Anyone autocross their SLKs?

MarkR171 · 11-25-2007

A few friends got me interested in autocross and I'll be getting a helmet and some painters tape for my bumper and giving it a shot on December 16th!

My only worry is the 7sp auto might hold me back. Anyone have any experience with autocross events and have any tips?

**dsb** · 11-25-2007

The tranny will not hold you back... your driving ability will.

No offense... that's how it was at first for me. Yet, in no time you'll figure it all out.

As far as the tranny, leave it in S mode and and do not manually shift. It will change as necessary. It is a great auto especially for holding gears at the right time. Use the tape like you mentioned. In addition, when lined up to start, don't get too close to the car in front of you. Tires kick up stones upon launch and your car won't appreciate the pebble shower. Inflate tires and continually check pressure after each run. Adjust as necessary. Try roof up and down. Roof down is my preference at the Autocross.

I'm sure there's a lot more tips out there but my final one is...
Be safe and have fun.

MarkR171 · 11-25-2007

Thanks for the tips dsb. That's what I meant about the tranny, whether I should leave it on full auto, keep it limited to 2nd gear or shift manually. I think I'll let it shift for me the first few runs while I get used to autox, then see if things need to be changed.

Can't wait to kill some cones

**SLKman** · 11-25-2007

awe man, that sounds fun!!!

Be sure to get pics.

SLKman

**alroumi** · 11-25-2007

Pictures of the autocross please, to bad the only track is 4-5hours away which is the Bahrain F1 track.

Ynot · 11-25-2007

Autocross is what got me started tracking my car. Like dsb said, it's alot more fun and controllable with top down. Make sure you tape the sides as well, I hit a few cones and it took me a couple of waxes to get rid of the scratch mark. esp off will allow you to slide a bit more and have more fun, also a tick better in your time. Make sure to let out some air after each run, the air pressure goes way up after each session. Most important, have fun

**dsb** · 11-25-2007

Oh... another track tip.

Drive in S mode like mentioned before. Before taking off, place the car in 1st gear. The tranny will only upshift when it redlines. The result is that it will never go past 2nd or 3rd gear. That will eliminate any chance of unnecessary gear changes. This probably won't make a difference at an AutoX but may help at a road course.

MarkR171 · 11-25-2007

Thanks for the tips guys...

Unfortunately, we don't have a track at all on my island anymore since Hawaii Raceway Park was closed down. The SCCA was able to get permission to use the Aloha Stadium parking lot for autocross events though. I'll take some pictures for sure!

These are the pictures from previous events
http://www.tomo-dachi.net/sccapics/

Ynot · 11-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Thanks for the tips guys...

Unfortunately, we don't have a track at all on my island anymore since Hawaii Raceway Park was closed down. The SCCA was able to get permission to use the Aloha Stadium parking lot for autocross events though. I'll take some pictures for sure!

These are the pictures from previous events
http://www.tomo-dachi.net/sccapics/

That stinks, road course is a lot different and more fun then autox, I stopped autoX entirely after going on a road track.

Baron7700 · 11-26-2007

I agree with going with the Top Down, There is more weight going over the back wheels, for better grip, and better weight distribution in front and back, further increasing handling.

Ive done the Pocono Raceway Road course, but never in the SLK...

cyberdrakon · 11-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by alroumi

Pictures of the autocross please, to bad the only track is 4-5hours away which is the Bahrain F1 track.

You don't need a track for autocross.

**alroumi** · 11-27-2007

Thank you for correcting me, I dont recall having heared of any autocross events in Kuwiat though.

cyberdrakon · 11-27-2007

Alroumi, maybe you should start an autocross event in kuwait, maybe attract some of those exotic cars!

SLKjay · 11-27-2007

^^^ that's a thought, you might start a trend in kuwait Alroumi

**alroumi** · 11-27-2007

Thank you, all that I know is there is a group of enthusiats that go to the Bahrain intl circuit once a year and the fee is quiet reasonable.

11-25-2007	#1 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Anyone autocross their SLKs? A few friends got me interested in autocross and I'll be getting a helmet and some painters tape for my bumper and giving it a shot on December 16th! My only worry is the 7sp auto might hold me back. Anyone have any experience with autocross events and have any tips?

11-25-2007	#2 (permalink)
dsb Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: '06 slk55 Posts: 1,176 Country: Thanks: 67 Thanked 121 Times in 42 Posts	The tranny will not hold you back... your driving ability will. No offense... that's how it was at first for me. Yet, in no time you'll figure it all out. As far as the tranny, leave it in S mode and and do not manually shift. It will change as necessary. It is a great auto especially for holding gears at the right time. Use the tape like you mentioned. In addition, when lined up to start, don't get too close to the car in front of you. Tires kick up stones upon launch and your car won't appreciate the pebble shower. Inflate tires and continually check pressure after each run. Adjust as necessary. Try roof up and down. Roof down is my preference at the Autocross. I'm sure there's a lot more tips out there but my final one is... Be safe and have fun. __________________ SOLD! 06 Mercedes Benz SLK55 Caspian Blue / Black & Ash *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

11-25-2007	#4 (permalink)
SLKman Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Texas Vehicle: 2000 Copper Designo Sport Posts: 1,063 Country: Thanks: 261 Thanked 73 Times in 35 Posts	awe man, that sounds fun!!! Be sure to get pics. SLKman __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 2000 SLK230 copper Designo Sport To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-25-2007	#5 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,288 Country: Thanks: 298 Thanked 233 Times in 147 Posts	Pictures of the autocross please, to bad the only track is 4-5hours away which is the Bahrain F1 track. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

11-25-2007	#7 (permalink)
dsb Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: '06 slk55 Posts: 1,176 Country: Thanks: 67 Thanked 121 Times in 42 Posts	Oh... another track tip. Drive in S mode like mentioned before. Before taking off, place the car in 1st gear. The tranny will only upshift when it redlines. The result is that it will never go past 2nd or 3rd gear. That will eliminate any chance of unnecessary gear changes. This probably won't make a difference at an AutoX but may help at a road course. __________________ SOLD! 06 Mercedes Benz SLK55 Caspian Blue / Black & Ash *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

11-25-2007	#3 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the tips dsb. That's what I meant about the tranny, whether I should leave it on full auto, keep it limited to 2nd gear or shift manually. I think I'll let it shift for me the first few runs while I get used to autox, then see if things need to be changed. Can't wait to kill some cones

11-25-2007	#6 (permalink)
Ynot Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 06' MBZ SLK Posts: 2,795 Country: Thanks: 135 Thanked 35 Times in 30 Posts	Autocross is what got me started tracking my car. Like dsb said, it's alot more fun and controllable with top down. Make sure you tape the sides as well, I hit a few cones and it took me a couple of waxes to get rid of the scratch mark. esp off will allow you to slide a bit more and have more fun, also a tick better in your time. Make sure to let out some air after each run, the air pressure goes way up after each session. Most important, have fun

11-25-2007	#8 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the tips guys... Unfortunately, we don't have a track at all on my island anymore since Hawaii Raceway Park was closed down. The SCCA was able to get permission to use the Aloha Stadium parking lot for autocross events though. I'll take some pictures for sure! These are the pictures from previous events http://www.tomo-dachi.net/sccapics/

11-26-2007	#10 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,601 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I agree with going with the Top Down, There is more weight going over the back wheels, for better grip, and better weight distribution in front and back, further increasing handling. Ive done the Pocono Raceway Road course, but never in the SLK...

11-27-2007	#12 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,288 Country: Thanks: 298 Thanked 233 Times in 147 Posts	Thank you for correcting me, I dont recall having heared of any autocross events in Kuwiat though. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

11-27-2007	#13 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,406 Country: Thanks: 26 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Alroumi, maybe you should start an autocross event in kuwait, maybe attract some of those exotic cars!

11-27-2007	#14 (permalink)
SLKjay SLK World Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Phillips Ranch, CA Vehicle: '98 SLK230 Other Toys: '96 328IS Posts: 58 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	^^^ that's a thought, you might start a trend in kuwait Alroumi

11-27-2007	#15 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,288 Country: Thanks: 298 Thanked 233 Times in 147 Posts	Thank you, all that I know is there is a group of enthusiats that go to the Bahrain intl circuit once a year and the fee is quiet reasonable. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Smarttop v3.1 and 09 slks	jbanks15	SLK R171 General Discussion	25	2 Weeks Ago 04:11 PM
I'm new... but I own 2 SLKs	SodaJeff	General Discussion	15	08-14-2008 09:55 PM
What did I see at the Autocross?	dsb	Driving Stories	15	06-03-2008 12:53 PM
SLKs in Bangkok	Corkscrew	General Discussion	6	04-19-2007 07:09 AM
Looking for girls who love SLKs	Corkscrew	Off Topic	8	03-08-2007 05:28 AM

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links