Autocrossers -- tips?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Autocrossers -- tips?
Well, I've gotten a few autocross events under my belt and I'm struggling a bit to try to figure out how to tune my laps for better times.
1. I know I'm not going to be able to keep pace with the C4-C6s with my 77 L48 w/3.08 -- but it wouldn't hurt to try to close the gap.
2. My first run on this last Saturday was 71 seconds and some change, and my last run was 67.888 (you always seem to remember your best), but I sort of plateaued at the end.
3. Sunday they changed the course a bit which didn't let me build on my Saturday times. My first run was in the 64s, and my best lap was about 61.7 (I remember cutting off about 3.2 seconds).
I know that I'm not going to continue to take time off like that as I continue to run, but what should I look for to tweak these runs? What techniques help for faster times? Based on my low gearing, I have resorted to shifting to try to get some speed off the corners. What can I look for during my own run to help me figure out where I'm losing time?
Most of all -- how do I know when I've gotten about all I can get out of the hardware I'm using? How do I know when the car is holding back my times, and it isn't me?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Brian.
1. I know I'm not going to be able to keep pace with the C4-C6s with my 77 L48 w/3.08 -- but it wouldn't hurt to try to close the gap.
2. My first run on this last Saturday was 71 seconds and some change, and my last run was 67.888 (you always seem to remember your best), but I sort of plateaued at the end.
3. Sunday they changed the course a bit which didn't let me build on my Saturday times. My first run was in the 64s, and my best lap was about 61.7 (I remember cutting off about 3.2 seconds).
I know that I'm not going to continue to take time off like that as I continue to run, but what should I look for to tweak these runs? What techniques help for faster times? Based on my low gearing, I have resorted to shifting to try to get some speed off the corners. What can I look for during my own run to help me figure out where I'm losing time?
Most of all -- how do I know when I've gotten about all I can get out of the hardware I'm using? How do I know when the car is holding back my times, and it isn't me?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Brian.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
When I used to auto-cross, there were always seasoned drivers that could drive anything well. Find him/her and let them drive your car, maybe at the end of the session on a few fun-runs. If he/she comes close or beats your times, it's you! The good thing about letting better drivers drive your car is they will point out weakneses in your car or your driving style. I was fortunate to learn from such a person. He can beat most comers...C-4's or C-5's, with a well worn but very dialed-in C-2. I would still auto-X if we didn't lose all of our local Austin courses.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Some of the events are just parking lots with cones setup -- this last weekend we went to a place that had an actual testing grounds where we could use their skid pads and stuff -- still cones, but enjoyable all the same.
One guy said that if I don't spin out, I'm not trying hard enough ...well, I didn't spin out, but I was certainly yanking the wheel in both directions in some turns.
Your idea sounds pretty decent ...wish I would have thought of that during the "fun runs" at the end ...just not a lot of opportunity to do that.
Any reason that you lost the tracks in your area? No demand?
One guy said that if I don't spin out, I'm not trying hard enough ...well, I didn't spin out, but I was certainly yanking the wheel in both directions in some turns.
Your idea sounds pretty decent ...wish I would have thought of that during the "fun runs" at the end ...just not a lot of opportunity to do that.
Any reason that you lost the tracks in your area? No demand?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
After you get a few more events under your belt you will be ready for the biggest upgrade you can do: tires.
It's amazing what a set of autocross tires will do. Be sure you get autocross tires, not road race. The autocross tires are made to heat up real fast.
When I switched to autocross tires I instantly dropped 2 seconds on a 50 second course.
It's amazing what a set of autocross tires will do. Be sure you get autocross tires, not road race. The autocross tires are made to heat up real fast.
When I switched to autocross tires I instantly dropped 2 seconds on a 50 second course.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Lots of demand...lost some venues because of some cranky old people who don't appreciate the sound of a small-block @ 7,000 rpm's. Then you have our wonderful lawyers scaring all the property owners into barring us from what are really fairly safe events. The closest event is a NCCC auto-X, once a year and 100 miles away. Fortunatly, I like to drag race...I can race any week-end, and sometimes a test-tune Friday.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Some pics ...
Since we all love those pics, I am posting a few...
I'm #2 in line here ...
Rounding what might be turn 6ish ...
Lead car....
furthest away ..
Behind the one with the goatee!
I have some that I have taken, but I'm still going through them.
Brian.
I'm #2 in line here ...
Rounding what might be turn 6ish ...
Lead car....
furthest away ..
Behind the one with the goatee!
I have some that I have taken, but I'm still going through them.
Brian.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by zwede
After you get a few more events under your belt you will be ready for the biggest upgrade you can do: tires.
It's amazing what a set of autocross tires will do. Be sure you get autocross tires, not road race. The autocross tires are made to heat up real fast.
When I switched to autocross tires I instantly dropped 2 seconds on a 50 second course.
It's amazing what a set of autocross tires will do. Be sure you get autocross tires, not road race. The autocross tires are made to heat up real fast.
When I switched to autocross tires I instantly dropped 2 seconds on a 50 second course.
I did start playing with tire pressures to see what effect they had on the runs, and I almost always ended up going to the loose side, so I upped the front tire pressures to about 35 psi, and the rears were about 30. It did help a bit with balance ...but I probably could have gone a little further.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by big_G
Lots of demand...lost some venues because of some cranky old people who don't appreciate the sound of a small-block @ 7,000 rpm's. Then you have our wonderful lawyers scaring all the property owners into barring us from what are really fairly safe events. The closest event is a NCCC auto-X, once a year and 100 miles away. Fortunatly, I like to drag race...I can race any week-end, and sometimes a test-tune Friday.
Apart from sunburn, I don't think there was any injuries at our event. A few stalls, and one guy ran off track after losing it, but only about 15' total ...so the biggest risk was to his vehicle for a rail that he ran over leaving the pad.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Seat time..no matter the layout,you must learn by getting lot's of time on the track..it comes in small increments...tires are very important,as stated above...you must also decide what class you want to compete in...then go out and be smooth...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by rihwoods
Seat time..no matter the layout,you must learn by getting lot's of time on the track..it comes in small increments...tires are very important,as stated above...you must also decide what class you want to compete in...then go out and be smooth...
As far as class, I don't know ...I'm trying to keep the car "stock in appearance" so that limits some of the upgrades I can make. The last two events, I was alone in my class, so I was unbeatable (exect the first two runs of the first event I ran ...DNF'd both -- I got lost)
"Be Smooth"
That phrase is just killing me. I'm not sure if there are areas where I'm not being smooth . I'm not just pounding the gas on every turn, I roll in and roll out of the gas -- mash it as soon as I can. I am easy on the steering to not jerk the car loose. What are other ways to be smooth? I'm sure there are techniques I don't know (and since no one saw me, they can't see what I was doing to know what was wrong).
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
We just have "monthly" events but usually Saturday is practice,and Sunday is for points..this was not the case years ago...tougher then..if you run stock,tires are limited..I used to run stock years ago and rules required DOT street tires...so I had them shaved to get better grip..
Smooth..?think you are on the right track...also, it helps to be looking two turns ahead of where you are on the track..and walking the track is very important..also look back at the turns to visualize how you would come into them...
Smooth..?think you are on the right track...also, it helps to be looking two turns ahead of where you are on the track..and walking the track is very important..also look back at the turns to visualize how you would come into them...