Actually Autocross a smart!?!?!

[randyzimmer]

Originally Posted by VinceLA

Randy, good job! I have been contemplating tracking the smart. But I guess autoX is a better introduction.

I don't suppose they have r-comps in our smart sizes yet huh?

The 2 seconds that tires bring would have put me ahead of the other guy borrowing his mom's Focus but still miles away from the Mazda Speed 3.
I treat it as a goof, not as a serious campaign.

I'm making changes to suit the car to me and running solos gives me feedback, and a number, that validates the results. Thoughts about being Competitive are not in my head.

It gets a lot of attention (as usual) and it is pretty low impact competition.
ie:
$.18 laps
low gas use in travel (+ no trailer).
no prep other than taking the mats out and shoving stuff in the glovebox.
no tools
I don't even do tire pressures

[MichaelJ]

Originally Posted by jwight

Valid point; doing anything such as Randy has done on his car will invite warranty trouble should something go wrong.

And they're going to find out how? You weren't going to volunteer that info, were you?

[DavidV]

** DavidV

[Cruising n Coasting]

Originally Posted by randyzimmer

WOW!

Front tires:
I bought two rear tires ($65 each Tire Rack) and put them on the stock (narrow) front rims.
Push is reduced.
Direction changes are more pronounced.
Braking without ABS is now possible.
Still not great tires but if they hadn't worked out at all, (like, if they didn't fit the rims) I'd have had some replacement rears in stock for the future.

Randy,
I am interested in better grip up front, so which do you recommend - bigger tires up front or another set of REAR wheel/tire combo?

[randyzimmer]

Originally Posted by Cruising n Coasting

Randy,
I am interested in better grip up front, so which do you recommend - bigger tires up front or another set of REAR wheel/tire combo?

Just get a pair of rear tires mount them on the std. front wheels and see what you think.
If you don't like them, you have replacements in stock for when the rears wear out.
I think you'll like them very much.
I have been running them at std. pressure but my figures say you can run them in every day use about 3# less.

If you have std. springs, you could use doohickys to tighten it up a bit by choking up on the front swaybar.
(Mine still have not broken!)

rz