Autocross Videos - Tips and Discussion

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

I didnt see hear any oversteer

Yeah, because the driver was trying to extract the fastest time from the car, not exhibit it's handling characteristics.

It's very hard to see car balance in a video, you can make the exact same car look like an understeering pig or a drift machine if you know what you're doing.

Edit: Went back and looked at my videos the last time I had a co-driver, my old man thought my car was far too loose, watch the video and he under-drove it and the car looks pretty damn neutral, my video from the same day shows me leaning into a bit of understeer, my run was about half a second faster and absolutely nothing to write home about in terms of where an STX car should be. If I only had access to one video and wasn't behind the wheel I'd make totally opposite assumptions on how to improve the car vs. what I think I need to do.

[Simmons]

Originally Posted by H1C

To be clear, I'm not the pro, my friend is. To give a bit of background: he used to pro-am rally back in the 80's and 90's, and used to go to national auto-x events, but does it only for fun locally now. He can consistently pax in the top 5 or 10 in a pretty deep region. And that's on Federals or Nexens, not RE-71s or Rivals. We have a few former national champs here, and several others who have finished in the top 3 - 5 at Nats in their classes multiple years. He also, more than anyone else I know, can hop into a car and extract close to its full potential on his first run.


I've co-driven with him several times in my car over the years, and I had him take a couple of runs this weekend at a PCA event. I think it's finally dawned on me what he does differently from me:


1) He slows early for corners and never stands on the brakes
2) He takes a wide enough arc and turns in early so that he can position for corner exit early
3) He gets very tight on the apex cone
4) He is aggressive on the throttle and stays on it starting at the apex cone. He is essentially making the straights longer. I notice that I wait until it's straighter to get on the gas, and breathe the throttle in a few spots where he stays on it. He is trusting the tires to hold where I chicken out.



Here are videos for comparison.




Event results:
http://www.peachstatepca.org/Results...oss/05-20-2018


I find it encouraging that my car can raw-time two pretty well driven 991 GT3s. Of course on a more open track, it wouldn't stand a chance.


I found it very funny that my friend kept saying how I need a bigger front sway bar during his run. I find the car plenty stiff, but he thinks I need a bigger bar, stiffer front springs, or both. I have MCS SAs with 500 F 450 R springs, and a TRD front sway.


Anyway, I hope these videos and my observations will help other 'okay' autocrossers out there attack the course better. I welcome observations and comments from other pro-level and okay autocrossers here.

I noticed that you are late on all of the turns.....especially the slalom. Try to work on that next time out.

Simmons

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by tony_r

Some 3rd gear action at Crows Landing. All twins belong in STX.

Holy shit just saw Sunday's results, where'd you dig up 2s over @G_Ride from Saturday?

[H1C]

Originally Posted by Simmons

I noticed that you are late on all of the turns.....especially the slalom. Try to work on that next time out.

Simmons

I plan to -- my goal from now on is to get myself/my car in a position to be accelerating through the apex cone on every turn. Never still be on the brakes (/lifting/otherwise slowing down) or be turning in at or past the apex cone.

[M0nk3y]

Spring Nats Pro class runs

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ujaWWMhmA_A[/ame]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tony_r]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Holy shit just saw Sunday's results, where'd you dig up 2s over @G_Ride from Saturday?

I think Erik just had an off day, but the car is perfect and I feel more confident every time I drive it. That weekend was effectively the 2nd & 3rd time in STX. Saturday for the challenge I had a 46.4.

[G_Ride]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Holy shit just saw Sunday's results, where'd you dig up 2s over @G_Ride from Saturday?

Originally Posted by tony_r

I think Erik just had an off day, but the car is perfect and I feel more confident every time I drive it. That weekend was effectively the 2nd & 3rd time in STX. Saturday for the challenge I had a 46.4.

I appreciate the compliments, but you also are a far better driver than I am.

I admit that I do have a little harder time with higher speed courses. I'd also like to put some blame my very used tires...yes...that's what it was...

[M0nk3y]

Spring Nats West Course

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGiPEfQaauI[/ame]

Spring Nats East Course

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXCNEKDBwac[/ame]

[cueball89]

Back to back events at the Seneca Army Depot. Back half of the course was very tough.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fFPIzvI3i8[/ame]




Day 2 they opened up the course. I'm hoping the tour is similar to this course except for the wide open start.Was way late on the slalom before the finish.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJWRL7lX8o[/ame]

[cueball89]

Had a great time at the Finger Lakes Champ Tour, great people, great drivers and perfect weather! Definitely have more work to do as a driver.


Day 1
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3UoOp2Nn_4[/ame]

Day 2, Wound up having to sit on my first run. Really messed up my lines in the sweepers and turn around.

[SoloIIscoob]

Nice runs!

Who were you?

I was the slow guy in DS :-(

[cueball89]

Originally Posted by SoloIIscoob

Nice runs!

Who were you?

I was the slow guy in DS :-(

71 DS, Mike!

[SoloIIscoob]

Originally Posted by cueball89

71 DS, Mike!

OH, hey Mike Young.

Chris Young here. 11 DS

Was great meeting with and running with you. You're a great driver! Had some great runs out there.

I see you're gonna be racing at Bristol. You camping or getting a hotel?

[cueball89]

Originally Posted by SoloIIscoob

I see you're gonna be racing at Bristol. You camping or getting a hotel?

I'll be getting a hotel, I'll need ac as a reprieve from the heat down there.