went auto-xing with the thunderbird

so i did my first auto-x today!!!! It was awesome. I didnt think that it would do that good being so big. But WOW, it corners really nice. the next thing is to get some decent tires on it and i will be good to go!!! WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, that's how it starts. First tires, then struts, then poly bushings, then camber plates, relocated rear suspension,Etc, etc.

Face it, you're doomed!!



Auto-x is a hoot, I've always enjoyed it.

Jim

well i am marrying into a family of auto-xers. My fiance uses a 03 focus zx3, his younger brother drives a 03 corvette, and his other younger brother drives a STI. I am hooked though. Cant wait until the next race!!!

TCs do surprisingly well. I autocrossed mine for several years. Raised many an eyebrow with the times it put down. A TC will never be competetive in the class it is in, however, tons of fun.

Hawk

That is one of my goals for my TC, to get it into Auto-X but it's my daily driver and I need another ride before I start modifiying it. I'm definately going to beef up the suspension as stated above. I did learn that even changing out the air filter and putting a manual boost valve will take me out of stock standing and into modified status.

MJ

I have a blast driving mine in autocrosses. Like Hawk, ive had many people ask me how I handle a car that big. The best was when I had just a downpipe, a kid driving a prelude behind me asked how hard was it to put a diesel in.

Poly bushings make a big difference and ive found having alot of camber helps alot in the tight turns.

Sounds like alot of fun. I hope you'll post more about it as you go.

I did a 108 second run on a 58 second average course for my first time out. If I wouldnt have hit the three cones, i would have ran a 102. Hopefully I will get some video up of the next race. Got to build a camera mount first.

One thing that will cost nothing and will help quite a bit is to drill out the rivets that lock the struts at the factory alignment setting and push the struts over as far negative as they will go. This difference is quite noticeable. A TC will Kick some *** if you put some sticky tires on it and learn to trail brake. The only cars that could consistently beat me were an Impreza 2.5 RS and an SVO Mustang. Both modified to the extent of the rules and driven by very experienced drivers. They were always between .5-1 second quicker through a 50-55 second course than I was in my totally stock TC. I came home with many GS class trophies for the seasons I ran the car. Always 2nd or 3rd for the season with 12-15 cars running in GS. It was fun, yet, frustrating. I finally bought a Z28 and switched to FS. The right car for the class. I'm very competitive and 2nd/3rd all the time gets old when all the bench racing/BSing starts. Last weekend I ran the Z28 for the first time this season. When Sunday's times were paxed, I was second out of 80 entries in the session. Raw times don't necessarily show what is going on. The cars are all at different levels of modification. Some, couldn't possibly pass an actual SCCA protest inspection for their class. Anyway, no matter what you do, autocross is a blast and will greatly improve your driving skills. Keep at it.

Hawk