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YOUR RESEARCHMy first Autocross
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Run autocross
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That makes it a lot fairer, and 0.98 is stiff given dry conditions (0.975 is what a lot of people are using this year -- I wish our region used a multiplier).
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It's easier said than done, but well worth practicing and will immediately shave probably a second off your time.
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there is almost no actual wear to tires in a one minute run even if you spun 3 times, and burned out from the line (which I am sure you didnt)
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We have "Drivers Skills Days" that feature an "open course" at the end of the day - volunteers get to run the open session for free...guess how many days I volunteered out there
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We have "Drivers Skills Days" that feature an "open course" at the end of the day - volunteers get to run the open session for free...guess how many days I volunteered out there
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That makes it a lot fairer, and 0.98 is stiff given dry conditions (0.975 is what a lot of people are using this year -- I wish our region used a multiplier).
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I spent Saturday at the Metro NY PCA "Fun in the Sun" autocross event. I learned quite a bit.
1. I have a natural ability to be very bad at autocross.
2. There is a lot more standing around in the hot sun than I had imagined.
3. Helmets are heavy and very hot.
4. Every time I heard my tires squeal, I was thinking "ka-ching, ka-ching" as in shortening the tire replacement time.
5. I need to enter the cone coordinates into my GPS so I don't get lost.
6. Autocross is a blast!
I earned first place in the "Old-clueless-fat-guys-with-street-tires" class. I probably wouldn't have finished that high if I wasn't the only one in the group.
1: HAHAHA!!
2. Yea right....I never actually have done the autocross though I have done many events just like it without a timer...the actual autoX gets too few runs in for me. Our DS days i can get 10 or more runs in and its twice as big as our AutoX
3. Helps cook the noodle - when done, serve
4. there is almost no actual wear to tires in a one minute run even if you spun 3 times, and burned out from the line (which I am sure you didnt)
5. the sea of cones....great place to be
6. yea right! cheap entertainment and you can do it a LOT before your car needs any upgrades
now that is plain funny!!
we have so much fun out at our day and poking at each other, egging one another on, joking and all....it really is a great way to spend some time and enjoy your day. the more you go, the more fun it is and those moves will help you drive better on the street too!
glad you had fun!
And just when you think you are starting to get the hang of autocrossing and are getting good at it, someone sends you this link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/vystrcil...&kw=motorcycle
"Old-clueless-fat-guys-with-street-tires"
I think I also qualify for this class... at least on the three points noted. Any other requirement other than Street tires... I am ready to go!
We do SCCA solo II (F125) and I couldn't agree more with your point #2. Autocross makes for a long, hot day with just a few minutes of driving--but it is too much fun. As for #4, tires squealing... the rolling eyes of the marshalls might sting more than the lost rubber from your tires
To help me memorize the course I focus on a single car as it navigates the entire circuit. I try to visualize operating the controls remotely--as if I were driving an R/C car.
Bill.
I have run autocross when I had my 73 Targa. I have yet to do it in my 996 TT, but the moment of truth is coming up. Your six points are well taken. Yes, I am hesitating because of the ka-ching of tires, and the embarrassment of running over more cones than were left standing. But the one minute of adreniline rush is worth ALL of the points that you have listed.
It all is summed up in point number SIX. Yes, it's a blast, and anyone that hasn't tried it needs to do it at least once. It is addictive, and a wonderful safe way of figuring out what the limits of your car are, and the limits of your abilities. Glad that you're enjoying your 996. There is no better way of enjoying the car than to test its and your limits. Yes, it may be a DD, but you can't do that on the highway, and it is fun fun fun.
larry
Eddie:
For me, walking the course at least once is mandatory. But there's certainly a difference between walking the course at a mild forced march, and driving it at speed - 30 MPH never felt so fast as doing a slalom around cones in a straight (zig zag) line.
larry
I walked the course twice but should have done it another time or two. The regulars in the group said that this was a particularly tough course and many of them had trouble too. I think I'll be a little less anxious next time now that I know what to expect. Plus I'll bring sun screen and cold water so I don't die.
And bring a hat in addition to your helmet. You want to protect your head and face from sunburn, and you don't want to be forced to wear that helmet all day.
larry
AutoX is an relatively easy way to learn about car control, great comradierie with fellow P-car nuts and simply a blast! Don't worry about cones or tires, just go out and have some fun and drive the baby!!
Yeah, you do need to pack like it's a track event, chair, cooler, water, food, sunscreen, bug spray, tire pressure gauge, helmet, etc., etc., but a great time no doubt. The cone marks will come off the car with some elbow grease, but the damage to your driving ego....well that may not heal so fast.........but you will have a "hoot" with the other guys and gals and the will be just as gulity of mistakes as you. Enojy!
About to go clean up some cone rash off of the 40th...but I got 3rd fastest raw time and Fastest PAX Time of the Day!
FYI a light mix (5:1 water or thinner) of Optimum Power Clean all-purpose cleaner does a great job of softening up cone rash so that it will come off the car or wheels with a single swipe of the microfiber towel. Just be sure to rinse it well or it will leave a chalky looking residue.
"Purple cleaners" and bare aluminum don't mix
I quit keeping carb cleaner and purple cleaner in the garage. Both are useful--but naptha or Simple Green are more forgiving.
Navigating the sea of cones gets easier with practice, really. The single biggest difference a novice can do to improve is to look ahead 1-2 elements- when you can do this, the sea of cones becomes as clear as a road and everything just slows way down and much better lines just come naturally. It's easier said than done, but well worth practicing and will immediately shave probably a second off your time.
Bill:
Nice write-up. As I was reading it, I kept saying to myself, "I resemble that!" Really, it does get easier, and the adrenalin rush will never leave you. It's a great way to learn about the car, and to have an opportunity to push your car (and yourself) in a safe environment. Never saw anyone hurt their car by driving off course, or running over cones (btw, my favorite activity).
I know that a lot of guys do DE's, and I have contemplated it. I just can't risk something bad happening to my car. No worries about that with AutoX.
Enjoy communing with your PCar (Foamy?)
larry
I do both DEs and Autox's...Keep in mind for the most part you are in control of how much risk you want to put yourself and your car through on a DE. If you don't want to be packed in with other cars you can find space for yourself on the track or just let others pass you. So if you want to be very conservative you have that option.
With that being said I think a DE gives you more of an opportunity to really learn your car and do so at more exciting speeds. Autox's are fun but you really have a limited amount of seat time and the speeds hardly ever go over 2nd gear (maybe 3rd in your car). In an autocross you might be lucky to get 10 minutes of seat time. In a DE you're looking at 2-3 hours of combined driving time.
At the novice levels you're like to not wear anything out much more than an autocross anyway. Just thought I'd add those comments just in case you are on the fence!
As Fernando states..you would never drive your cars as a level that was not within YOUR confort zone..You are in control. I have learned well to just let the fast guys pass...there is no shame and they have more fun without me holding them up...then I like it too when other people do the same for me. It really isnt like you might think...
a DE is more like driving on a nice twisty mountain road over and over with no cops and no speed limit....thats about it...fun and very very addictive, in fact it sort of make me opt to drive a lot less autoX's because the autoX seems to thrash me about so much I am getting a little tired of that
either way, getting out and driving your car on a closed area is one of the greatest experiences I can think of to do with it
What I really do like about the autocross is that it is much less of a commitment than the DE. The autocross costs the same as going to the movies and essentially takes up a half day of your time.
A DE on the other hand is a multi-day even that often requires a hotel stay, mechanic inspection, and of course costs more. So I still do both but really enjoy the DE more. As you mentioned however any opportunity to drive my car in a performance setting without worrying about cops or inattentive drivers is a enjoyable regardless of the setting!
true true...for me the DE is closer by about an hour's drive and like stated cost $
We have "Drivers Skills Days" that feature an "open course" at the end of the day - volunteers get to run the open session for free...guess how many days I volunteered out there
now I am instructing so no longer ******** cones and get the same "free runs" in the afternoon - I wish DE's were the cost of a movie, I would need new tires every 3 weeks!!
FYI, there is an Autocross forum as well.
I have done a few Autocross and one DE. The DE is much more fun as far as drive time...but I definitely want to stay under the limit of the car and my abilities.
In Autocross - it is nice to drive on the edge of that threshold as no harm will come of you or the car.
I am also glad I have done a few AutoX before the DE. It taught me what the limits "felt" like and how to keep it under control and not panic when PSM gets involved.
I don't like to compare the two...they are different and complimentary. I can see how seasoned drivers or people that can spend a lot of cash would become impatient with Autocross - and the short driving times.
I have to work real hard to keep my natural abilities from coming through. Some of these young kids go real fast quickly, but most of us don't.
True. I get burned very easily so got a fancy
Sun hat
and shirt which helps a lot. Though our heat is different than NY heat. During the hotter events we usually have coolers full of water provided, and the worker chief sometimes comes out and makes sure everyone on course has water.
Hmm. I just put mine on before I start my car and take it off as soon as I get the car back in grid, so it isn't bad bad. I have
my own open face helmet
though, not a loaner motorcycle-type helmet. My Bell full-face helmet weighs a bit more and is definitely hotter.
As others have said, I wouldn't worry too much on those tires. It is however a good reason not to go buy expensive soft tires quite yet
Fortunately for me, I started with a stock Miata -- lightweight, not super fast, and tiny tires -- all combined to mean very cheap to learn with. Less than $1 per run. Big 996 tires cost more, but it shouldn't be that bad. At least it's not R compounds for $10 a run or more. Tires singing is good. Screaming not much. Chattering and bouncing around ... well most novices spend some time hearing & feeling this. I know I sure did.
It really does get easier. It looks like a lot of DNF's and a huge number of cones hit, at least compared to SCCA events I go to. I'd also say most 60-80 second courses would be tough for novices compared to ~40s ones. Having been to autocrosses in six different regions, each one has a different style -- some are easier to follow than other;, and no matter what, sometimes you get a new course designer or a "oops, guess that was harder than I thought" course.
Yeah. That's what makes us tolerate the getting up early, the cost, the day spent away from family, the standing around. It sounds like you got quite a few runs in at least -- most SCCA events don't get 10 runs in a day (fortunately ours often does, but a lot don't get more than 3-5 total).
Hmm, Old ... my kids say I am. Clueless? Yep. Fat? My wife says I am. Guy? Last time I checked. Street tires? Indeed. I like this game!
Overall I'll agree with ivangene -- the ka-ching is small and almost all of us were "which way do I go now? My
other
other left?" novices once. Besides, you weren't the slowest car there, and not even the slowest 911.
knfeparty: Huge congrats on top PAX result. Edit: Ah, I see they moved from a Tire index class to a 0.98 multiplier. That makes it a lot fairer, and 0.98 is stiff given dry conditions (0.975 is what a lot of people are using this year -- I wish our region used a multiplier). You won by quite a bit also.
