Quote:
Originally Posted by illmatic_frs
Guys Any suggestion for a first timer? I definitely would like to get some instruction
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
|
Here are some good ideas:
1- SHOW. UP. EARLY. - I cannot stress how important this is and how many newbies show up last minute and expect to kick ass. All the vets and I will show up early, empty our cars, set up our tires, clean our windshields, etc. The other reason to show up early is also to...
2- Walk the course: this is important. The whole point of autocross is that no one gets 'home field' advantage. The course is always new and never been seen by anyone other than the people planning it - even then, for them it's new since they haven't
driven it. As soon as the course is laid, you will see vets start walking through the course the same way they'd be driving it. On your first walkthrough, don't worry too much about the details but make sure you get the course in your head. Close your eyes and imagine you'd be driving through it and get it down pat. 2nd time round, walk quicker and see if you can predict the next turn to make sure the course is in your head. 3rd time around, now start looking for bumps, divots and things to avoid and maybe start figuring out approaches. A lot of newbies ignore the course walk and wind up with O/C (off course) and thus no time and then get mad and never come back.
3- Bring plenty of water and green painting tape. Also a chair and an umbrella are a god-send. Water keeps you sane and lack of it will make you tired and stupid. Your brain is mostly water - keep it hydrated! The tape is for temporarily marking a number on your car such that it is easily visible on either side. I also usually tape up my plates.
4- Try to sit in with other drivers especially if they have a car similar to yours. If you are driving a FRS/BRZ, my S2000 is fairly similar. Feel free to ask me or others if they are ok with you hopping in. 99.9% of the time (except for last run of the day), they are more than happy to have you in with them. Use this seat time to acclimate with the course and see if you can predict the course and also learn from their mistakes. It costs you nothing!
5- Build your pace up at your own pace. I've known people who think they are awesome drivers and show up only to get demolished by me driving a Echo hatchback (true story - I whipped a friend in a modded MX-5) because they were gunning without any walk throughs and then going off course. A time, regardless of how slow it is, is better than O/C. Start off slow, get the course in and crank it up slowly. Most folks don't hit their fastest time of day (FTD) within the first two laps. Usually happens past the half way point and towards the end. I, for one, always get PFTD (personal fastest time of day), at the 2nd last or last lap.
6- Enjoy yourself. Have fun. No one hear is going to look down on you. You showed up unlike the rest of the bench racers. That alone will garner some respect and do the same to others. We're all here for fun in the sun (or rain) and not racing for money. Enjoy it!
Cheers.
Frost