I have seen a couple post that say that the Insight handles the slalom better than the S2000 (hard to beleive). I do a little AutoXing in my Infiniti G35 and I was wondering if anyone has ever Autoxed in their Insight. I get my Insight on 11-20-04 and there is a SCCA AutoX event on 11-21-04, Maybe this is a good way to enjoy the first weekend with the new car? I mean it's a Honda after all, and the Civic seems to do pretty well at the events. AutoXing really is pretty gentle on the car. The secret is momentum through the course.
AutoXing the Insight
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There are at least 3 people on this forum who auto-X their Insights. Check this thread. You will find links to videos.
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... 64&start=0
If the Insight was more powerful it could really clean up. "G" uses race compound tires.
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... 64&start=0
If the Insight was more powerful it could really clean up. "G" uses race compound tires.
I run in STX (Street Tires for over 2.5 liter cars) in the Infiniti. I use the Falken Azenis 245/45X17. Plus the G35 is rear wheel drive. I do pretty well in STX, but I haven't driven a front wheel drive car for a while. I was looking at some of Guillermos post. He does pretty well. I almost bought a Mini Cooper because I wanted to AutoX as well as have a good commutercar. I live in the San Diego area and I have never seen an Insight at one of the SCCA events. I can't wait. Maybe I should buy some R compounds before the car gets here so I'm ready for this weekend. What rims are the best? I see that several use Honda stock rims, what about aftermarket rims? Has anyone used the Victoracers from Kuhmo? I used to use them when I ran in ESP. Very stiff side walls and very very sticky tires. How did everyone do in the 2004 season? I didn't see any Insights at the SCCA runoffs. I'm glad to see that I shouldn't be embarresed to take the Insight this next weekend. My daughters boyfriend runs a WRX, it would be fun to beat him in the Insight.
So where is the auto-x and what exact date and time.
Maybe I'll show up with my Insight and "take a peek" and see what it is all about.
Do that have a "seniors class?", I'm 63+.
Maybe I'll show up with my Insight and "take a peek" and see what it is all about.
Do that have a "seniors class?", I'm 63+.
The Auto X this weekend will be in San Diego at Qualcom Stadium (Jack Murphy Stadium). We usually meet in the West parking lot. Free to spectators.
What size tire wheel combo can I get away with in HS class? I was going to buy a set of 14X6 rims and get a set of Kuhmo Victoracers V700 185/60-14 or 195/55-14. Which would fit best, and which can run in HS?
Thanks for any help.
What size tire wheel combo can I get away with in HS class? I was going to buy a set of 14X6 rims and get a set of Kuhmo Victoracers V700 185/60-14 or 195/55-14. Which would fit best, and which can run in HS?
Thanks for any help.
From what I've been told, in order to stay in a stock class, any wheels used must be to the original spec wheel width and diameter, with an adjustment of plus or minus 5mm of offset allowed. The stock wheel is 14 x 5.5 (don't remember the offset from memory, I think its 45mm), so 14 x 6 might get you booted from the class if you were protested. I believe you can run any size tires that will fit on the stock wheel size, so either of the one's you mentioned should be fine. I now use a 185/60R14 as my normal tire, and others I've heard use the 195/55 with no problems, but anything wider might cause some clearance/rub issues.
You'll have to post as to how the Victroracers feel and perform, I'd be interested to get the scoop. I was gonna try and buy some R-compound tires before the next season starts, but given that I'm a relative newcomer to auto-x, I think for next season I'm gonna get some ultra-high performance summer tires as my race tires. Once I get another couple seasons of experience then maybe I'll step up to the R-compounds. I bought a set of Civic Hybrid wheels (same dimensions and weight approximately as stock Insight wheels) to use for mounting my race tires.
I ran this past season on the OEM tires and finished about mid-pack in HS at all 3 events I attended this year, finished 7th out of 24 that scored points in HS, so I was pretty happy. Hoping for my first podium finish next season (my wife, however, is not, as I've threatened to spray down my back porch with champagne when I acheive my first podium finish!!).
You'll have to post as to how the Victroracers feel and perform, I'd be interested to get the scoop. I was gonna try and buy some R-compound tires before the next season starts, but given that I'm a relative newcomer to auto-x, I think for next season I'm gonna get some ultra-high performance summer tires as my race tires. Once I get another couple seasons of experience then maybe I'll step up to the R-compounds. I bought a set of Civic Hybrid wheels (same dimensions and weight approximately as stock Insight wheels) to use for mounting my race tires.
I ran this past season on the OEM tires and finished about mid-pack in HS at all 3 events I attended this year, finished 7th out of 24 that scored points in HS, so I was pretty happy. Hoping for my first podium finish next season (my wife, however, is not, as I've threatened to spray down my back porch with champagne when I acheive my first podium finish!!).
The rules in Canada are different, but from what I have heard about the American SCCA categories is that there is a street tire class and a R-compound tire class. I've also heard that the street tire class is much more popular so you will have more fun competing against more competitors.
195/55R14 is better then 185/60R14 simply because it's wider and they both fit.
195/55R14 is better then 185/60R14 simply because it's wider and they both fit.
Actually, in the stock classes, you can use R-compounds without being bumped to a different class, at least in the region I'm running in (Washington DC region). I'm not sure if the rules vary by region. There are definitely people running in the same class as me, H-Stock, that are using R-compounds (all of them in Mini Cooper's, which dominate HS in my region), even though I'm on street tires. I'm still amazed that I'm able to keep pace with the Minis even though I'm giving up 40hp (stock Mini's have 117hp I believe). I know that the Insight is probably the lightest car in the class, but 40hp is a pretty large disparity, although I'm not sure how the torque curves of the Mini vs. the Insight would look, so maybe the extra torque supplied by the IMA system helps more than I would have thought.
Hambone
Thanks for the reply. I was pretty sure I could use R compound tires. I just didn't know if I could use bigger than stock tires. The one real question I need answered is if I can run 14X6 rims instead of the stock 14X5.5 rims in HS class. I have read my local rules and they state that the rims have to be the same size as OEM rims. The tires can be any size as long as they fit onto OEM size rims.
Thanks for the reply. I was pretty sure I could use R compound tires. I just didn't know if I could use bigger than stock tires. The one real question I need answered is if I can run 14X6 rims instead of the stock 14X5.5 rims in HS class. I have read my local rules and they state that the rims have to be the same size as OEM rims. The tires can be any size as long as they fit onto OEM size rims.
This means you have to use 14" x 5.5" rims,commuter said:
this is the Insight and previous civic oem rim size.
The SCCA rules I've heard about come from some Toronto area guys that have crossed the border to compete in Detroit's SCCA auto-x events.
I have used the Kuhmo Victoracers in ESP and DS when my G35 was stock. They are awesome tires, but as most R compounds are soft they tend to wear out fairly quick. I went about 3/4 of the season using them. I then switched to STX (Street Tire Xtreme) I started using the Falken Azenis Sport (Most top competitors in STS and STX use the Falkens). Awesome tire! I think they sell it as a Ultra High performance Summer tire. Discount Tire sellls them real cheap. The grip is about the same as the Victoracers, but they last alot longer. They tend to get a little hot on my G35 sedan, but I just spray them with water in between runs. Maybe I'll get a set of Falkens instead of the Kuhmos. The cost difference is about $40 per tire! The performance difference is huge from the Bridgestones to the Falkens.I know this because the Nissan 350Z uses the RE92's as stock tires. I think that is what comes on the Insight stock, right? Good tires, but bang for the buck the Falkens are great! No I don't work for Falken either.
commuter:
A two day event? What time?
I have to make a "rocket" run to Tucson on Thursday, but will be back by the weekend.
Maybe I'll see you there.
A two day event? What time?
I have to make a "rocket" run to Tucson on Thursday, but will be back by the weekend.
Maybe I'll see you there.
The event is this Sunday 11-21-04. It is at Qualcomm and starts at 9:00am. If you want to compete you should get there by like 7:00 am to get through sign up and stuff. The HS class runs in the 2nd run group, which should be around 9:30 or 10:00am.
For 14" rims, Falken Azenis are only available in 195/60R14.
This tire "should" fit but nobody I know has tried them on an Insight to confirm that it will not rub during extreme body leaning situations...
These tires provide the most grip of all summer street tires on the market. Let me know if they fit without issues.
This tire "should" fit but nobody I know has tried them on an Insight to confirm that it will not rub during extreme body leaning situations...
These tires provide the most grip of all summer street tires on the market. Let me know if they fit without issues.
The Azenis have awfully stiff sidewalls, they shouldn't flex to much.
I do have bad news, the Insight won't get on the truck in Houston until Wednesday. They say 5 days to get to California. That means no Insight for this weekends event, damn. I will probably run the G35 for one last time then.
I do have bad news, the Insight won't get on the truck in Houston until Wednesday. They say 5 days to get to California. That means no Insight for this weekends event, damn. I will probably run the G35 for one last time then.
Guillermo,
I got my race tires. Hankook Z211's. They are the new "R" compound tires from Hankook. I actually bought them for my Miata, but I tried them on the Insight. They are 205/55X14. They are a very "wide" 205. On the Insight, they rub on the rear beam between the rear shocks. Well they don't actually rub, there is about 1/16th of an inch. They clear the wheel skirts though. That was while still on the jack. The Miata daisy shape alloys fit nicely though. They are also very light weight. There are lots of them around and they are fairly inexpensive. They are made by Enkei.
I also bought a set of 14X6 rims and and put Falken Azenis Sports 195/60X14 on them. These are teh daily driving tires for the Miata. They fit the Insight perfect. No rubbing what so ever. The Azenis are about as close as you can get to "R" compound tires. They are great performers and I only paid $37.00 each for them at my local Americas Tire. I brought in an web site price from Edge Racing and America's tires matched the price. Edge has them on line for $37.00. America's tires cahrged me $10 to mount and balance so $47.00 plus tax and fees. Very inexpensive for such a good tire.
I got my race tires. Hankook Z211's. They are the new "R" compound tires from Hankook. I actually bought them for my Miata, but I tried them on the Insight. They are 205/55X14. They are a very "wide" 205. On the Insight, they rub on the rear beam between the rear shocks. Well they don't actually rub, there is about 1/16th of an inch. They clear the wheel skirts though. That was while still on the jack. The Miata daisy shape alloys fit nicely though. They are also very light weight. There are lots of them around and they are fairly inexpensive. They are made by Enkei.
I also bought a set of 14X6 rims and and put Falken Azenis Sports 195/60X14 on them. These are teh daily driving tires for the Miata. They fit the Insight perfect. No rubbing what so ever. The Azenis are about as close as you can get to "R" compound tires. They are great performers and I only paid $37.00 each for them at my local Americas Tire. I brought in an web site price from Edge Racing and America's tires matched the price. Edge has them on line for $37.00. America's tires cahrged me $10 to mount and balance so $47.00 plus tax and fees. Very inexpensive for such a good tire.
Thanks commuter for the info,
I was wondering if 205/55R14 R compound tires would fit.
But i'm still debating if i should get the 195/55R14 or 205/55R14 kumho 710 R compound tires in the spring.
i was also wondering if the falken azenis would fit the insight because i need new summer street tires in the spring as well. Let us know if you experience any rubbing with any of there tires when you race on them.
Thanks,
I was wondering if 205/55R14 R compound tires would fit.
But i'm still debating if i should get the 195/55R14 or 205/55R14 kumho 710 R compound tires in the spring.
i was also wondering if the falken azenis would fit the insight because i need new summer street tires in the spring as well. Let us know if you experience any rubbing with any of there tires when you race on them.
Thanks,
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