any adivce for new autocrossers?

[skatamatic]

well after wanting to try it for a while, i finally made it out to my first auto-x this weekend at turner field in atlanta, and loved it. however, being new to it, i was wondering if any of you "pros" had any good tips or advice. obviously, practicing is the most important thing for me, but unfortunately it looks like i'll have to wait for the season to start back up next year to get any more runs in. are there any mods (that are halfway affordable, i doubt i could get enough $ together for TEIN's or stuff like that) that can make a big difference? i have TRD springs right now and am probably gonna get the front and rear strut bar before too long. also, and i'm gonna invest in a helmet as the loaner ones weren't the nicest things around. i had 2 instructers ride with me over a couple of laps and they pointed out a few good things, but any other info that could help would really be appreciated. thanks!
-cody

[scapamouche]

Here are some of the trite, but true ones:

Relax! Enjoy it!! Don't get worked up.

You're NOT racing everyone else!! Especially as a beginner, concentrate on your own improvements, not on the times of the others in your class. Unless you're faster. Then gloat, quietly.

Slow down for the slow corners. Sounds silly, but I've only gotten a grip on that in the last year, after 5 years of off and onn autox.

Learn your car before making major mods. It's harder to feel your improvements when you're constantly modifying your car.

Listen in on the old farts at the track. The strangest, gnarliest, roundest guy there is probably the one who can help you the most.

And no sex in the champagne room! :D

[scapamouche]

one other thing. If you've still got them, try running on the stock 16" rims and tires. They may be more suited for autox (especially if they're the stock Yokos. Much better than the Paradas, I'm told.) Also, with the mods you already have, you won't run in Stock class, and the largest wheels allowed in STS (probably the best class for you) are 17s

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, please.

[skatamatic]

thanks for the tips and suggestions. unfortunately, i sold my stock wheels to help out with a lot of my other mods before i seriously considered autocrossing. maybe i should just buy a cheap set of rims and better tires, or does anyone have any other ideas that might work for me? thanks...
-cody

[Mas]

Good wheel and tire combo to start with if you're going to run STS:

Enkei RSE 16X7 (reported to be 17 lbs) = $120 each @ Discount tire
Falken Azenis Asy. 215/45/16 = $99 each @ Discount

good bang for the buck

[scapamouche]

Thanks for the Combo advice. Aren't the Stock 16s The same weight as those Enkeis?

$880 is a good price, though.

Out of curiosity, how much do the Volk Racing TE-37s cost? I haven't found any sites with an actual price quote.

How well do the Azenis grip? I've heard they're wonderful, but I haven't driven on them.

[Mas]

>>Aren't the Stock 16s The same weight as those Enkeis?

I believe the stock 16's are a little heavier but the stockers are 16x6.5 not 16x7.

>>Volk Racing TE-37s cost?
Any super light wheel is cong to cost you $350-$600 each.
Doing a quick internet search I found the TE-37s for $412 each
http://www.1010tires.com/volkracing.html

>>How well do the Azenis grip? I've heard they're wonderful, but I haven't driven on them.

I haven't driven on them either but from what I've been hearing you get a heck of a lot of grip for not much $$