I'll be getting my Evo in the coming weeks/months and intend to eventually hit the local autocross with it. However, I have some questions:

1) What wheels and tires (other than stock) are folks having the best luck with?
2) Do the optional strut bars, etc. count as stock for stock class since they're available from the factory?
3) Those doing ESP - what did you mod that bumped you there?
4) What's the best harness to install and use?

Think that's it for now, thanks!

 

1) I am hearing (but no personal experience) a lot of thoughts on 17 and 18 inch rims. But keep in mind that stock category requires rims to be the same diameter, width, AND offset as stock. Other categories will put you in ESP (and maybe STX, didn't they remove the Evo from the exclusion list???)

2) stock category allows an alternate front sway bar (bottom), no strut bars (other than stock) or rear sway (other than stock). Any or all of those will put you in ESP. The rules state that factory options must be produced in numbers and I believe as part of a package in order to be considered stock (for example, even though the RMR intake was available for the Lancer at the dealership, it is not a stock part)

3) pretty much anything except for a cat-back exhaust puts you in ESP. Alternate shocks have to be the same size and ride height as stock, brake pads and rotors have to be the same size, etc.

4) if your're talking about a seatbelt harness, keep in mind that people who roll in a car with a racing harness but no roll bar are more likely to sustain head/neck injuries (something about not being able to move out of the way if the roof collapses). Roll bars are allowed in stock category as long as that's all they are designed for.

careful with any electronics upgrades, as ECU mods have to be documented that they do not change boost levels (that is, IF they even know you upgraded anything ) Also, stock and street prepared categories allow DOT racing tires, so if you end up with a second set of rims, you might want to consider having street wheels and racing wheels. I hope that helps some, and good luck!

 

The Evo is still on the STX exclusion list as of the August Fasttrack.

I am going to switch to ESP because I have an AFC and I am ordering some coilovers. I think the C4s with 315mm race tires are going to be very tough in AS. Maybe if I had race tires, but I'm not sure as tight as most SCCA courses are. He can throttle steer to bring the rear around, but the Evo has to be thrown into corners or go really slow. :/

 

Thanks for your responses!

urbanknight:

1) I'll be looking stock, therefore 17s. Now, to find some light, proper wheels cheap! *laugh*
2) So those things listed as "accessories" such as brake cooling air guides, front and rear alloy strut tower braces would bump one out of stock class?
3) understood...
4) Still looking for a recommendation. I think someone mentioned the Schroth Rallye 3???

Wheels and tires are something I need to decide on soonish, yes.


instigator:

I have some autocross experience, not much, so forgive my ignorance: C4s and 315mm tires (tread depth I take it)? And ... I've been known to throw my car into corners. Problem is, I've only driven front wheel drive cars... *laugh*

Basically, folks, it's going to be tough enough to afford wheels, tires, alignment, replacement filter just to be somewhat competitive in stock. No mods otherwise for this guy - until I have more disposable income.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

C4 is a 4th generation Corvette; 315mm refers to the tread width of the big rear tires on those vehicles.

With respect to the expense to be competitive in Stock, as the folks around here like to say, the biggest improvement you can make to an autocross car is adjusting the "nut" that sits behind the wheel.

And a four wheel alignment isn't particularly expensive either.

With respect to changing the intake on the car, do your research first. I've heard reports that changing the air filter panel (to a Ralliart model, for instance) can cause the car to run leaner than stock... (Something about changing the airflow pattern through the Mass Airflow Sensor.) If that's true, that's worrisome, and not worth the risk. Also, I attended a "Dyno Day" a while back, and one of the attendees was disappointed to find that his Evo with a cone filter intake was dynoing 4 HP less than my stock Evo.

 

Yes. Dealer-installed accessories are treated the same as aftermarket parts. If they can in any way improve performance, and if they are not specifically allowed under stock rules, they are not allowed for Stock class.

This would certainly include the optional lightweight front strut brace (reduces weight), or the rear strut brace (decreases body flex).

The brake cooling air guides probably aren't worth much if anything for an autoX, since you don't use the brakes hard enough or long enough to build up much heat, but they are almost certainly technically illegal.

Which dealer accessories are allowed?

This would include scuff plates, shifter knobs, sports gauges, replacement pedals, etc.

 

wow, how could I have forgotten a link to the SCCA Solo2 rules online?

And schroth is popular, I think there's a shop online that has deals on them. Personally I don't see what's so special about them compared to the less expensive Simpson and G-Force ones

Here's the link to who sells the Schroth harnesses:
http://www.soloracer.com/

 

funny, but so so true. Attend an autocross school if you ever can, best thing I ever did for my racing (it even helped me pick better lines on the road course too). I hear the "Evolution" racing schools are very good, with top instructors. Do a search for those, I don't know where they are available.

 

I think the big thing with the Schroth harnesses is that you can get ones that are DOT legal, so they're okay for driving on the street. But I think some of theirs are not FIA legal, which I think you tend to get with the more race oriented harnesses.

 

I mean 325mm as in 12.402 inches wide. That's a lot of rubber. I think I can give them a small run for the money with race tires, but it would be really tough.

If you've driven FWD in autox before, you'll be well suited to the Evo on a tight slow course. It really only gets fun at high speeds. We have some BMW events that can reach 4th gear and those corners are a blast!

 

I am anxiously awaiting the next evolution school in DFW, but it won't happen until October. I know I really need the help. Last week I took of 2.5 seconds by changing my style at the prompting of an experienced driver. I must really suck if there's that much room for improvement.

 

Your improvement will be seconds for now, no doubt, but as you get better and better, your margins of improvement will get smaller and smaller. That goes for just about any sport/skill out there. But that's the fun of it. You'll be a couple of seconds behind the race leader in just a couple of years. This season, I started being about 10 seconds slower than Will Kalman on a 60 second course, then went to 7, 5, and now usually around 4 or 5. I'm getting there!

edit: and I had to wait 5 months for a school as well, since when I started looking, the next one was a ladies school. The safety stewart told me to wear a skirt and heels

 

I have a Schroth now so thought I'd ask what all are using. If it moves to the Evo successfully I'll be plenty pleased!

I first autocrossed in 1987 and returned to it in 2000. If you total up all my events I suppose I have gotten in somewhere between 2 and three full seasons of autocross. Not a good attendance record! I attended the first Evolution school just a couple of years ago and thought it was great! My improvements weren't that marked through the class and I asked about it. The two instructors, including the school owner (wish I remembered her name, now hyphenated), said that was because I was already doing rather well. I felt pretty good about hearing that!

Anyway, I never did better than second in Novice nor CSP in my '87 Shelby CSX. But in my Celica GT-S I've managed a class first over RS 2.5s and a Celica All-Trac. So, I figure if I ever get time I just might have a whole lot more fun on Sundays!

Anyway, thanks all for your feedback. I think I'll get some street rubber and relegate the Yoks to autocross until they're gone and then figure out what I'll want in race-day rubber.

Right now, however, I have the heartbreak of telling my Celica goodbye. Leaving this site to go post a for-sale note on my Celica board. God, I love that car!

Thanks all!

 

Jean Kinser-Dana, I believe.