First AutoX in my GenPu

[the_red_baron]

So today was my first AutoX in my GenPu as well as my first AutoX in over 5 years and I have mixed feelings. Went out with Equipe Rapide down in South Florida. The course was pretty technical (for me anyway) and had a lot of dips and bumps as well as sand and gravel. I didn't do too bad, 35 of 80 based on PAX, but almost half of the attendees were novices and I didn't feel particularly in control of the car. I had done a track day about 2 years ago but obviously that is a different beast.

I am bit by the bug again though, already trying to find a reason to go out next weekend for Gulf Coast Auto Cross' test and tune but it's a 2.5 hour drive each way. I know seat time is the most valuable mod for any motorsports so I'm looking forward to improving but I can't get over how nose heavy the car feels when it's really being thrashed. Also, I am entirely (actually!) stock so I finally encountered the engine slamming into the fire wall on hard stop/go and shifting into 2nd. I also encountered popping out of 2nd gear on my third run. That was fun. I want to stay in Street class but I'm not sure anything I would do to alleviate both of these issues would allow me to do so. This particular group is supposedly a bit lax on classes but it won't be the only group I run with. I will consult the SCCA rule book this see if a RMM and shift weight (or shifter related things) would change my class but any input would be appreciated.

Otherwise, it feels super good to be back out there and I think I'm going to be lurking in the AutoX forums a lot more often now.

[PadreDave]

I did some AutoX back in the '70's in a 73 Fiat 124 Spider and later in a 1976 Ford Capri II S. It was then that I realized that I have no depth perception...lazy eye not diagnosed back in 1953, so the brain shut off the right eye for depth, and since you need both eyes to judge distance, I kept getting lost out in the middle of the course....needless to say, I quit AutoX. You go and have fun. God bless you!


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[Oshiguru]

I had the 2nd gear popout happen once. I switched to a lighter shift knob and it hasn't happened since *knock on wood*

To stay in stock class and do well, I recommend getting 17x7.5 wheels (light) and some decent summer tires (ie new conti ECS or PSS), RSB, and then you're still in stock class. After you burn through the ECS or PSS get some cheater tires (re71r or bfg rival s). Double check with https://www.scca.com/pages/solo-cars-and-rules

There are a few guys here who still check-in every now and then who did compete nationally, their input > mine imo

[the_red_baron]

Originally Posted by Oshiguru I had the 2nd gear popout happen once. I switched to a lighter shift knob and it hasn't happened since *knock on wood* To stay in stock class and do well, I recommend getting 17x7.5 wheels (light) and some decent summer tires (ie new conti ECS or PSS), RSB, and then you're still in stock class. After you burn through the ECS or PSS get some cheater tires (re71r or bfg rival s). Double check with https://www.scca.com/pages/solo-cars-and-rules There are a few guys here who still check-in every now and then who did compete nationally, their input > mine imo

I hadn't thought about a lighter shift knob. Based on what I had read in the past I was thinking changing the weight at the transmission end of things would fix the issue which was my concern with staying Street class. I'll have to look some up. What knob are you using?

In regard to the rest, I intend on getting wheels and tires as you suggest but, you know, they cost money lol. I know I could look for just a cheap used set of something or other but I always find myself looking at the RPF1. The rear sway I know is a must to help rear end rotation as well but I figure seat time takes priority over parts to begin with. The only other thing I'm considering is a RMM due to the firewall thing. That, I believe, would put me in Street Touring but it is really unnerving to hear a loud bang while you're trying to stay focused. I guess I could just try to be a little smoother on the pedal work and see if that mitigates it in the meanwhile.

I've read a number of other threads regarding getting a really good alignment, even with stock suspension, can make an impact. I had an alignment when I got my tires last year but had it done to factory specs. I'm hoping to find a good suspension shop but for some reason South Florida doesn't seem to have a lot of shops that cater to Japanese imports, never mind Mazdas. I combed through the Florida NATOR section and the overall consensus is the same on there, but it hadn't been discussed in months now.

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