Amen to that! I added an H&R 26mm RSB even though tires would have made more sense. But it was already October and past season for Summer tires. I've enjoyed the RSB every day and have zero regrets, especially since I don't have an LSD.Even if you aren't serious, a RSB on these cars makes it better even in day to day driving. Stock they understeer terribly, especially without a LSD.
And next class up for GTI is STH, it isn't eligible for STX.
So I'm pretty sure I'm running for the first time on the 4th. What should I bring with me day of besides my car, some blue tape and a helmet? It'll be a practice day so they said I'd be able to get lots of seat time.
An electric tire pump, pressure gauge, 2 gallon garden sprayer (especially if non-PP) to cool the front tires, a hat, sun screen, bug spray, small ice chest with cold drinks and food.
Give details on car stepup and tires so we can give you some starting points for tire pressures.
Totally stock 2019 so I have the performance pack. Stock all seasons.
"38 psi front and 44 rear"... is that cold or hot pressures? I ran 38/42 cold on some iffy all-seasons, I had trouble recovering grip when I started to slide. (That's more due to the iffy all-seasons.)
Normally, 37 PSI cold will heat up to well over 38 PSI hot. Should I reduce my front tire pressures to 38 hot, and later increase back to 37 cold?
If so... the autocross tire pressure in front is lower than the recommended pressure for daily driving? I've checked my sidewalls, the rollover appears to be about right.
Wow, very low pressures compared to the mfg. suggestion, but the RE71R's are very stiff compared to a street tire, so maybe that has some effect? Plus, these are 17", vs the stock 18" that I run. So, start with 38/44 cold, then bleed down to that same pressure as the day goes on? I have no idea what the hot temps are yet, I've never checked after the racing starts. These tires are about done, I'm not sure if I feel like wearing down the last bit of rubber on one more event, or replacing them with Michelin PS 4S's. (Still street tires, not track day tires, but they should be a huge step up from the all-seasons, in feel and performance.) Our pavement is old, with some dirt and gravel, and some holes and bumps that can upset the grip. No points this year, so every run is just for fun (and learning), not for glory and points. I play for fun, anyhow. I was still 3rd in class last year (but not a "close 3rd", so the new tires and working on my driving skill are my next steps).
If you're only getting modest heat in your tires at autocross, you aren't trying hard enough. But seriously, any tire has a limit where they overheat and get greasy or start chunking off....
I'm wondering how a manufacturer like Michelin could make such a great tire, used on so many high performance cars that are tested to the limits by the car magazines, and not have those tires hold up to the (relatively modest) heat generated by autocross? I've never heard the magazines declaring that the Michelins on their Porsche or BMW or etc somehow lost grip partway through the evaluation period.
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If you're only getting modest heat in your tires at autocross, you aren't trying hard enough. But seriously, any tire has a limit where they overheat and get greasy or start chunking off.
Personally, I would always go for cheap daily tires (Sumitomo HTR AS P02 "ultra high performance all season" are my preference) and get top-tier tires for autocross and track. Any kind of a "comporomise" 240-320tw tire for all purposes is just a waste, IMO; it's a waste of money using tires you daily on for competition when you wear them out faster than you otherwise would just on the street, and it's a waste of competitiveness and FUN using lesser tires for competition.
It's a modest investment to get a 2nd set of wheels, but I would highly recommend doing so and at least getting used take-off top-tier tires for autocross/track if you don't want to immediately go for new tires.