Anyone here doing SCCA Solo2 autocross with their S197 Mustang?

I did the Solo2 Novice School this last weekend at Portland International Raceway (PIR). That was a very fun 43 seconds! I got 15 runs Saturday and my 'Stang handled very well...lots to learn and lots of room for driver skill improvement ;-)

 

Yep, I am. I have an 05 GT. Bone stock it seems to handle pretty well. Lots of body roll though. I just bought new suspension pieces (Tokico D-specs, Steeda springs, adj. panhard bar, and adj LCAs). We'll see next weekend how the changes work.

 

Hey PonyPilot, glad you enjoyed yourself.
Couple things:
1) Best check your brake fluid if you are/were running (or more specifically - braking) hard. I know some folks on here ran and did not have any trouble with it, but EVERY S197 (from stock to S/Cd) driver I have personally met has changed out their fluid after the first hard weekend at the track.
2) Invest in some new rubber to get the most out of your stock/upgraded 'stang...best advice I was given and it was repeated on this forum a dozen+ times. I am still going to be running BFG but Nitto and Toyo seem to be getting good results, also the Kumho.
3) Remember not to pull on the handbrake after a run I actually tape mine down so I don't forget

MY05GT, I think you will LOVE the handling upgrades! I was impressed that the S197 handled as well as it did stock, but I can't even think about going back now. I can't wait for September to get here so I can get to the track again.

 

I would add, that it is important to make sure you have enough pressure in the tires. Most cars you want atleast 5psi over what is on the sidewall of the tire. Also as for driver improvment the best piece of advice I can give is to brake early. If you are on the brakes at all from the time you enter the corner to the time you exit you are braking to late. Instead of using power take fast smooth lines. The perfect place to get good at all of this is a test and tune. You get tons of runs vs a regular event where you may get 5-6.

 

Thanks for the replies, thought I was just listening to the wind blow with no responses coming in. Most people think of Mustang as a straight line kind of car, but I think it has its place in autocross as well. It may not be as competitive as some of the cars in this style of racing, but everyone remembers that deep throaty sound after a 'Stang has made its run

My05GT, I'm anxious to hear how your suspension upgrades went and how it performed afterward. I'm contemplating a somewhat similar setup. While it handles pretty well, I would like it to be a bit more flat as it's squealing around the corners.

Yes, once the stock tires wear down some I'll likely upgrade them, but not really trying to be that competitive yet, just learning how to handle the car in the hard turns and curves.

Still trying to get a good approach speed and "dance" through the slalom...hard to get the right rhythm with this heavy of a car...although it's SO much better than the Audi I watched that I thought for sure was going to roll on each cone through the slalom

So...I'm checking the brake fluid for...level? discoloring? other?

Agreed, not too much of a chance to tune it on Solo2 race days since it looks like we'll maybe get four runs in. I've only been to the Novice Class and looking forward to the actual event next month and then I'll have a little better idea of what's going on. I also hope there are other S197 drivers so I can learn more about this car. Seems like several of the people out there including the instructors hadn't really played in one of these cars yet, although both of my instructors had pretty good times with my car...of course they had MUCH better runs with their race prepped cars

Best of luck to those of you doing the Solo2 racing!

 

I have always wanted to do autox or something like that. just never know where to look, or it'll slip my mind like it has all summer so far! good to know our cars aren't that bad!

 

Dumpweed - Check out SCCA

I have run in Novice this year too. Best so far has been a 3rd place. Got beat by a BMW 530 and a Mazda 3, both of which drivers had more experience than I did. So yea, this car does handle really well. It surprised a lot of people.

 

IMO, autoxing is more fun than drag racing (a mustang). I have been autoxing mustangs since 1987.

 

PonyPilot,
To answer your question about the brake fluid, under stress conditions, the brake fluid will a) not be able to manage at the temp the brake system is operating under, and b) under prolonged stress the fluid will break down (no pun intended). This breakdown can be measured using a variety of test tool/techniques. There are usually one or more fluid testers available when I am at the track so I can usually test the temp after runs to make sure that all is well...after I switched to Motul I have not had any problems. There are other brake fluids that will do well also.

If you are running single slalom runs (I think you mentioned 43 seconds?) with a decent amount of time between then your brake fluid probably is fine.

I apparently needed to read your post closer....when I hit the track my runs are roughly half hour sessions which over a multi-mile track stresses the brake system A LOT. In some cases I run back-to-back sessions and that is actually when I noticed the fluid was not up to the task.

If you are not running under the same conditions then skip my recommendation ...for now anyway.

 

I know this is an older posting, but I thought I'd throw in my .02 cents. I've been autocrossing for about 5yrs now, was STS/STX class champ for 2003-04 in our local area. Right now I run in EP in my '91 Nissan 240sx and will be running my '07 GT in FS once it arrives. Won't be doing much, as I don't want to void anything and also not much is allow via it being a stock class. Just plans for an extra set of the Bullit style s197 Stang 17x8 wrapped in Kumho VictoRacer 245/45-17 with some Hawk HP+ brake pads. This season should fun! Can't wait!

Later,

Jay