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Joined: Aug 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
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So who here autocrosses, and what kind of cars do contique hold up against? I'm starting SCCA solo II very soon, and would like some contique experience behind me when I start.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,714
Scourge of the Master Debaters
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Scourge of the Master Debaters
Joined: Jul 2002
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This forum is probably what you're looking for. You'll get a better response there.
Beer is my Gatorade.
Hooray Beer.
'98 "Sport" Pacific Green
'98 E0 SVT Silver Frost
Pictures
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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I autox on occassion, but it's been over a year...  Last I checked, I wasn't very competitive, but that's just me. There's another guy who just won the season points race locally in his bone-stock SVT, so, yes, it can be a locally competitive car in the right hands. What class are you considering? What mods do you have, if any?
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
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Just what's in my profile, so the bone-stock class.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Well, that TH fix will knock you straight to Street Mod...
Just kidding.
I don't know what it's like where you are, but GS is kind of boring here (not many entrants). I think that's why that guy I mentioned runs in STS, even though his car is stock. Don't worry about that, though. Try 'em both.
Personally, I think the car can be more competitive in STS, if it has the allowable mods. I mean, think about it, in GS, your LX is classed the same as the SVT, and there's not much you can do to improve your odds.
But the bottom line is just go out and have fun with what you have before you spend a bunch of money on the car.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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OP
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Yeah, this is all about having fun, I have very little interest in doing well compared to an SVT... I just want to improve my driving skills and push the limits of this great car legally, and not at the risk of other's safety. Thanks for your input, as soon as I have a reserve in the bank account for replacement parts I'll be hitting the track (or mall parking lot...). About that... what gets messed up doing this? I know it will be hard on the engine, but other than that, just tires and brakes, right?
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Joined: May 2001
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CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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I don't know where they put SE models, I'm sure it's in a different class than the SVT's participate in....
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by 95Sleeper:
About that... what gets messed up doing this? I know it will be hard on the engine, but other than that, just tires and brakes, right?
Mostly tires. Definitely tires.
Brakes, somewhat. You might want to do a fluid flush more often, and use some high quality stuff (like Super Blue). You will smell smells from the brakes that you never thought possible. But, the runs are pretty short, so it's not like a track day, even.
Other things might wear more quickly, as well, but not necessarily just because of a few autocrosses. Things like wheel bearings wear out faster for driving enthusiasts. I have no idea why. 
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867
Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by PXRacing:
I don't know where they put SE models, I'm sure it's in a different class than the SVT's participate in....
SE V6 Contours and SVT Contours are together in G-Stock. Zetecs drop to H Stock. My early SE has less power and more understeer than an SVT, but at least it's lighter.
But, there is a gray area, here. Other Duratec Contours, like a GL or LX, aren't specifically listed, so I guess you could argue that they belong in the "catchall" H Stock. 
Solo II Car Classes: Stock Category
Last edited by RogerB; 02/24/04 06:22 PM.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 751
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2003
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Originally posted by PXRacing:
I don't know where they put SE models, I'm sure it's in a different class than the SVT's participate in....
SE's and SVT's are both GS cars when stock. I would highly recommend learning how to drive your car before doing any modifications at all, and then do a little at a time.
To stay stock, you need to keep the same wheels that came with the car (because you can't find 4x108 wheels in stock widths). The simple suspension upgrades take you to STS; an LSD would mean STX. After that, welcome to Street Prepared.
Most car clubs have Street Tire classes which mean that you're not competing with a Celica GT on Hoosiers straight up (the national winner in GS for the past couple of years).
Good luck, have fun, and *definitely* read The Secrets of Solo Racing by Henry Watts.
Whirling dervish of FFOG.
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