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Old 05-08-2000, 10:37 AM   #1
Snoopy
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99 Impreza RS
Silverthorn Metallic

Post My first autocross. I really need that 18mm sway bar!

I had the most fun(despite my sliding understeer) I've ever had on my Impreza! I went to my first autocross despite the running fever I had(I'm sick at home now - payback really hurts) and it was not only fun, it was a humbling experience. The understeer is very difficult to overcome when you go into the corners too fast but it was somewhat correctable with early trailbraking.

My Kuhmo 712(215/40/17) held up really well! The sidewalls had no wear as it held up to the cornering and weight transfer like a champ. I highly recommend these if you prefer not to spend money on the more expensive Bridgestones or Pirellis.

I had three runs and twice I went off course! The map that was given to us was all wrong. I walked the course three times but my fever was making me a bit dizzy and I couldn't remember all the corners when the race started. Oh well....next time I'll do better.

[This message has been edited by Snoopy (edited May 08, 2000).]
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Old 05-08-2000, 10:45 AM   #2
Jaxx
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The 93 W/EJ20K-sold
Subaru-less :(

Post

i too had my first auto-x this weekend except i was on re-92s -ick- i think that i ran half the course on my sidewalls.. using 42/40 tire pressure ..next time 42/38

i was nervious enough that i missed the second lap on my first run.. my fastest run was only 7 sec off the fastest car of the day(the track was REALLLY wet)
-jw
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Old 05-08-2000, 10:46 AM   #3
RidinLow
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Post

Glad to hear you had fun... when I went to my first autox 2 weekends ago I was almost over a really bad cold, but I still managed to go thru half a box of tissues before the day was over.

Don't bother with the 18mm bar, just go straight for the 20mm. I have the Whiteline adjustable bar set on 18mm, & the car still understeers controllably in all sorts of moves. I'm using Yokohama Nexus tires in the stock size.

~G
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Old 05-08-2000, 10:51 AM   #4
miksmi
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2000 Legacy GT wagon
Timberline Green Pearl

Post

Joe, Glad you had fun yesterday. Enjoyed talking to you on Saturday at Jeff's; if I had known you were a walking plague I wouldn't have shaken your hand Did you run into Eric K or any other Subes?

..Mike Smith . 00 GT wagon

[This message has been edited by miksmi (edited May 08, 2000).]
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Old 05-08-2000, 10:56 AM   #5
Snoopy
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Miksmi,

yeah, I saw Eric. I wish I hadn't been on the first heat. Did you see me skid? Damn that car wouldn't turn when I wanted it to! I had no choice but slam on the brakes or go through the cones! Now I know the cars weakness even better. This autocross if a must if you want to know the limits of your car's(as well as yours) capabilities.
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Old 05-08-2000, 11:54 AM   #6
8Complex

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Post

Snoopy - What kinda pressures did you run with your Kumho 712's? I'm curious because I just ran my first autocross on RE92's. I had to pump them up (warm pressures) 45f/39r.

Also, I must admit, I got a LOT of roll from the RE92's but they held up pretty decently and I can't wait to get new tires soon. I actually placed 4th in my class, which I was stunned by considering I've never driven autocross before and was still confused throughout my third run (where'd that cone come from?!?).

BTW, I forgot to mention I have a Whiteline Adjustable rear sway bar and I had it set to 22mm, I even managed a few 4 wheel drifts throughout the day. Honestly, I've been told 18 or even 20mm just neutralize the car. Adjustable is the way to go because you can turn it up for track and turn it down for street. Too much on the street could have you spinning off the road a**-end first.

[This message has been edited by 8Complex (edited May 08, 2000).]
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Old 05-08-2000, 11:57 AM   #7
Snoopy
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Post

40f and 35r. I read the label on the kuhmos and it said never to get it over 40psi so I knew that with the heat, the front tires were well over 40psi. Maybe I should have decreased my rear to 30?
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Old 05-08-2000, 03:30 PM   #8
Templar
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I agree with Ridinlow. Don't bother with the 18. Get the 20 mm. I have run into absolutely no problems with the 20 on my car. The balance of the car is awesome. The only way I would have an 18 is on an adjustable bar. 18 would be the holes that never gets used.
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Old 05-08-2000, 03:59 PM   #9
8Complex

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Heh, I've got the adjustable bar and I always leave it set to 22mm. It just suits my driving style. I don't know what I'd do if I were forced back to the original sway bar... probably hit a lotta stuff while understeering.
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Old 05-08-2000, 05:20 PM   #10
Scooby South
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With the RE92's..Reccomend 50 in the front and 54 in the rear with a 20mm rear bar...Sidewalls stay up...NOTICE..Only use these pressures during the event not to drive around on...YOU will notice a BIG difference..
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Old 05-08-2000, 06:08 PM   #11
8Complex

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50/54? Your rear pressure is more then the front so you're creating understeer like that. I didn't think it'd hold 50, but next time I'll definetly try it (as well as taking another place or two... I'm gonna get them, dammit!).
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Old 05-08-2000, 07:50 PM   #12
Scooby South
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I don't agree with the understeer philosophy. I t is MORE neutral than anything especially if you Brake HARD BEFORE the turn and c o a s t thru applying throttle gingerly to see where the limit of the adhesion...once clear of the turn..Go go go...of course thats my driving style...where I was 3rd in STS out of 12 cars on RE 92's and 9 of those were scooby's with way Better rubber than me...(2 Scooby's beat me too tho, I was 4 10ths off the leader...Like I say that works for me..
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Old 05-08-2000, 08:13 PM   #13
8Complex

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Scooby South - See you brake before your turn... I brake as I come into my turn and go through on a 4 wheel drift on hard corners. FYI, I had my first autocross yesterday of which there were 4 scoobs in my class and 11 total cars. I ended up as the fastest scoob by just over a second and down from the leader (who had .5 seconds on the 2nd place guy, who in turn had 2.6 on 3rd) by 3.4 seconds. I'm crossing my fingers, but I hope to overcome at least the guy in 3rd next race.

The two big winners out there came in 1st and 3rd overall (with the RTP index rating stuff) and I came 39th. *shrug* I don't think I'll catch them anytime soon.
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Old 05-08-2000, 10:12 PM   #14
Keith
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get the adjustable bar and pop that bitc* on 22mm! i did it and i LOVE it. Again it depends on your driving habits, but i like mine set at 22. i had my first auto-x 2 weeks ago and loved it have fun
keith

PS sorry for the wonderful grammer...its late
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Old 05-09-2000, 12:08 AM   #15
kelley nelson
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Post

For the purposes of an autocross it is usually fine to go above the manuf's number on the tire sidewall. Just put the air in after you get to the event and let it out before you leave.
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Old 05-09-2000, 10:08 AM   #16
Paisan
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Well in my Novice class, the only guy who beat me was a Prelude VTec with a 5 speed. I have an '88 XT6 completely stock with a slush box Must go faster...


-mike
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Old 05-09-2000, 05:48 PM   #17
Snoopy
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Well...I have the 18mm bar on....or is it 20mm? I'm not sure...coz there's definetly oversteer. I thought 18mm would give you neutral handling. Oh well...the bar didn't have any label on it. It looks much thicker than the 13mm. The michanic thought it was 20mm. I guess I'll find out it's lighter outside so I can measure it.

BTW, the handling is freaking AMAZING! I never knew what I was missing! Holy cow!
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Old 05-09-2000, 09:35 PM   #18
8Complex

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Snoopy, go find yourself a nice open wide road with reflectors every so often between lanes and play around with slaloming them... you'll find that you can go very quickly and just control the oversteer with some practice. Don't try right away, just start slow and get a real feel for your car. Some people think they know the limits when in reality they are far, far from them.
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