First Autocross in my '98 SVT Contour

[jtrimm]

So after 10 years of ownership, I've participated in my first autocross event with the Philly SCCA. I came in second in the novice group (running GS/Novice my first time)-- and was only beaten in the novice group by a guy with with a Mitsubishi Evo.

http://www.phillyscca.com/solo2/resu...O042907FIN.HTM

I took a grand prix racing class down at Bob Bondurant a few years ago and never did anything with it, so it's been fun getting an opportunituy to push the ol SVT Contour on an autocross course.

AS an aside, I also took a 2 day autocross class sponsored by our local club. Multiple instructors that drove my car to demonstrate various techniques made positive comments on its handling at the limit.

I'm running it pure stock (GS), and I'm looking at the Mini Cooper S's in my division... they appear to be the car to beat.

Quick question-- anyone know of lightweight 16x6.5" wheels that would be a compelling upgrade over the stock rims and still allow me to run GS?

-Jeff

[Kremithefrog]

I don't know about the wheels but I imagine there are some out there. You know in GS, you can run r compound tires. IIRC, you can also change the front sway bar and the struts.

[98TredSVT]

what do lightweight wheels offer over stock, like how much difference does it really make? just a pound or two changes handling that much or does it make the car quicker?

[Kremithefrog]

I have a spreadsheet that calculates it based on scientific stuff. I plugged in some things. Based on two 16" wheels both with the same weight 225/50/16 tire, only difference being one is a 20lb wheel and one is a 15lb wheel, it says that makes about a 56lb of dead weight difference or roughly 2 ft lb of torque more to move the car at the same speed. I don't know how accurate it is.
Unless I was running race tires at autox/drag strip/road course then I wouldn't bother with getting lighter wheels to run on the street at track(s) if it's just for the reason of them being lighter. If it's because you think they look better or something like that, then that's another story.

[yamaha racer 686]

i think loss of unsprung weight is better then sprung weight. i think for every 1lb of Unsprung weight is equal to 10lbs of sprung weight. i think thats the ratio.

most used on motorcycles and what not but i think im talking sane?

[mattsBLK99cSVT]

I know bbs makes light @$$ rims, that's what im saving up for eventually, they are quite expensive though.

[RobsCSVT515]

I also just started running auto-x this year. I ran in Rookie Stock the first week and also took 2nd. They use pax times at my club so I lost to my best friend in a stock '03 4 cylinder accord! This past weekend I did 2 events. One was a HUGE track at the old dog track in Plainfield,CT (fcscc.com). I was running rookie non-stock due to 17" wheels. I was 14 out of 21. Sunday we ran a tight course with CART (CARTCT.com) and took third out of 4 behind a Nissan SER V-Spec and a 944. I have ordered a bunch of stuff including wheels that are really inexpensive; Kazera KZ-s at TireRack.com for $100 a piece. I also ordered yokahama slicks, a BAT euro handling kit, and a 21mm rear sway bar. Also considering a camber kit. I love it when Evo and STI guys tell me they love the sound of my car!

[boogieq]

Gut it!

I gutted my old mercury tracer and was able to best C5 corvettes. Can't beat a light car (and good driving)

[EricF]

I was browsing the Philly Forums, and I noticed the SVT in the results.
Nice job, The guys in Philly will treat you well.
Tell, John Rush, Eric Simmons, Rob Leone I say hi..
They'll remember me (hopefully) and my green cougar..

I think Eric Simmons would be your best bet for an instructor
they are all great, but Eric has experience(in many cars) but
especially heavy FWD cars.

The Cooper S's are tough to follow, alot is course dependant
if its open and fast, you'll be closer, if its tight.. well
they are very good in tight stuff.

As for a second set of wheels, find a set of cougar 16's
they aren't too heavy(16.8lbs IIRC), and should be cheap to find.

[svtpimp]

Damn my st200 wheels must be killin me. Im pretty sure there around 28lbs. Damn.