Autocross Set-up Suggestions?

[Ssams]

I just completed my 1st autocross in my C8 Stingray. It was a real blast.
I ran Super Stock and all the others in this category were race preped Porsche GT3s that were all trailered in. I ran a 2-5 seconds behind the GT3s and I know experience will be the most important factor to drive improvement.

Beyond safety requirements, my race prep consisted of lowering the tire pressure to about 28 psi and running with about a 1/3 tank of gas. I decided to try autocross first before changing anything, including standard highway alignment.

So for those of you that autocross your C8 stingrays any suggestions re: tires, wheels, aligment etc. would be appreciated.

[John]

Congratulations on your first autocross. Good for you to not trailer yours to the event.

I see that GM recommends 26 PSI for cold pressure for track use. Do not know if you might wish to experiment with that for your next autocross or 28 PSI worked really well for you. Thanks for keeping us informed as you later experiment and experience tracks times in all forms.

[Foreverfuelie]

Remember that the reason GM recommends lower tire pressures for Road course/Tracking is because you spend significantly more time at a track event on the course and tires will heat up too high if you start out with 30+ pressures/. Autocross events don’t consist of long lap times. Most are around 1-2 minutes maximum. Usually for AX events you should be running higher pressures than those on the street. Consult your owners manual for “track alignment” settings and talk to others that drive C8’s. You may also want to mount up “approved” stickier tires, even Cup 2’s (allowed in SS class). Again, get chummy with other competitors and learn what is the “hot set up” and watch very closely the “lines” they choose entering and exiting the various corners. When given the opportunity to walk the course before the track opens for the run classes to begin or at midday breaks to determine where you might be able to make up time. AX’s are indeed fun and will help teach you what the car’s (and your own) limitations are.👍. There are YouTube’ers that have made tutorial videos that also be of value to the novice.

[DavidM]

Different organizations have different rules. IN NCCC you would be in 1SP. If you put on Hoosiers or a similar tire you would move to 1P. Still a stock class but you would likely be running against better drivers. As FF stated above the 26PSI recommendation is about right if you are running laps on road courses. On your typical AX course you won't heat your tires up to the point to raise your tire pressure.

[Ssams]

Thanks for the tips on set up.... Keep them coming.

Given short time on track for autocross I used 28 PSI but realized that is likely too low and 32 -24 might be better based on some other posts i have seen.
I will get the track alignment and need to think about tires for the track.
A number have suggested a 18" front and 19" rear set up but does that just reduce the contact patch?
Another suggestion was some minor lowering 11mm

What are your thoughts?