I know this is a HUGE subject to ask for advice, but we have a little regional SCCA AutoX coming to the area in a couple of weeks, and was just looking for a few tips or things NOT to do at one of these events, anyone got any suggestions?

Tire pressures?
Do's/Dont's - etc.

Stock 02Z lowered with 18/19 06Z wheels and PS2 Tires


Any input is appreciated..

Thanks!!!!

 

hmmm, try the Autocrossing section....it has all the information you need in the sticky

 

You probably should go and post this on the autocross and road racing page in the general section, you will likely get a landslide of tips for your particular car and setup, but here are a couple from somebody who has been autocrossing regularly for more than 25 years...

First and most important is the nut behind the wheel. If you haven't done much autocrossing you are going to be amazed at how fast the regulars who do this every weekend are. And don't be suprised if a bunch of rice burners hand you your azz. The are on serious autocross tires and have cars set up to do this, so don't get discouraged, speed will come in time, seat time that is....

Get some advice on specific tire pressures for your setup. There may be some better info on the C6Z board as those folks are running the 18/19 combo more. The serious racers and autocrossers aren't using 19's yet since Hoosier has just come out with them. You want the right pressures since if you have too much it will just skate around and if you have too little you will burn off the edges. You can use the old shoe polish trick (put some shoe polish or tire chalk on the edge of the tire and see how much it is rolling over) to make sure you don't chew up the outside edge too much.

Look at the sitcky in the autocross section on the basics of autocross. Learn the course by walking it enough so that you can drive it in your head, and know exactly where it goes as well as where you want to be on the course before you drive it. Also, think a lot of times in terms of the shortest distance. Lots of folks try to sometimes make big arcs and "carry speed" thru parts of the course. On many many occasions, the short distance is the shortest time. Think about that in the slow parts, like 180 degree slow turns. Drive up hammer the brakes, go around at almost full lock and then get the H out of there. Believe me that is the fastest way to do that kind of stuff....

There are two major mistakes that low time autocrossers make. One is to under drive the car and to be tenative. This is a capable car you can likely go faster than you think you can. The other most common mistake is to over drive it.....You want to drive hard, but DON'T GO GORILLA in your runs. Lots of low timers think throwing the car around is fast. It isn't. Go as fast as your tires will let you and don't get crazy. Use the competition mode, since it will prevent you from getting tail happy under power. If the traction control is cutting in a lot you are being too abrupt with the throttle, squeeze on the the gas, this car has more power than anybody can put down in first and second. Short shifting isn't bad either, it makes it easier to drive in second, not so much engine braking and not so edgey on acceleration.

Most of all though, have fun....

 

Thanks SOLO, heck shows how much i know, i havent ever scrolled past the C5 Section...

Yea, i've motocrossed for years, and i hated getting my azz handed to me, but it's just part of the learning curve, dont plan on that happening forever.. if it does, then i'll move onto other things..

Thanks!

Nick

 

You might want to wear a kneepad on your right leg. My knee was huriting from smacking into the console after I ran my car without any pads. I haven't gotten a chance to run again, but when I do, I want to try it with a knee pad & see if that takes care of the problem.

 

Yep on the knee pads. Track or autox. With the stock seats you will be slamming your knees. Left on the door/speaker and right on the console. I got some knee pads that have padding on the front and sides. No more bruises...

 

B R

Good lookin pic!

Hopefully i can compliment that one in a couple of weeks in the Red color

 

Great question, nmp27.

I was asking the same thing three years ago.

If there is a novice course walk in the morning be sure and take it. It general, you'll find that there are veterans who are identified as novice coordinators, and they are there to help. Take advantage.

Don't get too addicted!

 

Find out who the instructors are. Then get them to drive your car and ride with you every lap. You will learn more from that, then any book reading.

Steve