I've finally done it...

I just registered for my first Rally-X event for this Sunday out at Summit.

Weapon of choice - '99 Toyota Tacoma. Looks like I'll be on the podium too (since I'm the only one registered in my class - S2)

Seriously though, I have a couple of noob questions:

My truck is an auto unfortunately - should I put it in Drive or 2? It also has an O/D lockout and an "ECT power" button - how should I mess around with these. Has anyone else Rally-X'd a pickup - it's a PreRunner model so it's RWD - and has an electronic locker - but the owner's manual advise that's only for slower speeds - definitely don't need to trash the diff on my daily driver.

Other than that, I plan on checking my ego, bringing sunscreen, water, and food and most of all - HAVING FUN.

-Thor

oh yeah, one other thing - here are the regs for helmets

1. Helmets All competitors, and any vehicle occupant, must wear a Snell 1995 or later certified helmet. The minimum acceptable certification is M95, SA95 or K95. Some loaner helmets may be available, but there are no guarantees that there will be a supply available for all competitors. Please bring your own helmet if at all possible.

Does the M95 cert mean a motorcycle helmet is acceptable? I have a SNELL DOT from 2003 - would this be legal?

m95 does mean motorcycle helmet will do. personally, i'd lock up the rear end, i think toyota tells you its for low speeds because they don't want you driving down the highway with it locked up and one tire lower than the other and you having to fight the thing depending on throttle position and such. i'd also put it in drive with ect set to power and o/d off. unless you have a 1 2 3 D setup, in which case i might start out in 1 and once the things moving use 2 and steer with the throttle.

also check the tacoma forums because i know at least with the fj cruiser, the locker turns itself off at something like 35mph. also, in the g/f's is250, if you turn off traction control, it turns itelf back on at 25-30ish mph. i'm sure theres something you can do to disable this nonsense.

apparently you can lock the rear at any speed in the prerunner tacos. ECT Power button for sure, it adjusts the shift points and hold gears longer. I'd do both personally. Have a good time

A pretty sure way to run a lousy race is to change things up to where you've no experience with the vehicle you're racing.

If you have no experience driving fast with a locked rear, understeering like a pig until you snap the rear end free, instantly oversteering like a maniac, don't lock it. Leave it open like you're used to.

Similarly the auto. It really gains you little to eliminate top speed and higher gears unless you really want the truck topped out in 2nd. Again, you won't recognize the way it's shifting and therefore driving, and will be distracted, reducing your driving ability.

foxtrapper wrote: A pretty sure way to run a lousy race is to change things up to where you've no experience with the vehicle you're racing.

Sure...but a rallycross is an EXCELLENT place to learn control in a new-to-you circumstance. My girlfriend is always raving to her friends about how much she's learned about car control at the rallycross (keeping in mind that she's done a couple of LeMons events). Who cares if you have a "lousy race" and lose at a rallycross anyway? The prize money isn't that good.

Bryce

The entire rallycross event will be in conditions where you have no experience, so the truck won't behave like you're used to anyway. You might as well start off using the "best" settings (i.e. the ones you'll use going forward) rather than learning to drive the truck one way and then switching settings mid-stream and having to re-learn how to drive it. I swear that you could learn to drive anything well in rallycross, as long as the vehicle behaves consistently. The loose surface throws such a wildcard in the mix, it really comes down to driver experience and skill.

Having driven a couple of vehicles on dirt ("Back 40 Racing") that have welded differentials has taught me, absolutely, that you steer with the gas pedal...and it happens whether you want it to or not. That is to say...drifting through a corner, or applying throttle on a high speed straight. I quickly learned how to "throw" the steering wheel and "catch" it at the appropriate spot as the rearend came around. There's a flurry of motion with my arms and hands.

Fun...to be sure. But it will feel foreign for a while.

The "ECT Power" button will have no effect whatsoever on full throttle trans operation. It will hold gears longer at part throttle but don't expect big changes. However, it will keep the trans from going straight for the highest gear possible when you let off, so I'd use it. I'd put money on the trans upshifting at redline even if you've got it in "low" or "1", and if it behaves like most autos it'll go back into first on it's own if you slow down enough. An unexpected sloppy auto downshift to redline probably won't be beneficial mid-corner on dirt, so I'd leave it in "2" or so, assuming it'll still "kick down" to first gear in that mode. Mess around in an empty parking lot before the event and figure out how it behaves with the different settings. You could probably manu-shift it for better performance as some autos can be a bit unpredictable when driven at 10/10ths, but that's up to you. None of the modern autos will let a downshift over-rev the motor so don't be afraid to experiment.

Unless it also has a limited slip I'd lock the diff. You aren't going to hurt it on dirt.

Oh yeah, unplugging a wheel speed sensor will disable traction control, stability control, and ABS on most vehicles should you desire to drive unassisted.

After you plug it back in disconnect the battery to get all the idiot lights to go out.

There's a member on CustomTacos.com that regularly Rally-X's his Taco. I'd jump on there and send him some PM's

Good Luck, sounds like fun!

THE CAR GODS HATE ME...

First off, thanks for all the advice guys, did a little digging at the sites mentioned and figured I would run it with O/D off, power button on, and unlocked to start out - and go from there.

But now it all seems for naught. Yesterday my dead nuts reliable Toyota let me down. I've been chasing down a starting problem for the last 2 months and after a new battery, starter relay, and finally last weekend a starter, I figured I was good to go. Looks like it's the neutral safety switch - none in stock at any of the local dealers, so the truck sits - no joy trying to start it in park or neutral.

I believe in CARma and all, but what could i have done to deserve this? I've had this day circled on the calendar since January. No soccer practice for the older kids, no play dates for the younger kids (2 year old twins), no yard sales with the wife, just a free day for me and motorsports. (maybe it was the earlier mention of the podium - but I was just kidding)

Anyway, I will not be defeated, dammit! Plan B (which probably should have been Plan A) I will have to take my newly inherited 1990 Volvo 240 and hit the dirt. NA, auto, bald tires, and 140k on the odo. It's slow as hell, but it will still be fun. Oh yeah, and I can turn off the O/D in this too - I'm back on the podium!! Woo-Hoo

Let's just hope the volvo makes it to the event.

Don't give up yet!!

Yes, I think the volvo would be awesome but the truck may be an easy fix even if you can't get the part.

The neutral safety switch is usually just a switch that will ground a wire or open the circuit. In my toyota experience they have been on the transmission, but I was looking at a '07 toyota diagram and they show the switch in the cab grounded to the dash.

If you know where the switch is take a look at it and see if you can rig up a toggle switch temporarily. If you don't think you can rig up a switch without damaging wires, I would try de-pinning the switch and clipping an alligator clip wire on one end and touching (or removing) the other clip from a dash ground when you want to start it.

Personally I'm T-2 weeks from my first event I've been waiting all year for and the car still needs the transmission put back in....

Either way, Have fun!

Two words: Rental car. Be sure to check the box for damage waiver.

And take it to a car wash when you're done to get the mud out of the wheel wells and off the roof. Not that I would ever do something like this.

Yeah but how do you splain the muffler that falls off during the rallyx on the rental mustang, yeah saw that in Austin tx once LOL. Damage insurance ftw.