Autocrossing the SL this weekend
 

and I'm nervous.

New brakes, and newly flushed radiator. I keep up with everything else like I should, but I'm thinking of flaking out. This car is my baby, and if I screw something up I'll torture myself for a long time.

Checklist anyone? Tips to drive the car conservatively while still being competitive?

I've been to a few driving schools, enjoyed Bondurant http://www.bondurant.com/ the most, but I've never driven one of my own vehicles competitively.

Just make sure the throttle works, the brakes work, and the tires are good. Autocross is not that hard on the car.

Chalk the tire sidewalls, and check to see how far over they're rolling after your first lap (that will rub the chalk off) and inflate to compensate if your chomping the rims...

Also, I assume your on stock seats, so pull the belt out all the way and lock yourself in (keeps ur ass in the seat)

Remove the spare, run on like 1/4 of a tank (bring a few full cans)

Um yeah, have fun, dont crash?

good luck, POST PICS!!!
~Nate

Chalk the tires, remove any extra weight, and bring an air compressor to jack up the tire pressures if the chalk rubs off.....




Does you SL have an LSD?



It shreds tires... :( I shredded a set of nice Potenzas in about 10 runs.


Other than that, they usually have tons of open space, so if you wipe out, its all smokey fun!

Yeah If youre running on street tires, somewhere in the 40-50psi range is good to start with, keep the rears 2-4 psi lower then the fronts.

I don't think so. Anybody want to correct me?:D

If its a Euro car, it may have an LSD in it....... HAve you lit em up at a stop light?



Euro cars got better options than US spec cars!


You gotta post pics though man!

When I autocrossed my 84 500sec, I used s in the b location on the shifter. That way you will be able to use engine braking just by letting off the gas.

Try to brake only in a straight line, then turn. I would not start with more than 40# in the tires, but have a guage and plan to let air out after each run as it will build up. These benzes are tough, don't worry about hurting it. I ran the whole season in my sec and the only thing that bothered was the ps pump which I changed out with a used one I had in stock. I probably could have just changed the filter but I didn't realize there was a filter in it.

Its a heavy car for autocross but surprisingly nimble. You probably won't win any trophys but you can have a lot of fun at it.

Its pretty hard on tires so if you want to do it much you will want to invest in an extra set of wheels and some slicks. In my first event I ruined two brand new michelin tires by flat spotting them (no abs). My second event I had slicks.

About the only way to do any serious damage is to go WAAAAAY off course and hit a light pole, so don't do that.

Have fun!

Tom W

I used 42 psi in all tires and that worked pretty well. Oh, make sure your motor mounts are low miles and low age. My low mile 10 year old mount gave way and yanked the neck off the radiator.

One day I'm going to do that.

Hows May 25th sound then?

Tyler, I have a thread with some pics of mine in the diesel performace section.

Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll come. Where is it?

Winchester Va. click the autocross link on www.gws-mbca.org

I want to see some pictures of that wagon flying around an auto-x course....


Capeeche?

ok youre really going to need to buy those vogtland springs from thedon if you're gonna do that lol