Autocross
09-05-2019 | 01:17 PM
#16
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 819
Likes: 370
From: Earth
I second everything said here about all the learning to be had from auto-x where going beyond the limits is safe and educational.
My only gripe is seat time. I haven't found a good way to get a lot of auto-x seat time, so far evolution auto x schools and the occasional test and tune day have provided the most but even then it's nothing compared to an hpde where you might get a couple hours.
Are there any orgs or events where you can get hpde level seat time for auto-x style driving?
My only gripe is seat time. I haven't found a good way to get a lot of auto-x seat time, so far evolution auto x schools and the occasional test and tune day have provided the most but even then it's nothing compared to an hpde where you might get a couple hours.
Are there any orgs or events where you can get hpde level seat time for auto-x style driving?
But any sort of "school" or test and tune I have been to is amazing. Usually those events are a little more expensive, capped at 50 cars, but you basically get as many runs as you could possibly want to do, back to back to back, all day long.
09-05-2019 | 01:41 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 806
Likes: 219
I second this. Standing in the sun for hours on end, and only getting maybe 5 minutes of seat time on a super packed autocross day can be taxing and a bit annoying.
But any sort of "school" or test and tune I have been to is amazing. Usually those events are a little more expensive, capped at 50 cars, but you basically get as many runs as you could possibly want to do, back to back to back, all day long.
But any sort of "school" or test and tune I have been to is amazing. Usually those events are a little more expensive, capped at 50 cars, but you basically get as many runs as you could possibly want to do, back to back to back, all day long.
In Socal, the POC and PCA now hire paid corner workers so you can just drive, hangout in other people's tents, leave the venue to go to lunch, etc. We usually pay $20 to $25 more for not having to work the course, totally worth it.
Another event I go to (Puretrack.net) lets you sign up for one hour of track session at a time for 8 runs, so you do your 8 runs in that hour, or multiples of one hour or half hour (4 runs), then go home. I see people sign up for 3 to 4 hours each day so you can have as much seat time as you wish. If you stay late, by 3PM or so, there usually aren't too many cars running anymore and then you can practically run non-stop. Unlike SCCA events, I never get baked under the sun at this venue. The video I posted earlier was at one of their events at the Anaheim Stadium in Orange County.
09-05-2019 | 02:48 PM
#18
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 702
Likes: 156
From: Portland, OR
Seems to me that there are two ways to look at it.
1: I have a GT3 and I am looking for new opportunities to play with it. Autocross might be fun and I don't have to drive/trailer my car several hundred miles to get to a track.
2: I want to be competitive at autocross, so I will buy the best car for that. Maybe a Miata, Civic, Mini, or Golf...
1: I have a GT3 and I am looking for new opportunities to play with it. Autocross might be fun and I don't have to drive/trailer my car several hundred miles to get to a track.
2: I want to be competitive at autocross, so I will buy the best car for that. Maybe a Miata, Civic, Mini, or Golf...
The following 3 users liked this post by Sleepy996:
09-05-2019 | 03:51 PM
#20
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17,318
Likes: 12,255
09-05-2019 | 04:20 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 806
Likes: 219
At the last POC event, I let one of the fastest instructor drive my RS. The first run he did w/ TC on, he got a 39.9x (can't remember exact time as we were just doing practice runs) which turned out to be the sixth fastest time of all cars there that day. Not sure what he couldn't achieved with a few runs but one thing I'm sure of is that the RS or GT3 can content for Top Time of the Day in the right hands, especially if on tires that would heat up faster.
09-05-2019 | 06:31 PM
#23
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 702
Likes: 156
From: Portland, OR
At the last POC event, I let one of the fastest instructor drive my RS. The first run he did w/ TC on, he got a 39.9x (can't remember exact time as we were just doing practice runs) which turned out to be the sixth fastest time of all cars there that day. Not sure what he couldn't achieved with a few runs but one thing I'm sure of is that the RS or GT3 can content for Top Time of the Day in the right hands, especially if on tires that would heat up faster.
09-05-2019 | 06:48 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,321
Likes: 1,129
From: Florida Space Coast
While much different than a road course, the dynamics of car balance and control are all just as critical (if not more). It's an exceptional way to learn vehicle control at the limits with a minimum of risk to driver and car.
09-05-2019 | 07:09 PM
#25
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,321
Likes: 1,129
From: Florida Space Coast
Let's tone down the chest thumping and step back a bit. Both track and autocross require skill to do well. They do.
Autocross just isn't the best application for a GT3. It's a competition. You want the best application that adheres to the rules. You aren't able to take full advantage of the power available in a GT3. A smaller, lightweight car can get the job done just as well. You are confining a wild horse in the space of a small suburban backyard. Sure, you can ride it in small circles, but I'm pretty sure that isn't what the horse needs. From that aspect, I would agree with ipse dixit that it is a waste, because you can do the same or better with a less expensive car and running costs.
I know people are going to fire back and say that people on a road course who aren't any good aren't taking advantage of the GT3 either and it's a waste. I would agree with that as well.
In the end, I try not to make fun of anyone's hobbies, because when you deconstruct any of them, it all seems silly and a waste. I will say I'm not a fan of standing around all day to drive for maybe 5 minutes, though. Lol.
Autocross just isn't the best application for a GT3. It's a competition. You want the best application that adheres to the rules. You aren't able to take full advantage of the power available in a GT3. A smaller, lightweight car can get the job done just as well. You are confining a wild horse in the space of a small suburban backyard. Sure, you can ride it in small circles, but I'm pretty sure that isn't what the horse needs. From that aspect, I would agree with ipse dixit that it is a waste, because you can do the same or better with a less expensive car and running costs.
I know people are going to fire back and say that people on a road course who aren't any good aren't taking advantage of the GT3 either and it's a waste. I would agree with that as well.
In the end, I try not to make fun of anyone's hobbies, because when you deconstruct any of them, it all seems silly and a waste. I will say I'm not a fan of standing around all day to drive for maybe 5 minutes, though. Lol.
However, the original question here was whether the owner would get more out of their GT3 by auto crossing. The answer is a resounding yes.
The following users liked this post:
foot2pedal911 (09-06-2019)
09-22-2019 | 11:04 AM
#26
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 506
Likes: 140
This thread encouraged me to get my first auto-x exposure through the Porsche Driving Skills course. Had an absolute blast and I would highly recommend it to any gt car owner!
From what I gathered, most people recommended the driving skills course over a true autocross event as you apparently get much more seat time in the skills course, no cone ********, etc.
There were other courses throughout the day that I got my car into 3rd gear properly.
Here's a video from onboard my GT3. Yes I missed a slalom cone, yes I know my line and technique can use a lot of work, but it was an immense amount of fun and I feel it's a great stepping stone to getting on the big track. And even for track drivers, it wouldn't hurt to polish up those skills on the autox course.
https://streamable.com/t4b00
And one from the outside. Turn the volume up!
https://streamable.com/1ntin
From what I gathered, most people recommended the driving skills course over a true autocross event as you apparently get much more seat time in the skills course, no cone ********, etc.
There were other courses throughout the day that I got my car into 3rd gear properly.
Here's a video from onboard my GT3. Yes I missed a slalom cone, yes I know my line and technique can use a lot of work, but it was an immense amount of fun and I feel it's a great stepping stone to getting on the big track. And even for track drivers, it wouldn't hurt to polish up those skills on the autox course.
https://streamable.com/t4b00
And one from the outside. Turn the volume up!
https://streamable.com/1ntin
Last edited by carbondan; 09-22-2019 at 01:36 PM.
The following users liked this post:
foot2pedal911 (09-23-2019)