tracking for n00bs

[fiveoneoh]

I read most of the autoxcross and HDPE threads, but admittedly, they are getting kind of long so I wonder if it's possible to separate out some of the information for those of us who are completely n00bs to the world of tracking.

My skill level? I can heel toe (sometimes) and double clutch (slowly).

I would like to take HPDE, but I think it would be more worthwhile to have a better understanding of vehicle dynamics/control and technique before going to race school. I saw in the socal forum that Moto-P is holding a 1 day low speed course to learn the limits of the car and he would like to have one for us norcal folks too. That sounds perfect! But I don't want to hold up waiting for this class, surely something already like this exists up here?

where is a good place to start or rather, how does one even get started? what are your suggestions?

Thanks!

[PMok]

a lot of questions... but I'd say this. start with AutoX. there are events in the bay area (check the NorCal AutoX thread) you may just have to drive a little further to get to one. Oakland Coliseum, Marina, Atwater, to name a few spots. SCCA, UFO, AAS are the organizations that hold them. This is a safe and easy way to get a feel for the car at and beyond the limits at safe speeds before you go out on a track and get some real speed on. Better to spin out and make a mistake in a cone lined parking lot or a skidpad than off a track into a wall or something solid.

Ask for ride alongs from someone who has done it more than a few times. Sit in their car and observe what they do, learn from their mistakes and from what they're doing right. Ask them to ride along with you and give you pointers. Most people are willing to help out a noob without hesitation if you ask nicely.

Practice makes perfect. Get out there as much as you possibly can afford. As you gain experience you will naturally be able to go faster and get a better feel for your car and what it can do.

Upgrade the driver first, then upgrade the car.

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by PMok

a lot of questions... but I'd say this. start with AutoX. there are events in the bay area (check the NorCal AutoX thread) you may just have to drive a little further to get to one. Oakland Coliseum, Marina, Atwater, to name a few spots. SCCA, UFO, AAS are the organizations that hold them. This is a safe and easy way to get a feel for the car at and beyond the limits at safe speeds before you go out on a track and get some real speed on. Better to spin out and make a mistake in a cone lined parking lot or a skidpad than off a track into a wall or something solid.

Ask for ride alongs from someone who has done it more than a few times. Sit in their car and observe what they do, learn from their mistakes and from what they're doing right. Ask them to ride along with you and give you pointers. Most people are willing to help out a noob without hesitation if you ask nicely.

Practice makes perfect. Get out there as much as you possibly can afford. As you gain experience you will naturally be able to go faster and get a better feel for your car and what it can do.

Upgrade the driver first, then upgrade the car.

Everything he said time a billionzilliononehundredmillion!!!!!


HPDE is much more expensive because of the upkeep and ware on the car. That money IS much better spent once you have more driving skill. You can get a ton of that skill at autoX for cheap. And (like me) you might find you really like the competition you can't find at HPDE.

The only mod I'd recommend to learn the car for autoX (or even n00b track) is tires. The stock are garbage. Otherwise a stock car will be very fun at autoX.

[fiveoneoh]

oooh blaine, i was afraid of you...

[fiveoneoh]

Originally Posted by PMok

a lot of questions... but I'd say this. start with AutoX. there are events in the bay area (check the NorCal AutoX thread) you may just have to drive a little further to get to one. Oakland Coliseum, Marina, Atwater, to name a few spots. SCCA, UFO, AAS are the organizations that hold them. This is a safe and easy way to get a feel for the car at and beyond the limits at safe speeds before you go out on a track and get some real speed on. Better to spin out and make a mistake in a cone lined parking lot or a skidpad than off a track into a wall or something solid.

Ask for ride alongs from someone who has done it more than a few times. Sit in their car and observe what they do, learn from their mistakes and from what they're doing right. Ask them to ride along with you and give you pointers. Most people are willing to help out a noob without hesitation if you ask nicely.

Practice makes perfect. Get out there as much as you possibly can afford. As you gain experience you will naturally be able to go faster and get a better feel for your car and what it can do.

Upgrade the driver first, then upgrade the car.

Thanks for the advice. Can I just show up at an autocross event and be like 'heeeaaay...'? is there a noob section? or a book to read beforehand to learn the ropes... ahhh I have lots of questions, sorry!

[fiveoneoh]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

Everything he said time a billionzilliononehundredmillion!!!!!

The only mod I'd recommend to learn the car for autoX (or even n00b track) is tires. The stock are garbage. Otherwise a stock car will be very fun at autoX.

Does one really need to replace the tires right off the bat? seems like such a waste, they are so shiny and new!

[86_ZN6]

my tips for noobs...

first, buy a helmet!

drive car all stock and learn from it

upgrade one step at a time

change all fluids

save up for a dedicated wheels/tires for the track

sign up for track days as much as you can

check out NASA, group one always gives you an instructor for the whole weekend

[PMok]

Originally Posted by fiveoneoh

Thanks for the advice. Can I just show up at an autocross event and be like 'heeeaaay...'? is there a noob section? or a book to read beforehand to learn the ropes... ahhh I have lots of questions, sorry!

Not sure about the other orgs but SCCA is pretty noob friendly. Usually the best bet though is to find someone with the same car as you and more experienced and ask them for guidance... just follow them around like a puppy dog on the first day haha. Most guys will be flattered and spend the whole day talking about their experiences and what they have found to work well.

Originally Posted by fiveoneoh

Does one really need to replace the tires right off the bat? seems like such a waste, they are so shiny and new!

I'm certainly reluctant to toss new tires and go upgrade so soon after buying the car. The way I see it, I paid for those tires and I'm gonna use them! Yes if you are after maximum grip and fast lap times you will hate them or at least dislike them. But all the magazines and enthusiasts agree, they are a good tire for learning how to drive at the limit because well, you are able to reach that limit so easily. For a beginner learning to do performance driving and car control, I think that is a great tire for this, vs. seeking maximum grip. You may not be fast, but you will have fun. Then as you get better and realize that the grip is what limits you, then you can start spending money on tires and other things to make the car faster.

[PMok]

oh, as for books... there is a book that someone in the Porsche club recommended to me when I first started AutoX and track days. It's a really old book at this point but I read that thing so many times it's ridiculous. And I still remember some of the lessons from it. Apparently it's still in print and you can get it through NCRC or Amazon. It goes over just about everything, from what to do at your first autox or track day (they called it solo racing back then), to physics and theory of things like weight transfer, the friction circle etc. Definitely recommend it and it's not that expensive... guess after all these years no one has yet to write a better book on the subject.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Solo-Racing-Techniques-Autocrossing/dp/0962057312/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367556658&sr=8-3&keywords=henry+watts"]Secrets of Solo Racing: Expert Techniques for Autocrossing and Time Trials: Henry A. Watts: 9780962057311: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by fiveoneoh

Does one really need to replace the tires right off the bat? seems like such a waste, they are so shiny and new!

When you poop in the toilet it's brand new also.

They will still suck at the track, but what makes them so pathetic is they can't handle the quick direction change of autoX.

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by fiveoneoh

oooh blaine, i was afraid of you...

Why?

[mou]

I'm new to tracking as well and I've only been driving stick for 2 weeks. I'm tagging along with a friend to autox at marina this sunday to learn from him

[SnakeEyes]

Originally Posted by mou

I'm new to tracking as well and I've only been driving stick for 2 weeks. I'm tagging along with a friend to autox at marina this sunday to learn from him

You will find me, in my stock tires!

[BlaineWasHere]

I will prob be in Marina this Sunday too, hopefully it's a better course than the last UFO.