First time Autocrossing tips?
04-15-2003, 04:08 PM
#16
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Bret
Are you running in the one at the Knights stadium in Charlotte?
I will be there. I just did my first autox this past Sun. It was great. The one thing that I learned is slow is fast.
Good Luck
Are you running in the one at the Knights stadium in Charlotte?
I will be there. I just did my first autox this past Sun. It was great. The one thing that I learned is slow is fast.
Good Luck
04-15-2003, 04:09 PM
#17
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some good tips mentioned above. as someone who just autocrossed yeterday my best advice is to concentrate on where you look. your hands follow your eyes so if your looking at the cone you are about to hit, you will probably hit it. Also look far enough ahead so that you can plan your line; then it will feel like the cones are coming up slower.
Oh, and the best advice of all: HAVE FUN
Oh, and the best advice of all: HAVE FUN
04-15-2003, 04:11 PM
#18
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No, there is one at Stratford High School, which is like 2 miles from my house, so we're going to go there. They had a big turnout last time they had one there, so this one will probably be pretty big too. Hopefully they'll clean the parking, b/c when I went to school there it was pretty bad. I didn't know about the other one, but I'm sure once I start I'll just keep going to more and more events.
Bret
Bret
04-15-2003, 04:48 PM
#21
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Give this a read; <a href="http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm</a>
And go to <a href="http://www.scca.org" target="_blank">www.scca.org</a> and just look over all the stuff regarding Solo II. Don't be afraid to let folks know it's your first time,,you'll get all the help you need that way, and have fun.
And go to <a href="http://www.scca.org" target="_blank">www.scca.org</a> and just look over all the stuff regarding Solo II. Don't be afraid to let folks know it's your first time,,you'll get all the help you need that way, and have fun.
04-15-2003, 04:51 PM
#22
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sun screen! after my first autocross (i think it was in july or august i dont remember) i was BRIGHT red for days.... not that it wasnt worth it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
04-15-2003, 05:22 PM
#23
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Do you guys feel the wiper stalk is too close to the steering wheel?
When I first got the car I was constantly hitting them during "spirited" driving. Lately however I've been keeping away from it but it still seems a little in the way when moving your hand from the shifter to the wheel.
When I first got the car I was constantly hitting them during "spirited" driving. Lately however I've been keeping away from it but it still seems a little in the way when moving your hand from the shifter to the wheel.
04-15-2003, 05:44 PM
#24
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Every car I have ever raced that has a wiper stalk or a turn-signal stalk still in it, one or the other was too close. I used to race a 2000 Eclipse and I was always hitting the wipers.
04-15-2003, 05:57 PM
#25
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Yeah, you should walk all over the 'stang.
No need to worry about drag from taking the sunroof out, you won't be going fast enough to even think about drag and wind resistance.
No need to worry about drag from taking the sunroof out, you won't be going fast enough to even think about drag and wind resistance.
04-15-2003, 06:03 PM
#26
An automatic Mustang in an Auto-x, driven by a novice driver...it won't be pretty 
Still haven't auto-X'd my car yet, but I probably will this summer. I'd like to go to an event as a non-driver first to get a feel for how things works. I know I'll be nervous as hell the first time out though.
Still haven't auto-X'd my car yet, but I probably will this summer. I'd like to go to an event as a non-driver first to get a feel for how things works. I know I'll be nervous as hell the first time out though.
04-15-2003, 09:02 PM
#29
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by 951sickness:
<strong>Pull the wiper fuse....nothing more embarassing as pulling into the finish with the wipers going.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Not a criticism of the advice, just a story -
A few years ago a long time track friend of mine confessed that at one of his first DE events, on advice of a "seasoned veteran", he pulled his wiper fuse for exactly the same reason.
He was feeling pretty clever, until part way into his second run it started to rain. His instructor "suggested" he turn on the wipers so he might "see the track". Well, he was forced to 'fess up and the story has followed him around ever since. Fortunately, he has a good sense of humor about himself.
Pull the fuse if you want, no big deal. But I'd rather have my wipers go on at the wrong time (and they have) than have to explain why I can't turn them on when they're needed...
Matt
<strong>Pull the wiper fuse....nothing more embarassing as pulling into the finish with the wipers going.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Not a criticism of the advice, just a story -
A few years ago a long time track friend of mine confessed that at one of his first DE events, on advice of a "seasoned veteran", he pulled his wiper fuse for exactly the same reason.
He was feeling pretty clever, until part way into his second run it started to rain. His instructor "suggested" he turn on the wipers so he might "see the track". Well, he was forced to 'fess up and the story has followed him around ever since. Fortunately, he has a good sense of humor about himself.
Pull the fuse if you want, no big deal. But I'd rather have my wipers go on at the wrong time (and they have) than have to explain why I can't turn them on when they're needed...
Matt
04-15-2003, 09:22 PM
#30
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In case it hasn't been said: check your fluids first. Also, try running with a full tank of gas. If the gas is sloshing about, it alters your weight balance, which will screw your cornering ability.
Smoothest is fastest. Ease on and off the gas and brake. Do all your braking before the corner while you're still moving in a straight line, you get less traction when you brake while turning, which reduces the effectiveness and can lead to spins.
Check out the forums of the group sponsoring the event (or call somebody) to see if they have helmets for you. I doubt any event will allow you to run without one.
The tech guy will probably make you remove the driver's floormat, you should anyway (along with anything that can move). I'd leave any stereo equipment that comes out in your garage. It's much easier than worrying about somebody hitting it. Plus your gf will probably want to watch or ride with you. Sitting in the parking lot guarding your stuff would be boring. AutoXers are pretty trusting/trustworthy people. They leave expensive tools and parts in the lot (around here at least).
A lot of people with torquey FRs (vettes and so forth) put the top in the trunk to reduce oversteer. If you notice your *** trying to lead your car around, put the spare back in and the sunroof in the back.
Having the sunroof off (and the windows down) improves ventilation, and since you'd be crazy to run the AC on the track, it'll help keep you cool.
Don't be suprised if guys in stock civics, sentras, etc. beat you. It's much easier for a newbie to drive an FF in autoX than an FR, but the FR has more potential in the hands of a skilled driver. Around here the Japanese sport compacts of novice 2 routinely get better times than the guys in novice 1 (my 951 and lots of detroit muscle cars).
I just autoXed my 951 for the first time over the weekend (two different events). I had a few spins, killed a few cones, scored some bad times, and had a blast. It's quite a change from the RSX Type-S I'm used to driving.
Oh...and in SC take a gallon of drinking water (or more), sun block, and bug repellent (damn 'skeeters!).
Smoothest is fastest. Ease on and off the gas and brake. Do all your braking before the corner while you're still moving in a straight line, you get less traction when you brake while turning, which reduces the effectiveness and can lead to spins.
Check out the forums of the group sponsoring the event (or call somebody) to see if they have helmets for you. I doubt any event will allow you to run without one.
The tech guy will probably make you remove the driver's floormat, you should anyway (along with anything that can move). I'd leave any stereo equipment that comes out in your garage. It's much easier than worrying about somebody hitting it. Plus your gf will probably want to watch or ride with you. Sitting in the parking lot guarding your stuff would be boring. AutoXers are pretty trusting/trustworthy people. They leave expensive tools and parts in the lot (around here at least).
A lot of people with torquey FRs (vettes and so forth) put the top in the trunk to reduce oversteer. If you notice your *** trying to lead your car around, put the spare back in and the sunroof in the back.
Having the sunroof off (and the windows down) improves ventilation, and since you'd be crazy to run the AC on the track, it'll help keep you cool.
Don't be suprised if guys in stock civics, sentras, etc. beat you. It's much easier for a newbie to drive an FF in autoX than an FR, but the FR has more potential in the hands of a skilled driver. Around here the Japanese sport compacts of novice 2 routinely get better times than the guys in novice 1 (my 951 and lots of detroit muscle cars).
I just autoXed my 951 for the first time over the weekend (two different events). I had a few spins, killed a few cones, scored some bad times, and had a blast. It's quite a change from the RSX Type-S I'm used to driving.
Oh...and in SC take a gallon of drinking water (or more), sun block, and bug repellent (damn 'skeeters!).