Autocross Help Wanted
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From: Oak Point, Texas
Autocross Help Wanted
I could use some pointers on the basic do's and don'ts of autocross. I am planning on giving it a whirl one more time (since I recently had the Roush suspension kit installed). I would like to redeem myself from September's debacle. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The event is tomorrow, Sunday the 7th.
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1999 Black Roush-Lowered Lightning - w/Super Chip (YEEEOW!), Power Surge air kit, CD Changer, Towing Package,Grey Rhino, clear corner lenses.
[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 11-06-1999).]
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1999 Black Roush-Lowered Lightning - w/Super Chip (YEEEOW!), Power Surge air kit, CD Changer, Towing Package,Grey Rhino, clear corner lenses.
[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 11-06-1999).]
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Joined: Sep 1999
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From: San Antonio, Texas
First of all, let me know how the Rousch kit drives. I've looked at the kit for a while now and though I hate to loose any more ground clearance, I would like to tighten things up a bit on the turns.
That said, I've run my stock lightning on several autocrosses and aside from the ordinary advice, here are a few things that apply particularly to the lightning.
First, the truck is going to be better on long course tracks. The straights are your friends. Try to hold a consistent speed and throttle position around the corners to avoid dislodging the rear end. The L has great brakes so I'd go ahead and run up on the turns and just before turn-in, whale on the brakes. You want to hold your straight line speed as long as you can. Also, your rear tires are going to be unloaded on the turns, so if you can slow down to just below what you think appropriate turn-in speed would be, you can get gently on the gas throughout the turn in an attempt to shift some weight to the back and keep those tires planted. (gently is the emphasis here. Too much and they'll break loose.)
I usually start getting firm on the gas IMMEDIATELY after apex, increasing the pressure exponentially. As soon as your tires are pointed mostly straight, tromp on the gas as hard as you can without getting wheelspin. Power hard towards the next turn and repeat.
As far as vehicle prep goes, the VAST majority of the stress is going to be on your front tires because of the braking and turning pressure. Put your best set of tires there. The rears are going to float no matter what so dont worry. I run high 30s cold for tire pressure, say around 36-37psi.
Just out of curiosity, where are you going to be running at and do you know yet what the track layout will be?
[This message has been edited by Nathan (edited 11-06-1999).]
That said, I've run my stock lightning on several autocrosses and aside from the ordinary advice, here are a few things that apply particularly to the lightning.
First, the truck is going to be better on long course tracks. The straights are your friends. Try to hold a consistent speed and throttle position around the corners to avoid dislodging the rear end. The L has great brakes so I'd go ahead and run up on the turns and just before turn-in, whale on the brakes. You want to hold your straight line speed as long as you can. Also, your rear tires are going to be unloaded on the turns, so if you can slow down to just below what you think appropriate turn-in speed would be, you can get gently on the gas throughout the turn in an attempt to shift some weight to the back and keep those tires planted. (gently is the emphasis here. Too much and they'll break loose.)
I usually start getting firm on the gas IMMEDIATELY after apex, increasing the pressure exponentially. As soon as your tires are pointed mostly straight, tromp on the gas as hard as you can without getting wheelspin. Power hard towards the next turn and repeat.
As far as vehicle prep goes, the VAST majority of the stress is going to be on your front tires because of the braking and turning pressure. Put your best set of tires there. The rears are going to float no matter what so dont worry. I run high 30s cold for tire pressure, say around 36-37psi.
Just out of curiosity, where are you going to be running at and do you know yet what the track layout will be?
[This message has been edited by Nathan (edited 11-06-1999).]
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From: Oak Point, Texas
Thanks for the help Nathan. The event is going to be in Mineral Wells, Texas at the old airport. I have attached the address of the club that is sponsoring the event. It also has information about the course. I participated in the September event with the stock suspension and as you can tell by my time, I was not very competitive. I was also kind of babying the thing a little.
http://web2.airmail.net/grills/LSC/LSC_Home_Page.html
The Roush suspension has definitely settled the truck down in the corners, but at a price. There are several rough sections of I-35 around this area that will bottom out the new suspension at 75-80mph. It's not so much the bumps, but rather the severe roller coaster type undulations. I definately won't be able to haul anything of significant weight while traveling a highway speeds.
I'll let you know what happens.
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1999 Black Roush-Lowered Lightning - w/Super Chip (YEEEOW!), Power Surge air kit, CD Changer, Towing Package,Grey Rhino, clear corner lenses. 
[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 11-06-1999).]
http://web2.airmail.net/grills/LSC/LSC_Home_Page.html
The Roush suspension has definitely settled the truck down in the corners, but at a price. There are several rough sections of I-35 around this area that will bottom out the new suspension at 75-80mph. It's not so much the bumps, but rather the severe roller coaster type undulations. I definately won't be able to haul anything of significant weight while traveling a highway speeds.
I'll let you know what happens.
------------------
1999 Black Roush-Lowered Lightning - w/Super Chip (YEEEOW!), Power Surge air kit, CD Changer, Towing Package,Grey Rhino, clear corner lenses.
[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 11-06-1999).]
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From: Oak Point, Texas
Nathan-
If you want your truck to handle in the turns then do the Roush thing. I had a great time at the autocross today. The difference between stock and Roush is pretty remarkable. I beat a number of Honda Preludes, some BMWs and a few other different makes. The truck really raised some eyebrows.
The course was difficult and it had no long straights, but the truck handled so well, I was able to keep decent corner speeds and when I did get a little straight section, see ya! The brakes on these trucks are really, really good. Great fun! Another $200 worth of rubber gone forever.
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1999 Black Roush-Lowered Lightning - w/Super Chip (YEEEOW!), JBA Headers, F-1 Cobra hood, Power Surge air kit, CD Changer, Towing Package,Grey Rhino, clear corner lenses.
[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 11-07-1999).]
If you want your truck to handle in the turns then do the Roush thing. I had a great time at the autocross today. The difference between stock and Roush is pretty remarkable. I beat a number of Honda Preludes, some BMWs and a few other different makes. The truck really raised some eyebrows.
The course was difficult and it had no long straights, but the truck handled so well, I was able to keep decent corner speeds and when I did get a little straight section, see ya! The brakes on these trucks are really, really good. Great fun! Another $200 worth of rubber gone forever.
------------------
1999 Black Roush-Lowered Lightning - w/Super Chip (YEEEOW!), JBA Headers, F-1 Cobra hood, Power Surge air kit, CD Changer, Towing Package,Grey Rhino, clear corner lenses.
[This message has been edited by sixpipes (edited 11-07-1999).]