I've taken my 996 C2-cab out to a handful of PCA autocross and it's always a blast. Every time I've ran so far, I assume that a lighter car is a faster car, so I show up with 1/4 tank or less of gas.
But it seems like I lose the most time on the track by scrubbing the front tires with understeer. Of course it could be driver error as well!<P>
But could weight over the front tires in the form of a full tank be beneficial for more grip on the front half of the car in autocross?
It really seems like an event where power doesn't get you very far, because folks in Boxters and Caymans are nearly as quick, if not quicker than the 911s of all recent vintages.
So in a nutshell... does an extra 100lbs of gas in the tank help, hurt, or make no difference in autocrosses for a 996? Any experienced opinions?

 

I think a more aggressive alignment, wider front tires, and/or a heavier rear roll bar are much better upgrades to consider than putting nose ballast in your car in the form of fuel...

Short answer, no. More fuel isn't going to cure your issue.

But it's not all about the car. Autocross courses are usually so tight that you can make virtually any street car push if your entry speed is too high. As I'm sure other drivers at the even have told you, slow down to go fast!

 

More weight on the tires will likely increase understeering. I like to have 1/8- 1/4 tank when racing. 911s are the best at accelerating out of corners so it's slow in faster out.