Autocrossing a WRX
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Autocrossing a WRX
I've been autocrossing for a couple years with my MKII MR2. I pick up my WRX tomorrow, and will be autocrossing it next year. Just curious if there is a recipe for success in stock class. Which struts? Front bar? Brake pads? Is straight pipe the way to go for exhaust? I'll be doing some Pro's with it too.
I'm super excited about this car.
Thanks!
I'm super excited about this car.
Thanks!
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From: keep santa cruz weird
Car Info: 2003 blue EVO
Definately go with brake pads, axis metel master or the ultimates.
The key for DS, is possibly a front bar, straight pipe would be good, but your biggest problem will be the alignment.
you need to make sure that you can get the most negative camber in front as you can.
You will need to be as smooth as possible, smoother than your MR2 to be fast in DS.
My advice.... bite the bullet and get a decent set of swaybars, uppipe, and a decent cat back exhaust and start in STX. That will at least let you deal with the massive understeer you are soon to experiance.
The key for DS, is possibly a front bar, straight pipe would be good, but your biggest problem will be the alignment.
you need to make sure that you can get the most negative camber in front as you can.
You will need to be as smooth as possible, smoother than your MR2 to be fast in DS.
My advice.... bite the bullet and get a decent set of swaybars, uppipe, and a decent cat back exhaust and start in STX. That will at least let you deal with the massive understeer you are soon to experiance.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Taking your MIND!
Car Info: MkIII MR2, s14, 94 mx5, 99 mx5. The beauty of rwd.
Rear sway bars are illegal in Stock, so you'll have to go to stx, but I'd agree that STX is probably a good starting point, as stock the wrx doesn't seem that great.
Brake pads are very important, I've tried porterfields street compound and found them pretty good. Also Neg camber (through use of the stock eccentric bolts) and an adjustable set of struts would go a long way in DS.
Oh yeah, the biggest boost of speed in Stock is R-compound tires.
Brake pads are very important, I've tried porterfields street compound and found them pretty good. Also Neg camber (through use of the stock eccentric bolts) and an adjustable set of struts would go a long way in DS.
Oh yeah, the biggest boost of speed in Stock is R-compound tires.
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Yeah, I know the WRX has not been dominant in Solo II, but it is doing very well in the ProSolos. I know the camber adjustment is limited from the factory, and as far as I know there is no factory documents indicating modifications for more front camber so I'm stuck with what I can get.
How much do the DA's run? I've got SA's on my MR2, and they've been great. Any experience with the DA's on these cars? What other companies make good struts for these cars?
How loud will it be with straight pipe? Other turbo cars with straight pipe haven't been very loud, so I'm hoping that's the case with the WRX too.
Thanks guys.
How much do the DA's run? I've got SA's on my MR2, and they've been great. Any experience with the DA's on these cars? What other companies make good struts for these cars?
How loud will it be with straight pipe? Other turbo cars with straight pipe haven't been very loud, so I'm hoping that's the case with the WRX too.
Thanks guys.
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It's all about the driver at regional events... You can't trophy at nationals unless you are an excellent driver, with a very well prepped car. That's the goal here. A WRX was one position out of the trophies at Solo II Nationals this year, but won the ProSolo finale. I plan on taking a run at both next year. The all wheel drive gives a distinct advantage when launching for the Pros, but it doesn't help much in Solo II. Regardless, at least for next season I'll be in DS, and we'll see where I go from there.
Regards,
Peter
Regards,
Peter
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From: www.nasioc.com
Car Info: 2003 STX Pro-Solo/Solo-II National Champion
Originally posted by 03WRX
It's all about the driver at regional events... You can't trophy at nationals unless you are an excellent driver, with a very well prepped car. That's the goal here. A WRX was one position out of the trophies at Solo II Nationals this year, but won the ProSolo finale. I plan on taking a run at both next year. The all wheel drive gives a distinct advantage when launching for the Pros, but it doesn't help much in Solo II. Regardless, at least for next season I'll be in DS, and we'll see where I go from there.
Regards,
Peter
It's all about the driver at regional events... You can't trophy at nationals unless you are an excellent driver, with a very well prepped car. That's the goal here. A WRX was one position out of the trophies at Solo II Nationals this year, but won the ProSolo finale. I plan on taking a run at both next year. The all wheel drive gives a distinct advantage when launching for the Pros, but it doesn't help much in Solo II. Regardless, at least for next season I'll be in DS, and we'll see where I go from there.
Regards,
Peter
By the way... the guy you are talking about it Tom Hoppe, or trhoppe on both clubs. He did trophy at Nationals in DS, the last trophy spot (just like me in STX). He also won DS in the Pro. (But didn't 'win the Pro' (there's more to a pro than winning the class)
He's in STX next year. Those pesky ITRs domination over Subarus will END next year.
Also there's Kiko Seibt... won STX pro and did very well in STX too.
--kC
Last edited by KC; Nov 27, 2002 at 12:56 PM.
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Thats me
My place at the championships was not very representative of a WRX. I drove like total *** on tuesday and could not make up enough ground on wed. On tuesday after 1st runs I was in 1st and I just could not improve from there, driver error.
I won the Pro Finale by 0.78. The AWD helps a bit on the launch, but the margin of victory showed that I also beat out the TypeRs on course as well.
A WRX properly equipped with DAs and some Hoosier, as well as a good driver could very much contend next season.
-Tom
My place at the championships was not very representative of a WRX. I drove like total *** on tuesday and could not make up enough ground on wed. On tuesday after 1st runs I was in 1st and I just could not improve from there, driver error.
I won the Pro Finale by 0.78. The AWD helps a bit on the launch, but the margin of victory showed that I also beat out the TypeRs on course as well.
A WRX properly equipped with DAs and some Hoosier, as well as a good driver could very much contend next season.
-Tom
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Hi Tom!
Hey Tom--
Nice to make contact with you. How did you have your car set up this year?
I had a similar experience at nats, I was in ES so we ran the south course Thursday, and I was .071 out of the trophies. On Friday, I coned my first two runs, and was way too conservative on the third run so I had a dramatic fall from grace.
Thanks,
Peter Kazaks
Nice to make contact with you. How did you have your car set up this year?
I had a similar experience at nats, I was in ES so we ran the south course Thursday, and I was .071 out of the trophies. On Friday, I coned my first two runs, and was way too conservative on the third run so I had a dramatic fall from grace.
Thanks,
Peter Kazaks
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Car Info: 2003 STX Pro-Solo/Solo-II National Champion
Peter,
What Pro's are you going to next year? I hope to be going to Petersbug, Oscoda and Peru.... (and finale)
And maybe Ft Meyers... still up in the air about that one...
--KC
Yeah, I auto-x a wagon, what are you gonna do about it?
What Pro's are you going to next year? I hope to be going to Petersbug, Oscoda and Peru.... (and finale)
And maybe Ft Meyers... still up in the air about that one...
--KC
Yeah, I auto-x a wagon, what are you gonna do about it?