A Newbie's Guide to Autocross

[kayger12]

Awesome write up. I can't wait to start this Spring, I just need to find some sort of driving class first to work on my technique before I go to the track.

Let me know when you're planning to auto-x, Alex. Planning on getting into it myself this year.

[kayger12]

That's the notion I was trying to go against by writing this thread. You don't absolutely need a driving class. Just show up, have fun!

Don't need it, but driver training is the best money you can spend, imo-- especially for a young driver. Certainly won't hurt to get a driver school under your belt first.

[Mike V]

Autocross is definitely a good time and also a great way to enhance your accident avoidance skills for the street. You get the opportunity to see how your car behaves at the limit and at the same time enjoying a little competition. When I first started autocrossing in 2000, I couldn't wait for the next event. I do more track days than autocross these days but I would definitely recommend getting at least a season of autocross under your belt before hitting the track. Autocross tips that I can think of are:

1) Look ahead! This will help immensely with establishing the right line before you say "oh sh*t" and mow over a row of cones.

2) Pay attention on the course walk and get a good idea of what your apex cones are so that you can mentally blank out the others in the 'sea of cones'. I often see a lot of talking and random looking around when people walk with others. I do talk but I keep my eyes fixated on the course so that it's stuck in my feeble little mind.

3) Go slower to go faster. If you're 'drifting' around every turn or understeering with massive tire howl, dial it back a notch and you'll see your times improve.

4) Tire pressures. With the abrupt turns and quick transitions, you'll need to run higher tire pressures than you do on the street. I'd start at 42 psi and maybe even higher for a lower performance tire (all season). After your run, inspect the tires to ensure that you haven't flopped onto the sidewall (you'll see scuffs). Add or bleed pressure as necessary. If your club puts on a Test & Tune event, take advantage of that. You typically get 3 or 4 times the runs at those events, so you'll have more opportunity to figure out what pressure works best. Usually, you'll get just 3-5 runs unless your club doesn't get much participation. In the KC region, we typically get 4 runs with around 100 people in attendance.

5) Run street tires for at least a season before switching to R-Comps. R-Comps have a tendency to mask your mistakes. Give yourself time to be smooth with street tires first and the rewards will pay off when you make the switch to the stickies.

[kayger12]

Autocross is definitely a good time and also a great way to enhance your accident avoidance skills for the street. You get the opportunity to see how your car behaves at the limit and at the same time enjoying a little competition. When I first started autocrossing in 2000, I couldn't wait for the next event. I do more track days than autocross these days but I would definitely recommend getting at least a season of autocross under your belt before hitting the track. Autocross tips that I can think of are:

1) Look ahead! This will help immensely with establishing the right line before you say "oh sh*t" and mow over a row of cones.

2) Pay attention on the course walk and get a good idea of what your apex cones are so that you can mentally blank out the others in the 'sea of cones'. I often see a lot of talking and random looking around when people walk with others. I do talk but I keep my eyes fixated on the course so that it's stuck in my feeble little mind.

3) Go slower to go faster. If you're 'drifting' around every turn or understeering with massive tire howl, dial it back a notch and you'll see your times improve.

4) Tire pressures. With the abrupt turns and quick transitions, you'll need to run higher tire pressures than you do on the street. I'd start at 42 psi and maybe even higher for a lower performance tire (all season). After your run, inspect the tires to ensure that you haven't flopped onto the sidewall (you'll see scuffs). Add or bleed pressure as necessary. If your club puts on a Test & Tune event, take advantage of that. You typically get 3 or 4 times the runs at those events, so you'll have more opportunity to figure out what pressure works best. Usually, you'll get just 3-5 runs unless your club doesn't get much participation. In the KC region, we typically get 4 runs with around 100 people in attendance.

5) Run street tires for at least a season before switching to R-Comps. R-Comps have a tendency to mask your mistakes. Give yourself time to be smooth with street tires first and the rewards will pay off when you make the switch to the stickies.

Good stuff. I lol'ed at #3 thinking about whipping a 4,300 lb Crown Vic around the track. I think you'd have to do 10mph to keep the tires quiet...

[M0nk3y]

Autocross is definitely a good time and also a great way to enhance your accident avoidance skills for the street. You get the opportunity to see how your car behaves at the limit and at the same time enjoying a little competition. When I first started autocrossing in 2000, I couldn't wait for the next event. I do more track days than autocross these days but I would definitely recommend getting at least a season of autocross under your belt before hitting the track. Autocross tips that I can think of are:

1) Look ahead! This will help immensely with establishing the right line before you say "oh sh*t" and mow over a row of cones.

2) Pay attention on the course walk and get a good idea of what your apex cones are so that you can mentally blank out the others in the 'sea of cones'. I often see a lot of talking and random looking around when people walk with others. I do talk but I keep my eyes fixated on the course so that it's stuck in my feeble little mind.

3) Go slower to go faster. If you're 'drifting' around every turn or understeering with massive tire howl, dial it back a notch and you'll see your times improve.

4) Tire pressures. With the abrupt turns and quick transitions, you'll need to run higher tire pressures than you do on the street. I'd start at 42 psi and maybe even higher for a lower performance tire (all season). After your run, inspect the tires to ensure that you haven't flopped onto the sidewall (you'll see scuffs). Add or bleed pressure as necessary. If your club puts on a Test & Tune event, take advantage of that. You typically get 3 or 4 times the runs at those events, so you'll have more opportunity to figure out what pressure works best. Usually, you'll get just 3-5 runs unless your club doesn't get much participation. In the KC region, we typically get 4 runs with around 100 people in attendance.

5) Run street tires for at least a season before switching to R-Comps. R-Comps have a tendency to mask your mistakes. Give yourself time to be smooth with street tires first and the rewards will pay off when you make the switch to the stickies.

Great points. To add onto #2

Before every run, I close my eyes and go through the whole course while sitting in my car...I imagine where I have to steer the wheel, where I have to brake..etc. When I walk the course I make sure I know the course before it's done with...I usually walk about 4-5 times. It may seem like alot, but I always catch something I missed before.

Yes, it may look weird seeing a dude in his car, while sitting still imagining to turn the wheel...etc, but it helps me alot to get prepared for the upcoming run.

As well...when you're autocrossing, you need to sit alot closer than you usually do. You want to put your arms out towards the wheel and your wrists should be resting on the steering wheel...I sit alot closer to my pedals and higher up...the benefit to see forward over the car helps a ton.

Regards.

[kayger12]

Great points. To add onto #2

Before every run, I close my eyes and go through the whole course while sitting in my car...I imagine where I have to steer the wheel, where I have to brake..etc.

Yes, it may look weird seeing a dude in his car, while sitting still imagining to turn the wheel...etc, but it helps me alot to get prepared for the upcoming run.

If the Blue Angels can do it before every routine, I think it's good enough for the rest of us.

Visualization, FTW!

Good advice.

"To develop the minute "muscle memory" necessary to fly precise formation, while countering high g-loads, new Blue Angel pilots rely on the time-proven techniques of active visualization and armchair flying. During the first preflight briefing of a practice day, Foley and Shortal close their eyes and virtually "fly" the team's upcoming profile. "Boss" Foley verbalizes his radio calls, just as he would in the air, and both new pilots move imaginary sticks and throttles."

[adb1028]

Let me know when you're planning to auto-x, Alex. Planning on getting into it myself this year.

Definitely. I need to do some research on where to go for this. Do you know of any upcoming events?

That's the notion I was trying to go against by writing this thread. You don't absolutely need a driving class. Just show up, have fun!

What's stopping you?

Don't need it, but driver training is the best money you can spend, imo-- especially for a young driver. Certainly won't hurt to get a driver school under your belt first.

I've only been driving a 6spd since October (well, driving at all for that matter ) so my ability can definitely be improved. I think it would be a worth while investment

[M0nk3y]

Definitely. I need to do some research on where to go for this. Do you know of any upcoming events?



I've only been driving a 6spd since October (well, driving at all for that matter ) so my ability can definitely be improved. I think it would be a worth while investment

All you need to do is get out of 1st gear and leave it in second. There is only 1 time I went back into first and that was I wanted to get around the corner quick and used the clutch and brake to kick the car around.

[adb1028]

All you need to do is get out of 1st gear and leave it in second. There is only 1 time I went back into first and that was I wanted to get around the corner quick and used the clutch and brake to kick the car around.

Alright, sounds easy enough

[kayger12]

Definitely. I need to do some research on where to go for this. Do you know of any upcoming events?

I need to do some digging myself. I'll see what I can find.