Stock Sider Autocrossing

["George Schweikle" <schweikg@domain.elided>]

Tim,

I used to run a '71 1750 Spider in SCCA Stock class Solo II, and used John
Hoard's suggestion of adding more caster to control the understeer. This is
easily changed on Spider/GTV's, allows fine tuning, and is probably
allowable in stock class preparation. I first tried this at maximum positive
caster, and the car oversteered so much I disconnected the rear sway  bar.
The caster change gives more negative camber on the outside tire when
turning, yet the camber returns to original, unadjustable, setting when the
car runs straight. I now use much wider wheels & tires on a Street Prepared
Spider, and have had to back off the caster setting to eliminate the outside
of the tire from lifting off the road surface, and the resultant tight
corner understeer. A cheap $99.00 pyrometer is essential in finding the
ideal setting, and a simple toe gage can be used to realign this
characteristic after fiddling with the caster setting.

Try it, and let everyone know how it works. And don't forget, that a set of
serious autocross tires is absolutely essential.

George Schweikle
Lexington, KY
76 Spider


> From: "Storhok, Eric (E.M.)" <estorhok@domain.elided>
> Subject: Autocrossing a Stock 105/115...
>
> Tim,
> I used to autocross our GTV dead stock...  Not too much fun at the time,
but
> I think you have a good plan to keep the car planted.
>
> When I pulled apart the entire suspension to convert to Street Prepared, I
> found virtually all of my bushings totally shot, especially the ones on
the
> lower A arms on the front (even though "they never fail").
>
> Although we don't use SCCA's rules, I believe the only things you are
> allowed to change in Stock class are the shocks and front sway bars.
> Bushings must remain stock (but can be new).  You could probably stretch
the
> rules a little to put in urethane bushings- they are hard to see- but that
> is up to you.
>
> Also, are you planning on getting racing tires (Kuhmo's or Hoosiers)?
> Again, my car might have been a bad example, but when it was stock, the
car
> was much more fun on street tires, as the R's would overwhelm the front
> suspension (even with a heavier sway bar), and the car would end up with
> terminal understeer (no fun in any car).
>
> Have fun, these cars are a blast!  And if you can keep up with the
Miata's-
> trade cars during fun runs to show your competitors how difficult it is to
> drive an Alfa fast.
>
> Eric Storhok
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