Auto crossing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,437
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville Fl
Auto crossing
hey guys, i am autocrossing my LT4 coupe for the first time on saturday. anyone else running their late model C4 in autocross? any helpful hints? its a pretty tight track so i dont think i will get out of 2nd. i dont know even the simplest tricks to this sport so any info would be greatly appreciated
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: OH
Re: Auto crossing (1996man)
hey guys, i am autocrossing my LT4 coupe for the first time on saturday. anyone else running their late model C4 in autocross? any helpful hints? its a pretty tight track so i dont think i will get out of 2nd. i dont know even the simplest tricks to this sport so any info would be greatly appreciated
Most important part of autocross is WALK THE COURSE, as many times as you can, you only get a few chances to drive the course during the day, the better you know it before hand the better you will drive it, regardless of any other driving tricks/skill.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Perth WA
Re: Auto crossing (1996man)
One thing. Your car will not turn when you have you foot on the brake pedal. So brake then turn. It is a matter of timing. It took me a couple of race days to figure it out, but I have shaved so much off my times that Sunday I was within 0.1 second of the times of a twin turbo callaway. I was stoked.
My motto though. "I am here for a good time, not a fast time".
Have fun!!! :D
My motto though. "I am here for a good time, not a fast time".
Have fun!!! :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Re: Auto crossing (1996man)
I've done several autocrosses and the LT4 does quite well.
You may not even get out of first gear! Last two I've left it in first and makes things much easier than heel/toeing and upshifting. LT4 has higher redline...
Have fun and ask lots of questions of the folks that do it regularly. I thought I could push the car around alright, but after seeing those guys...wow...great place to learn.
Have fun!
:)
You may not even get out of first gear! Last two I've left it in first and makes things much easier than heel/toeing and upshifting. LT4 has higher redline...
Have fun and ask lots of questions of the folks that do it regularly. I thought I could push the car around alright, but after seeing those guys...wow...great place to learn.
Have fun!
:)
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
Re: Auto crossing (1996man)
I have auto-x my LT-4 several times and have NEVER gotten out of 1st gear (other than my first ever lap). I have been on very tight courses and more sweeping course, but still no need to shift. It must work as I have won the class a couple times.
These are considered low speed events and I doubt you'll get over 50mph.
Have a ball and remember to break early and gradually accelerate through and off the corners. I have seen a number of people stab the gas in the middle of the turns and either go off course (hit cones) or spin out.
:thumbs:
These are considered low speed events and I doubt you'll get over 50mph.
Have a ball and remember to break early and gradually accelerate through and off the corners. I have seen a number of people stab the gas in the middle of the turns and either go off course (hit cones) or spin out.
:thumbs:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
Re: Auto crossing (1996man)
I only recommend that you try to be smooth and dont be affraid to gun it. Dont just cruise through and embarrass us fellow vette owners. A couple of weeks ago, there was a group of vetters that infiltrated the autocross club that I regularly attend and they drove around the course like grandpas. Dont get me wrong... One of the fastest people in our club is a 70+ year old grandma who drives a Z06. At any rate, I didnt park near those cruisers in between runs. Be a racer and make your LT4 do what she is designed to do... Kick asphault! :yesnod:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Auto crossing (1996man)
Walk the course.
Check those tire pressures. My BFG kdw's seem to like 30 psi
Use the whole width of the track, in other words, don't just stay in the very center all the time.
Get very close to the apex's. Like within inches close. I've read that if you're 10 inches away from the apex, you're 7 inches too far away.
Late apexing seems to work pretty good for me.
If there is slalom, be turning the steering wheel earlier than you think it needs it.
Either you will be on the throttle hard or the brakes hard. (works for me anyways, no coasting)
Let us know how you did afterward. It should be lots of fun! Goodluck :cheers:
Check those tire pressures. My BFG kdw's seem to like 30 psi
Use the whole width of the track, in other words, don't just stay in the very center all the time.
Get very close to the apex's. Like within inches close. I've read that if you're 10 inches away from the apex, you're 7 inches too far away.
Late apexing seems to work pretty good for me.
If there is slalom, be turning the steering wheel earlier than you think it needs it.
Either you will be on the throttle hard or the brakes hard. (works for me anyways, no coasting)
Let us know how you did afterward. It should be lots of fun! Goodluck :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert Arizona
Re: Auto crossing (LT-4 CE)
I have auto-x my LT-4 several times and have NEVER gotten out of 1st gear (other than my first ever lap).
Remember ... slower is faster (don't over-do it). And, take every opportunity to ride along with a more experienced Vette driver. Enjoy!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,659
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: Auto crossing (1996man)
I too will be autocrossing this sunday for the first time.
I am just afraid I will consider it boring without chances to work the gearshift, or hit speeds of at least 80 MPH. A former worker says it is a lot of fun and worth it, he goes every chance he can get.
I can imagine for me, a beginner, it would still be a good chance to learn.
I wish I could take my car somewhere where I can get a feel of what I can and cant do on the street at high speeds. (I want somewhere I can spin out at 80 without hitting anything, wishful thinking? ).
I am just afraid I will consider it boring without chances to work the gearshift, or hit speeds of at least 80 MPH. A former worker says it is a lot of fun and worth it, he goes every chance he can get.
I can imagine for me, a beginner, it would still be a good chance to learn.
I wish I could take my car somewhere where I can get a feel of what I can and cant do on the street at high speeds. (I want somewhere I can spin out at 80 without hitting anything, wishful thinking? ).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Re: Auto crossing (dizwiz24)
"Boring"...you have obviously not tried it before...and loosing it at 80 mph is liable to get you upside down!
Admittedly, autocross wasn't very exciting for me to watch the couple I viewed, but after getting a ride and trying it myself, it is whole nother ball game. Corvettes can be very exciting to drive...tail out every corner-makes you feel like Steve Kinsler, but of course this may not be the fastest way around the track.
As far as being a pansy in a Corvette...all I can say is if you aren't laying blackmarks around the corners, you ain't having fun!
:D
Admittedly, autocross wasn't very exciting for me to watch the couple I viewed, but after getting a ride and trying it myself, it is whole nother ball game. Corvettes can be very exciting to drive...tail out every corner-makes you feel like Steve Kinsler, but of course this may not be the fastest way around the track.
As far as being a pansy in a Corvette...all I can say is if you aren't laying blackmarks around the corners, you ain't having fun!
:D
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: anderson sc
Re: Auto crossing (No Go)
i'm a very novice racer and enjoy it alot. only done it a handful of times, so i can say that my best approach is to better my own times. this might be a stupid question but im a newbie racer, do you guys leave the asr on or off? and i find that braking late and hard works good for me. and my car only turns when i hit the brakes. otherwords, it plows like a 10 ox wagon!. how do you guys make a tight turn without diving the front for traction? i know my tires suck so could that be it? and my front tires do most of the rubber laying. the back hardly ever comes out. i've tried with asr on and off too. keep the tips coming you pros. :party:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Auto crossing (Southern Comfort)
I leave it in single "D" and modulate it with my right foot, unless I need to slow down more than the brakes will accomplish, then I'll kick the stick down manually. Having a shift kit in the 700R4 really helps. That's what having an auto trans is all about, concentrating on steering, accelerating and braking without having to move the right hand off the wheel.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 3
From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
Re: Auto crossing (89 Paul in Cal)
Walk the course.
Check those tire pressures. My BFG kdw's seem to like 30 psi
Use the whole width of the track, in other words, don't just stay in the very center all the time.
Get very close to the apex's. Like within inches close. I've read that if you're 10 inches away from the apex, you're 7 inches too far away.
Late apexing seems to work pretty good for me.
If there is slalom, be turning the steering wheel earlier than you think it needs it.
Either you will be on the throttle hard or the brakes hard. (works for me anyways, no coasting)
Let us know how you did afterward. It should be lots of fun! Goodluck :cheers:
Check those tire pressures. My BFG kdw's seem to like 30 psi
Use the whole width of the track, in other words, don't just stay in the very center all the time.
Get very close to the apex's. Like within inches close. I've read that if you're 10 inches away from the apex, you're 7 inches too far away.
Late apexing seems to work pretty good for me.
If there is slalom, be turning the steering wheel earlier than you think it needs it.
Either you will be on the throttle hard or the brakes hard. (works for me anyways, no coasting)
Let us know how you did afterward. It should be lots of fun! Goodluck :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: OH
Re: Auto crossing (Southern Comfort)
I have an Auto and keep it in 1st until I run it to the limiter and still have lots of space. There are a number of courses that I haven't shifted to 2nd until the end straight away. At first I kept it in 2nd, but once you slow down in a corner and start accelerating out I found it wanted to kickdown to 1st, causing major traction issues. Keeping it in 1st lets me keep control, and also really helps you "pull back" when you let off the gas.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Sasebo Kyushu
Re: Auto crossing (rsafier)
I did my first autocross in August. I had a blast. Just go out, listen to the pros and walk the course. I did the novice walkthrough and thought it was stupid. Then I actually drove the course and never hit a cone or got a dnf. I understood how important the walkthrough was then. I took ten seconds off of my time from run 1 to run 5. It was a blast and I can't wait to do it again. Good Luck! :cool:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
Re: Auto crossing (rsafier)
Just one question for you experts,
What is the difference between a vette with and without ABS brakes when it comes to turning in curves?
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?
What is the difference between a vette with and without ABS brakes when it comes to turning in curves?
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?