If you've never autocrossed your car, I am happy to report that the Elantra GT Sport is a capable autocrosser as it comes from the factory. Being front wheel drive, it is easier to learn on, as you won't find the rear end leading the front end if you brake too hard on turns - you'll just drift out a little bit more than you wish to. And you will find autocross clubs LOVE beginners, as they always want new, enthusiastic members to keep the sport going.
I took my new GTS autocrossing Sunday and had a great time. I was the only car running in my class (H Street), but my PAX-index adjusted time was 30 out of 66 overall, which is right about where I ran with my BRZ for the last four years. The only mod is the summer tires (200 treadwear index). You will probably find that no one has ever seen an Elantra autocrossed, but you'll see that you have the same horsepower as the other competitive cars in the H Street class, and I don't think any, including the GTS, have a limited slip differential, which would be a game-changer.
I do have a stiffer rear sway bar I will have installed this week, but I wanted to run the car once without it for comparison. While working the course Sunday, I noticed at least five front wheel drive cars in the 33 car heat I was a course worker for had stiffer rear sway bars. This is an allowable mod in Street classes, and you see it when they power around sharp corners - the inside rear tire actually lifts slightly off the asphalt and quits spinning. This is a good thing, as it keeps your inside front tire planted.
You do not need to buy summer tries to try out autocrossing, as they only make a one to two second difference on a typical course. There are other mods than the sway bar allowable in street classes, but they get pretty expensive for a little gain.
Go to motorsportsreg.com to get a list of upcoming events near you.
I took my new GTS autocrossing Sunday and had a great time. I was the only car running in my class (H Street), but my PAX-index adjusted time was 30 out of 66 overall, which is right about where I ran with my BRZ for the last four years. The only mod is the summer tires (200 treadwear index). You will probably find that no one has ever seen an Elantra autocrossed, but you'll see that you have the same horsepower as the other competitive cars in the H Street class, and I don't think any, including the GTS, have a limited slip differential, which would be a game-changer.
I do have a stiffer rear sway bar I will have installed this week, but I wanted to run the car once without it for comparison. While working the course Sunday, I noticed at least five front wheel drive cars in the 33 car heat I was a course worker for had stiffer rear sway bars. This is an allowable mod in Street classes, and you see it when they power around sharp corners - the inside rear tire actually lifts slightly off the asphalt and quits spinning. This is a good thing, as it keeps your inside front tire planted.
You do not need to buy summer tries to try out autocrossing, as they only make a one to two second difference on a typical course. There are other mods than the sway bar allowable in street classes, but they get pretty expensive for a little gain.
Go to motorsportsreg.com to get a list of upcoming events near you.
