Auto-X Classing

[libila]

As I've been re-doing my 71 Super I've been giving a lot of thought to what class I should auto-x in. My car will be more for racing on the weekend, not daily driving. It's basically my "fun" car.

At first I thought about running in STX since it allowed all the basic suspension upgrades (sway bars, different shock absorbers/coilovers, new bushings all around, camber plates) and it also allowed me to switch to disk brakes. The rules also allow the addition of a LSD. The down side is that the only power mods allowed were a different air filter and exhaust. I'm thinking that this would be a good starting point for me since I don't have more than a year or so of racing expierence under my belt.

Then I thought about running in Street Prepard for a bit more freedom on interior mods, addition of a fuel cell, carbs are unrestricted, clutch and flywheel mods are allowed, a .0472 in. bore is allowed (not sure how big that would be in cc), milling of the heads, etc are all allowed but not the change from drum to disk brakes!

The thought of moving up to Street Mod had crossed my mind, but I think that would be a really big jump for a newer driver in a new car to make. I know the competition gets pretty intense in these higher classes and I don't think I have a fighting chance in SM.

What I would like to know is what class do you guys race in and are you competetive, or just another car in your class? I know it must be hard to keep up with the cars that are fast in their class (example: Mini Cooper S in G Stock).

Also, for the guys that have years of experience in auto-x, where do you suggest I start?

[Jadewombat]

[quote="libila"]At first I thought about running in STX since it allowed all the basic suspension upgrades (sway bars, different shock absorbers/coilovers, new bushings all around, camber plates) and it also allowed me to switch to disk brakes. The rules also allow the addition of a LSD. The down side is that the only power mods allowed were a different air filter and exhaust. I'm thinking that this would be a good starting point for me since I don't have more than a year or so of racing expierence under my belt.

Then I thought about running in Street Prepard for a bit more freedom on interior mods, addition of a fuel cell, carbs are unrestricted, clutch and flywheel mods are allowed, a .0472 in. bore is allowed (not sure how big that would be in cc), milling of the heads, etc are all allowed but not the change from drum to disk brakes!

[/quote ]

A better driver will always beat a better car. If you are new to auto-x you might want to not mod the car at all at this point. Just pump up the tires and run in a stock class. It isn't about winning, a few years of weekend racing and a couple of driving schools and you'd really be ready to tackle the car issues. I've been recently finding this out and I've raced on and off for four years.

That said, a bug really isn't competitive in either of these classes, STX or FSP, because of the engine and braking limitations. 50hp and drum brakes isn't going to beat a Honda or Golf anyday of the week, especially with a carb sloshing around in the turns(I've raced two '69 ghias, one with a Dean Lowry 2332cc, the other a 1955cc and I just couldn't keep up with my friends in their W/C Vdubs, much less the other FWDs). God help you if you have a Tacoma 2WD running in FSP in your area, I get my ass whooped by one of these every time in Louisiana. These things are highly underclassed with 142 hp and 160 ft/lb tipping the scales at 2500lb(2200 fully prepped probably), some coil-overs and a LSD and you'll never catch one of these. Anyhoo, anyone who's seen the super beetle beat the 911 in VW Trends years ago( www.germanlook.com ) knows the true potential of these cars in mod or E prepared classes, but it takes some serious hp and decent brakes to really be competitive though. More of us at least showing up with air-cooleds I think is a good idea(in any class) as we might see more bugs revived from the dead for weekend racers.

[libila]

I had a feeling that would be the answer I would get

Right now I'm racing a '00 Subaru 2.5 RS in Street Touring and I think I'll be racing it in ST until I finish my Super (which will probably be a while).

Now I'm torn between going full race version in Prep or Mod, or just building it to have some fun in.

[WD-40]

I'm taking a different approach. Disclaimer: I don't know what I'm talking about, so don't listen to me.

That being said, I'm building the car I want for the street. Once I have what I want for that, I'll see where it fits into the AutoX charts.

For safety, I've added a fuel cell. I've upgraded the suspension all around, and I'm adding disc brakes to help it stop better. I plan on adding a cage as well. Since I don't ever have people with me, I removed the rear seat and stripped the interior. There's no radio, and I have an aluminum seat.

These changes bump me up and up and up into the full prepped categories right away. But I can sleep at night knowing what I drive to work and back on the city streets is safer. I'm only in the AutoX for fun, not to be competative... and the improvements I make to my car are not investments for cash prizes, but investments for my own driving experience.

Your mileage may vary, but that's how I look at things.

- David

[ericsbracer]

For what it's worth.... if you want to have fun, you will - regardless of the speed.. You can get yourself into a world of trouble doing 50MPH on a race track if you do it wrong.. http://www.superbeetlesonly.com/forum/i ... si&img=700

IF the point is to enjoy yourself, to challenge yourself - then it will stop being fun when your skills exceed your cars capabilities, and then it's time to spend a little $ and improve the car. If your goal is WINNING - then it won't be fun unless you do....no matter How Much Money You Spend, and there's usually someone who has more $ and time to spend than you do.

Add into this the fact that you're making decisions about your car based on what you think you might like or want - NOT what experience tells you might be more comfortable for you.

I've always said to make it safe, make it simple, and Get Out There in it.. then let your skills and your budget take you wherever it goes... You'll have more fun, probably spend less, and reduce the risk of getting in over your head and hurting yourself - physically or financially.

[Joe_914]

Worst thing you can do is build a cool car for the street. Then figure out what AX class it fits. Normally Street Mod.
Technically (I think) putting a Type IV in a bug puts you in Modified not street Modified because the big block bus or 914 motor never was offered in a bug.

Yea thats where the big boys run. But so what get out there and drive the piss out of it and have fun. Learn to drive fast then learn to drive faster.
My 70 914 was in CSP as I bought 2 years ago. 1.7L FI motor. but with lots of suspension mods.
Then I stuck a 2.0L carbed motor in and was bumped to SM-2 because of the cam. Crap! Well as I got to be a better driver I am niping at the heals of them big boys.

[Theo]

Check out this Ghia! We can play with the big boys!

http://retroracing.biz/modules/wfchannel/

Theo

[Joe_914]

Nice E mod IS definately where the big boys play.

[ericsbracer]

if anyone cares... Once you check out that incredible Ghia, hit the link for "Gerts Ghia"... the friend who sold him that car (and built it in the first place) - was me. The donor car that became the Plum was the down payment.