My Mach-E Autocross Video

Last weekend I took the Mach-E out to autocross instead of my usual autocross car. Still on the OEM tires not proper autocross tires and I really need to adapt my driving to this car (you can hear in the video my frustration with my driving mistakes) but I had a fun day learning the car. If anyone is interested in autocross’ing their Mach-E, SCCA made a new “EVX” class for EVs that includes the Mach-E.

I was expecting it but having tracked and autocrossed several vehicles of my own I just can’t get used to flogging a car and not hearing the engine wind up lol. Cool stuff

Looks like a fun time.

Did the steering feel slow? Looks like a lot of steering wheel movement in some parts.

Looks like the weight keeps it stable though, as it's probably one of the taller vehicles on the course.

ab13 said:

Did the steering feel slow? Looks like a lot of steering wheel movement in some parts.

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It didn’t feel too slow during, but does feel slower than my usual autocross car (2016 “ND” Miata). Which is not surprising. Some of that is also my driving though — there was definitely places where if I was earlier / slower-entry the steering could’ve been less reactive and thus less input / smoother. But because it goes warp speed between elements I found it is also really easy to get behind on the timing!

How were the nannies? I am assuming stability control cannot be fully defeated but haven‘t researched it. I do know there is the obvious setting to turnoff traction control.

I have autocrossed many different vehicles through the years including my Chevy Bolt. The Bolt has lots of fun potential from a chassis standpoint. Ultimately no limited slip means electric torque is always spinning the lightest loaded front wheel but the big failing is there is absolutely no way to keep stability control from coming back on during shortly into an autocross run.

I haven’t real thought about running the Mach E yet but I know I will probably have to try it sometime.

xspartachris said:

Last weekend I took the Mach-E out to autocross instead of my usual autocross car. Still on the OEM tires not proper autocross tires and I really need to adapt my driving to this car (you can hear in the video my frustration with my driving mistakes) but I had a fun day learning the car. If anyone is interested in autocross’ing their Mach-E, SCCA made a new “EVX” class for EVs that includes the Mach-E.

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nice!

I'm interested in learning how to make some videos like this.... do you have any particular recommendations for camera/holder/software?

I'm very temped to trailer my eMiata ('94 NA) down to track in Albuquerque and see how lap times compare to the MME with same driver same course.... It would be a wildly different drive since the eMiata is DC, with no regen braking, and required shifting as it redlines around 5000 rpm. They would both have street tires, but the similarities end there! eMiata cranks out about 120kW under load, is RWD and weighs about 2600#. My MME is AWD, sr, and looks like it puts out closer to 190kW, but it weighs 4600#.

rodhx said:

How were the nannies? I am assuming stability control cannot be fully defeated but haven‘t researched it. I do know there is the obvious setting to turnoff traction control.

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There’s a setting for traction control but it isn’t fully off – apparently the GT will have a fully defeatable traction / stability control setting. I think for autocross purposes the current setting works, it allows a good amount of wheel slip and yaw but it doesn’t allow any long burnouts or drifting.

I went through the rest of the settings and turned a bunch off: automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, etc because I didn’t want them to accidentally activate. Even still you can see in the video I bump the cruise control button at one point and the cluster screen shows it is trying to activate adaptive cruise control!

The setting I’d like to have is “rear motor only”. Not because it would be faster, but it’d be fun to do some runs that way. It does seem to shift power around as part of stability control – when the back end kicks out it feels like it cuts power to the rear while using the front motor to pull back straight. Which is great but takes a second to learn to since I could stay on the accelerator after the back end has stepped out (generally not how you want to drive a RWD-biased car).

dtbaker61 said:

nice!

I'm interested in learning how to make some videos like this.... do you have any particular recommendations for camera/holder/software?

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This is simply a GoPro hanging from the glass roof via a RamMount with the suction cup mount. For the Miata I use the RamMount tube mount attached to the roll bar.

xspartachris said:

This is simply a GoPro hanging from the glass roof via a RamMount with the suction cup mount. For the Miata I use the RamMount tube mount attached to the roll bar.

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good to know, thanks.
I want to experiment with some 'ride along' videos.... and also DIY projects which are hard to capture with still pix.

xspartachris said:

Last weekend I took the Mach-E out to autocross instead of my usual autocross car. Still on the OEM tires not proper autocross tires and I really need to adapt my driving to this car (you can hear in the video my frustration with my driving mistakes) but I had a fun day learning the car. If anyone is interested in autocross’ing their Mach-E, SCCA made a new “EVX” class for EVs that includes the Mach-E.

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Largest Autox course I've seen

I did a season of SCCA autocross a couple years ago In my ‘19 GT. Interesting that at the time, I don't think they created a separate class for EVs, but there were a few Model 3s out there that were coming in first place within their class. I wonder if all the other drivers who put a lot of time and money into their cars got tired of being beat by a Tesla.

Ha! Fun in cars.

What adjustments are thinking you need to make?

PCPilot said:

I did a season of SCCA autocross a couple years ago In my ‘19 GT. Interesting that at the time, I don't think they created a separate class for EVs, but there were a few Model 3s out there that were coming in first place within their class. I wonder if all the other drivers who put a lot of time and money into their cars got tired of being beat by a Tesla.

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No, the Model 3 is still classed in a Street class with other cars. And my Bolt competed against Fiesta ST, Mini, etc in HS. This “EV” class is a new EV-specific class that allows modifications beyond the basic Street category. It is a very compelling class for Model 3 owners who modify their cars for performance as there is a healthy aftermarket for those cars.

Fast autox course! Pikes Peak raceway? What group was organizing it? It’s been a long time since I’ve done that and I miss it…