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Old 06-20-2013, 04:17 PM   #1
DannyLerch
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Default First time rallyx event. Car prep

I have an 02 bugeye and Ive registered to do a rallyx event here in GA. The stage is pretty mellow, no jumps and the course is small as well, think of an auto cross course but on dirt.

So I have adjustable coilovers, end links, rear sway, etc. Full catless exhaust, 17inch bbs wheels with all weather tires. I dont want to get too expensive here but I'm thinking about getting a tune before i go and the shop here recommended I get a boost controller and a stage 2 tune before the event. Any thoughts on this? I plan on raising my suspension 2 or 3 inches before the race and I want to put a skid plate on as well to protect the under carriage. thoughts from other rally enthusiasts are welcome.
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Old 06-20-2013, 04:39 PM   #2
subydude
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Just air the tires up to about 40 psi, if you're super low then yes raise the car, otherwise leave it and drive. No tune required, that's whatever shop trying to sell you something. You don't need a skid plate for your first rallyx.

Here's a link to a write up I just did from an event this past weekend.

http://forum.ovr-scca.org/index.php?topic=1761.0

Last edited by subydude; 06-20-2013 at 04:55 PM.
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Old 06-20-2013, 05:06 PM   #3
DannyLerch
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What a great story man. That gives hope that it isn't about the car so much as the driver. I used to race bmx bikes in my younger years and I rode dirt bikes and go karts as well. So I'm well familiar with finding good lines. I'm interested in learning how to drive on dirt. I hear the best place to practice dirt is on snow. Learning to steer early and control your lines on such a forgiving surface. I've owned three subies and every year in VA when it snowed I hit the road and practiced Taking turns at higher speeds. I am a lowered wrx so I'll definitely raise her up three inches. Im really worried about my 11 year old motor falling apart. but I guess I should just check all my hose connections and tighten everything down. Get her really tight for the event. Save my money for inevitable repairs that will pop up I'm sure. Did you see any 02 WRXs have any mechanical problems when you were there?
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Old 06-20-2013, 05:12 PM   #4
subydude
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Not really, but the WRX's tend to not break too much at rallyx. Just keep an eye on the coolant temp. Make sure you are full on oil and such, then go have fun. There's some video in the write up that show lines that would work decent for a WRX as well. It's really just about looking ahead and getting inputs right...then matting the gas a LOT.
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Old 06-20-2013, 05:19 PM   #5
chimchimm5
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In rallyx, there's essentially just 3 classes summarized as this:
- stock (street tires)
- slightly modded with up to rally tires
- open

Notice how there's no mention of power. And not much about tire size or wheel size. And really not much about suspension.

Rallyx is all about the driver's car control. And rally tires help.

"finding good lines" is only part of the equation. There's a huge aspect of "weight transfer control" that you need to know/do and be aware of or you won't be able to follow any of your intended lines. If you can drive your grandma's spongy soft suspended buick on her balding/aging crap touring tires in the rain and still corner carrying momentum, then you'll know what I'm talking about.

Have fun! Just go out and run! (and like subydude said, 40psi or MORE and raise it if you can)
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Old 06-20-2013, 06:08 PM   #6
DannyLerch
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This really sucks, I just bought the car a while back and I just checked the coilovers. They are fixed position rce yellows that dropped it about 1.5 - 2 inches. So if I want to raise it I'll need to get a set of kings or something. I did find some awesome used snow tires for 300 bones. So I'm thinking that 400 for the springs, 300 for the tires, and another 100 to mount the tires and and be ready to race. Ive entered the prepared awd class.(lightly modded). So 800 down to get ready isn't that bad. I plan on changing the oil and topping off coolant before plus checking everything repeatedly between runs. My biggest worry is trashing my DD. :-)
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Old 06-20-2013, 06:55 PM   #7
DannyLerch
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chimchimm5 View Post
In rallyx, there's essentially just 3 classes summarized as this:
- stock (street tires)
- slightly modded with up to rally tires
- open

Notice how there's no mention of power. And not much about tire size or wheel size. And really not much about suspension.

Rallyx is all about the driver's car control. And rally tires help.

"finding good lines" is only part of the equation. There's a huge aspect of "weight transfer control" that you need to know/do and be aware of or you won't be able to follow any of your intended lines. If you can drive your grandma's spongy soft suspended buick on her balding/aging crap touring tires in the rain and still corner carrying momentum, then you'll know what I'm talking about.

Have fun! Just go out and run! (and like subydude said, 40psi or MORE and raise it if you can)
Thanks for the tips with weight transfer control.
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Old 06-21-2013, 09:38 PM   #8
sigterm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by subydude View Post
Just air the tires up to about 40 psi, if you're super low then yes raise the car, otherwise leave it and drive. No tune required, that's whatever shop trying to sell you something. You don't need a skid plate for your first rallyx.

Here's a link to a write up I just did from an event this past weekend.

http://forum.ovr-scca.org/index.php?topic=1761.0

Awesome write up and story buddy, glad to hear you prevailed out there!
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Old 06-22-2013, 12:14 AM   #9
DannyLerch
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chimchimm5 View Post
In rallyx, there's essentially just 3 classes summarized as this:
- stock (street tires)
- slightly modded with up to rally tires
- open

Notice how there's no mention of power. And not much about tire size or wheel size. And really not much about suspension.

Rallyx is all about the driver's car control. And rally tires help.

"finding good lines" is only part of the equation. There's a huge aspect of "weight transfer control" that you need to know/do and be aware of or you won't be able to follow any of your intended lines. If you can drive your grandma's spongy soft suspended buick on her balding/aging crap touring tires in the rain and still corner carrying momentum, then you'll know what I'm talking about.

Have fun! Just go out and run! (and like subydude said, 40psi or MORE and raise it if you can)
I've been practicing some left foot braking for the weight transfer control. Still trying to get the hang of it. At first I was applying too much pressure on the brake. But now I'm figuring out how to control the turn with the throttle. Tricky stuff! I'm toasting my brakes but it is fun. This is an expensive hobby. I'm worried that the whole left foot braking thing is super hard on the tranny too. Perhaps I can tap the brake to get the weight to transfer and apply the gas after the brake has been lifted to save my tranny and brakes? Times won't be as fast for sure but I'm just going to have fun with no real hopes to win. If anyone has any thoughts on left foot braking please share your experiences.
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Old 06-22-2013, 03:06 PM   #10
chimchimm5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyLerch View Post

I've been practicing some left foot braking for the weight transfer control. Still trying to get the hang of it. At first I was applying too much pressure on the brake. But now I'm figuring out how to control the turn with the throttle. Tricky stuff! I'm toasting my brakes but it is fun. This is an expensive hobby. I'm worried that the whole left foot braking thing is super hard on the tranny too. Perhaps I can tap the brake to get the weight to transfer and apply the gas after the brake has been lifted to save my tranny and brakes? Times won't be as fast for sure but I'm just going to have fun with no real hopes to win. If anyone has any thoughts on left foot braking please share your experiences.
Yes you should apply only gas OR brake at a time at this level. When you're in WRC (or serious rally racing) then you can do both. But with AWD DD you should do only one pedal at a time. Because you're LFBing, you will be able to transition brake/gas very quickly.

In fact at this point getting off the gas will help with weight transfer. You will lose revs, but not much on a tight rallyx course. And definitely not worth the additional wear n tear.

When you are initiating a turn, you'll be off the gas (and maybe downshifting). When you're midcorner and you need to tighten the turn a brief brake application and release is all you need to get it to rotate and then you're back on the gas.
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Old 06-22-2013, 04:21 PM   #11
Back Road Runner
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There are WRC drivers that don't left foot brake, just sayin'...

How you drive really depends on how the car behaves. You will adapt to what your car can and can not do.

You will find that you want to tune out understeer. However, you do not want to run much for sway bars. You will get stiffness through springs/damping instead. You will also adjust balance with these as well.

Stock brake bias is forward. I good mod is the "H6 rear upgrade." It's slightly larger rear rotors and bracket that shifts the caliper out a little to clear the bigger rotor. It neutrals out the brake bias well and makes the brakes useable mid corner without washing out the front end.
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Old 06-22-2013, 05:33 PM   #12
leecea
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I haven't done any rallyx but from what I read you don't need to spend money for springs that raise the car above stock height. Some used stock springs would be fine.

Also, with regard to the engine, there are quite a few bug-eyes that autox in my region - including me - and I haven't seen any engine issues. Anything can happen, but I doubt that you'll blow an engine.
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Old 06-24-2013, 10:24 PM   #13
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It all depends on if you want to be competitive or not. If you're running anything more than snow tires and a cat-back exhaust you'll either be running in prepared or modified classes. For prepared you should have a good set of snow tires preferably on some smaller wheels. With the tune, you may be in the modified class at which point you'll need to some serious gravel tires to have a chance.

On the other hand, if you're just going out to have fun, there's really not anything you need to do. Maybe bump up the pressure on your tires a bit and remember to turn TC off.

Also, regions will usually have a forum, and at least around here everyone is super helpful. Get to know the people in your region as they will know what's different out there. Some regions won't let you run if you're over stock ride height for example...

Have fun!
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Old 06-24-2013, 11:35 PM   #14
2005wrxowner1
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Default rally cross

i won so4 in a bone ass stock wrx 2005, against tuned wrx and outback sport wagon. I have mud flaps, all season mud and snow tires, a drop in k and n filter . and a nutcase for a driver. this is on gravel and carolina clay. looking to do more rally crosses in the future with er, now that i have a job coming up hopefully... i may get a cat back exhaust on her too, from cobb. I like subaru sound so that is why. Not really looking for massive hp, just better sound and a little boost.
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Old 06-24-2013, 11:36 PM   #15
2005wrxowner1
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we dont have classes for tuned cars, and not tuned cars. it s a run what y a brung class. so that makes it all the more impressive.
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Old 06-25-2013, 02:45 AM   #16
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What should i bring to the next rallycross

The ranger, beetle, or boss302? I'm fairly serious.
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Old 06-25-2013, 09:12 AM   #17
Aceyduce
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The beetle should be a riot in the mud. We're ralking an old aircooled right?
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Old 06-25-2013, 09:25 AM   #18
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I can't believe I'm admitting this in public, but The Studbug was actually a riot to drive.
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Old 06-25-2013, 11:29 AM   #19
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Its an 03 beetle, the ranger is an 89 but i doubt it would survive the event.

I could probably put on my snow tires and take the front splitter off the mustang and have a riot. Do they have biggest idiot awards?
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Old 06-26-2013, 03:02 PM   #20
DannyLerch
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hkerekes View Post
Its an 03 beetle, the ranger is an 89 but i doubt it would survive the event.

I could probably put on my snow tires and take the front splitter off the mustang and have a riot. Do they have biggest idiot awards?
No but there is a RWD class.
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Old 02-22-2014, 09:08 PM   #21
bugeyejim
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Where in Ga did you find a rallycross event? I too own a bugeye and want to get into racing.
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Old 02-26-2014, 01:33 PM   #22
2005wrxowner1
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nc has rally cross with thscc
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