks I checked the site that had the brakes and i can get a stage lower and fit in 17"s so I think that is what i am going to do. I plan on getting oz supperleggera's in the matt silver. thanks for the help.

[Boy Racer]

Re: Do you autocross?

A well prepped CRX would no doubt have a much better run at an auto-x than our cars. They have much better suspension and are smaller and lighter. The only thing with a CRX is that the bushings go so you would no doubt need to replace these to get it back to prime (especially if it has that odd passive rear steer bushing).

But that is not to say that at a local level you can't do pretty well with the MK4, 18's don't hurt but if you want to run a dedicated race setup then the smallest, widest wheels and race rubber is the only way to go. My Toyo's on 18s (T1-S) really arent that great on dry pavement (in auto-x), I noticed that the have quite soft sidewalls which is a bad thing when you combine it with very little (no) camber adjustment, it basically rides on the outer shoulder of the tire and wears them out in no time. I am now going to a dedicated wheel/tire for racing I think.

[dubspeedGTi]

Re: Do you autocross?

Thanks for you advice. I know the CRX is good for autocross. My major dillema is that I am in the US military in germany. We are only alowed to have two cars registered on base for married couples. I curently have the CRX and my wife drives the passat. I have wanted a new car for a long time and now I have the chance to get one at a verry good price. Right now the only new cars that I like are the Acura RSX, the VW GTi, and Jetta. First you cannot buy an RSX in germany so that counts that out and the GTI is a little cheaper than the Jetta. Also I kinda like hatch backs better than sedans. There is one way that I can have both the CRX and the GTi it would be to get a waiver on the number of cars that can be regestered on base per person. The only problem with that is that it is verry difficult to get approved and you have to have a reason why you are registering another vechicle. Haveing a dedicated race car is not a verry good reason for them.