# Track Prepping my MKIV GTi **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [January 6, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358 "2008-01-06T14:46:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cky89](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cky89/32/4945_2.png) [@cky89](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cky89)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 8:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/41 "2008-01-08T20:59:42Z")
> [@VANDIT](#): > > Your 951 and 5 series have no where near of a complex airbag/bcm system as the mk5 gti… > > the mk5’s all use CAN with advanced airbags and insane tolerances due to hundreds of calculations per second… also if you remove one your car will not like you very much!!! > > you should remain quiet for a while… I have a mk4. ---
**Author:** ![FEAST\_JAPAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cc9497/32.png) [@FEAST\_JAPAN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/FEAST_JAPAN)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/42 "2008-01-08T22:17:18Z")
I have a spare Carbon inlet duct if needed. They are cheap if needed. Picy: ![http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/FEASTEXPORTER/RANDOM/00694.jpg](http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e363/FEASTEXPORTER/RANDOM/00694.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![cky89](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cky89/32/4945_2.png) [@cky89](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cky89)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/43 "2008-01-08T22:23:03Z")
> [@FEAST JAPAN](#): > > I have a spare Carbon inlet duct if needed. They are cheap if needed. > > Picy: Hmm, that would look hot where my little vent thing is… How much? ---
**Author:** ![FEAST\_JAPAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cc9497/32.png) [@FEAST\_JAPAN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/FEAST_JAPAN)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/44 "2008-01-08T23:03:49Z")
> [@cky89](#): > > Hmm, that would look hot where my little vent thing is… > How much? Hi and thanks. Below is a nicer photo of this item. Maker is Billion just so you know! Price is firm at 105 USD (shipping included). Only have one in stock now. ---
**Author:** ![fiend540](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bcef8e/32.png) [@fiend540](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fiend540)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/45 "2008-01-09T04:47:34Z")
> [@VANDIT](#): > > :massmoon: ya see =) :massmoon: > > besides i have 10 of the best volkswagen minds within 25 feet of me at any time during the day, before i respond to ANYTHING (and so i dont sound stupid) i ask at least 2 people… > > vandit pwnts fiend540 Oh no i was pwned by some smilies… Every time you post you come off as a jackass and your lack of knowledge is so transparent. I am glad at least the people who work around you know whats going on. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 6:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/46 "2008-01-09T06:01:38Z")
+1 on brakes, tires and a seat. No 5 point harness without a roll bar because if you end up on your roof you don’t want your head becoming the roll bar. I’ve tracked 2 different basically stock cars and both of them had serious braking issues after several hot laps. The GTO ate a new set of stock pads in one outing at Dunnville. ---
**Author:** ![speedracer329](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/speedracer329/32/5058_2.png) [@speedracer329](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/speedracer329)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 8:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/47 "2008-01-09T08:53:24Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > On the flip side there were tons of faster drivers that turned in way better times than me regardless of what they were driving. Wait till you get pwn3d by the chick 2 footing an automatic Beatle! 🤣 lol that was my GF! shes good. this was my 1st season of autox (drove the 2.0auto beetle) and it really felt good to beat STi’s and other “fast” cars thru raw time & pax, makes you wonder if the other people know how to get their cars out of neutral. then they kicked me out of novice:tantrum: as far as mods go, this coming from a fellow VW owner. youre going to get pwned and wont be competitive since you already have mods (for autocross). with your suspension youre already smack dab in STS/STX/STU class and out of G-stock. With your reflash youre going straight into ESP or SM where pax is against you by a lot. changing the seat is ok in the -SP classes and SM class, but brake cooling ducts and stuff might be SM only, youll have to double check the rules. Id say a steering wheel is a waste of money. Get Hawk HP+ pads or the equivalent but nothing less. The HAWK HP+ have great modulation and even when theyre hot and smoking i get solid pedal feel (i felt totally comfortable going into turn 2 at TMP @ 100). Put your sway on the middle setting if its adjustable, as you get to be a better driver you can choose to make it more or less stiff, based on your driver preferences and how much under/oversteer you want, especially with different compound tires. Use stock camber specs for your first season, and make sure you get an alignment before you start racing, the difference is like night and day. cliffs notes: -dedicated pair of rotors for track -dedicated set of HAWK HP+ pads or equivalent -good DOT 4 fluid changed before every track outing -street tires \*it will take you a season to learn you pressures anyway ---
**Author:** ![speedracer329](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/speedracer329/32/5058_2.png) [@speedracer329](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/speedracer329)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 8:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/48 "2008-01-09T08:54:50Z")
oh and just an FYI some of the rules in autox are bogus, but any carbon fiber parts place you diretly in SM even if theyre only cosmetic ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 9:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/49 "2008-01-09T09:12:43Z")
I thought I remembered meeting you in person. I know we talked a bit at NCCC early in the season. lol yeah she’s good, no shame in getting beat by her. :lol: I just can’t think of a better reality check than getting owned by a girl in an automatic Beatle. ---
**Author:** ![Harvey](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/harvey/32/5069_2.png) [@Harvey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Harvey)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 9:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/50 "2008-01-09T09:46:15Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > The GTO ate a new set of stock pads in one outing at Dunnville. That was a fun day. If you plan on doing track days, where you’ll be doing 20 minute sessions I STRONGLY recommend at least upgrading your pads and changing your brake fluid. Even if you don’t upgrade, you should change it annually. In my opinion tires are optional for the first season. ---
**Author:** ![cky89](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cky89/32/4945_2.png) [@cky89](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cky89)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 10:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/51 "2008-01-09T10:09:41Z")
> [@speedracer329](#): > > lol that was my GF! shes good. this was my 1st season of autox (drove the 2.0auto beetle) and it really felt good to beat STi’s and other “fast” cars thru raw time & pax, makes you wonder if the other people know how to get their cars out of neutral. then they kicked me out of novice:tantrum: > > as far as mods go, this coming from a fellow VW owner. youre going to get pwned and wont be competitive since you already have mods (for autocross). with your suspension youre already smack dab in STS/STX/STU class and out of G-stock. With your reflash youre going straight into ESP or SM where pax is against you by a lot. changing the seat is ok in the -SP classes and SM class, but brake cooling ducts and stuff might be SM only, youll have to double check the rules. Id say a steering wheel is a waste of money. Get Hawk HP+ pads or the equivalent but nothing less. The HAWK HP+ have great modulation and even when theyre hot and smoking i get solid pedal feel (i felt totally comfortable going into turn 2 at TMP @ 100). Put your sway on the middle setting if its adjustable, as you get to be a better driver you can choose to make it more or less stiff, based on your driver preferences and how much under/oversteer you want, especially with different compound tires. Use stock camber specs for your first season, and make sure you get an alignment before you start racing, the difference is like night and day. > > cliffs notes: > -dedicated pair of rotors for track > -dedicated set of HAWK HP+ pads or equivalent > -good DOT 4 fluid changed before every track outing > -street tires \*it will take you a season to learn you pressures anyway Thanks for all the info, I didn’t think anything about all the mods I have before starting auto-x lol, But I heard there’s a noob class if its your first season? either way It should still be fun to get out there and try it. > [@eesti](#): > > That was a fun day. > > If you plan on doing track days, where you’ll be doing 20 minute sessions I STRONGLY recommend at least upgrading your pads and changing your brake fluid. Even if you don’t upgrade, you should change it annually. > > In my opinion tires are optional for the first season. I’m going to run something like azenis on my stock rims, I’d use my normal summer tires but I’d prefer not to kill the tires since they’re much larger than stock(18x8.5) compared to(17x7.5) and my rims are also pretty rare/expensive lol. ---
**Author:** ![speedracer329](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/speedracer329/32/5058_2.png) [@speedracer329](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/speedracer329)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/52 "2008-01-09T21:31:16Z")
yep you have to start off in novice for up to a year, so regardless youll still have to figure out how to class your car: eg. your open class is street mod: SM your novice class is novice street mod: NSM basically your PAX will still be applied but you will be only competing amongst the novices (PAX is a method of adjusting your raw times to level the playing field, in order to compare slower and faster cars) ---
**Author:** ![cky89](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cky89/32/4945_2.png) [@cky89](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cky89)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/53 "2008-01-09T21:34:51Z")
> [@speedracer329](#): > > yep you have to start off in novice for up to a year, so regardless youll still have to figure out how to class your car: > eg. your open class is street mod: SM > your novice class is novice street mod: NSM > > basically your PAX will still be applied but you will be only competing amongst the novices (PAX is a method of adjusting your raw times to level the playing field, in order to compare slower and faster cars) Ah I gotcha. I have my car lowered, Rear strut bar, Intake, Exhaust, and Flash tune is coming in feb. Any clue what I’d be in from that info or would you need more? Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![Rx3](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rx3/32/7194_2.png) [@Rx3](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Rx3)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/54 "2008-01-09T21:59:46Z")
And even though you are competing against other novices, your class pax counts. Keep that in mind as well. ---
**Author:** ![cky89](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cky89/32/4945_2.png) [@cky89](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cky89)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/55 "2008-01-09T22:01:53Z")
> [@Rx3](#): > > And even though you are competing against other novices, your class pax counts. Keep that in mind as well. Is there anywhere I can read all of this info? Like with basic english so a n00b like me would understand? I appreciate the help. I’d like to learn a ton and have a great time this summer doing this stuff. ---
**Author:** ![speedracer329](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/speedracer329/32/5058_2.png) [@speedracer329](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/speedracer329)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/56 "2008-01-09T22:24:57Z")
just a gander w/o checking too much id say with your suspension youd be in N-STX, and with your reflash youd be in N-ESP: you have to read the SOLO handbook classifications, ill find a link… [http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/2007SoloRules.pdf](http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/2007SoloRules.pdf) \*start off on p.62 (manual page, not pdf page) ---
**Author:** ![Rx3](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rx3/32/7194_2.png) [@Rx3](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Rx3)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/57 "2008-01-09T22:34:05Z")
> [@cky89](#): > > Is there anywhere I can read all of this info? Like with basic english so a n00b like me would understand? > > I appreciate the help. I’d like to learn a ton and have a great time this summer doing this stuff. > [@speedracer329](#): > > you have to read the SOLO handbook classifications, ill find a link… [http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=61](http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=61) There’s the 2007 Handbook. They haven’t posted the 2008 yet(?) but when they do it will be on that link. ---
**Author:** ![cky89](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cky89/32/4945_2.png) [@cky89](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cky89)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/58 "2008-01-09T22:36:42Z")
Awesome! I appreciate people being so nice in a thread for once 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/59 "2008-01-10T04:52:38Z")
> [@cky89](#): > > Is there anywhere I can read all of this info? Like with basic english so a n00b like me would understand? click my sig > [@fairgentleman Z"](#): > > AUTOCROSS (Solo) > > Our local region, WNY (Buffalo and surrounding areas): > > [www.wny-scca.com](http://www.wny-scca.com) > > Our neighboring region (Rochester and surrounding areas): > > [http://www.flr-scca.com/](http://www.flr-scca.com/) > > Rules, FAQ, and Beginner Guides; > > Official SCCA Rules Solo: > > [http://scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/2007SoloRules.pdf](http://scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/2007SoloRules.pdf) > > Quick Rules: > > [http://www.scca.com/\_filelibrary/File/solocategories.pdf](http://www.scca.com/_filelibrary/File/solocategories.pdf) > > Quick Classifcations Stock: > > [http://scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/2007SoloRules.pdf](http://scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/2007SoloRules.pdf) > > Quick Classifications Street Touring: > > [http://scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/StreetTouringCategoryClassificationsbyManufacturer.pdf](http://scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/StreetTouringCategoryClassificationsbyManufacturer.pdf) > > Autocross: > > [nissanperformancemag.com](http://www.nissanperformancemag.com/july06/autocross/) > > Guide: > > [Autocross Guide](http://www.soloracer.com/autoxguide.html) > > Checklist: > > [Autocross Checklist](http://www.soloracer.com/autoxchecklist.html) > > Handbook: > > [http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm](http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm) > > Another Handbook: > > [Solo II Novice Handbook](http://www.miata.net/sport/autox.html) ---
**Author:** ![OriginalSterm](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/originalsterm/32/4964_2.png) [@OriginalSterm](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/OriginalSterm)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358/60 "2008-01-10T06:25:03Z")
5-6 point harnesses with a guide bar or truss is fine, as long as you still have the stock 3 point belts for use when on the street. Good brakes, good brake fluid, good tires, proper tire pressures (you’ll have to figure those out trial and error style), your own helmet, all mechanical components in perfect working order, and the proper attitude are all you need to start. “Mods” should come later. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358.md?page=2) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/track-prepping-my-mkiv-gti/41358.md?page=4)