Auto X Advise
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,386
Likes: 442
From: Southwest
It's all about smoothness. A smooth (read fast) driver will do best with PSM on. If with PSM on the car plows, the driver is over-driving and is not smooth.
PSM on for correct smooth driving. PSM off for a drifting show.
PSM on for correct smooth driving. PSM off for a drifting show.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 115
Likes: 5
From: Vancouver, BC
+1 StormRune comments. I have done the same on my first 3 AutoX events with PSM on.
First time out I put it in PDK Sport. Last times out I put it in Sport Plus PDK and was 2nd fastest in my group. I don't feel the PSM holding me back, it is more ME holding the car back. After some practice you will start to understand how long you can hold off the brake and just keep 'er crankin'.
AutoX is a really fun way to get to know the car.
First time out I put it in PDK Sport. Last times out I put it in Sport Plus PDK and was 2nd fastest in my group. I don't feel the PSM holding me back, it is more ME holding the car back. After some practice you will start to understand how long you can hold off the brake and just keep 'er crankin'.
AutoX is a really fun way to get to know the car.
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,731
Likes: 289
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Been autocrossing for many decades and as you are starting to glean from these posts, there are many ways to get around a course.
One concensus that is rightfully popping up: Smoothness.
Horsepower gets lots of people in trouble. Focus upon memorizing the course and just be smooth. That means no abrupt power changes. Use a higher gear than you think you'll need. Remember to exploit what you have, terrific brakes and lots of displacement. With all that displacement, you can hold a higher gear and still retain sufficient torque to get around the course. Brake late and hard. These cars can absolutely take it!
As another said, when racing, you are either fully on the power or fully on the brakes. While this it true for a road course, it's impractical for a tight autocrossing course. It's also extremely hard to do if you're not trained in racing. These cars are far more capable than most owners. Far more.
Tire pressures. Keep your ears open to the tire pressures your fellow auticrossers are using. TP is very critical in autocrossing. It's also very secretive, so good luck learning what others are using.
One minor gift you can give your engine: add an octane additive if you're in one of those lousy states that waters down your octane. With a higher octane, your engine will not have to adjust timing to minimize pre-ignition detonation. It's not too critical for autocrosses, but it's a little something you can do for little money.
Have fun. Autocrosses are a great way to learn the potential of your Carrera. Lastly, using the pre-lock capability of your seatbelts, move your seat back, tighten up the belts with the tensioner invoked, and then slowly move your seat (hopefully, powered) forward to your driving position. Exploit the belt's ability to hold you in position. The last thing you need to worry about when tossing your Carrera around a track is worrying about hanging onto the steering wheel for support. Also, if you can find a really good driver, have him/her drive your car with you in the right seat to observe.
One concensus that is rightfully popping up: Smoothness.
Horsepower gets lots of people in trouble. Focus upon memorizing the course and just be smooth. That means no abrupt power changes. Use a higher gear than you think you'll need. Remember to exploit what you have, terrific brakes and lots of displacement. With all that displacement, you can hold a higher gear and still retain sufficient torque to get around the course. Brake late and hard. These cars can absolutely take it!
As another said, when racing, you are either fully on the power or fully on the brakes. While this it true for a road course, it's impractical for a tight autocrossing course. It's also extremely hard to do if you're not trained in racing. These cars are far more capable than most owners. Far more.
Tire pressures. Keep your ears open to the tire pressures your fellow auticrossers are using. TP is very critical in autocrossing. It's also very secretive, so good luck learning what others are using.
One minor gift you can give your engine: add an octane additive if you're in one of those lousy states that waters down your octane. With a higher octane, your engine will not have to adjust timing to minimize pre-ignition detonation. It's not too critical for autocrosses, but it's a little something you can do for little money.
Have fun. Autocrosses are a great way to learn the potential of your Carrera. Lastly, using the pre-lock capability of your seatbelts, move your seat back, tighten up the belts with the tensioner invoked, and then slowly move your seat (hopefully, powered) forward to your driving position. Exploit the belt's ability to hold you in position. The last thing you need to worry about when tossing your Carrera around a track is worrying about hanging onto the steering wheel for support. Also, if you can find a really good driver, have him/her drive your car with you in the right seat to observe.