View Full Version : Want to build Yaris to a top 10 auto-x car
anonymous user
01-08-2009, 02:55 AM
Is it worth it? I raced the yaris 2 events, and finished 60ish place overall out of about 120.
My Wrx I usually am top 25.
So, I don't really want to dump money into a car that weighs about the same as a miata, but with less parts, horsepower, etc.
I love the yaris as a daily driver, but realistically don't see it being a contender. If the yaris won't be as competetive as a miata, I'm not sure i should build it up anymore than the minimal mods i already have on it.
Please share your opinions, thanks!
jkuchta
01-08-2009, 11:26 AM
without cutting anything, I got mine down to around 2100 lbs. A set of good coilovers and good tires would make a world of difference in this car. With some work you could get this car below 1900lbs I'm sure.
Tamago
01-08-2009, 11:31 AM
without cutting anything, I got mine down to around 2100 lbs. A set of good coilovers and good tires would make a world of difference in this car. With some work you could get this car below 1900lbs I'm sure.
ok but that takes you out of any class you'll ever be competitive in..
if you want to be top 10 at autocross, consider buying an S2000 and going to driving school..
here's what won't help you:
removing stuff from your car. take out that backseat and you go to SM, which has a pretty awful PAX modifier.. same thing with a CF hood.
the best thing you could do is stick to H stock, get some nice sticky hoosiers or V710's and take some driving school. H stock has the best PAX modifier of any class (i've seen an H stock MINI pax #1 at an event before)
Morgan
01-08-2009, 01:32 PM
Recently I have come to the realization that the yaris will never be top 10 in my region, but that doesn't mean I can't go and have fun. You need to decide whether giving up comfort and reliability for one event is worth it to you. Different people will answer differently but I have my car for more than just the one day a month we go to autocross, so my car is fast for what it is, but not compared to a street preped miata or s2000...
thebarber
01-08-2009, 02:00 PM
in H stock it can be competitive....
just need adjustable shocks on the market for the yaris first....
but run shocks, r comps, axleback, and a K&N drop-in and you're set for h stock (at least in canada)
largeorangefont
01-09-2009, 10:24 AM
It sounds like you have already talked yourself out of it. If you want a competetive car, go find a competetive platform and you will feel much better about the results.
kngrsll
01-09-2009, 11:25 AM
ok but that takes you out of any class you'll ever be competitive in..
if you want to be top 10 at autocross, consider buying an S2000 and going to driving school..
:bow:
anonymous user
01-09-2009, 08:11 PM
It sounds like you have already talked yourself out of it. If you want a competetive car, go find a competetive platform and you will feel much better about the results.
I enjoy building small kei cars into fun cars. I KNOW what performance and competetive cars are.
All anyone needs to do is read their monthly subscription to SCCA magazine and see who wins each year at Nationals. I just thought that some of you were fast in a yaris. It would be nice to see one take honors at Nationals, and i planned to attempt this in my yaris.
TLyttle
01-09-2009, 09:35 PM
I'm kinda stupid about this competition thing. I go into an event with the idea that I will NOT win, simply because the machine I am running doesn't have the possible capability. So, I aim for what the vehicle is capable of, and anything better than that makes me a winner. I drove Morris Minors; not even Beetles had less hp, so anything above last was a win for me. Most times I placed more than half-way up the charts, ahead of some far better machines.
If you concentrate on the driving, that is where the competition is, not between vehicles. Just my opinion...
PETERPOOP
01-09-2009, 09:37 PM
do it!
cleong
01-10-2009, 05:43 AM
If you look solely at standings, yes, the WRX is 35 places better than your Yaris. If you want to win, go the WRX.
It'd be best to take the Yaris for what it is, a surprisingly good little econobox that punches well above its weight class.
Driving a WRX, people expect you to do well. With a Yaris, there's no pressure to perform, and any perceived "better" car you manage to beat is a bonus.
Tamago
01-10-2009, 09:14 AM
I'm kinda stupid about this competition thing. I go into an event with the idea that I will NOT win, simply because the machine I am running doesn't have the possible capability. So, I aim for what the vehicle is capable of, and anything better than that makes me a winner. I drove Morris Minors; not even Beetles had less hp, so anything above last was a win for me. Most times I placed more than half-way up the charts, ahead of some far better machines.
If you concentrate on the driving, that is where the competition is, not between vehicles. Just my opinion...
not sure you guys understand how scoring works??
you can't WIN autocross.....
you can WIN your class...
you could have first place in PAX.... (but that's not a win)
or you could have FTD (fastest time of the day).. and that's STILL not a win
but the only WIN is the win you get in your class. to say you car is a top 10 car at autocross.. you'd have to explain that a little better. top 10PAX maybe, top10 RAW TIME?? never gonna happen..
LtNoogie
01-10-2009, 01:05 PM
I am shooting for top fun I can get in with my Yaris and the $40 entry fee. With the mods I've done, just for daily driving fun, I now have to run in SM. There's no way for me but to place last in my class. My goal is to steadily move up the FTD list and compare my time to much better cars
anonymous user
01-10-2009, 03:56 PM
not sure you guys understand how scoring works??
you can't WIN autocross.....
you can WIN your class...
you could have first place in PAX.... (but that's not a win)
or you could have FTD (fastest time of the day).. and that's STILL not a win
but the only WIN is the win you get in your class. to say you car is a top 10 car at autocross.. you'd have to explain that a little better. top 10PAX maybe, top10 RAW TIME?? never gonna happen..
Here in my region, most people only care about OA time. So top 10 would mean RAW time. Yes, i know it's difiicult, but that's why i ask difficult questions. The top 10 pax cars are usually the top 10 OA cars anyway.
Our FTD car is usually a B- Street Prepared car. A 1970 Datsun Z.
And i agree that you can't WIN auto-x. You only "win" when you attend. :)
anonymous user
01-10-2009, 04:04 PM
If you look solely at standings, yes, the WRX is 35 places better than your Yaris. If you want to win, go the WRX.
It'd be best to take the Yaris for what it is, a surprisingly good little econobox that punches well above its weight class.
Driving a WRX, people expect you to do well. With a Yaris, there's no pressure to perform, and any perceived "better" car you manage to beat is a bonus.
I agree with you on some points, and not. A driver makes a car fast, and not the other way around. I don't want to come off as sounding arrogant, but at this point in my life, i don't want to go out to events and just have fun driving, although I get that feeling still. I have beaten many drivers (in the yaris) in quite capable cars, GT3 porches, BMW M3's and M5's, etc. and the list goes on.
I wanted to take a car that is unasssuming, such as the yaris, and transform it into a surprising top 10 OA car. But such is fantasy, and i appreciate your and tamago's replies. It is a sense of reality. And will save me a lot of $$
cleong
01-10-2009, 07:13 PM
Sure you can get a whole lot more serious about autocrossing. I've seen super-serious gokart drivers with 75cc weedwhacker motors in racing suit and all. Its not the equipment, its the approach you take to driving, then.
In that case, work on the WRX, I've not driven one, but I would imagine it has higher performance potential than a Yaris, with its AWD and turbocharged engine. Modify it as much as you need to get a consistent top 10 placing, since classing isn't your priority.
Tamago
01-11-2009, 10:30 AM
Here in my region, most people only care about OA time. So top 10 would mean RAW time. Yes, i know it's difiicult, but that's why i ask difficult questions. The top 10 pax cars are usually the top 10 OA cars anyway.
Our FTD car is usually a B- Street Prepared car. A 1970 Datsun Z.
And i agree that you can't WIN auto-x. You only "win" when you attend. :)
top 10 raw time:
turbo
limited slip
strip the interior
cut the fenders so you can run a real tire (225 and up)
nice coilovers with custom spring rate (stiffer than is offered for the yaris out of the box)
rear swaybar (leave the front alone)
nice aggressive alignment, shim the rear to get some camber
racing seat with 4/5pt 3" harness
smaller steering wheel
and most importantly... SEAT TIME IN THIS MONSTER!!!!
Thej3sta2
01-12-2009, 10:25 AM
IMO i think its more for the enjoyment and thrill of the race than winning.
thebarber
01-12-2009, 11:14 AM
IMO i think its more for the enjoyment and thrill of the race than winning.
that's what losers say, lol
TLyttle
01-12-2009, 11:51 AM
Sign me up in the loser category then. I have won a few, lost a bunch, but it was the race itself that I enjoyed most...
eTiMaGo
01-12-2009, 12:37 PM
that's what losers say, lol
If you're not first, you're last! - Ricky Bobby
HTM Yaris
01-12-2009, 03:58 PM
Proof that the Yaris can be a top 10 car :
South Carolina Region SCCA
Final Results, #1 - Fairway Subaru SCAC - Orangeburg - February 24, 2007
Total Registered: 133, with Times: 133
Pos. Class # Rookie Driver Car Model . . . . .
1 pfs 51 Jim Fossum 98 Chev Z28 29.111 *0.809000 23.550 0.000 0.000
2 pcs 54 Gregory Lipscomb 05 Mazdaspeed Miata 28.816 *0.822000 23.686 0.136 0.136
3 pds 47 John Robinson 01 Acura Integra Type-R 29.591 *0.804000 23.791 0.105 0.241
4 pgs 25 John White 95 Toyota Celica GT 29.814 *0.803000 23.940 0.149 0.390
5 as 22 Ryan Norgart Porsche Boxster 28.954 *0.838 24.263 0.323 0.713
6 psts2 1 Stuart Kestenbaum 96 BMW Z3 30.127 *0.806000 24.282 0.019 0.732
7 pgs 45 Don Bruner, Jr. 02 Nissan SE-R Spec V 30.368 *0.803000 24.385 0.103 0.835
8 pstu 7 Phillip Redd 06 Subaru WRX STi 29.926 *0.821000 24.569 0.184 1.019
9 hs 20 Christian Jordan 07 Toyota Vitz 31.148 *0.789 24.575 0.006 1.025
10 hs 60 Brian Guinn 03 Mazda Protege 31.161 *0.789 24.586 0.011 1.036
11 sm2 36 Chuck Pyanowski 86 Nissan 300zx 28.600 *0.862 24.653 0.067 1.103
12 sts2 21 John Byrd 96 BMW Z3 30.664 *0.806 24.715 0.062 1.165
13 bs 285 Bruce Elbertson 04 Mazda Rx-8 29.941 *0.828 24.791 0.076 1.241
14 phs 19 David Jordan 07 Toyota Vitz 31.569 *0.789000 24.907 0.116 1.357
15 sm 215 Matt Church 04 Subaru STi 29.150 *0.856 24.952 0.045 1.402
16 asp 24 Charles Bifano 00 Chevy Corvette 29.234 *0.858 25.082 0.130 1.532
17 sts 118 Philip Fitzmaurice 94 Acura Integra 31.245 *0.805 25.152 0.070 1.602
18 gs 72 Chris Gillam 98 BMW 318ti 31.335 *0.803 25.162 0.010 1.612
19 stx 2 Donnie Jones 02 Lexus Is 300 31.208 *0.808 25.216 0.054 1.666
20 psts2 22 Nick Hallman 75 Porsche 914 31.385 *0.806000 25.296 0.080 1.746
21 stx 26 Gary Heidebrecht 04 Mini Cooper S 31.411 *0.808 25.380 0.084 1.830
22 stx 283 Lance Elbertson 04 Nissan Spec-V 31.417 *0.808 25.384 0.004 1.834
23 cs 45 Chad Lipscomb 05 Mazda Miata 30.905 *0.822 25.403 0.019 1.853
24 tas 51 Garrett Molzer 03 Honda S2000 Silverstone 30.324 *0.838000 25.411 0.008 1.861
25 dsp 18 Jay Weathersby 88 BMW 325is 30.402 *0.836 25.416 0.005 1.866
26 sts 36 Gregory Rehak 94 Acura Integra 31.619 *0.805 25.453 0.037 1.903
27 stx 3 Todd Aplin 06 VW Jetta GLI 31.507 *0.808 25.457 0.004 1.907
28 em 23 Mike Smith 80 Trazda Abomination 28.966 *0.879 25.461 0.004 1.911
29 sm2 58 Tyler Scott 93 Mazda Rx-7 29.564 *0.862 25.484 0.023 1.934
30 tbs 61 Perry Boykin 99 BMW M3 30.778 *0.828000 25.484 0.000 1.934
31 hs 1 Dan Lackore 96 Honda Civic Hatchback 32.393 *0.789 25.558 0.074 2.008
32 pcsp 223 Garrett Knox 91 Mazda Miata 1.8L 30.298 *0.845000 25.601 0.043 2.051
33 bs 35 Art Coppola 97 BMW M3 30.958 *0.828 25.633 0.032 2.083
34 gs 53 Mark Haugen 01 Audi A4 Avant 32.034 *0.803 25.723 0.090 2.173
35 tcsp 66 Jake Hester 00 Mazda Miata 30.604 *0.845000 25.860 0.137 2.310
36 stx 0 Jeff Williams Suaru SVX 32.035 *0.808 25.884 0.024 2.334
37 as 41 Jon Nwanagu 05 Honda S2000 30.945 *0.838 25.931 0.047 2.381
38 sts 256 Greg Schultz Subaru Impreza 32.224 *0.805 25.940 0.009 2.390
39 sm 8 Mike Mount 04 Subaru STi 30.306 *0.856 25.941 0.001 2.391
40 tgs 25 Chris Barker 04 Nissan Sentra Spec-V 32.306 *0.803000 25.941 0.000 2.391
41 gs 14 Teresa Hammock 02 Nissan SE-R Spec V 32.333 *0.803 25.963 0.022 2.413
42 bsp 3 Matthew Rentz 05 Subaru Wrx Sti 30.439 *0.853 25.964 0.001 2.414
43 tgs 27 Robert Wilhite 03 Mini Cooper-S 32.354 *0.803000 25.980 0.016 2.430
44 cs 57 Dan Humphries 03 Mazda Miata 31.644 *0.822 26.011 0.031 2.461
45 gs 58 Scott Ferguson 06 Honda Civic Si 32.500 *0.803 26.097 0.086 2.547
46 sts 14 Justin Workman 06 Scion tC 32.470 *0.805 26.138 0.041 2.588
47 gs 22 Alex Winkler VW GTI 32.629 *0.803 26.201 0.063 2.651
48 as 5 Matt Holycross 02 Honda S2000 31.295 *0.838 26.225 0.024 2.675
49 sm 19 Lawrence Richard Mitsubishi MR 30.666 *0.856 26.250 0.025 2.700
50 nfs 92 Matt Reed Ford Mustang 32.449 *0.809000 26.251 0.001 2.701
51 nds 11 John Ulmer 6 Subaru WRX 32.676 *0.804000 26.271 0.020 2.721
52 csp 24 Bryan Beasley 00 Miata SE 31.096 *0.845 26.276 0.005 2.726
53 asp 47 Andrew Vanscyoc 02 Chevrolet Corvette 30.629 *0.858 26.279 0.003 2.729
54 hs 11 Andrew Warren Mustang 33.340 *0.789 26.305 0.026 2.755
55 csp 88 Ted Theodore 93 Mazda Miata - Elvira 31.131 *0.845 26.305 0.000 2.755
56 ep 56 Steve Johns 56 Ford Festiva 30.498 *0.863 26.319 0.014 2.769
57 ss 71 Don Moody Chevy Z06 31.051 *0.848 26.331 0.012 2.781
58 dsp 6 David Hawkins 87 BMW 325ic 31.556 *0.836 26.380 0.049 2.830
59 csp 57 JeanPaul Hill 90 Mazda Miata 31.235 *0.845 26.393 0.013 2.843
60 stx 99 Patrick Hill 04 Nissan Spec V 32.686 *0.808 26.410 0.017 2.860
61 sts2 95 Marty Bull 95 Mazda Miata MX-5 32.916 *0.806 26.530 0.120 2.980
62 ds 97 Michael Kiley Volvo V70R 33.020 *0.804 26.548 0.018 2.998
63 ds 32 John Wu 04 VW Golf 33.025 *0.804 26.552 0.004 3.002
64 as 122 Nathan Wheeler Porsche Boxster S 31.781 *0.838 26.632 0.080 3.082
65 bs 11 Don Miller 00 BMW M Roadster 32.166 *0.828 26.633 0.001 3.083
66 sm 77 Kiley Turpin 05 Mitsubishi MR (Mega Rice) 31.120 *0.856 26.638 0.005 3.088
67 sts 54 Andrew Wilder 99 VW Jetta 33.202 *0.805 26.727 0.089 3.177
68 gs 44 Mike Claypoole VW GTI 33.301 *0.803 26.740 0.013 3.190
69 esp 11 Erik Brownyard 05 Mini Cooper S 32.071 *0.834 26.747 0.007 3.197
70 hs 42 Christopher Norfolk 00 Saturn SC2 33.934 *0.789 26.773 0.026 3.223
71 nds 42 Peter Wu 04 Volkswagon Golf R32 33.323 *0.804000 26.791 0.018 3.241
72 ds 146 Christa Hanson 03 MazdaSpeed Protege 33.372 *0.804 26.831 0.040 3.281
73 ds 3 Tom Stecker 05 Subaru WRX 33.379 *0.804 26.836 0.005 3.286
74 cs 29 Jonathan Calore 00 Mazda Miata 32.713 *0.822 26.890 0.054 3.340
75 cs 99 Steve Milligan Mazda Miata 32.858 *0.822 27.009 0.119 3.459
76 bs 7 Kendall Crews 93 Toyota MR2 Turbo 32.629 *0.828 27.016 0.007 3.466
77 csp 8 TJ Theodore 93 Mazda Miata - Elvira 31.980 *0.845 27.023 0.007 3.473
78 sm2 24 George Brewton 00 Mazda Miata 31.355 *0.862 27.028 0.005 3.478
79 ngs 4 Henk Schutte 04 VW Jetta 33.676 *0.803000 27.041 0.013 3.491
80 asp 74 Donovan Dreher 02 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 31.521 *0.858 27.045 0.004 3.495
81 nes 6 Jeremy Summer 91 Mazda Miata 33.318 *0.812000 27.054 0.009 3.504
82 sm 121 James Green Audi A4 31.669 *0.856 27.108 0.054 3.558
83 gsl 125 Robyn Mills 04 Nissan Sentra Spec-V 33.771 *0.803 27.118 0.010 3.568
84 nes 9 Darren Schumpert 91 Mazda Miata 33.413 *0.812000 27.131 0.013 3.581
85 es 31 Brantley Busbee 90 Mazda Miata 33.454 *0.812 27.164 0.033 3.614
86 tcsp 55 Jeff Dickey 96 Mazda Miata 32.167 *0.845000 27.181 0.017 3.631
87 fp 373 Alexandre Papadatos 92 Honda Civic 31.338 *0.868 27.201 0.020 3.651
88 as 496 Matt Sheets 07 Subaru STI Ltd. 32.483 *0.838 27.220 0.019 3.670
89 es 606 Bryan Germann Porsche 944 33.533 *0.812 27.228 0.008 3.678
90 sts 59 Aaron Holmes 05 Scion TC 33.835 *0.805 27.237 0.009 3.687
91 csp 718 Mike Tronoski Mazda Miata 32.270 *0.845 27.268 0.031 3.718
92 tsm2 40 Bryan Hayes 02 Honda S2000 31.671 *0.862000 27.300 0.032 3.750
93 hs 111 Stefan Perea Ford Mustang 34.634 *0.789 27.326 0.026 3.776
94 nsm 17 Douglas Beachem, II 04 Mini Cooper "S" 31.944 *0.856000 27.344 0.018 3.794
95 fsp 72 Olin Gayle 72 Opel Manta 33.249 *0.823 27.363 0.019 3.813
96 bsp 47 Kristopher Mahon 97 Mitsubishi 3000gt Vr4 32.092 *0.853 27.374 0.011 3.824
97 asp 007 Dave Carter Chevrolet Corvette 31.987 *0.858 27.444 0.070 3.894
98 stxl 38 Cheryl Aplin 06 VW Jetta GLI 33.977 *0.808 27.453 0.009 3.903
99 fs 5 Vernon Davis 06 Ford Mustang 33.937 *0.809 27.455 0.002 3.905
100 ncs 38 Brian Marchman 07 Mazda Miata 33.422 *0.822000 27.472 0.017 3.922
101 dp 235 Joshua Moore 95 Mazda Miata 32.162 *0.860 27.659 0.187 4.109
102 as 21 Dayton Pruet Honda S2000 33.226 *0.838 27.843 0.184 4.293
103 stx 32 Michael Duren Subaru Impreza 34.485 *0.808 27.863 0.020 4.313
104 gsl 88 Jennifer Petrush 03 Mini Cooper S 34.703 *0.803 27.866 0.003 4.316
105 sm 666 Joshua Sears Honda Civic 32.561 *0.856 27.872 0.006 4.322
106 nas 1 Relte Schutte 65 Shelby Cobra 33.304 *0.838000 27.908 0.036 4.358
107 sts 25 Steven Jarrett 06 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 34.684 *0.805 27.920 0.012 4.370
108 sm2 008 Clinton Luers 88 Honda CRX 32.402 *0.862 27.930 0.010 4.380
109 sts 13 Joshua Folsom VW Passat 34.713 *0.805 27.944 0.014 4.394
110 tes 27 Michael Allen 95 Mazda Miata 34.653 *0.812000 28.138 0.194 4.588
111 asl 17 Janice Alster 06 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 33.750 *0.838 28.282 0.144 4.732
112 sm 555 John McFall Honda Civic 33.127 *0.856 28.356 0.074 4.806
113 ncsp 31 Brodie Fields 90 Mazda Miata 33.591 *0.845000 28.384 0.028 4.834
114 nds 1 Andrew Bllitch Honda Prelude SH 35.434 *0.804000 28.488 0.104 4.938
115 cs 01 Stephen Miller Mazda Miata 34.758 *0.822 28.571 0.083 5.021
116 es 84 David Gillam 84 Porsche 944 35.216 *0.812 28.595 0.024 5.045
117 dsl 197 Joyce Kiley Volvo V70R 35.603 *0.804 28.624 0.029 5.074
118 as 11 Vaibhav Patel 03 BMW Z4 34.310 *0.838 28.751 0.127 5.201
119 es 3 Rod Busbee 90 Mazda Miata 35.437 *0.812 28.774 0.023 5.224
120 cspl 96 Noelle Norfolk 00 Mazda Miata 34.080 *0.845 28.797 0.023 5.247
121 dpl 23 Aaron Norcross 95 Mazda Miata 33.559 *0.860 28.860 0.063 5.310
122 ds 46 Todd Hanson 04 Subaru WRX 35.974 *0.804 28.923 0.063 5.373
123 stx 13 Joseph Rhode Pontiac Grand Prix 35.803 *0.808 28.928 0.005 5.378
124 hs 55 C.D. Rozsa 94 Ford Ranger 36.720 *0.789 28.972 0.044 5.422
125 hs 17 Tom Crews 97 Ford Contour 36.797 *0.789 29.032 0.060 5.482
126 es 87 Andrew Small Mazda Miata 35.888 *0.812 29.141 0.109 5.591
127 nas 7 Servaas Schutte 65 Shelby Cobra 35.320 *0.838000 29.598 0.457 6.048
128 ss 24 Richard Wood Chevrolet Corvette 34.995 *0.848 29.675 0.077 6.125
129 sts 212 Justin Miller VW GTI 36.958 *0.805 29.751 0.076 6.201
130 hsl 18 Catherine Crews 93 BMW 318is 38.595 *0.789 30.451 0.700 6.901
131 dsl 8 Samantha Cannon Honda Prelude 37.937 *0.804 30.501 0.050 6.951
132 ssl 24 Lisa Wood Chevrolet Corvette 37.365 *0.848 31.685 1.184 8.135
133 hsl 7 Carrie Milligan Mazda Protege *0.789
The names for #9 and #14 should be switched . I actually got ninth and my son got fourteenth :)
anonymous user
01-13-2009, 12:40 PM
^^^ SEE... now that is what i like to see. Heck, even 14th place is good job. And in H-Stock no less. Was that PAX'd time though, or RAW time?? Thanks!
baked_limabeans
01-13-2009, 01:44 PM
from what it looks: PAX
Tamago
01-13-2009, 02:05 PM
from what it looks: PAX
i've already mentioned that a H stock car has the ability to out-pax anything on a tight course. and from what the numbers look like (sub 30 seconds) it was a VERY small course.
whooppee777
01-13-2009, 04:28 PM
how do u determine what class ur in?
Loren
01-13-2009, 04:39 PM
Without reading through this whole thread, here are some thoughts:
If you're talking SCCA Solo 2 classing, the Yaris will never be competitive in anything short of a Prepared or Modified class with lots of money and non-streetability thrown at it. It can't compete in SP and it can't compete in Stock. That's just the way it is.
Does that mean that you can't occasionally see a top 10 finish in a Yaris? Or that you can't finish well in whatever class you run in? Not really. It just depends on what the competition is like in your area.
BUT... here's what you CAN do with a Yaris. Forget about the $3 trophies, and don't even worry too much about the top 10 or top 25 finishes... just learn to drive the snot out of it (for a Yaris, that means learning to maintain momentum and drive consistently and smoothly at the limit, NOT relying on acceleration), modify the suspension to your liking, and put the best tires you can afford on it. You still probably won't finish near the top, and you might not even trophy in whatever class you're in... but you WILL piss off a lot of people in "better" and far more expensive machines.
Classes be damned, when you show up with a $12k econobox with about $1k in mods and the guy in the $80,000 Vette can't keep up with you around an autocross course, it's priceless. You can't get that experience with a WRX. People will just say "damn, that's a fast car". You can't do it in a Miata, people will just say "damn, those Miatas sure are good at autocross". Do it in a Yaris and people say "damn, what the hell just happened???"
It's cheap entertainment, man.
(and you can still get 40 mpg on the way home!)
ChinoCharles
01-13-2009, 04:41 PM
Leave it to Loren to keep it real. Great post sir.
Tamago
01-13-2009, 04:43 PM
how do u determine what class ur in?
the SCCA does it for you
H stock (which includes a larger front swaybar, catback exhaust, and any tire you want as long as it fits on a stock width wheel that's within 5mm of stock offset). you also cannot add camber bolts or shims.. you also cannot remove any body panels to lose weight
STS: a catch-all for street tire cars that don't come with limited slip, have engines smaller than 2.5L (exceptions are out there) and no tire wider than 245MM IIRC. also, treadwear cannot be "less" than 140. more mods are allowed, including rear swaybar, coilovers (IIRC) etc.
FSP: a little faster than STS because you can run unlimited tire choices, you have more alignment ability (unlimited) and can swap out seats, steering wheels, etc. you should not remove your back seat or do any "weight reductions"
SM (street mod, also known as StupidMoney) allows for engine swaps, forced induction, and more interior removal as well as carbon fiber parts.
i went straight to FSP with the xA. i'm addicted to race rubber.
and now i'm SM at the least.. and most likely in some sort of Modified or Prepared class once the paddleshift system is finished
jaserhunter
01-13-2009, 05:35 PM
loren that is a great post:clap: i makes me want to give a try :biggrin:
Tamago
01-13-2009, 06:44 PM
It can't compete in SP and it can't compete in Stock.
do the math..
the yaris is lighter than the MINI.. can run the same width rubber in stock class.. why can't it be competitive?
furthermore, i have a closet full of trophies that prove that if an even heavier scion xA can be competitive then a Yaris should be able to mop the floor... in FSP
whooppee777
01-13-2009, 09:55 PM
so basically my car is in the street modified class considering my carbon fiber and soon to be s/c
Loren
01-13-2009, 11:04 PM
do the math..
the yaris is lighter than the MINI.. can run the same width rubber in stock class.. why can't it be competitive?
furthermore, i have a closet full of trophies that prove that if an even heavier scion xA can be competitive then a Yaris should be able to mop the floor... in FSP
I'm not here to argue with you. I have a closet full of local autox trophies, too... they're fun, but meaningless.
But, if you want to really look at it...
2008 Mini Cooper : 2008 Yaris
Weight - 2546:2293
HP - 118:106
Torque - 114:103
0-60 - 8.5:9.5
Wheelbase - 97.1:96.9
Factory Sport Suspension Option - Yes:No
Brakes - 4-wheel disk:rear drums
"The Math" says that the Yaris is 250 pounds lighter, but has 12 less HP and an equal amount less torque. (no time to do the power-to-weight calculation right now, but it's pretty close) Otherwise, the cars are very similar on paper... but what's different is that the Cooper is designed to be "sporty" from the ground up. It will out-handle a Yaris "out of the box", and that's disregarding the fact that it's quicker and has better brakes.
You can't change enough about the Yaris in Stock class to make it equal to a Mini Cooper. You CAN, however whoop up on lesser Mini Cooper drivers at your local events... and I heartily encourage that. (which is all I was saying to start with)
coheed
01-13-2009, 11:24 PM
If there was a way to get the Yaris down to about 1800 lbs, it would be amazing. I had a 73 VW with 60 hp, and it would out run mustangs on the street, and corner better. Because it was light, 1600 lbs to be exact. If the Yaris, at 103 Hp, was 1800 lbs it would almost dominate the track.
LtNoogie
01-13-2009, 11:32 PM
so basically my car is in the street modified class considering my carbon fiber and soon to be s/c
I just bought my SM door magnets. Apparently, aftermarket forced induction moves us into a class that we have not a chance of winning unless it's just you and me that entered that day.
anonymous user
01-13-2009, 11:37 PM
Well seeing as how our typical track setups are around 30-35 sec. runs, the yaris stands to place similarly as was previously posted. However my region is seriously competetive, and the fast drivers have AWESOME setups. I understand your point Loren, if i were to continue prepping the yaris, it would be for STS, or maybe F-Street Prepared. And you're correct in that it would take lots of money to be consistently on the top. I was feeling out the crowd as to a decision for this upcoming season.
Tamago
01-14-2009, 08:50 AM
^^^ i say prep for FSP :) get a nice LSD it'll rock your world! ^^^ and some good 225 hoosiers :D
Morgan
01-14-2009, 09:04 AM
I attended an event this weekend and out Pax timed my friends SM Mazdaspeed3... its not like he doesnt have over twice the hp or anything :)
Have fun and don't forget that the yaris can be fast at autocross, but most likely someone will hand it to you in a stock s2000....
Loren
01-14-2009, 10:21 AM
I used to place in the top 10, even top 5 pretty regularly at our local events until a bunch of S2000's started showing up. Damn those S2000's.
As I said it's all in what shows up to your local events. I can go to the local Porsche club events and usually beat all but two of the Porsches. They're a "fun" club and most of their drivers aren't serious autocrossers, they just drive seriously fast and expensive cars.
Go autocross. Have fun. Drive fast. Drive smooth.
Always remember, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow.
whooppee777
01-14-2009, 11:11 AM
I just bought my SM door magnets. Apparently, aftermarket forced induction moves us into a class that we have not a chance of winning unless it's just you and me that entered that day.
winning would b icing on the cake to me. i just want to race. the simple fact that i'll b the only one in my region with a s/c yaris will b awesome enough alone. nobody will expect a heavily modified yaris to show up to an event. they wont know what to expect. and the element of surprise is a powerful weapon.
TLyttle
01-14-2009, 12:01 PM
Your last 2 sentences say it all, Loren, nothing to add to that.
Tamago
01-14-2009, 01:26 PM
winning would b icing on the cake to me. i just want to race. the simple fact that i'll b the only one in my region with a s/c yaris will b awesome enough alone. nobody will expect a heavily modified yaris to show up to an event. they wont know what to expect. and the element of surprise is a powerful weapon.
just fyi.. i whooped the snot out of a supercharged xB with my stock-engine xA... if you're a good driver, expect good things :biggrin:
thebarber
01-14-2009, 02:03 PM
driver mod = win
ddongbap
01-14-2009, 09:38 PM
Didn't cartoons ever teach you anything? Its not the drive, its the driver.
cleong
01-14-2009, 10:47 PM
Nothing against Loren, but he seems to have a bit of a fan club following around Yarisclub. :biggrin:
Loren
01-15-2009, 12:10 AM
Nothing against Loren, but he seems to have a bit of a fan club following around Yarisclub. :biggrin:
I tell good lies.
thebarber
01-15-2009, 06:45 AM
I tell good lies.
is THAT a lie too?!
whooppee777
01-15-2009, 03:15 PM
just fyi.. i whooped the snot out of a supercharged xB with my stock-engine xA... if you're a good driver, expect good things :biggrin:
we'll find out this spring and summer whether or not im a good driver.
Russelt3hPirate
01-21-2009, 10:41 AM
It all comes down to your local competition.
on a national level if you're asking if a yaris can compete you can't be top 10 nationally.
It'd be interesting to see someone throw 20k at a yaris and build it to full FSP spec and see how she performs. Will it "win"? probably not.
Fully built 1nzfe
Intake
Intake manifold
Exhaust
Best Tune you can find
stiff ass coilovers
no sways
15x10s
275s
non 60/40 rear seat
lightweight bucket seats
steering wheel
cage
and watch the little roller skate kick some ass with the right driver. :)
mojoyaris
01-29-2009, 12:42 AM
not sure you guys understand how scoring works??
you can't WIN autocross.....
you can WIN your class...
you could have first place in PAX.... (but that's not a win)
or you could have FTD (fastest time of the day).. and that's STILL not a win
but the only WIN is the win you get in your class. to say you car is a top 10 car at autocross.. you'd have to explain that a little better. top 10PAX maybe, top10 RAW TIME?? never gonna happen..
I was top 10 raw time, but with the pax I was way down the list.
cause I'm in .......sm...........:cry:
mojoyaris
01-29-2009, 01:02 AM
I like to think I'm the fasted Yaris in BC in Solo 2. But then again, I think I'm the only one, next to DNGZ and someone from Victoria.
For 2009 I will be running the following items on the car that has helped to make it competitive and it gets alot of comments from other drivers who see it run.
They just can't imagine a Yaris doing this against the Lotus, Miata's, S2k's and a very fast STI, Imprezza and e30BMW (the latter 3 always vie for the FTD).
2008 SM class I ran
intake, headers, exhaust (stock pipe for lower end torque),
engine mount-this helps alot
LSD- this helped even more
short shifter, pulleys, hi performance fan belt
racing seat, harness,
coilovers 5kg front and 6kg rear - set full hard front and med hard rear.
centering tape on steering wheel = bling.
And then there is the stuff that I had installed but didn't really need.
CF hood and hatch, side skirts, a spoiler and some other cosmetic stuff.....
225/45/15 Nitto Nt-01 (they're more a track tire than autox tire) and 15 x 7.5 wheels.
2009 will bring the
stage 2 clutch, lighter flywheel -just waiting to install this when I get the new tranny.
XB transmission - shorter gears.
225/45/13 on 8 in rims Toyo R888 GGG softcompound _Special order from Japan!!
Blitz SC
Oil cooler, 6kg springs in front etc etc etc.
There you have it. At least 20G's in a beeping Yaris!!!! Geeezzzz.. Why?WHY WHY???
Well, cause it makes me laugh during Solo 2 and I have alot of fun.
And, I get laughed at during Solo 1 events, but still have fun, cause I'm always in first place in my class. (and I'm usually the only one in my class..)
With some practice and better grip and power for 2009, I think I can crack the top 5 and be consistent in the top 10 in solo 2.
dreams......
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