Well guys I know I really dont belong here but since the HHR forum doesnt have an autox section I figured you guys wont shun me too badly. But anyway I bought my HHR SS back in march (I wanted the Cobalt SS/TC but I needed the room and the auto cause my fiance) . The first thing I have to say the suspension setup on these new SS models is spot on I have never drove a more neutral handling FWD car. Right now I belong to the local Mercedes Benz Club and racing in their Autox's in B stock mainly just because the SCCA hasn't made a ruling on what class I should be in. I have done two autox's so far with the HHR and pretty much have stunned the Mercedes Club even though Im not top tier or anything I have beat a lot of the Mercedes times and that surprised them since I am stock and an HHR (the HHR even earned the honorary nickname "Funny Looking Mercedes") . I just ordered some Cobalt SS/TC wheels that will be powdercoated black to match the my HHR just have to figure what tires to throw own now. But anyway here is a pic of my car and a link to the videos I have up right now. The only bad thing I really have to say about the HHR SS is the seats are atrocious for the amount of Gs you can handle in these boys.




And a link to one the most recent vid can see the others by clicking on my name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2jeCjGM8k4

 

Hey I can't speak for everyone on this forum but generally REAL autocrossers don't mind what your driving so welcome. Too bad about the auto though.

 

auto x ftw man

my first year vids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4iDjPS5nFc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4iDjPS5nFc

in car mayhem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TsQbSsUtbU

 

Well hopefully I can get it tuned so I can at least get the same amount of HP as the 5spd and the auto isnt too bad as long as it ran in Low gear it will actually downshift decently when going into a turn and when I am instructing my girl I can have her concentrate more on her line instead of shifting.

 

Well, all I will say is talk to you local Autocrossing sanctioning body...

SCCA does NOT classify ANY HHR for autocross rules due to it's higher center of gravity. There is a greater risk of rollover with those types of cars. You don't see the PT Cruiser, HHR and other "wagon" types out on course.

Street tires, you might not roll it, but if someone were to put R-comp tires on it, I can see it happening.

So.. Not saying you CAN'T do it, but before I put 1 dime into the car for these purposes, I would find your local club, or regional SCCA body and talk to them.

 

I am already talking to them and they have a problem with the regular HHR but the jury is still out on the HHR SS until some more testing is done on it.

 

Man that looks like fun. Good stuff.

 

Very likely a similar ruling like the Scion box thing might happen where they say it can only run in one of the Street Touring classes (no R-compound tires allowed). Let us know what they say.

 

Thats fine I think I may prefer to run on streets anyway for quite a while I want to stay in B stock.

 

are you running in an SCCAregion??

where did you get B-stock for a classing??

if you're running in MOST regions that are SCCA, the stick class guys will be running r-comps... look for a street tire index class... or the street touring classes as Mark has mentioned.

I'm very curious as to a ruling on this.

 

I am running with a Mercedes benz club event that uses SCCA rules, I wish I was running SCCA cause then I would get a better index. But as of right now the SCCA has no idea what to class the HHR SS as another problem with being the first thats why they just kinda threw me in B stock right now.

 

ok... that makes sense.

I would really think its more a for GS or maybe DS, but your wieght and size would kill you there. if people show up in BS classed cars there, like the Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX-8, you would get frustrated by not doing well compared to thier times.
Not to mention the PAX index would suck.

BUT... if you're looking to go and have fun, and don't care much for placement and such, then go for it.

 

I'm just amused by that. WHen I first started running they let Ford F150s auto-x

a) Sticky tires are allowed in stock classes.
b) Throw a bitch fit about being in B stock...I'd shoot for D stock, but perhaps like Brian said below me because of the weight you might even be able to get away with G stock.

 

I wanna see those rims!

 

Nice....I wanna get into AutoX but really don't wanna deal with buying tires all the time.

 

I wanna know where he got a good deal on them. I really like the new wheels and brakes on the SS/TC.

 

I got good mileage out of my street tires. I switched to slicks for now, but my current set has ~5 auto-x days, 4 road course days, and 35,000 miles on them with good tread left.

 

Depending on what you want to get from your tires, you CAN autocross on street tires and get good miles out of them...
My 1st year, I ran street tire index, and got 30K miles out of the tires doing a number of nights at the drag strip, 10 or so Autocrosses, and going to work each day.

 

You guys seriously need to recommend us some tires, then. I've been lucky to get 20 to 25k out of any tires I've put on in the last few years. And no, it's not just my driving, my wife drives very conservatively and has the same issue. I do tend to buy performance oriented tires, but, still....

 

If you're looking for good tread wear... great SUMMER performance both in dry and wet... I recommend the Khumo ECSTA SPT... I had 2 sets on my car and loved them.

I have since moved to the Khumo LX Platinum all-seasons since I don't use the tires for anything but going to work and events.

If you have winter wheels and want a good tire, the ECSTA is resonably priced and great.. but don't get them out in the cold... dry or wet... in PA.. after Mid-movember I had them off... the compound didn't like the cold.

There are others out there too... but it depends on your budget, needs area , etc...
Bridgestone Re-01Rs are a good tire, but not really cheap.

 

Everyday and occasional auto-x street tire - I love my PZero Nero M&S (yeah, I know, mud and snow, but they kick the **** out of the Rossos). Handling is great and like I said treadwear has been great as well.

Occasional street tire, primarily auto-x tire, still a street tire - Falken Azeni RT-615

Auto-x only tire (not considered street tire) - take your pick of r-comp tires or rain tires.

Keep in mind tire wear can also vary depending on where you live. Seriously. Sounds crazy, but it's true. Different parts of the country, even different states, use different types of paving materials for their roads. Do you have friends who buy similar tires? It could be you live somewhere that uses a more abrasive paving material, thereby eating away at performance oriented (i.e. softer) tires faster.

 

I live in Wisconsin, and the winters here are most certainly rough on tires. I've tried the Kumho's, those were one of the tires I was talking about that I barely got 25k out of. However, I do admit, that was driving them through the winter. I'm sure if I lived further south I'd be getting better results with tires than I have so far. Has anyone tried the G-Force Super Sports in the snow yet? I was considering them as they seem to be well-regarded as far as BFG's all-seasons are concerned.