~A4 owners: Do you race?~
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
~A4 owners: Do you race?~
Hi guys,
I'm not asking about the drag race. I'm asking road race, or something similar. I haven't raced on the track yet, but often do some spirited driving. Yesterday, I was coming home around 1am, (NO traffic anywhere). I was going from one freeway to another, took the ramp pretty fast and realized the car "Needed" to be down shifted during the turning on the ramp, while I was in the curve going 70mph+ and was in "D", so I shifted it into 3rd, then 2nd. Finished the ramp, got onto the other freeway, and pushed the gas.... then continued to shift back into the 3rd... and then back to "D".
As I did this, I realized that if you're not doing straight runs, or run into curves, you're RPMs, engine speed and gears play a key role in all this. I used to drive a 300ZX (5 speed), and know how it feels shifting gears. SO, the question is how you A4 guys manage to do this?
Thanks....
I'm not asking about the drag race. I'm asking road race, or something similar. I haven't raced on the track yet, but often do some spirited driving. Yesterday, I was coming home around 1am, (NO traffic anywhere). I was going from one freeway to another, took the ramp pretty fast and realized the car "Needed" to be down shifted during the turning on the ramp, while I was in the curve going 70mph+ and was in "D", so I shifted it into 3rd, then 2nd. Finished the ramp, got onto the other freeway, and pushed the gas.... then continued to shift back into the 3rd... and then back to "D".
As I did this, I realized that if you're not doing straight runs, or run into curves, you're RPMs, engine speed and gears play a key role in all this. I used to drive a 300ZX (5 speed), and know how it feels shifting gears. SO, the question is how you A4 guys manage to do this?
Thanks....
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Might be better off posting question in the road racing/auto-x section.
There are people who road race or do auto-x with automatics. Not sure how they go about shifting, but for stick you are suppose to select proper gear before entering corner so as not to upset the balance of the car. I imagine it would be the same for autos.
There are people who road race or do auto-x with automatics. Not sure how they go about shifting, but for stick you are suppose to select proper gear before entering corner so as not to upset the balance of the car. I imagine it would be the same for autos.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,901
Likes: 18
From: Elko, Nevada
I've tracked my 98 A4 w/3.42s Yank SY3500, TransGo at both Sebring
and Road Atlanta. I've never auto-crossed.
I run both a transmission cooler including a deeper pan and oil cooler.
At a HPDE or any other track day, a 'run' is usually no more than 20-30
minutes max. Bring car back into pits(NO emergency brake) let every
thing cool off including yourself(water break).
As for shifting. My car reacted okay to mostly 3rd, and downshifting
into 2nd and holding until a decent straight for back to 3rd.
and Road Atlanta. I've never auto-crossed.
I run both a transmission cooler including a deeper pan and oil cooler.
At a HPDE or any other track day, a 'run' is usually no more than 20-30
minutes max. Bring car back into pits(NO emergency brake) let every
thing cool off including yourself(water break).
As for shifting. My car reacted okay to mostly 3rd, and downshifting
into 2nd and holding until a decent straight for back to 3rd.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
the key is smooth braking (applying and releasing your foot) so when youre about to turn into your apex the cars suspension is planted. and tracking out of your apex you can give it more gas because your suspension is settled and your 4 tires are gripping.. if you stab the brakes and release too abruptly coming of the peddle before the turning point the car will be unsettled and you could spin or drift when you give it gas coming out of the apex. smooth braking is very important to go fast in corners with a auto or manual. easier with an auto because the computer downshifts for you.
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Curves & Shifting
Same as water and oil ... they don't mix. What works well is braking smooth and hard on a straight line before you turn then turn in to your apex back on the gas at a smooth moderate rate of acceleration all the way thru if the car needs to track out let it take you there. Practice makes perfect but down shifting makes donuts.
USA98 FAIRWAY GREEN
USA98 FAIRWAY GREEN
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
I've used my '95 coupe for HPDE at Roebling Road and Sebring. I shift manually using 2nd and 3rd. Just downshift while you are hard on the brakes and heading in a straight line. Taper off the brakes and turn to the apex.
Later ... Larry S.
Later ... Larry S.