So i entered my first auto-x

[StraightSix]

Be careful about going crazy with upgrades. They can very quickly move into a class where the car is uncompetitive. All you really need is some better pads front and rear and good brake fluid.

While you're still learning how to autocross, run good street tires. Falken Azenis RT-615s or Bridgestone RE01Rs are excellent. The street tires have more progressive break away characteristics whereas a tire like a Toyo R-888 or Hoosier A6 will have a narrow envelope before losing grip.

Most important, though, is having fun.

[Sammich]

Be careful about going crazy with upgrades. They can very quickly move into a class where the car is uncompetitive. All you really need is some better pads front and rear and good brake fluid.

While you're still learning how to autocross, run good street tires. Falken Azenis RT-615s or Bridgestone RE01Rs are excellent. The street tires have more progressive break away characteristics whereas a tire like a Toyo R-888 or Hoosier A6 will have a narrow envelope before losing grip.

Most important, though, is having fun.

well check this, i was going to upgrade my front brakes to the 04 maxima brakes...its practically oem parts (although i may just run slotted just because /ricer status) but i was going to do that and do slotted in the rear w/ new calipers, run new brake fluid....

the tires that you are talking about...generally what is their tread rating? if i get some 350z track wheels and get those tires, i could be doing just fine...thats if the tires last a while though

[StraightSix]

well check this, i was going to upgrade my front brakes to the 04 maxima brakes...its practically oem parts (although i may just run slotted just because /ricer status) but i was going to do that and do slotted in the rear w/ new calipers, run new brake fluid....

the tires that you are talking about...generally what is their tread rating? if i get some 350z track wheels and get those tires, i could be doing just fine...thats if the tires last a while though

I don't recall the treadwear rating on either tire. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to any of the UTQG ratings since, to my knowledge, the tests that get those numbers are non-standardized. That is, each tire manufacturer has a different test method to arrive at those numbers, so those numbers are nearly uselss when comparing tires from different manufacturers. But, both of them are legal for SCCA ST classes. I want to say the treadwear rating for either of those is in 150 range.

On the brakes, it doesn't matter where the parts come from for most of the SCCA classes. For example, the stock classes only allow a cat back exhaust, replacement struts/shocks, and the use of R-comp tires (there could be a couple of things I'm leaving out, but that's the gist of the rules). Any mods beyond those, and the car is in a different class. As another example, a friend of mine had a 1989 Toyota Supra Turbo and the only mod was a 3" downpipe. That one mod moved him from a stock class into E-street prepared. ESP allows many more mods than the stock classes, and so his car was way outclassed.

The point of all this is that you really need to sit down with the rulebook and see what is/isn't allowed in the class you want to run. Also, bear in mind that Novice is an indexed class, so you're actually running against *all* the other novice cars.

[Sammich]

I don't recall the treadwear rating on either tire. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to any of the UTQG ratings since, to my knowledge, the tests that get those numbers are non-standardized. That is, each tire manufacturer has a different test method to arrive at those numbers, so those numbers are nearly uselss when comparing tires from different manufacturers. But, both of them are legal for SCCA ST classes. I want to say the treadwear rating for either of those is in 150 range.

On the brakes, it doesn't matter where the parts come from for most of the SCCA classes. For example, the stock classes only allow a cat back exhaust, replacement struts/shocks, and the use of R-comp tires (there could be a couple of things I'm leaving out, but that's the gist of the rules). Any mods beyond those, and the car is in a different class. As another example, a friend of mine had a 1989 Toyota Supra Turbo and the only mod was a 3" downpipe. That one mod moved him from a stock class into E-street prepared. ESP allows many more mods than the stock classes, and so his car was way outclassed.

The point of all this is that you really need to sit down with the rulebook and see what is/isn't allowed in the class you want to run. Also, bear in mind that Novice is an indexed class, so you're actually running against *all* the other novice cars.

i hear ya, i do need to get all the specifics on what i want to compete in next time. i'm sure ill run in novice at least one more time, then move up to a specific class.

i just need a tire that will not only last me on the street for a while, but still be good enough on the track