doing a road course with my automatic. advice??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 1,007
From: Brookfield IL
doing a road course with my automatic. advice??
Next week I am going to Ohio with a couple friends and we are doing a two mile road course out there. I am getting my car all ready in terms of brakes/fluid. That kind of stuff.
This is my first time at a road course track so I want to know what its the best method for racing my auto. trans around the track. such as Just leave it in drive or use the other gears? What traction control setting to use and such? Any advice would help. Thanks. I will post pics after I get back.
This is my first time at a road course track so I want to know what its the best method for racing my auto. trans around the track. such as Just leave it in drive or use the other gears? What traction control setting to use and such? Any advice would help. Thanks. I will post pics after I get back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I''m not a road course expert by any means but I can tell you how I felt AFTER my first experience at Road Atlanta.....
Keep an eye on your trans temps if you are pushing it real hard. You don't have a trans cooler and the temps will rise pretty quick.
Don't leave it in Drive, that damn thing will shift down at the exact WRONG time while you are leaving a tight turn.
When shifting "manually" remember, it will not shift instantly when you move the shifter. It will take a second or two. If you are near Red Line when you move the shifter you will hit the Rev Limiter (very embarassing).
I learned all this while trying to be Mario Andretti on my first road course. You honestly can have a lot of fun just driving around it and not trying to set speed records.
Good Luck, be safe, have fun...
Keep an eye on your trans temps if you are pushing it real hard. You don't have a trans cooler and the temps will rise pretty quick.
Don't leave it in Drive, that damn thing will shift down at the exact WRONG time while you are leaving a tight turn.
When shifting "manually" remember, it will not shift instantly when you move the shifter. It will take a second or two. If you are near Red Line when you move the shifter you will hit the Rev Limiter (very embarassing).
I learned all this while trying to be Mario Andretti on my first road course. You honestly can have a lot of fun just driving around it and not trying to set speed records.
Good Luck, be safe, have fun...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
-Alex
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
Likes: 13
From: Winfield IN
...get a 6 speed. 
Seriously though, I would turn on competitive driving mode at least. Maybe downshifting to 1st or 2nd (depending on speed obviously) prior to a corner or mid-corner so you don't have the lag that you normally would if you stomped on the pedal at say 30mph in 3rd or 4th.
Seriously though, I would turn on competitive driving mode at least. Maybe downshifting to 1st or 2nd (depending on speed obviously) prior to a corner or mid-corner so you don't have the lag that you normally would if you stomped on the pedal at say 30mph in 3rd or 4th.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 16
From: Katy Tx
I'd post this on the autocross-roadracing forum - there are some real fast guys with auto trans that could give you great advice. Much depends on how tight of a course it is - some you can run the whole course in 2nd. Take it easy and work your way up to speed - smooth is fast!
And be ready to be addicted... pretty much the most fun you can have with your Vette.
And be ready to be addicted... pretty much the most fun you can have with your Vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I''m not a road course expert by any means but I can tell you how I felt AFTER my first experience at Road Atlanta.....
Keep an eye on your trans temps if you are pushing it real hard. You don't have a trans cooler and the temps will rise pretty quick.
Don't leave it in Drive, that damn thing will shift down at the exact WRONG time while you are leaving a tight turn.
When shifting "manually" remember, it will not shift instantly when you move the shifter. It will take a second or two. If you are near Red Line when you move the shifter you will hit the Rev Limiter (very embarassing).
I learned all this while trying to be Mario Andretti on my first road course. You honestly can have a lot of fun just driving around it and not trying to set speed records.
Good Luck, be safe, have fun...
Keep an eye on your trans temps if you are pushing it real hard. You don't have a trans cooler and the temps will rise pretty quick.
Don't leave it in Drive, that damn thing will shift down at the exact WRONG time while you are leaving a tight turn.
When shifting "manually" remember, it will not shift instantly when you move the shifter. It will take a second or two. If you are near Red Line when you move the shifter you will hit the Rev Limiter (very embarassing).
I learned all this while trying to be Mario Andretti on my first road course. You honestly can have a lot of fun just driving around it and not trying to set speed records.
Good Luck, be safe, have fun...
have fun be safe
Add an extra quart of oil
take an air hose and clean out the radiators
Change the brake fluid to DOT 4
Watch the trans temps
Set our tire pressures to 32 front and 30 rear COLD
Check and adjust before each session
You will need to manually downshift the auto going into corners, and upshift after the corners.
Post a report and pics when you get back
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Watch your tranny temps. If you start to get too hot, slow down and take it easy. Temp is the enemy of autos.
If you what to serious about this, get a tranny cooler and a Trans Go shift kit. You can also do some tunning to the tranny to make it shift faster. There are a bunch of things a good tuner can do to help a auto.
Autos do very well at a drag strip, but not as good at a road race.
If you what to serious about this, get a tranny cooler and a Trans Go shift kit. You can also do some tunning to the tranny to make it shift faster. There are a bunch of things a good tuner can do to help a auto.
Autos do very well at a drag strip, but not as good at a road race.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Harrisburg Pa.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
if it's mid-o, just keep it in 2nd or even 3rd. You're not trying to go fast in a straight line, you're trying to hit the turns right. Take it easy and have someone show you the turn ins for the track. Big beginners mistakes are early turn ins, and you will go slow because of this. Much more so than banging all the gears in the straights. Be sure to change your oil before and after (something I always do) and watch you trans temp like others said. Other than that, enjoy and have a great time!!!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 720
Likes: 2
From: Walnut Creek CA
Not much to it, in fact, less to think about for your first time out than on a manual. I would keep it in 2 and 3, don't bother with D or 1. Lift your hood between sessions to help keep things cool(er). Don't let your trans temp get too high, you'd be better to get off the track early one session than to push it and blow the trans.
Have fun and good luck!
Have fun and good luck!
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
Likes: 13
From: Winfield IN
