Hey guys,

I've read through the sticky and some of your posts throughout and have come up with the following..

1. Aim for 30-32 for tire psi first run and gauge from there?
2. Bring lots of water, and more water as well as maybe a canopy and snacks
3. Be prepared to work and watch the lines/corners more experienced drivers are taking.
4. Empty car of anything that can be sloshed around
5. Approved Helmet
6. *Most seem to like Track mode with the nannies off* - I'm well aware the car can outperform my ability as a novice so open to suggestions. I'd like to say i'm a confident driver when it comes to feathering the throttle etc. but definitely not as good as my car
7. Finally- leave my ego at home. No problem there, I'm here to have fun in a safe manner and not tear up my car.

Questions- My car is an A8 with Soler throttle enhancer. Outside of that its just equipped with a Borla X-pipe and attack blue filter with Boostane Octane booster. So, will i likely want to let it do the shifting, or should i do the paddles myself? I hate the way the car shifts as it is (i've got that infamous 3rd gear stick when coming to a slow stop)


Any and all advice is appreciated.

Thanks fellas/ladies!

 

I’ve never driven an auto but I would shift it myself personally. I wouldn’t turn the nannies completely off until you are very comfortable with the car.

 

Thank you, Flyby. I may play with the Track modes and see how they feel.

 

Auto X is a blast! Sounds like you're approaching it properly. Maybe before the event see how fast you can go in 2ND gear. Depending on the course you shouldn't go any faster than 50-60 mph. If your engine's screaming then run the course in 3rd. Should be fun with an auto, practice your left foot braking in an empty parking lot. Also, be prepared to go home with a soar throat from all the talking with fellow enthusiasts.

 

Where is this autocross and who is hosting it?

 

I would use AX time to work on car control in addition to just being quick. Nannies in Track/Race or completely off unless you have have never ever actively tried to slide your car before. I also see some AX courses that are in close confines when it comes to barriers and there's way more to hit than just cones. If like this I would err on the side of caution myself. Best of luck to you. Have fun!!

 

You shouldn't get out of 2nd. I use first and second (also a A6) AutoX is done at "street" speeds.

 

You could get rid of the "throttle enhancer", the usual design for that kind of product is to make the throttle jumpy because it feels sporty. Won't be helpful for careful throttle modulation.

 

I organized and run in the local autocross club here in my home town for 9-years. My observations:
- Buy a torque wrench and check the car's wheel nuts often. I cannot understate this. Do it, then do it again.
- Buy a good, dial-type tire pressure gauge and start off with a bit more tire pressure than you think, especially if you are not running a "race alignment". After a run, look at how far up the sidewall you are scrubbing the front tires. Ideally, you will scrub just to the edge of the tread and not on the sidewall. if you start off with a bit more pressure, you can always bleed some air off.
- Take everything out of the car that isn't bolted down. Weight is the enemy.
- If possible beg a ride with a more experienced (and faster) driver to see what he/she does on the course.

You will not be fast at the beginning and you will think "there's no way I can go through there at speed!". Remember, the object is to NOT hit cones and each time you run the course, you will get faster, IF you are patient with yourself and learn something from each run. The car you have is already a great platform, it is now up to you to get the maximum potential out of it. Autocross is not a power game, it is a handling game. The driver who has the highest average speed through the course wins. Period. It's the speed carried through the corners and tight sections that counts most. My 1984 Mazda RX7 with 145 horsepower humbled many, many other drivers and their significantly higher powered cars. Be fast and nimble.

You will have a blast and a warning: Autocross is addictive! Resist the temptation to add more power, the game is in the suspension, tires and most importantly, the driver.

Enjoy.

 

I too will be a rookie in AX this year and this is great advice!

 

Thank you guys!! Much appreciated. I do have a TQ wrench and will bring that along with a Milwaukee air compressor and gauge.

The event is in Augusta V.A- here's the info. https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...-center-355958

For the throttle enhancer- I'm going to play with that a bit, I run it on a lower sport setting simply to get a downshift with less throttle input but will drive it beforehand in various ways to see what feels the best.

 

I am missing something??? The AX link says it was on Mar 20, 2022.

 

It's not recommended to re-torque the lugs between runs. Yes it's true rotors won't get as hot on an autox course as on track, but depending on the course they can still get fairly hot and applying torque to hot lugs/discs/wheels (especially aluminum wheels) is not a good idea.

 

Why?

During an endurance race when we change wheels/tires we torque them down. The car has just come in off the track and they are super hot. What am I missing?

I guess you're saying same hot wheel torquing down over and over? I was thinking of the lug studs I guess and we have never had a problem.

 

You may be looking at the wrong date. It's this Sunday, confirmed.

 

Get to the site early. Walk the track, and when you are done, walk it again. Make notes in your head and try to visualize where you will put the car. When driving look ahead to the next corner not the one you are at. It's too late for that one.
You always have to think and plan ahead the next cone or two.
And like someone said, many AX have pros that can ride with you, ( if it's free, remember to tip them) Some areas have a paid instructor that will set your car up with cameras and plot your improvements/mistakes as you go.
Best money I ever spent was in instructor for 6 events.

 

Smooth is fast. You're only competing against yourself, Your times will improve with each run, if you're paying attention to where you can pick up speed. Walk the course before the event and visualize how you want to run the course. Enjoy!

 

Here ya go guys! i ran 30psi all day. Based on scrub, was that too low? The car understeered BAD. I did try cooling the tires off before the 4th run with water and it may or may not have helped. My biggest hurdle was getting it out of my head that I need to whip the rear end around as if i were drifting- I kept wanting to do that and kept pushing the front tires.
I for the most part left it in 2nd except twice my hand upshifted by accident when turning the wheel. 1st was too snappy.

30psi