I'm autocrossing in Phoenix this weekend - need advice
 

Hi all -

I'm taking the Z to her first auto-x this weekend. It will only be my 3rd. I've done 2 previously in my '01 integra. I was hoping that someone here might have some experience with larger than stock wheels and bridgestone s03's. I'm running:

Front - 245/40R19 *Edit* - I'm suddenly thinking it's 245/35R19, but I'm too lazy to go to the garage and look :)
Rear - 285/30R20

Anyone have an idea on tire pressure? The temp will probably be around 90 degrees and I think Phoenix is right around 1000 ft above sea level or so if that matters. Also, any driving advice is welcome. I'm a little nervous because I've never owned a RWD car before, plus I have yet to ever turn the VDC off. When you turn off the VDC/TCS, do you have to be considerably more careful on the throttle through a turn? Anyone think I should leave the VDC on for the first couple runs?

Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks!

- Scott

Make a run with the VCD and one with it off to see which you like best. I believe that most folks find they are faster with it off.

The Z will understeer similar to your old teg, but unlike the Honda you can use the Z's rwd and power to induce throttle oversteer. Look at the vids that Christoc made of one event that he ran:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=27497

Note how he was hard on the brakes into a turn and then used the Z's power to force the rear end to rotate. That is a technique that you might try to copy.

Can't say about the tire pressure with that combination. Given that it is your first event in the car, I would worry less about the tire pressure and concentrate more on learning how the car behaves. You can play with the tire pressures after you get a little experience with the car to see what feels best to you.

Thank you for the advice. It is much appreciated. I will do my best to mimick the throttle oversteer, but coming from a FWD world, oversteer seems so scary! :eek: I'm sure I'll get the hang of it tho. I'm not too worried about the performance aspect of the tire pressures, more so the saftey and well being of the tires/rims. I'm planning on going w/ 38psi cold all around. I figure that's a nice, conservative number, but not too low. I hope it works out. I'll try my first 1 or 2 runs w/ the VDC, then turn it off and see how I do. I should get 6-8 runs in including the time onlys. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

Thanks to Christoc for posting that video! I hope he reads this.

- Scott