AutoX beginner, wanting some tips

[dvsidboy]

I will be out at Sunday's event also BRZPDX. I can help you walk the course and go over the basics.

[subaruferrucci]

i instruct a lot of new guys at my local autoX first thing i say 3 times once at the grid once at the start and right after they shift to second gear is...

KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by race2win

Good advice, but how would you tell the OP what to look for to know the difference?

easy

a good teacher will tell you how you should do something, using specific terms and trying to be consistent; and if you have trouble understanding, will put in the extra effort to break it down for you.

a bad teacher will tell you to how they do something, talk in generalities and seemingly apply different theories to different corners; and if you have trouble understanding will tell you to "just keep doing it until you get it."


Teaching is a skill, just like anything else. I'm not against taking advice from a seasoned/fast driver, but genereally that advice is only good on paper, something to think about on your drive home, or practice next time.

when you're new to the sport and you have a guy or girl spending the whole day with you, there are certain fundementals that have to be covered using specific teaching methodologies, and this ability is only loosely correlated to their proffeciency at teaching others.

[funbeatsfast]

Don't coast. If you're not on the brakes, you should be on the gas.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by funbeatsfast

Don't coast. If you're not on the brakes, you should be on the gas.

these are the types of "tips" i'm talking about

it's general and doesn't touch on fundementals. There is always time for coasting, or feather throttle, the point is that you need the car balanced, and if you need to get off the gas gently to balance it then you get off the gas.

[Sccabrz192]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

autocross is simple

Spoken like a road racer

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by Sccabrz192

Spoken like a road racer

road racing is even simpler

[funbeatsfast]

There is always time for coasting, or feather throttle, the point is that you need the car balanced, and if you need to get off the gas gently to balance it then you get off the gas.

Thanks for elaborating. You don't necessarily have to have the throttle pinned or be hard on the brakes all the time - but very few situations necessitate the absence of action on a course or track.

[FReSh]

I've never auto-X'd, but one thing that I found to be helpful before races (in the sprint car) was to visualize yourself driving the track before you go out. While you are sitting in the car waiting to go is the perfect time. You'll be in your helmet and somewhat isolated from surroundings. I liked to kind of zen out, close my eyes, and visualize in my head a lap or two of the track.

Obviously, it'll take a few runs before you're able to do this. Once you get used to it, however, you'll be able to focus on areas that you have had problems with and you can think to yourself about what to do to correct those problems. Doing this right before hitting the track can help a lot. I know it does for me.

And, of course, remember to have as much fun as possible!

[NYC BRZ]

Bring lots of water, a sandwich, sunscreen, an open mind, and the willingness to have fun. Sit with an instructor until you're comfortable with the course. Don't worry about everyone else in your class just set a personal goal once you've ran the course a few times. For example your best lap on your 4th run was a 58.7, your goal should be 57.9 or something faster not worrying about the experienced road racer who was stuck in novice class because it's his first autox and is running 49.9 all day. Like others said take it easy your first couple runs and realize where you could make up time later on. Have fun!

[race2win]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

easy

No, not easy at all for the new person who has no idea WHAT to listen for.

Originally Posted by 7thgear

a good teacher will tell you how you should do something, using specific terms and trying to be consistent; and if you have trouble understanding, will put in the extra effort to break it down for you.

100% agree with everything you said here, but...

Originally Posted by 7thgear

a bad teacher will tell you to how they do something, talk in generalities and seemingly apply different theories to different corners; and if you have trouble understanding will tell you to "just keep doing it until you get it."

...dis-agree with you here. I have on too many numerous occasions to count driven someone elses car, & without saying a word to them they went faster on their next run. Teaching a 1st grader to write involves the teacher showing them on the chalk board.

Originally Posted by 7thgear

Teaching is a skill, just like anything else. I'm not against taking advice from a seasoned/fast driver, but genereally that advice is only good on paper, something to think about on your drive home, or practice next time.

when you're new to the sport and you have a guy or girl spending the whole day with you, there are certain fundementals that have to be covered using specific teaching methodologies, and this ability is only loosely correlated to their proffeciency at teaching others.

For the most part I totally agree with you & I'm not trying to argue your points, but one of the most important aspects in teaching or coaching is knowing your students, & how they learn & absorb information. Some want facts & fundamentals spelled out for them, others need to be shown...part of being a good teacher is also tuning into their student's style of learning. Also understand that most...if not all...instructors at dedicated autocross school programs ARE seasoned/fast drivers, & might very well be the person sharing advice at any local event.

I just feel that someone new should not be worried too much about how instruction is being given to them, but rather how they should apply that instruction to their driving. If they don't understand or get any positive results from the instruction, ask more questions or find someone else to ask, most will be happy to help!

[EN2_Squirrel]

do ride along with other people.(if possible) most people dont mind it.

[Fleshy]

Beating a dead horse here but ...First and foremost get there early and walk the course multiple times and make notes on lines. The mental aspect is a big key. Get somebody experienced to ride along and give pointers and Brake...Brake hard Danial San.

Tire pressures on the other-hand i would start off a little lower than others have said around 34psi and look at you roll and adjust from there. One of the best tuning aspects on a bone stock car...Cannot start to early with the fundamentals

[HunterGreene]

THREAD RESURRECTION!!!!

So a n00B (at least with this car) auto-x question: I will be running my car in the auto-x at 86 EXPO, first time driving it in this setting. Completely stock.

First, I saw the recommendation on slightly over-inflating the tires--good idea or not? I know from looking around that it reduces the contact patch slightly, but doesn't really change the traction of the tires--not that there is much in the first place.

Secondly, what are your recommendations for newbie VSC/Traction control settings? I know running with all the nannies on is not the best idea, so I was thinking at least the VSC off. I wasn't planning on doing the "Pedal dance," but if it would really be a good idea to run with everything except ABS off as a newbie, I'll welcome the challenge.