***Autocross and trackday pics-info and chat thread******

[Daskoupe]

i need those balljoints and bumpsteer kit.Hmmm windshield might have wait lol

[choochoo]

For a Mk2, you'll want to put the control arms parallel to the pavement - any lower and handling goes down the tubes. This will be very close to stock height which isn't very sexy looking but it's one of those infamous "function over form" issues. At that height, you should be able to run a 205/50-15 although you may need to roll the fender lips a bit.

I've been running 205/50/15's street & R-compounds and 5mm spacer all around without any fender modifications. But, I will add that my car is not that low. My control arms are just slightly tilting down, probably -5°~-10° angle.

[Truckinduc]

I'm very slowly turning my beat golf into something track worthy. I made my own ball joint extenders at 2.5". That's the absolute maximum I could run with 15" wheels. Up next is a tubular subframe and chromoly control arms with highly modified pickup points.

Next up 11.3" powerslot rotors with 4 pot calipers and custom spindle mounts.



Edit for pictures

[choochoo]

Looks like your car does some gardening on the side

[choochoo]

link to CF bumper
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-dist...-Jetta

[naterkane]

Here's PBJT's last of 8 runs from yesterday's NYR Solo2 event at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.

pardon the quality, it was taken with a cell phone that was zoomed in... and then "de-shaken" using youtube's video tools.

[CHETVW007]

Looks like a good driver there. Nice slalom work.

[naterkane]

Looks like a good driver there. Nice slalom work.

oh thank you! i feel like i need a lot more seat time. this was only the second event i participated in within the last 10+ years.

i've been thinking about also running at the northern new jersey events just to get more seat time.

[spoon!]

more seat time.

seat time.

Seat time! Seat time seat time!

[naterkane]

Seat time! Seat time seat time!

yuppers

[Wermz]

Seat time! Seat time seat time!

I am looking at the Laguna classes and they are pricey.

[naterkane]

I am looking at the Laguna classes and they are pricey.

So go and participate at your next local solo2 event. Just $45-55 bucks if you don't have a SCCA license.

Best,
Nater Kane

[mgyip]

Solo is a good "jumping off" point, that's for certain. At some point, you'll want to do track events - check the local tracks' schedules - they often list the various clubs that are renting the facility. Most clubs that offer track events will require membership which isn't necessarily bad as that provides an insight into that club and it's other events as well.

[thepaintcanman]

go to a HPDE and skip the wussy autocross.

[Wermz]

Been doing the Auto-X for quite a few years, but now I want to go faster!

I'm going to check Laguna for HDPE events. That is for when my VW runs. lol.

[spoon!]

I am looking at the Laguna classes and they are pricey.

There are track days at Laguna Seca all the time... now that the weather is getting better there are at least one, sometimes two a week. They vary in price... it's not a cheap place to race. There's a thread in the NorCal section that lists all the track days in California, but it misses a few. Best bet is to check the calendar, they are all listed there.

[choochoo]

Laguna Seca is expensive but, it's my dream to drive there. One day.... one day....

couldn't find any track footage of a Mk2 at Laguna Seca, so I guess a Mk1 will do.

[naterkane]

isn't that a white mk2 at 1:02?

[choochoo]

good eye. video's running slow on my phone.

[spoon!]

Since we're on Laguna Seca, and it's ALMS this weekend... here's an 11-minute white-knuckle throwback from '09. GO FLYING LIZARD! Watch it.

[rysskii3]

forgot to post this: streets of willow.
more in my sig.

[Ajackz]

Here the fastest lap at my first time driving Autox. Tire pressure was way to high (48 psi while hot). Front of car is a bit to low(qualcom has nice elevation changes).And I need more seat time in my Gti.(Been codriving a stock miata not near as fun as a mk2)
Im learning things little by little.

[naterkane]

go to a HPDE and skip the wussy autocross.

i know a rally champion who can't run for isht in Solo2.

different strokes....

[naterkane]

Here the fastest lap at my first time driving Autox. Tire pressure was way to high (48 psi while hot). Front of car is a bit to low(qualcom has nice elevation changes).And I need more seat time in my Gti.(Been codriving a stock miata not near as fun as a mk2)
Im learning things little by little.

nice! keep it up Ajackz!

miatas and vws are setup so incredibly differently, it's just another world. top performers in my class in my region are a subaru forester sti's, miata's, and s2000's (typical)... but with PAX, that's when things get interesting.

[mgyip]

i know a rally champion who can't run for isht in Solo2.

different strokes....

When I started in the slippery slope of Motorsports, I ran autocrosses because they were cheap and low risk. Then some evil people signed me up for a track event - they sent in the paperwork so that I'd have to participate. That was bad enough but then more evil people get me involved in Club Racing. Those same evil people got me involved in working with pro teams...

Fast forward a few years and I'm still Club Racing although it's lost some of it's appeal because the VW is woefully outclassed in Improved Touring. To go faster would require money that I don't have to spend. To supplement my need for speed, I've started running Rallycross because it's fun and low-key like autocrossing used to be AND it's crazy because it's run on dirt and the car is only barely under control at any given time.

Will running Solo events bring a driver wealth and fame? Not to the same degree as Club Racing or Stage Rally which COULD lead to pro rides. However, if you're in it for fun, keep that in the forefront and have FUN. When it becomes a job, then it becomes work.

[Wermz]

There are track days at Laguna Seca all the time... now that the weather is getting better there are at least one, sometimes two a week. They vary in price... it's not a cheap place to race. There's a thread in the NorCal section that lists all the track days in California, but it misses a few. Best bet is to check the calendar, they are all listed there.

Thanks for that. dunno how i missed it.

[1FLiGLi]

go to a HPDE and skip the wussy autocross.

Agreed.

[naterkane]

Good pads and rotors along with drilled drums for cooling can go a long long way.

[spoon!]

i know a rally champion who can't run for isht in Solo2.

different strokes....

FWIW, tons of track cars use autocross as a forum to test or break in new parts. Autocross is a perfectly fine starting point and you'll learn a lot about the hardware you're running with. Don't take the "wussy" comments seriously.

[thepaintcanman]

road race car and auto-x car will be set-up completely different.

Read the rules to auto-x... any straight will be designed so the average car cannot exceed 45 mph... we do 100mph over that even at HPDE's. Set up a car to rotate for 45mph and try and turn it at 140mph...

Auto-x has it's place. Good reflex training, cheap, more available and better for spectators.

Not knock'n it just my cons against it.

[naterkane]

road race car and auto-x car will be set-up completely different.

Read the rules to auto-x... any straight will be designed so the average car cannot exceed 45 mph... we do 100mph over that even at HPDE's. Set up a car to rotate for 45mph and try and turn it at 140mph...

Auto-x has it's place. Good reflex training, cheap, more available and better for spectators.

Not knock'n it just my cons against it.

it's not necessarily cheap. to have a VW that's competitive, you're running FSP, EP or XP... all of which are a hell of a lot more expensive than Street Touring.

the only additional costs for a road racing car (depending on what class and/or series you're running in) have to do with safety equipment.

between Solo and Road Racing your spring rates, dampening, alignment, possibly transmission final drive... are different.

[catapultkid]

I love autox. Its teaches you soo much about car control in a safer environment. Learning to rotate/trail brake a car through 50-80 mph turns at a track comes a lot easier when you can do it on command at 30mph. Just knowing how to approach a corner, knowing how to balance a car, knowing where to give speed up to have it later are all traits that autox instills in you. I've heard that a national level autox driver has to think quicker than a F1 driver. So much going on in 1 minute or less.

I will agree, its not any cheaper if your putting together a car for that purpose unfortunately.

[mgyip]

the only additional costs for a road racing car (depending on what class and/or series you're running in) have to do with safety equipment.

And replacement body panels

[naterkane]

And replacement body panels

i didn't even think of that... but VERY valid point.

[rtfmorgtfo]

Ok, terrible question I know but what are people's recommendations for cheap suspension setups for AutoX/performance driving?

I need something new as the coils that came on my current car are siezed way to low. I was aiming at a good brand with height and dampening adjustment like Megan Racing or FK silverlines but I don't know if I'll have the cash now. I'm also planning on moving to a different car next year or the year after(something RWD) so I'd prefer to not break the bank here. I just want a reliable, good handling setup. I don't care about getting low or any of that.

I've driven mk1/2/3s with FK cup kits, JOM, early Racelands, H&R Race/Koni Yellow and FK silverlines as well as other cars with setups from Eibach ProKit to full HotBits. The JOM/Raceland/etc were not impressive at all but to be fair they were all wound way down on cars owned by people who don't know a thing about driving. I much prefer quality but can't justify it at the moment so I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion in the lower price bracket. I could get an FK cup kit(which I had on a previous Jetta and was quite surprised by the handling of minus it being to low 60mm/40mm as opposed to 40mm/35mm) or Raceland Ultimos for about the same price($500). I'm also waiting to hear from a friend on a Tokico kit with either HP's or Illuminas and linear springs.

So bottom line, if you were in need of a performance oriented setup but didn't have much cash what would you do? Besides save up more money that is.