Auto crossing
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: Westminster MD
Re: Auto crossing (SkunkCar)
Lots of good advice here. Though, I strongly suggest getting into 2nd gear fairly quickly. It will make you smoother on the track. I've experimented lots with this in my LT4. Downshift back into 1st only if you face a tight, hairpin turn. But, as a newbie, I'd even recommend sticking in 2nd for that too ... because as a newbie, you're not trying to win anything ... you just want to maintain control and have a good time.
Remember ... slower is faster (don't over-do it). And, take every opportunity to ride along with a more experienced Vette driver. Enjoy!
Remember ... slower is faster (don't over-do it). And, take every opportunity to ride along with a more experienced Vette driver. Enjoy!
:iagree:
Staying in first may fell faster because of the acceleration but it can unsettle the car otherwise. After an event last year Sam Strano (Multi-time national champ SoloII/ProSolo driver) came up and asked "why are you staying in 1st". The explanation being that these cars have TOO MUCH engine breaking in 1st gear -- It was slowing the car down more than I wanted. Use the brakes to slow down.
Especially if you're new - Shift to second at the first real "open" spot you have (not in a turn) and leave it there. You've got enough to worry about. Second, LOOK AHEAD. If you're lookin at the cones right in front of you
it's too late - you're already committed - either you'll hit them or you won't, you can't change that by that time.
Other stuff: If you're on steet tires make sure that pressures are up a little higher than usual - I would suggest starting with 40 and then bleeding down a little on which ever end of the car seems looser. The extra pressure will keep the tires from rolling over as much and chewing up your sidewalls.
And try to find someone experienced to ride with you, and try to ride with others. Even if you have to take those runs as "fun runs" (some regions don't count runs if you have ridden before your runs) it's worth the advice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: Westminster MD
Re: Auto crossing (TheStef)
Just one question for you experts,
I learned that with ABS brakes you can press the brakes wiles your turning alot more then if you didn't have ABS brakes since the tires will not lock up and will let you keep controle of you car at higher speeds wile turning. I've learned that this is very much the case in wet conditions but what about dry pavement?
I learned that with ABS brakes you can press the brakes wiles your turning alot more then if you didn't have ABS brakes since the tires will not lock up and will let you keep controle of you car at higher speeds wile turning. I've learned that this is very much the case in wet conditions but what about dry pavement?
Wet vs dry is pretty similar except you stand a chance more of unloading an inside wheel which will cause ABS to kick in. I believe that this is what's happening to me sometimes -- A hard left while braking will unload the left rear wheel causing ABS to kick in. This is on sticky r-compound rubber.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
Re: Auto crossing (TravisD)
What your saying is with normal tires the ABS tends to act more normal but with sticky's its acting to aggressively because the car tires actually lift off ground and the abs interprets this has the car loosing control?
Is this correct?
Would it be better to deactivate the ABS before going racing even with normal tires?
"is this even possible?"
Is this correct?
Would it be better to deactivate the ABS before going racing even with normal tires?
"is this even possible?"
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Re: Auto crossing (Southern Comfort)
For those of you with auto trans how do you handle shifting, clicking through the gears or letting the trans do the work?
