The Official 370Z Autocross Thread

[12Autox]

Hi, I have been lurking for quite a while. I have a 2015 Nismo. I am running it at the El Toro Pro Solo this weekend. Up against the fastest Z06 guys in the country in A Street. I didn't see any other 370's on the roster. Anyone showing up?

[Mancub]

I'll watch any video you post but just the thought of going against those Z06 guys... ::shudder::

I can't even beat the S2000s in my class right now. Got front sway, re-11s at 245/275, and plans for konis in the future but I figure I should torture my stock 225/245 tires as much as possible.

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[gomer_110]

Originally Posted by 12Autox

Hi, I have been lurking for quite a while. I have a 2015 Nismo. I am running it at the El Toro Pro Solo this weekend. Up against the fastest Z06 guys in the country in A Street. I didn't see any other 370's on the roster. Anyone showing up?

Strano, Pozzi, and Peters; yeah, you're screwed. It's still a damn good time though.

[kbc749]

Hey guys/girls

My first ever AutoX competition will be this Sunday in Nebraska. I am signed up for the starting line school as part of a sponsorship from the SCCA to the motorsports team, part of this school is entrance into the AutoX event on Sunday.

I have read about 25 of the pages from this post, some in the front side, some in the back.

does anybody have a solid list of tips for a first timer that are Z specific? like a summary of the things you've learned, dos and don'ts etc.

Thanks!

KBC749

[xxAGAVExx]

Nothing special for the Z, just turn off VDC


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[carlitos_370z]

Originally Posted by xxAGAVExx

Nothing special for the Z, just turn off VDC


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[cjwsrt6]

If it's your first autocross in general just go out and have fun, pay attention to safety meetings and enjoy, don't try too hard, smooth is fast

[Slartibartfas]

Water. Take water. You'll be there quite some time.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by carlitos_370z

[zpower86]

Originally Posted by kbc749

does anybody have a solid list of tips for a first timer that are Z specific? like a summary of the things you've learned, dos and don'ts etc.

KBC749

Z specific tips. I assume you will be running in B Street. I would advise running a higher tire pressure in the front so the tires don't roll over or skip. I run 38-39 PSI in the front, and 32-33 in the rear when hot. So you might start the day with 37f/32r, then monitor the pressure after each run to stay around 38/33. Don't floor it abruptly when exiting a fast corner...most of the time you'll want to roll on the throttle. A better way to say this might be, don't give it 100% throttle unless you're driving in a straight line. I usually start with about 35% full tank of gas (per my OBD-II reader). At the starting line, I'll rev the engine to about 3000 rpm, lift, then as the revs drop to 2500 rpm, then I drop the clutch and roll on the throttle simultaneously. Try to shift from 1st to 2nd gear close to redline (giving you the fastest acceleration), unless that requires shifting IN a turn -- these cars are tough enough to get smooth in a straight line, let alone in a curve.So it's better to shift early and keep the car settled as you enter the first corner.

General autocross tips. Walk the course 3 times at least (requires arriving early). As you're walking it, think about where you'll be looking when you're at that spot during your run. This will help you recognize where you are when you're at speed. Smooth is fast, yes maybe, but that doesn't mean you can't turn the wheel fast (for example, in a tight/offset slalom). Try to get rides with fast drivers in similar cars.

[kbc749]

Thank you all for your valuable input. I'm so excited for this weekend.

[danegrey]

Just have fun and good luck .......

[kbc749]

I've got a tire question for you experience autocrossers.

So after taking the starting line school and competing in one competition, driving on my Fuzion UHP's, that were in the "yellow" before the competition. And keep in mind I have the base model with no VLSD.

I have completely balded the inside half of my left rear tire. Now I can think of a couple possibilities.

1) the tire was just on its way out and then since the skid pad practice course was mainly left turns, and there were two sweeping left handers on the competition course. The left rear wheel was the one that was most likely to slip, and without a LSD it did, then the worse the tread got, the easier it was to slip.
2) the rim is somehow uneven, causing uneven wear
3)autoX is super hard on tires

Does anyone have a similar experience or recommendations? I want to enter the Spring Nationals but I can't really justify it if I'm gonna fry another $100 from one event haha.

Thanks

KBC749

[gomer_110]

Autox schools will put a lot more wear on the tires than just a normal event will. This is especially true for national events where you only get three runs on a course.

Get new tires (RE-71R's or Rival S's) and get back out there.

[gomer_110]

A little 2 wheel fun from this last weekends ProSolo in Wilmington. Didn't even realize I was bicycling until I saw this picture.