Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Autocross and Open Track Autocross results...more tire pressure info

Competed in my first autocross in the SVT yesterday. Not a big turn-out, but a fairly quality one with many out-of-region cars using Hoosier autocross tires.

My first run was a disaster. With the 40 front/42rear set up, low fuel the car oversteered horrendously under drop throttle. I did not spin but came close 4 or 5 times. Hit 2 cones but should have been more. I'm pretty good at going through gates sideways. Time was 53 something before cones.

Dropped tire pressure to an even 40/40 but now had initial understeer, followed by not quite as bad drop throttle oversteer. Made two consistent 52.28 runs, still hitting cones and still feeling wild.

Went to gas station and filled up tank to cure initial understeer, hopefully, and raised tire pressure to 45/45 because fronts were rolling over bad on the concrete surface. Result: 50.854, dropped substantial time and no cones. A nearly perfect run, with good balance.

After a crappy 5th run, I made a consistent 51.353 and 51.411 on runs 6 and 7 so that tire pressure set up seems good. Lost time by trying to go too fast.

Beat the Factory Five AC Cobra, but on fun runs, he got better coming very close to my last 2 runs. Checked his tires and he was not even rolling over onto the sidewalls with 32/32 on concrete! His car weighs just 2100 lbs. and with 245/45ZR 17 front and 275/40ZR 17 rear he had too much tire for the light weight of the car. But your tires would last forever on such a light car.

Lost to all cars running Hoosiers, as to be expected, but even the Z3 M roadster only ran 48.2 during his record 6 runs. He ran as low as 46.45 on fun runs. He made about 12 runs trying different set ups. Without Hoosiers I felt good to be within 2.6 seconds.

Also lost to a new Miata on Hoosiers that was transported in a huge enclosed trailer and ran a 49.2 in the record runs and 48.8 on a fun run. Several other Miatas ran but I beat them.

Lost to the 2000 Southeast Solo II Ladies Champion in a D Stock Neon. She ran on Hoosiers and beat me by a second. Keep in mind that autocross tires are good for 3-4 seconds.

In my class beat a flight instructor who had an Audi A6 Quattro twin turbo w/ Dunlop S9000 tires. It was only his 3rd autocross but he ran well, with a 52.9. He was mad that he lost to a Contour, but did not realize that we had 6 cylinders.

For those that doubt pony car capabilities, a 99 Z-28 had a 53.053 and a 88 Mustang GT a 53.603. A street prepared 240Z had a 53.289.
These were competitive times with the 2nd and 3rd place Miatas that ran 53.5 and 54.0. Believe me, there were no straights on this course to favor the pony cars...it was purely a handling exercise.
------------------
Kickimus Maximas Buttimus
98 EO SVT Toreador Red
97 F-150 W/ 2 horse/habit

[This message has been edited by SVTCole (edited February 12, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by SVTCole (edited February 13, 2001).]