auto cross

You shouldn't worry about how you're going to do in your first autocross. You will get waxed big time in your first event but don't worry about it. I've auto crossed a few hundred times and it can be a lot like golf. Very few people go out the first time and do well. I've never Autocrossed my Pantera but I believe you'll be placed in a class called BSP or B street prepared. Most Auto cross organizations run off of the SCCA rule book. You'll be classed I think against things like older Corvettes. I have a rule book in my car so I can check if You want me to. Bring a helmet that's legal and have a ball. Don't brake in turns or the front will change places with the back. Most events have a beginners walk before the drivers meeting. Usually one of the nationally competitve drivers walk you through the course and give you great info. Don't worry about how you finish. Hang out with the Mustang guys. They'll give you help and support with questions and they'll be on course most likely at a different time than you. I don't know what tires you are using but you'll want to have more air pressure in them. The local guys will usually have recommendations when they see your car. They can teach you how to chalk your tires to see how they're working. I know Panteras can have oil starvation issues so make sure you have a better pan or watch your oil pressure. I know a few other guys on the board Autocross their cars so maybe they can chime in with specific recommendations. Unless there is something obviously modded on your car, I'd claim it was stock. You should be suspicious when even the stock cars get trailered in. The kids in their ricer mobiles can be very fast. Watch out for Subies and Evos not to mention Hondas. Unless it's a big course, you'll get beaten. Just enjoy your car and learn. When you have to go out a work the course, watch how the good drivers run. You are going to have a great time.

Have fun, you only live once!

Screw the punk in the rice burner, he's envious of your car whether he's faster or not.

Make it your goal to have fun, and you can't loose.

your fiend on the PIBB, George

Relax and have fun. Most of the really fast guys will be at the Atlanta Region SCCA Event tomorrow. It is in Downtown Atlanta at Turner Field.

Clemson Sports Car Club is a college club. They loosely follow the SCCA rules. Watch for curbs. Some of their sites might be a little hazardous. Run the event and have fun but be careful.

Walk the course as many times as you can. You want to have the course memorized so you know where you are going. You can concentrate on how you are going to get around the turns if you don't have to think about where you need to go.
Look ahead!!! Be looking at what you need to do next rather than what you are doing now.

Raise the air pressure in your tires. You will probably want to start out around 45 PSI. Look at how far you are rolling over on the sidewall and adjust the air until you are off of the sidewall - edge of the tread is OK, but stay off the sidewall.

AT Tech inspection, they will probably check for missing lug nuts, loose items in the car, Battery tied down, throttle return spring, play in steering, solid brake pedal,etc.

Hope you have a helmet. Those skunk helmets(loaners) get kind of ripe around here in July and August.

Remember, get there early, walk the course, look ahead, and have fun.

Jin, You nailed the exp. EXACTLY.. I wish I had read your response before i left at 8am. I drove the 1 hr.........then got clucthis in my left calf. I jambed my heel into the floor board to keep her down..I did not run the event. Still driving early sunday with little traffic is enjoyble with a/c. I know how to get there now and...i hope net time i can relax a little more. I was treated well.. this is little known local for me, There were expected maybe 30-40- the older gents checked out my car and invited me to walk the course...I rubbed my calf and my candy ass and enjoyed morning, and my ride home.

Hope you feel better now and get to drive next time out. There are a few pictures of the Atlanta event at:
http://photobucket.com/albums/b29/PanteraKitty/

Hello Jim,
I'm guessing that you autocross your Pantera. What tires/wheels do you use? Do you change them when you get there or are you running a street tire class? Vince

Actually I am warming tires for a friend with a Toyota MR2 this season.

When I do run the Pantera, I have some Etoile/Gotti wheels with Hoosier Street TD tires on them. I am using 275/45X16 on the rear and 245/50X15 on the front. They are old bias ply tires.

When I buy new tires, I will probably get the Kumho Ecsta V710. 245/45X16 Front and something between 275 and 295/45X17 for the rear. Corvette guys done found out that you can't get a 335 tire hot on a minute course and a hot 295 sticks better than a cold 335.

Does anyone here run the 10" and 8" Campys for Autocross in a R compound tire, preferrably not a Hoosier type of tire but something I can mount at home? I'm not trailering and there's no where on a Pantera to bring 4 tires and a jack. Thanks.

The problem is no 15" tires larger than a 245/50X15. That is the largest 15" tire from Hoosier. The others only go up to 225/50X15. That is why I have the 16" Etoile wheels for the rear and the next set of tires will go on the Kodiak 17X11 and 16X8 wheels.