First autocross in BRZ

[VoiD]

Wanted to share a couple of notes and want to get some feedback..

This was my first autocross in my BRZ past Sunday.
Current setup:
KW V3@ recommended settings
17x8 245/40 Michelin PSS F:33psi R:32psi
f: -1.5 Camber 0 toe r: -1.7 Camber 0 toe

First I had a hard time seeing left from my seat because the A pillar kept blocking my vision. I had to lean forward at some turns to see where the cones were.. So much for looking ahead..

Mid size sweeper, I could not carry speed because I was understeering and plowing through the gate and had to break, slowing down more.
Would a stiffer front sway help in this case? or would I need more front camber?

Slalom, I could not carry speed cause the rear felt like it was snapping around. Maybe I need to be smoother with the transitions.

What is a good rpm to launch? I tried 3K, 4K and they all seemed low. Didnt get to try high rpm.

At couple of runs after turning off the ignition to cool down the car, forgot to turn off traction control.

Othen than that, car sits low and there is tons of grip everywhere. Had so much fun.

[7thgear]

0 toe contributes to a car being "snappy"

dial it back to +1/8 or +1/16 (if your mechanic can do that kind of accuracy) Toe-In


if you don't get wheelspin at 5k then keep going higher


if you're understeering that generally means you're just going in too hot, slow down before the turn.

autocross is all about slow in, fast out, which means slowing down the corect amount to make as quick a rotation as possible and hammer down.

[Tt3Sheppard]

Agreed ^

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

0 toe contributes to a car being "snappy"

dial it back to -1/8 or -1/16 (if your mechanic can do that kind of accuracy)


if you don't get wheelspin at 5k then keep going higher


if you're understeering that generally means you're just going in too hot, slow down before the turn.

autocross is all about slow in, fast out, which means slowing down the corect amount to make as quick a rotation as possible and hammer down.

are you saying to set the front or rear toe to -1/8 or -1/16?

I know another member on here had his front toe set to 0 and rear set to .11 on each side, and said that setup was very neutral (on a track though, not autox course)


^^^7thgear has some good advice there; do you have a GoPro? it's nice to have an in car and dissect your own driving after your runs.

I think a lot of the "snappiness" has to do with your vision in the slalom. Try looking MUCH further ahead than your used to or comfortable with; looking far ahead down course will smooth out your inputs. A lot of drivers who feel the car is snapping around are looking cone to cone, and reacting only to the next cone they are seeing on course. Knowing what's coming up two or three corners away will smooth out your driving a TON.

That may also help the understeer you are feeling, or the plowing in the hard sweepers, as you are most likely trying to turn and brake at the exact same time, reacting too late to the next part of the course.

this is just based on my experience FWIW

[7thgear]

toe in in the rear helps stabalize the car due to science
Zero toe provides better response but could also get you into trouble faster

Toe out is for hardcore racers with smooth and deliberate movements, any jerkiness or hesitation will punish you.

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

toe in in the rear helps stabalize the car due to science
Zero toe provides better response but could also get you into trouble faster

Toe out is for hardcore racers with smooth and deliberate movements, any jerkiness or hesitation will punish you.

so dumb question.... is NEGATIVE toe inward and POSITIVE toe outward?

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by smbstyle

so dumb question.... is NEGATIVE toe inward and POSITIVE toe outward?

no! i was wrong, original post edited

negative is toe out

\ /

positive is toe in

/ \

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

no! i was wrong, original post edited

negative is toe out

\ /

positive is toe in

/ \

lol ok i was getting very confused.... and worried about my own alignment, lol!