ITRCA

I want to autocross but i have a question. I have never been the driver while on the course but I think I want to give it a try. If I were to slap on some RA1s with everything else being stock would I be ok? I will be very cautious being my first time but should I put some Hawk pads on it? After market suspension is out of the question because i want the car to remain unmodified. I know what the car was designed for, but i was wondering if anybody has some first hand experience. Input would be greatly appreciated.

Stay away from sticky tires, just use your normal street tires.
Trust me.

hawk pads,,, well you could but just about any pad better then stock will be fine. Axxis Ultimates, GTSports...

Change your brake fluid before and after.

Bbasso wrote:Stay away from sticky tires, just use your normal street tires.
Trust me.

why is that? is it because i may put too much faith in them?

You won't learn from them, they cover mistakes. Also the amount of heat needed to make them work 'right' is above what a new driver can achive, so they will stay cool/cold and slippery, like driving on ice.
Besides, you are used to street tires and their handling. Go wth what you know. Stock ITRs are a great learning tool for the first timer. The second time you get on track you will most likely burn up the pads and fluids, that is when you should start to consider what areas of the car need improvement to suit your needs.

I agree. You should know how your car responds on street tires before you go out on slicks. I didn't use slicks until after my fist 2 seasons.

Kind of info I was looking for.......thanks guys.

Are you going to have to purchase the RA1's, or borrow a set say from a friend?

How much auto X do you plan on doing?

If your thoughts are to do this quite a bit... i say go ahead and get them. While on a roadcourse I would not suggest this for a new person, on an AutoX, you might as well get used to the tires now, while it's all new to you... that is, if you don't have to purchase a new set.

Cliffs...

If you've got a friend, or set of tires laying around... give it a whirl

If you don't, and have to spend more money on them... run the street tires you already have.

RA1s for AX suckish, better off with HoosierA6 or shaved VictoRacer V700 . They take too long to heat up, generally an AX is 60seconds or less for a run.
Road course tires run between 190 and 240 degrees, when at temps. And are usually a harder compound- lasting longer.

Use whatever pads you have for Auto-x. Performance pads need some heat in them to perform best, and you don't develop that when you are running for 60 seconds. A good brake bleeding is not a bad idea, but if you experience any kind of brake issues autocrossing you are using the them way too much.

Run your street tires for the first couple of events, but be willing to accept that the outside edges are going to get chunked up. If you like it be prepared, because the cost of playing the game is going to be a set of wheels and tires to use for racing.