The most important thing I learned (after 3 runs) is to turn off the traction control and active handling - I picked up a second and a half by doing that. Aside from that, I need stickier tires and bigger sway bars. I do miss the steering of the C4 - it was just like the MK1 MR2 but power and with better feedback, but overall, the C5 was a lot of fun on that last run.

It was just about impossible not to get the back end out of shape, but it was still fun. Here's the pics from the auto-x photog's:

http://vettepics.marcmedina.com/thumbnails.php?album=11

Shopping list so far:
My own helmet
stickier tires
maybe wider wheels (anyone close to me have a nice set of C5 Z06 wheels they want to sell?)
sway bars
pre-cut vinyl numbers

Ah, the one in-car video is on youtube already: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VCkrZN-c-g

 

KEWEL! Sounds like you had a great time - be careful and do those upgrades - you wont regret it

Thanks,Matt

 

My advice would be to keep the car stock for a while mainly to see if after a hand full of events it still sparks your interests but more importantly learning to drive a stock car fast will make you a better driver.

 

We got our 2002 convert and started autocrossing in December. It was the first time my wife had ever raced anything (nothing like starting at the top of the food chain in a Corvette) and I hadn't autocrossed since the '70's. I was running bugeye Sprites, MGB's, Alpines, Fiat 124's and stuff then. I took the Novice School with her, then in the afternoon, we ran the 1/2 mile practice course. She had a blast, we each got in 5 runs. Last week, we went again, and got 8 runs each. It was a new 1/2 mile practice course for 2011, and she went from 73 seconds down to 56 seconds. I started at 56,then 51's and 50's and finally got a 49.1. Now, I wish I had the perf axle instead of the 2.73 !! We just run in 2nd gear (ours is an A4) start to finish.
You are correct. Need the Z51 sway bars, the metal endlinks to go with them, new brake pads, and a set of sticky (and inexpensive from TireRack) Hankook V12's. We got some helmets off of craigslist. I turn AH off for me, and I have My wife use Competition Mode. Actually I tried CM and it was OK. DON'T use AH ON !! My bigest problem is learning throttle control to control the back end. I never had that much power when I used to run.
Next month we're going to run the 1 mile points/trophy course on Sunday. We're running in AS novice. Hopefully she can run in ASn Ladies.
Fun, fun, fun !!!

 

Yeah, the Ventus looks like a sweet tire - especially at that price. I'll have to see how quickly I chew up the Comps.

The day before we did the metal end links and C6 Z06 shocks - both of which helped. Guess I need to see what the rules say about sway bar changes. We also did the brakes, although I'm not sure hwo much of a difference that made for auto-x. Sure does stop a lot better though.

I did try comp mode and it wasn't any better than AH being on. Turning all that off made the biggest change for me though. At least then I felt like I was the one driving the car.

 

On a budget = contact Gene Culley at GM Parts House for some C6Z51 sway bars and Z06 shocks.

Deep Pockects = PFADT sways and coil overs.

Tires...anything is better than GY RunCraps!

 

Btw...I have the C6 Z51 sways and 2004C5Z06 shocks and the difference was much more than expected.

Car has virtually no body roll in turns.

 

looks like you had a fun time...

i would like to do one sometime..

 

You're not going fast enough.

 

http://scca.org/documents/Solo_Rules...solo_rules.pdf

SWay bars are OK for AS per rules. You can only go so sticky with the tires though. No cold air intake and that stuff or you go to an altered class

 

Sticky tires is the cheapest way to go fast.

 

Yeah, and I already have the Vararam on there, so I'll probably have to run in STU to be competitive. Street preped is more than I'm willing to do for my daily driver.

 

Looks like fun!

 

The autocrosses here are set up on a 3000' runway. On Saturday they have a 1/2 mile practice "tune & test" course and a 1/2 mile novice school course. On Sunday, they set up a new 1 mile course using the whole runway. It's not the Big Boys SCCA, but I don't want that. I can't afford to race wallets. We just want to have fun !!

 

Looked and sounded like you had a great time.

 

Man that looks like fun!

-Alex

 

What a great way to spend a day. Keep at it and you'll get better and better.

 

Yep, you can never have too much practice.

 

If you are going to run A/S you can only change the front sway bar; if you go to wider wheels that will put you in A/SP if you have a C5; Z06's are S/S in SCCA

 

Stock pretty much means Stock except for the z51's and any shock that is stock or stock replacement. No special seat, steering wheel, induction, etc.
The .pdf file I sent spells it out pretty well.
But, you can run in novice class for two years, once you go out tho, you cant to go back to novice