First EVER autocross...

[terrapin]

...this Sunday.
Any last minute tips, advice or knowledge to share with a potentially obvious novice.

[Keith]

No good advice but it sounds fun. Where are you going for the autocross?

[Garfield]

It's more important you find your way around the course. Do not go faster than necessary until you're comfortable with the course. It's better to be slow than lost.

Walk the course as much as possible with an experienced autocrosser. Get that one or another to ride along with you. BUT, pick someone that is calm and isn't going to shout every direction needed.

GET THERE EARLY, plan on staying all day, and talking to as many experienced people as possible.

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Brian Garfield

[terrapin]

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith
Where are you going for the autocross?

This month it's in Palm Bay.
http://www.martinsportscarclub.com/

[erazo]

Most autocrosses here have training runs. Start here.

[scottgib]

Can't stress too much the value of walking the course. Have seen many newbies walk it once and then can't understand why they DNF'd three times in a row.

Personally I walk a course 4-5 times if time allows (I am on the tech crew), and try to get one walk in with a nationally competitive driver. Given time on a complex course, I will walk it 5-6 times. I recomend this to any new driver. Things happen fast during a run and there is no time to think about where to go at that point. Figure out your line for each turn and think about breaking points. Remember that hard braking and hard turning are mutually exclusive. Can't do both at the same time. I have been autoXing off and on for 25 years. (We have a number of good drivers in our club including the GS national champion, Robert Carpenter.)

A good read before your first autox is:

http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

Just sold my rather uncivilized 914 and my S is built and on its way.

Have fun.

[terrapin]

Thank you all for the input. I have read everything, on every link, everyone has posted. Anyone else have additional advice or experiences to share regarding your first run?

[Tom D]

Try to relax and enjoy the experience. Be realistic and understand that even Michael Schumacher probably didn't win his first Solo. It is a great chance to learn that average drivers have no clue about what they can ask their car to do. Average drivers think that their car is able to defy the laws of physics. Serious autocrossers know that the sport is about learning what you and your car are capable of doing, that is usually a lengthly learning experience. There is no substitute for seat time. You will see other drivers make their cars do things that you will find incredible. We all learned to walk by crawling first and learning to autocross is quite similar. The only way to learn your limits, and the limits of your car, is to get a chance to explore those limits under controlled conditions, that is what Solo is all about.

Be careful, it can be quite addicting.

Tom

[CarolynS]

Well, my first run was a long time ago. But I do seem to remember thinking, "This is just such incredible fun! Why the heck doesn't EVERYBODY do this?"

I still feel that way, but I have sort of learned why everybody doesn't do it. If you have the right kind of personality, you can have a great time, learn how to drive way better, learn how your car behaves in odd situations, get decent at changing tires, meet all sorts of really interesting and for the most part nice people, have a few fantastic motorsports adventures, change your life irretrievably, and so on.

If you happen to be one of those really, really, really rare people who is good at it from the start, then lucky you.

If you have the wrong kind of personality and you're not one of those rare people, then you will be miserable, and after a few events you will be saying, "Why am I standing around in a parking lot all day for a chance to drive for five minutes?"

Hope you have a great time!

Carolyn

[TBDAugs]

bring sunblock and don't forget to work your volunteer shift, other than that, 'slow' is fast.

Also, I go faster shifting more into first than usual so as to avoid the low second gear revs.

Enjoy!

NEOKLAugs

[P.Phresh]

things to consider:

You can always get closer to the cones than you think.
You can always go a little faster through the slalom than you think.
Try to always look ahead, for the next gate and the gate after that so you can plan your line a little.
Try to marshall/volunteer in the problem areas of the course so you can see how the fast drivers go through the same section.
Ask the experienced guys on what you think you could improve on.
Try to keep your run as smooth and flowing as possible, braking really hard before sharp turns will slow you down too much, try to slow down before the turn and take the turn at a faster rate and more smoothly.
Depending on the course setup, you should be able to remain in 2nd gear once you've hit it.
When you're doing your course walk through, try to identify the "key cones" of the course. Key cones are the ones that you must negotiate through/around. There are often gates with additional cones that don't really need to be there but are put there to overwhelm the driver.
Remain calm and relaxed.
Don't get too excited and try not to shake when you go on your first run, which I guess you've already done.

That's all I can think of now.

[scottgib]

BTW, I assume by your nickname that your are from UM. I can't wait until football season and especially 11/09. Go Pack! Congratulations on MD's success in BB and FB last year. But a new year is here!

[terrapin]

I ran in NOVICE class, duh! However, I was quite impressed (personally) with my own abilities as well as the MINI's. Although I did not win in my class, I was only three seconds off of the best time of the other MINI driver (in H class); and he's been racing for years!
My nerves got the best of me on my first run (off-course) but my times improved with the additional two runs to follow. Did a fun run after the race and improved even more! The other MINI driver was very cool and somewhat "took me under his wing" by allowing me to walk the couse with him as well as ride along with him on his first run; special thanks to Raddy!
I can honestly say that is the funnest thing I have ever done with an automobile. I loved it and will be back again next month (if I can wait that long)!
You can view the results here...
http://www.martinsportscarclub.com/e...002%20July.txt

BTW scottgib : Nope, I'm not from UM although I hear they have a good team. My friend, Jerry, gave me that name quite a few years ago.