I went to my first autocross Saturday. What a blast! I was surprised at how neutral the 928 is at the limit, as well as how far it can be pushed. I took First Place in GC (or was it GS?) class. Of course, it helps that I was the only car in that class :-). Who really needs to know that when they see my acrylic 1st place plaque?

My '91 GT is running on original springs / shocks, so it is a little bit soft. Three practice runs and three timed runs (they actually timed all six runs). To give you an idea, the fasted time of the day was 40 seconds and change by a race prepared 944 turbo that runs in M1. I don't know what the slowest time of the day was, but I saw a 60 and change flash up once.

Rounding off, my first practice run was 54 (this was my first autocross run ever). My next one was a 50, then a 49. No cones. For the timed runs, they were 50, 49 with a cone (adds two seconds) and then a 47.7. Unfortunately I hit a cone on my 47 run, because that one was pretty respectable. Even with the 2 second penalty, it was my best run of the day.

The course was really favorable for the boxters and 944s, as it was very tight. Having seed advice on running in 2nd gear, that was my strategy on the first run - when you get to 2nd, leave it there. It worked ok, but I saw a 996 holding first for a good part of the course, so for my second practice run, I decided to see how long I could hold 1st. I ran the whole course in 1st from then on - with one shift on the final stretch to the timing light. That gives you an idea of how tight the course was, no favors for the big dogs. Apparently, next months autocross (Gold Coast Region of PCA) is in another venue with more space, so they can open up the track a bit.

It was clear to me that seat time is key. My biggest problem was driving too deep into corners and not finding the optimimum line on exit to set up for the next gate. Each run, I could see myself improving - looking and thinking ahead more.

Anyway, I want to get a few of these behind me before I go to a DE. It's a great way to learn the limits of your baby and it is so much fun it should be illegal. Of course, I probably scrubbed off about 100 bucks worth of rubber - but it was worth it!

I love this car!

Cameron
'91 Euro GT

 

Congratulations!

Having autoX'd for 35 years, I still overdrive and have to remind myself to slow down to go faster. Smooth is best.

Enjoy...

 

Look familiar!!

Fun isnt it!!






I touched it, but it didnt move out of the box!

Quicklly to R..then D...then

 

congratulations on the win,
i also did my first autocross September 21 in my 928. i was in the p25 class and took first.The fastest time of the day was a 45 second run done by a supercharged bmw and the 911s were doing 48s. My lowest time was 50.2 and still riding on a stock suspension.

Lou
83 928 5speed

 

Cameron:

Worry not that you are the only guy in your class. The truth is that there are many in you class, but, in the words of Kim John Crumb, you are the only one who bothered to come out and run, and for that you are a WINNER. You beat the other guys who made excuses and fiddle faddled around. Braggards are plentiful, but you came out and did it. And you probably beat a lot of guys who hit more cones and/or DNFd so congratulate yourself.

 

another one hooked!

Now that you have that out of your system (almost 5 min of track time AutoX'ing)
Now, find a road course and do a DE. if you feel comfortable with your basic car control, the DE will help you understand what the 928 is really good at. and, not to mention you get over 90min of track time!
Its all about Seat time, and there are plenty of 2nd and possibly 1st gear turns on most all roadcourses, to hone your braking and car control skills.
You would have to run autocross for several years to get the experience as one DE would provide. Just take it slow,and go with someone that has done it for awhile. Once you get ramped up, you improve exponentially!

and dont worry about the tires on 5 min on an autoX course. It would barely scuff them up!! Heck, Ive got 3 race weekends , Over 6 hours of all out racing, on my RA1 toyos and they are only half gone from how they come new, shaven! (and commutes to the track and back as I still drive the car to the races!)

Have fun! congrats on your class win. As was said by Kim, its all about winning and it doesnt matter who shows up, if anyone!@!

MK

 

Thanks for the encouraging words, guys. There is no doubt that I will make time for this activity going forward. I also appreciate the comments on doing a DE. That one also has to be high up on the priority list.

.....Cameron
'91 Euro GT

 

Tony,
Hitting the cone = 2 seconds.
Stopping to miss the cone = 5 seconds.
Not having to rub out the cone marks = Priceless.
I would have sent the cone flying.

 

Proper speed and apexing the corner properly without hitting the cone = 0 seconds ;-)

There's a big difference between autoX and DE, like 2nd gear vs. 4th.

 

THis is definitely true. I've instructed at a few DE's and you can tell by the second lap which students had at least some autoX experience. They were immediately faster, more confident and learned the circuit more quickly. AutoX is a great introduction to DE's.