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In my Viggen I've found that the key is to be very smooth in everything that you do--accelerating, braking, and turning. That doesn't mean that you should take it easy, just don't make abrupt motions. Squeeze the brakes instead of slamming them. Roll the steering into and out of a corner. Moderate the gas pedal, especially coming out of tight corners. Your tires should give you a constant state of howl. If they start to squeel, then you've gone past their limits.
Balancing the tire pressure can be a bit tricky and a lot depends on how abrasive the racing surface is (pavement vs. asphalt) and other ambient conditions (i.e. bright sunshine and cool temperatures is good for both traction and horsepower). Don't put too much air in them or you'll be decreasing the size of your tire's contact patch. Don't put too little air in them or you'll be rolling over onto the sidewall under hard cornering. Take a look at how much sidewall scrubbing you have after your runs and adjust your pressures accodingly. In general, though, your pressures seem to be a pretty good average.
Some people will tell you to take everything (including spare tire and jack) out of your car and to only have about 1/4 tank of gas so that you limit weight. I don't really subscribe to that theory. I find that my Viggen actually seems to have better handling balance with a relatively full tank and with the spare tire and jack still in. If pushed too hard the car will definitely understeer, especially if you overcook a corner. But I've also been able to, on several occasions, get some oversteer going especially at the end of a slalom section.
I'd fill up with as high an octane gas as you can find (which is Sunoco 94 for me). The Trionic engine management system adapts to your driving style, I'd recommend driving a bit more aggressively for a few days before the event to make sure you're getting everything that you can out of the software. Don't go driving like a maniac around town, but don't baby the car either.
If you have to sit and wait around between your runs, make sure to pop your hood and let some of that hot air out. Letting the car run for a while isn't too bad because it will keep the intercooler from becoming a heat sink but definitely let the heat out from under the hood if you get the chance.
I routinely finish in the top 2 or 3 in GS, usually finishing behind an Audi TT or an Integra. I've also attended 3 different driving schools and learned a great deal. See if your local SCCA chapter offers a driving school. Mine did and I teamed-up with a guy who taught me all kinds of stuff and improved my driving immensely.
As far as left-foot braking goes, you can try it but that is a technique that is usually reserved for rallying, not autocrossing. You'll gain much more speed from being smooth.
And regarding tires, I've replaced my original Dunlops with 225/45-17 Yokohama AVS Sport tires and they definitely make a tremendous improvement in racing. They are wider, stickier, and have stiffer sidewalls. Also, the sidewall shoulder are much more square which helps keep more tire in contact with the road. Having said that, however, proper technique will gain you more speed than the tires will.
The Viggen is a very difficult car to master in an autocross. You must be patient and very smooth. If you're impatient you'll end up spinning your tires with all the power that the engine delivers. If you're not smooth you'll overpower the chassis and your handling will be less than stellar. But if you get it right, then the rewards are high.
Be smooth and you'll be fast.
pmr
'99 9-3 Viggen (going to the road course in about 3 weeks)
'99 9-5 SE V6
posted by 65.204.85...
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