new and need some answers!

[computergeek]

Hi,

My name is Vincenzo I own a Mazdaspeed protege and have about 10K put into it and about 250whp (give or take 10, the pic below shows where i was at at the end of the 2006 season). i have been doing drag racing for a while but want more of a challenge and AutoX seems to be just that. My car will never be a "10 second car"

I was wondering if you all could help me out:
1) how do i get started? Do i become a member first or can i just register for an event and show up on race day?

2) What class will i run in? since i am FAR from stock and am a rookie I am a little confused on this.

3) what is the general cost per race? I need to get a feel for how much this is going to cost me!

4) what are the safety precautions and article i need ot compete? (ie., do i need a helmet,etc.

5) when is the first race of 2007!?

6) what else should i do to my car before i put her on the track? Tires? rims? ...

Here is a list of all my mods to help with the class i can run in and answer no. 6.

Turbo w/ sidemouted intercooler, hardpipes, greddy RS BOV, relocated MAF sensor.
Injen CAI
440cc injectors
Mazda 626 PnP Intake Manifold
Black powder coated valve cover
front and rear upgraded motor mounts
Nology hotwires
NGK copper plugs (i step colder)
3" turbo back GHL exhaust w/ highflow cat and resonator
short shifter
shifter busings
JDM 16lbs flywheel
Exedy stage 1 clutch
Greddy Profec B II electronic boost controller
AEM Wideband guage
Boost gauge w/ remote switch (I know the EBC is a guage too)
Tein S Lowering springs on OEM tokico struts
SS brake lines
Drilled and slotted Rotors ( soon to replace with JUST slotted)
Axxis metal master track pads
And last but far from least...
Unichip engine management


Thanks everyone that responds and here is my baby...


I know the time is bad but on my last and best run i had major wheel hop in first and hit rev limit in second and no engine management at the time, but still blew away the mazdaspeed6 i was up against( have slips to prove it! so please no BS flag!)! so even though it was a crappy run i still won. Can't wait to see what she can do now that i have the winter to finalize and tune my baby!

[Mugami]

Hmm.. Let's see.. now other will correct me cause i don't know everything exactly, but here is a try.

1) just register for an event and show up on race day

2) SMN : Street Modified Novice

3) When running at Richmond Raceway Complex it was 25 member 30 non. This rate may change depending on where and How much it cost to rent the Site we run at.

4) A Snell or DOT 90 helmet or better (also have borrowable ones at the track), Closed toe shoes, Belts , also Clean out the car. No Floor mats or anything loose in the car. Which includes the Trunk and the spare tire. Most importantly a Fun attitude.

5) Don't Know at this time its being worked on and not posted at this time.

6) Basics : Air Gauge, Air compressor, A Chair, Willingness to work and ask questions.
As for tires. right now i would say Run what you brung till you get a feel for it, but to be competitive for the win. A good set of R compounds like the V710's or the Hoosier A06's.  Also any gear you need to change the tires at the track.

Hope this gives you the General idea on the answers.

[Autox]

What he said ^^^

My recommendation if you plan to take this vehicle into autocross is to start putting your money into the suspension.  You might even find it beneficial to back down boost a bit until you learn to handle the corners.

I didn't see anything about a limited slip in there.  Did the protege come with one?  If not I would recommend that be the first thing you invest.  I can speak from experience that a front wheel drive car with lots of power and an open front dif means broken half shafts (it wasn't my car but I was driving it when it broke)

When you get that into autocrossing you will definitely need help getting the power down.  I have seen plenty of cars tuned so they could smoke the tires in first and second but my bone stock toyota celica GT could outrun them on the autocross course.

Were I in your brake shoes I would focus on items in this order:

[list=1]

• Driver
• Tires
• Driver
• Differential
• Suspension
• Driver
[/list=1]

I am kind of torn between the order of tires and differential.  I am afraid a set of autocross type race tires my produce on of the previously mentioned half shaft manglings.

The nut behind the steering wheel is always your biggest source of slow down, screw ups and other things that prevent beating others at autocross.  The more you can wrench on the driver the better the car will become.  Lots of people blame their cars for their slow time but if anyone else can jump into you car and beat you by seconds then the driver still needs some work.  

I honestly think it would be easier had you started autocrossing with a stock vehicle because then you would generally not have to work quite so hard to be fast.

But your car is what it is so work on the parts you can, learn to recognize the parts you cannot (or cannot afford to fix) and don't expect to win your first, second or third time out.  I am not saying there is no way you could win but the odds are not in your favor and if you come out with a big ego and three copies of 'The Fast & The Furious' in your glove box you are in for a let down.  It always sucks to see a new person show up all full of vim and vigor about how they will beat everyone due to their driving skills and hooked up car.  Then they get beat by a half dozen stock honda civics/crx's with half the horse power of their car and they never return.

Autocrossing it about fun, adrenaline rushes and, for me anyway, the people.  If you come out with the idea of go big or go home then the people probably won't be too fond of you, you will experience way too much of that adrenaline stuff and the fun will be lost.

Welcome!

[computergeek]

These autoX events are they track events or parking lot events? I have a feeling the cones are going to mess with me!

Thanks for the advice (BTW I hate the fast and the furious). I am far from a ricer, I am a tuner. I threw as much power and tuning into this car to get it to where it is suppose to be, how mazda should have made this car! The exterior is comletely stock and so are the 17" rims. All go no show! And on the 1/4 mile it is all about the power! But as i said i want more of a challenge. I know i suck at autoX i have no expectation to be any good at all the first few times out! I am HOPING by the end of the year, i can hang with the big dawgs though! (You have to have goals)

The suspension on these cars are pretty frikken awesome. they are rated at .95gs stock (Road & Track). front lower and upper struts, tokico struts rear lower strut, which i took off because the bushing squeaked, and tein S progressive springs for a slightly lower center of gravity.  After I get use to the car as is, i will look into upgrading the suspension.  First i have to learn how to drive AutoX before i can see what i need to make it handle better (for now i am the problem with handling).

I may be at the breaking point to my LSD so i may have to upgrade that soon anyway. Like my engine... I am not going forged until it blows and i will not replace the LSD until it goes either!
Also i will probably turn off the EBC which will put me to about 7-8psi. That is as low as she will go

 Once again thanks for the advice and the welcome.

[Autox]

Autocrosses are held in parking lots with cones.

Sounds like you have a good basis both in your view of reality and in your car for great time autocrossing.

First event for VMSC is probably not going to be until somewhere around March.

Other clubs have winter events.  Tidewater Sports Car Club (TSCC) has a winter series on the calendar.  Their next one is in January.  www.tidewatersportscarclub.com

[computergeek]

Well hopefully not march 14-17th!!! I am sponsored by streetunit.com and they are being sponsored by Mazdaspeed USA for the sebring 12 hr le mans race in Tampa and i have to go down there! all access, 2 hotel rooms for showers and and 50-75 spots for Mazdas! Tickets will be discounted for others But since i am Streetunits Web guy and have been with thm for 2 years i get everything for free!!!!

Can't wait!!! setting up tents, drinking, eating and partying for 4 days!!!! As they say in Germany.... Das ist ja Toll!!!! So schedule the first event prior or after the 16-17 weekend!!!! PLEASE!  hehe

[Conicidal]

An autocross course comes at you VERY quickly.  Any decent autocrosser would make a good road racer (probably), but not necessarily the other way around.  Once you learn the "cone language", it's really not that hard to see the course.  Before you learn it, though, it can certainly be challenging.  Approach your first event with two goals:  set a time and have fun!  Most clubs are full of friendly people who would be more than happy to offer advice, help, etc.  I hope to see you between the cones!

[pipefitter]

I agree with what Scott said about autocrosser going road racing versus road racers going autocrossing. In auto-x, any real mistake probably blew the run, while the RR folks have 15-20 laps to correct their mistakes. I've seen some good auto-xers go road racing and do well, while the few RR guys I remember auto-xing seemed to over drive the course. Just my .02

[Edited on 18-12-2006 by pipefitter]

[computergeek]

well currently i am a drag racer... straight and to the point. i figured the best place to start is AutoX before road racing anyway. The small courses and tight turns seem like a crash course (no pun intended) in handling your car!

Look for the silver MSP sponsored by streetunit. i will be flinging cones like the ice cream man!! this is goingto be fun!

[Conicidal]

I honestly don't know any quicker way to improve your driving than Autox (ok, maybe the karts).  I road raced motorcycles for a few years and that was just about ZERO help in learning to autox.  What might be the proper line when you're passing folks (or being passed) isn't necessarily the fastest line.  VMSC does novice schools each year.  I HIGHLY recommend signing up.  I know I would if they'd let me again...