Autocrossing an X-Type
#1
Autocrossing an X-Type
My local Jaguar club is holding an autocross (called a Slalom by them, must be a British thing... ;-) at a local airfield that I plan to attend.
I haven't driven in one for a while, but did lots of them in the past so the principals are familiar. But I'm wondering if anyone has some advise about doing one with an X-Type?
One of the things I'm wondering about is shifting, or not. Should I put the J-shifter in the "2" position and leave it or manually shift from 1 to 2. I'm sure the course wouldn't permit it to get into anything higher than 2 under power, but I wonder if, should I take my foot off the gas, if it might shift to 3 or higher. What about leaving it in D and pushing the "S" button on the center console?
Never autocrossed an AWD car, is there any weirdness to think about there?
What tire pressure should I use. I was thinking about raising it to about 40psi
Other advice?
Thanks
================================================== ====
Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
I haven't driven in one for a while, but did lots of them in the past so the principals are familiar. But I'm wondering if anyone has some advise about doing one with an X-Type?
One of the things I'm wondering about is shifting, or not. Should I put the J-shifter in the "2" position and leave it or manually shift from 1 to 2. I'm sure the course wouldn't permit it to get into anything higher than 2 under power, but I wonder if, should I take my foot off the gas, if it might shift to 3 or higher. What about leaving it in D and pushing the "S" button on the center console?
Never autocrossed an AWD car, is there any weirdness to think about there?
What tire pressure should I use. I was thinking about raising it to about 40psi
Other advice?
Thanks
================================================== ====
Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
#2
#3
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pab, keep in mind that with this car, when accelerating hard under a hard turn, the car is going to want to slide sideways unlike a front or rear wheel drive car which will tend to either drive straight (front wheels are sliding) or the rear end coming around on you (rear tires loosing traction). It will be a slightly different feel. So, if anything, you may need/want to steer a little harder into the corner to get a little bit of drifting going to maximize your traction (up to 10% of slip will improve traction, but jump up to 11% and the traction will drop significantly).
But, like was mentioned, doing prolonged high rev/high power maneuvers with the car is not going to be the best for the car.
But, like was mentioned, doing prolonged high rev/high power maneuvers with the car is not going to be the best for the car.
#5
For an autocross, leave it in 2.
As far as tire pressure is concerned... What's the weather going to be like? If it's going to be warm out, I would actually recommend letting some of the air out of the tire. The tire pressure will rise automatically as the tires heat up. When I ran at the track I had my tire pressure down to 27-28 psi, after 5 or 6 hot laps it would be around 34-35 (this was on a pretty hot 90+ degree day). Don't over inflate your tire, remember: you want to have the biggest contact patch on the ground for this type of driving.
When you finish your laps and park your car DO NOT pull your e brake unless you want to end up with warped rotors... Put it in park and leave it at that.
The only other advice I can think of is watch the understeer. If you're on stock'ish suspension and tires, your car is going to understeer like crazy. In some cases if you are in the right part of the power band you can use the throttle to power through and get the car to rotate but if your revs are too low you'll just understeer into all the cones all day long. Transitions in this car are slow too, so keep your driving line smooth.
As far as tire pressure is concerned... What's the weather going to be like? If it's going to be warm out, I would actually recommend letting some of the air out of the tire. The tire pressure will rise automatically as the tires heat up. When I ran at the track I had my tire pressure down to 27-28 psi, after 5 or 6 hot laps it would be around 34-35 (this was on a pretty hot 90+ degree day). Don't over inflate your tire, remember: you want to have the biggest contact patch on the ground for this type of driving.
When you finish your laps and park your car DO NOT pull your e brake unless you want to end up with warped rotors... Put it in park and leave it at that.
The only other advice I can think of is watch the understeer. If you're on stock'ish suspension and tires, your car is going to understeer like crazy. In some cases if you are in the right part of the power band you can use the throttle to power through and get the car to rotate but if your revs are too low you'll just understeer into all the cones all day long. Transitions in this car are slow too, so keep your driving line smooth.
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edge1212 (09-24-2011)
#6
For an autocross, leave it in 2.
As far as tire pressure is concerned... What's the weather going to be like? If it's going to be warm out, I would actually recommend letting some of the air out of the tire. The tire pressure will rise automatically as the tires heat up. When I ran at the track I had my tire pressure down to 27-28 psi, after 5 or 6 hot laps it would be around 34-35 (this was on a pretty hot 90+ degree day). Don't over inflate your tire, remember: you want to have the biggest contact patch on the ground for this type of driving.
When you finish your laps and park your car DO NOT pull your e brake unless you want to end up with warped rotors... Put it in park and leave it at that.
The only other advice I can think of is watch the understeer. If you're on stock'ish suspension and tires, your car is going to understeer like crazy. In some cases if you are in the right part of the power band you can use the throttle to power through and get the car to rotate but if your revs are too low you'll just understeer into all the cones all day long. Transitions in this car are slow too, so keep your driving line smooth.
As far as tire pressure is concerned... What's the weather going to be like? If it's going to be warm out, I would actually recommend letting some of the air out of the tire. The tire pressure will rise automatically as the tires heat up. When I ran at the track I had my tire pressure down to 27-28 psi, after 5 or 6 hot laps it would be around 34-35 (this was on a pretty hot 90+ degree day). Don't over inflate your tire, remember: you want to have the biggest contact patch on the ground for this type of driving.
When you finish your laps and park your car DO NOT pull your e brake unless you want to end up with warped rotors... Put it in park and leave it at that.
The only other advice I can think of is watch the understeer. If you're on stock'ish suspension and tires, your car is going to understeer like crazy. In some cases if you are in the right part of the power band you can use the throttle to power through and get the car to rotate but if your revs are too low you'll just understeer into all the cones all day long. Transitions in this car are slow too, so keep your driving line smooth.
#7
Autocross must be different over there. Here fully stripped out with roll cages fitted and expect contact.
Usually on a dirt track. (love it, but can now only spectate).
And I would guess that you can write off any warranties you might have, or normal insurance, if you are going to race the car.
Usually on a dirt track. (love it, but can now only spectate).
And I would guess that you can write off any warranties you might have, or normal insurance, if you are going to race the car.
Last edited by Translator; 06-18-2011 at 04:24 AM.
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#8
Well it was great.
Me and 15 of my friends... met on a airfield runway to have some fun.
There were 5 XKEs, an XJS-6, an Audi TT, a Mitsu Eclipse convertible, a Morgan Aero8, a Honda hybrid, a Merc AMG E63, an S-TypeV8, a Lotus7-clone, a race-prep'ed Spitfire, and race-prep'ed TR6.
The course was rectangular with arched short legs. There were a pair of cones 1/2 down each of the long legs. A run consisted of three passes around the rectangle. On the first you had to zig-zagged inside of the cones on each long leg. On the second you did a figure 8 from short leg to short leg. And on the last leg you went straight through the pair of cones on each long leg.
There was a "stop box" right after the optical timer that you had to stop within where if you hit the cone at the end you DNF'd...
We each ran 5 times over about 3 hours.
I went off course on the first (over cooked the entry into the final arched end and ran wide. Didn't bother finishing since the time penalty would have been costly. Next three runs time steadily improved, last run just a bit slower. My best time was 48.3 seconds. I pulled up fairly short in the stop box each time (probably due to the ABS) probably could have kept the heat on a little while longer through the timer.
Car handled surprisingly well, even got a little over steer coming out of the
arched ends. Felt really comfortable with the transitions and the braking was fine (rarely locked any wheels even on SLOW THE **** DOWN moments). I was surprised on how controllable it felt. I really felt like I could pay attention the course rather than feel like I was getting thrown all around. I ran with 40lbs in the tires.
Other times: Honda - 52.0; XJS6 - 51.6; S-TypeV8 - 49; other XKEs 47.5, 46.5, and 45.1; Eclipse - 46.0; Morgan - 45.4; AMG E63 - 44.9; Audi TT - 44.7; XKEV12 - 43.0; Lotus7-clone - 42; Spritfire - 41.0; XKE in race condition - 40.4; and the TR6 - 37.8.
Some XKEs were coupes some roadsters I didn't keep records of which was which, although I know that the raceE was a coupe and the V12 was a roadster.
Bottom line, I beat the hybrid, the XJS and the S-TypeV8, got trounced by all the XJEs...
================================================
Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
Me and 15 of my friends... met on a airfield runway to have some fun.
There were 5 XKEs, an XJS-6, an Audi TT, a Mitsu Eclipse convertible, a Morgan Aero8, a Honda hybrid, a Merc AMG E63, an S-TypeV8, a Lotus7-clone, a race-prep'ed Spitfire, and race-prep'ed TR6.
The course was rectangular with arched short legs. There were a pair of cones 1/2 down each of the long legs. A run consisted of three passes around the rectangle. On the first you had to zig-zagged inside of the cones on each long leg. On the second you did a figure 8 from short leg to short leg. And on the last leg you went straight through the pair of cones on each long leg.
There was a "stop box" right after the optical timer that you had to stop within where if you hit the cone at the end you DNF'd...
We each ran 5 times over about 3 hours.
I went off course on the first (over cooked the entry into the final arched end and ran wide. Didn't bother finishing since the time penalty would have been costly. Next three runs time steadily improved, last run just a bit slower. My best time was 48.3 seconds. I pulled up fairly short in the stop box each time (probably due to the ABS) probably could have kept the heat on a little while longer through the timer.
Car handled surprisingly well, even got a little over steer coming out of the
arched ends. Felt really comfortable with the transitions and the braking was fine (rarely locked any wheels even on SLOW THE **** DOWN moments). I was surprised on how controllable it felt. I really felt like I could pay attention the course rather than feel like I was getting thrown all around. I ran with 40lbs in the tires.
Other times: Honda - 52.0; XJS6 - 51.6; S-TypeV8 - 49; other XKEs 47.5, 46.5, and 45.1; Eclipse - 46.0; Morgan - 45.4; AMG E63 - 44.9; Audi TT - 44.7; XKEV12 - 43.0; Lotus7-clone - 42; Spritfire - 41.0; XKE in race condition - 40.4; and the TR6 - 37.8.
Some XKEs were coupes some roadsters I didn't keep records of which was which, although I know that the raceE was a coupe and the V12 was a roadster.
Bottom line, I beat the hybrid, the XJS and the S-TypeV8, got trounced by all the XJEs...
================================================
Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
#9
My local Jaguar club is holding another autocross on October 2 and all are welcome!
It will be held at the air field at Ft Devens off Rt2A, which is located about 30 miles west of Boston MA. Registration is 9AM.
If you are located in New England and would like to run your car or simply watch I'd be happy to see another X-Type show up!
I "won" my class (of 1...) last time. I'd love some competition this time...
================================================
Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
It will be held at the air field at Ft Devens off Rt2A, which is located about 30 miles west of Boston MA. Registration is 9AM.
If you are located in New England and would like to run your car or simply watch I'd be happy to see another X-Type show up!
I "won" my class (of 1...) last time. I'd love some competition this time...
================================================
Jaguar - it's not an automobile, it's a Motorcar
#11
Woooo body roll!
If you plan on doing a lot of autoX I HIGHLY recommend getting yourself a set of KW coilovers and a new set of wheels/tires. If you can't afford new wheels, at least upgrade your tires.
Oh and brakes too, you'll need those. How was your brake pedal feeling after a day of autox?
If you plan on doing a lot of autoX I HIGHLY recommend getting yourself a set of KW coilovers and a new set of wheels/tires. If you can't afford new wheels, at least upgrade your tires.
Oh and brakes too, you'll need those. How was your brake pedal feeling after a day of autox?
#12
The TR-6 was predictable, although the Lotus 7 clone would have been expected to come in fastest in the field. Maybe it wasn't a very well sorted clone.
#13
My local Jaguar club is holding another autocross on October 2 and all are welcome!
It will be held at the air field at Ft Devens off Rt2A, which is located about 30 miles west of Boston MA. Registration is 9AM.
If you are located in New England and would like to run your car or simply watch I'd be happy to see another X-Type show up!
It will be held at the air field at Ft Devens off Rt2A, which is located about 30 miles west of Boston MA. Registration is 9AM.
If you are located in New England and would like to run your car or simply watch I'd be happy to see another X-Type show up!
Woooo body roll!
If you plan on doing a lot of autoX I HIGHLY recommend getting yourself a set of KW coilovers and a new set of wheels/tires. If you can't afford new wheels, at least upgrade your tires.
Oh and brakes too, you'll need those. How was your brake pedal feeling after a day of autox?
If you plan on doing a lot of autoX I HIGHLY recommend getting yourself a set of KW coilovers and a new set of wheels/tires. If you can't afford new wheels, at least upgrade your tires.
Oh and brakes too, you'll need those. How was your brake pedal feeling after a day of autox?
#15
#16
JCSNE is holding a Slalom in Hartford on June 24. Anybody in the area should consider participating. But it not, just come to watch.
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
JAGUAR CLUB OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SLALOM
JUNE 24 2012
360 MARKET ST. HARTFORD, CT
REGISTRATION BEGINS @ 8:OO AM $25.00 JCNA MEMBERS
$30.00 NON-MEMBERS
Pre- REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED
Slalom is a fun low stress, low speed competition, one car at a time, Instructors will be available for any newcomers, come join the fun.
NOT LIMITED TO JAGUARS
BRING A HELMET IF YOU HAVE ONE
Directions From the West:
Route 84 east, take exit 50 Main St., left at light at end of ramp – Trumbull St., left at 3rd light – Windsor St., left at 1st light - Pleasant St., left at 1st light – Market St. 1st right on Pequot ST. Lot behind Citgo gas station.
From the East:
Route 84 west, take exit 50 Main ST. right at light at end of ramp
– Market St. go through 2 lights, Pequot St. on right. Lot behind Citgo gas station.
From the South:
Route 91 north, take exit 32B Trumbull St., right at light at end of ramp, go through 1 light, Pequot St. on right Lot behind Citgo station.
From the North Route 91 south take exit 32B Trumbull ST., right at light at end of ramp – Market St. through 1 light, Pequot St. on right. Lot behind Citgo station.
Ken Haas 860-657-6591 Dean Cusano 800-899-1055 ext 105
khaasxj12c@gmail.com dcusano@motorcarsinc.com
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
JAGUAR CLUB OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND SLALOM
JUNE 24 2012
360 MARKET ST. HARTFORD, CT
REGISTRATION BEGINS @ 8:OO AM $25.00 JCNA MEMBERS
$30.00 NON-MEMBERS
Pre- REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED
Slalom is a fun low stress, low speed competition, one car at a time, Instructors will be available for any newcomers, come join the fun.
NOT LIMITED TO JAGUARS
BRING A HELMET IF YOU HAVE ONE
Directions From the West:
Route 84 east, take exit 50 Main St., left at light at end of ramp – Trumbull St., left at 3rd light – Windsor St., left at 1st light - Pleasant St., left at 1st light – Market St. 1st right on Pequot ST. Lot behind Citgo gas station.
From the East:
Route 84 west, take exit 50 Main ST. right at light at end of ramp
– Market St. go through 2 lights, Pequot St. on right. Lot behind Citgo gas station.
From the South:
Route 91 north, take exit 32B Trumbull St., right at light at end of ramp, go through 1 light, Pequot St. on right Lot behind Citgo station.
From the North Route 91 south take exit 32B Trumbull ST., right at light at end of ramp – Market St. through 1 light, Pequot St. on right. Lot behind Citgo station.
Ken Haas 860-657-6591 Dean Cusano 800-899-1055 ext 105
khaasxj12c@gmail.com dcusano@motorcarsinc.com
#17
The Slalom yesterday went off really well with about 20 cars participating, most of which were Jaguars. However, there was one fast Subi STI and a ripp'n 911 of some type.
We started running about 10:30 and were done by 1PM.
Jaguar Association of New England (JANE) is hosting the same event at the same place on July 15.
If you're in the area please stop by to take a few runs or just to watch!
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
We started running about 10:30 and were done by 1PM.
Jaguar Association of New England (JANE) is hosting the same event at the same place on July 15.
If you're in the area please stop by to take a few runs or just to watch!
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
#18
#19
>This is so incredibly cool to hear about this
Ya, it is, and I encourage everyone to try to see if there is a local Jaguar club in your area (Jaguar Clubs of North America) since they will probably run Slalom, as well as other, events.
My local club (Jaguar Association of New England (JANE) Home Page) not only does Slaloms, but stages a Concours event at Old Sturbridge Village (Old Sturbridge Village), attends Polo matches with picnicing on the groups (Myopia Polo Club - South Hamilton, Massachusetts), holds weekend drives through New England, stages lawn events (http://larzanderson.org/wp-content/u...hCOOL-copy.jpg), as well as having a monthly dinner, with lecture, in a private room at Longfellow's Wayside Inn (Wayside Inn).
But there are only two X-Types in my club so I'm feeling kind of lonely...
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
Ya, it is, and I encourage everyone to try to see if there is a local Jaguar club in your area (Jaguar Clubs of North America) since they will probably run Slalom, as well as other, events.
My local club (Jaguar Association of New England (JANE) Home Page) not only does Slaloms, but stages a Concours event at Old Sturbridge Village (Old Sturbridge Village), attends Polo matches with picnicing on the groups (Myopia Polo Club - South Hamilton, Massachusetts), holds weekend drives through New England, stages lawn events (http://larzanderson.org/wp-content/u...hCOOL-copy.jpg), as well as having a monthly dinner, with lecture, in a private room at Longfellow's Wayside Inn (Wayside Inn).
But there are only two X-Types in my club so I'm feeling kind of lonely...
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
#20
JANE is holding a Slalom in Hartford this Sunday. Anybody in the area should consider participating. But it not, just come to watch.
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
JAGUAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW ENGLAND SLALOM
JULY 15 2012
360 MARKET ST. HARTFORD, CT
REGISTRATION BEGINS @ 8:OO AM $25.00 JANE MEMBERS
$30.00 NON-MEMBERS
Pre- REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED
Slalom is a fun low stress, low speed competition, one car at a time, Instructors will be available for any newcomers, come join the fun.
NOT LIMITED TO JAGUARS
BRING A HELMET IF YOU HAVE ONE
Directions From the West:
Route 84 east, take exit 50 Main St., left at light at end of ramp – Trumbull St., left at 3rd light – Windsor St., left at 1st light - Pleasant St., left at 1st light – Market St. 1st right on Pequot ST. Lot behind Citgo gas station.
From the East:
Route 84 west, take exit 50 Main ST. right at light at end of ramp
– Market St. go through 2 lights, Pequot St. on right. Lot behind Citgo gas station.
From the South:
Route 91 north, take exit 32B Trumbull St., right at light at end of ramp, go through 1 light, Pequot St. on right Lot behind Citgo station.
================================================
Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons
JAGUAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW ENGLAND SLALOM
JULY 15 2012
360 MARKET ST. HARTFORD, CT
REGISTRATION BEGINS @ 8:OO AM $25.00 JANE MEMBERS
$30.00 NON-MEMBERS
Pre- REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED
Slalom is a fun low stress, low speed competition, one car at a time, Instructors will be available for any newcomers, come join the fun.
NOT LIMITED TO JAGUARS
BRING A HELMET IF YOU HAVE ONE
Directions From the West:
Route 84 east, take exit 50 Main St., left at light at end of ramp – Trumbull St., left at 3rd light – Windsor St., left at 1st light - Pleasant St., left at 1st light – Market St. 1st right on Pequot ST. Lot behind Citgo gas station.
From the East:
Route 84 west, take exit 50 Main ST. right at light at end of ramp
– Market St. go through 2 lights, Pequot St. on right. Lot behind Citgo gas station.
From the South:
Route 91 north, take exit 32B Trumbull St., right at light at end of ramp, go through 1 light, Pequot St. on right Lot behind Citgo station.