MeehowsBRZ

I'm doing my first autocross event this weekend. Any recommendations for a beginner?

Sarlacc

Talk to the experienced guys, get them to ride with you on your first couple of runs.

Costco

Have fun, don't hit any cones.

Costco

In all seriousness, what David said. You can learn a lot from someone who has even a very similar car (Miata, RX-7, S2000, etc) by riding along with them or having them sit in your car.

I left it on VSC Sport for a practice run, then did the 3-second hold after to turn off all aids. Hard to get into details, but I was always told that you need to look at where you want to be, not where you're going.

Hands follow your eyes. Wheel follows your hands. Car follows the wheel.

Undoubtedly there will be slaloms... your goal is to barely miss each cone with the inner rear wheel, generally. You'll need to start turning the other before you pass the previous cone to do this.

Rest of it will really come down to surface conditions, layout, and seat time. I meant what I said before... the goal is to have fun and not to hit cones. Even if you're not trying to compete nationally, not hitting cones will result in better times and less body damage. And why bother doing it if you don't have fun?

One things for sure, you become a better driver and meet cool people

00TL-P3.2

Also, in addition to the previous posts. When I was doing a lot of Auto-X, I'd put my tires up to almost the max pressure listed on the sidewall. Keeps them from rolling so much.

Big +1 on riding with other people & such. Also, get there early & walk the course a couple times & try to figure out your lines. Some people when I was racing had little razor scooters & would scoot along the course.

RPhilMan1

Definitely get there early and walk the course.

Maybe even volunteer to work the course the first heat so you can watch the other cars and see how they behave.

00TL-P3.2

Wasn't an option on working the course where we raced. You had to work at least 1 heat if you were racing.
Working the first heat would be beneficial though, to see actual cars working the course. Though I'd prefer to ride first heat, drive 2nd & work 3rd (in a 3 heat setup).

MeehowsBRZ

Thanks for all the advice! The autocross event I'm going to is a Windy City Miata Club event and they offer to have an "experienced buddy" ride along with beginners during the morning runs. Hopefully that'll help me get the hang of the course and not hit too many cones.

Sarlacc

Also, remember, and an experienced drive should tell you...since AutoX is in a safe environment...if you don't ever spin out, over shoot, brake too late, etc....you aren't finding the limits of your car...and that is something that autoX is great for learning.

00TL-P3.2

^ Agreed. Quite low risk of vehicle damage.

When I was racing my Saturn, I roasted the tires off of it in 9k miles. Lots of smoke off of them
Was fun beating kids in Civics & Golfs in a stock automatic '96 Saturn SL2

Costco

Especially as a novice, I try and work the early session and then drive the late session. You can see who runs fast times, and see what kind of line they're taking.

Optionally, you can bring some chalk and a tire pressure gauge. I happen to carry an air compressor anyway, so I could play with tire pressures. Talk to a veteran about chalking your tires and interpreting your contact patches.

I disliked the Primacys until I ran some events. They are an excellent tire to learn on. My throttle control improved drastically driving on them.

RPhilMan1

I agree, however it depends on the course, really.

I did an autox many years ago at DeLand airport outside of Daytona Beach, FL and the course was on a closed runway (click for Google map). Because it was narrow, the course was shaped like a U and had a concrete (I think it was, or some kind of fence) barrier between the two sides of the course. One guy in an STi was starting off very quickly and he ended up losing control and spinning out and slamming the side of his car into the concrete barrier. It was tough to watch as his entire side was smashed up pretty badly.

Picture of start of course for the heck of it, still have this on my Flickr.

Anyway, remembering back to my first time, take the first run at a good pace to get used to the course and the feel of your car, and you can then increase the speed and pace subsequently. But, as mentioned, this is the perfect place to push your car to the limits and in the end it truly does make you a better driver.

charliemike

Hey, I've jumped out of an airplane at that airfield. It's definitely narrow because they keep part of it blocked off for the flying bus that takes skydivers up all day long and the endless stream of people parachuting to the ground

My dad spends his winters there flying R/C planes too.

00TL-P3.2

That's crazy. The place we raced was on a retired airstrip as well. Only thing you could possibly hit was cones & grass.
The surface was like a cheese grater on tires, though.

MeehowsBRZ

Woah, looks like I haven't updated this thread in a while! I got a special surprise for Christmas...



Yaaay!! Even the aftermarket FR-S/BRZ taillights issues with leaking.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

That sucks. LOL

MeehowsBRZ

I went to my first ever rallycross event on Lake Onalaska in La Crosse, Wisconsin last weekend. Driving a RWD car without studs on ice was definitely a new and challenging experience, but the car handled pretty well for the way I have it set up. Not only did I get as many practice laps as I wanted and 8 timed laps, I also got to ride along with the fastest RWD/rubber car of the day, an Evo 9. Feeling first hand what its like taking a turn at 70 mph on ice and power sliding all the way through is pretty incredible. I recommend anyone in the midwest/northern states finding one of these events while its still cold out and checking it out. Even if you don't want to drive your own car, go and get a ride with some who has had experience rallycrossing. I promise you that you'll have a blast.

Costco

Very jealous, that looks like a ton of fun. I wish I lived closer to a ski resort, from what I've seen ice racing looks like a blast too. What tires were you running?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

That looks fun!

MeehowsBRZ

Dunlop Winter Maxx