Autocross = abusive ??? correct me if I'm wrong..

I went to my first autocross last sunday I got to ride in a prepped 996 carrera4 with a very experienced driver. Well I will tell you it was pretty awesome but it sure seems to me that autocrossing your car is pretty hard on it and almost abusive...sure puts your suspension, brakes, trans etc..etc..to work and work hard...how much stress and abuse can a 911 take? I really never realized it until I actually rode in the car how hard it is on the car. I am going to start autocrossing this year but I think I will pickup a 914 or a mini cooper to do it in I just cant see putting my beautiful 911 through all that stress and abuse but thats just my outlook on it..what do you guys think?

These cars are built for it.

Which isn't to say it doesn't get expensive keeping them in proper shape. Using the car at its limits, there's increased diligence and expense in terms of maintenance on things like brake shoes, calipers, bushings, shocks and clutches. But you rarely see components (outside of those inside the engine itself) actually fail under this kind of use. Even with cars that are pushing thirty-five, the troublesome pieces are head studs, valve guides and tensioners, which can fail as easily without aggressive driving.

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Jack Olsen
1973 911 T (3.6) sunroof coupe
jackolsen@mediaone.net

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 03-15-2001).]

I've autocrossed my 964 RS for 5 seasons and have won the PCA-Germany Region championship 3 times (which means that I had to step on the gas pedal). So far the only real wear and tear (apart from tires) are a high consumption of brake pads and disks. Otherwise the car is still fine.
On the older 911's with torsion-bar suspension, you occasionally have the swaybar mountings snap (when driven hard). I think it is a known weak point in those cars.
There are two items that you can possibly beat up (if you are ham-fisted): the clutch and the gearbox (synchros and gear teeth). Treat those two with respect and your car will be OK. To be fast at autocross, you have to be smooth, which is easy on the car.
BTW: a season of autocross will teach you more about "handling" your 911 than 20 000 miles of freeway driving would.
Regards
Stef

Yes, it can be if your car isn't well prepared. But, Porsches are well built machines and can take the abuse. Be nice to your tranny! I have yet to break anything on mine due to auto xing, but it is built well and taken care of.

Consider a second set of tires. Better times besides leaving your street tires in good shape.

Now this looks like a fun weekend!



[This message has been edited by Rustbucket (edited 03-16-2001).]

Somebody tell him to get either stiffer rear springs/sway bar, or softer fronts!

I'll let you guys know when I get that 73 RS's auto-x runs on the net!
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...