Car and Event Preparation for NHIS Oct 21st

[paultg]

So,
I have a stock 2006 Scion tC. Stock 17" Yoko S32A 215/45R17 tires, stock brakes, stock suspension, stock everything.

This will be my first HPDE school. I've been to a few events as a guest, but never as a participant.

I have some experience autoxing, but don't expect that to help me much. Can some veterans make some suggestions on:

1. Things to bring with you.
2. Things to perform to the car prior to event.
3. Things to check on the car while at the event.


I'm also wondering what tire pressures I should expect to run at NHIS (car now runs on 32 psi at all corners). Not so much to be faster (as I expect to be slow), but to just make the car as "neutral" as possible and safe at the track speeds.


I tried a search and didn't seem to come up with anything.

Thanks,

Paul G.

[Mark Swinehart]

http://www.comscc.org/events.htm

[brucesallen]

In addition to what is on Mark's link, I recommend raising pressure on a stock street car by 3-5 PSI over factory recommendations.
Most likely you will be notified in advance who your instructor will be. Youi can ask him additional questions before the event and even plan to meet him in the paddock before the driver's meeting after you tech you car. Many people in the paddock wil be glad to answer questions like "where is tech".
And don't forget to rad the rule book. Safety equipment requirements for your car are spelled out there.

[iamrazor]

xtra pair of undies?

[paultg]

Thanks Bruce and Mark. I feel sort of stupid for not checking over at the home page for the club (I just searched the forums).

Looking forward to the event!

Paul G.

[WillM]

First of all, welcome to COM! I'm sure you are going to have a great time.

In addition to the info above, I'd suggest that you bring whatever tools you normally brought to the autocrosses you attended. This might include a tire pressure gauge, torque wrench & associated gear needed to tighten your lug nuts. You'll be OK if you don't have these items to bring, but if you have aftermarket lugnuts, or locknuts, then I suggest that you at least bring the tool needed to tighten them up. Some one parked next to you will have a torque wrench and pressure gauge to borrow, but may not have that "special" tool. Also, if you have a stop watch, bring it, especially if you will be attending the 2nd day.

I would also suggest you bring the personal gear you've taken to autocrosses in the past. This includes the proper clothing for driving and various weather conditions. Proper driving clothes include: pants (not shorts), long-sleeve shirt, and close-toed shoes/sneakers (no sandals). All cotton is recommended, if not required. Something like jeans, long-sleeve t-shirt, and sneakers would be fine.

Be sure to check all of the safety requirements (this includes clothing). You don't want to be sent home for not meeting spec!

Try to get plenty of sleep in the few nights before the event, and be sure to drink plenty of water during the day as well.

Bring some blue masking tape to put numbers, class letters, and rookie stripes on your car.

Other than that, stock up on Chap-stick. The event will be one or two days, but the grin will last for weeks.

[rajito]

Paul,

Pretty much all the IDP guys will be there, so just bring your regular auto-x tools and gear, and if you're missing something, I'm sure the Miata guys will be happy to help.

I kid I kid. You'll have a blast!
Raj

[TroyV]

Paul, you're a good autocrosser, just keep your wits about you and trust your instructor. Think about it like this....at Devens you have only 8-10 runs to get some 40 turns right. At NHIS, you'll have at least 25 minutes at a time to get less than 13 turns right..

You're going to get sooooooo hooked.. Welcome to the go fast crack pipe.

[Crusin]

Paul,

Pretty much all the IDP guys will be there, so just bring your regular auto-x tools and gear, and if you're missing something, I'm sure the Miata guys will be happy to help.

Raj

What Raj forgot to mention is that Miata drivers don't require, nor carry tools. We might change the oil twice per year, so seldom, I can never remember the size of the wrench needed to remove the oil drain plug.

[RyanC]

Paul,

Pretty much all the IDP guys will be there, so just bring your regular auto-x tools and gear, and if you're missing something, I'm sure the Miata guys will be happy to help.

Raj

What Raj forgot to mention is that Miata drivers don't require, nor carry tools. We might change the oil twice per year, so seldom, I can never remember the size of the wrench needed to remove the oil drain plug.

Lee, I thought you used the tire walls to loosen your oil drain plug?

[Subw00er]

I'm sure it says this in the link, but bring water and keep hydrated. Also, if you havent done it before, you want to bleed your brakes before you come.

Also, you may want to invest in a little IR thermometer. I've found it very useful in determining the right pressures to use. Radio shack sells one for around $40 and it works quite well.

Immediately after each run you come in and check the temps across the face of the tire (at each tire). If you see the edges of the tire getting hotter than the inside, this tells you to raise pressure slightly, and conversely, if the center is reading hotter, lower the pressure. The thermometer can also tell you about camber. For example, you may see the inside and center much hotter than the outside telling you that you have too much negative camber.

Also you may want to check your tires for little triangles on the sidewall. These are indicators that tell you if you are using the tire correctly (psi) - you should see scrubbing up to the triangle tip.

Conversely to what Bruce said, I need to lower pressures on my stock tires to get them to stick well. I gain about 6-7psi of pressure when on the track so lowering a few psi puts me in the sweet spot. Remember that they will be a little squirely until they warm up so take it easy the first lap or two.

Hope that info helps. Welcome to the gang.

[Crusin]

Paul,

Pretty much all the IDP guys will be there, so just bring your regular auto-x tools and gear, and if you're missing something, I'm sure the Miata guys will be happy to help.

Raj

What Raj forgot to mention is that Miata drivers don't require, nor carry tools. We might change the oil twice per year, so seldom, I can never remember the size of the wrench needed to remove the oil drain plug.

Lee, I thought you used the tire walls to loosen your oil drain plug?

Nah,,tire walls are good for testing the integrity of body part fasteners. like fender bolts and front bumper attachment hardware. After extensive testing, I can confirm, Mazda uses good hardware.

[brucesallen]

remove

[brucesallen]

IR surface temperature gages are misleading for tire temps. The surface cools quickly. A penetration thermometer that gets the tiretemperature underneath the tread is the best.

[WillM]

IR surface temperature gages are misleading for tire temps. The surface cools quickly. A penetration thermometer that gets the tiretemperature underneath the tread is the best.

I know he said it twice, but it is worth saying again. Something like the probe-type that Longacre sells would be more appropriate.

That said, I'd save it for your 3rd event. You'll have plenty of other stuff going on during your first event.

Your autocross experience should put you at an advantage over a newbie without autocross experience. All of the physics and many of the driving skills translate over. Friction circle, looking ahead, threashold braking, looking ahead, heal-toe shifting, looking ahead, being comfortable with tires squeeling, looking ahead, etc. The speed is just cranked up a few notches and you'll have more time and less corners to focus on, just like TroyV said.

Oh, and did I mention looking ahead?