Parking Lots

[frslee]

I tried to teach myself some driving skills at local shoppers parking lot. It's nearly empty, but there is cop in the middle of parking lot -_-...

[DylanFRS]

There are entire clubs that go out and find safe, empty parking lots for people to learn how to drive in and then organize events in these parking lots with set courses. It's called Autocross, sign up and learn the right way.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by DylanFRS

There are entire clubs that go out and find safe, empty parking lots for people to learn how to drive in and then organize events in these parking lots with set courses. It's called Autocross, sign up and learn the right way.

I think he wants to learn pedal clutch/gas modulation and shifting technique, which I imagine isn't what's being "taught" at autocross.

[kanundrum]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I think he wants to learn pedal clutch/gas modulation and shifting technique, which I imagine isn't what's being "taught" at autocross.

Trial by Fire

[DylanFRS]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I think he wants to learn pedal clutch/gas modulation and shifting technique, which I imagine isn't what's being "taught" at autocross.

I doubt it.

I could be wrong in thinking that he is looking for a place to "hoon" around a bit and learn the limits of his car, but I don't think you need to ask on a forum for an empty parking lot to do legal "learning to drive a stick at super low speed" kind of things.

If he just needs to practice learning the clutch/gas modulation then any empty parking lot on a weekend morning will do. Somehow I didn't get that feeling when reading through this thread seeing as that the majority of people were talking about empty parking lots with no cops. And honestly, if he can drive to such a parking lot just fine, he probably doesn't need to sit around and practice in a parking lot.

Edit:
And after re-reading through all of the posts again, I realize that you don't think he is going to be doing legal learning to drive stick in a parking lot either:

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Schools are heavily policed after hours in my county.

In my country, the police don't harass you for slowly putzing around an empty parking lot trying to learn how to work a clutch....

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by DylanFRS

Edit:
And after re-reading through all of the posts again, I realize that you don't think he is going to be doing legal learning to drive stick in a parking lot either:

That's quite an ASSumption there, chum. The cops I know don't like trespassing, which is what practicing driving at night in an empty school parking lot is.

[DylanFRS]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

That's quite an ASSumption there, chum. The cops I know don't like trespassing, which is what practicing driving at night in an empty school parking lot is.

You're just arguing for the sake of arguing now, I can do that with my wife.

To the OP, I apologize for making the ASSumption that you were wanting an empty parking lot to learn the car better doing some spirited driving. If you are just wanting to learn how to work the clutch because you don't know how then it has been my experience that going to an empty church or shopping parking lot in the morning will be just fine. If the cops come to ask you what you are doing and you haven't been driving fast and clearly ****ing around then tell them you are trying to learn the clutch, I am sure they are not going to harass you anymore. Honestly though, if you can get to this parking lot, you probably know how to work a clutch plenty well and can just get better through driving around town.

Of course this is all going off of Orbital's ASSumption that you are not asking around on a forum for an empty parking lot so that you can do more spirited driving...

Either way, you should check out your local autocross scene. It is the best and cheapest way to really learn your car in a safe and legal environment.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by DylanFRS

Either way, you should check out your local autocross scene. It is the best and cheapest way to really learn your car in a safe and legal environment.

We can agree here, pal.

[Jaylyons1]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Schools are heavily policed after hours in my county.

Ah, that sucks. The cops used to come out and watch us when we would practice drifting or do grip tests, but I guess someone probably did something stupid at some point to ruin it for everyone else. >.<

[kuhlka]

Why is everyone assuming people who want to throw their car around some cones in a parking lot have a manual transmission and don't know how to drive? I bought a brand new car with paddles and want to play around in a safe environment with the different assists without having to wait in line or pay to play. You don't practice braking drills and specific maneuvers during a Solo2 autoX run.

Besides, my 05 STi is the dedicated track car. If people are going to insist on a pay event to throw the car around, could they at least recommend a good driving school in the greater Baltimore/DC area? AutoX isn't really the best place to get a feel for emergency braking, skid pad tests, and a little drifting to see how far I can push before I lose grip. I do the same thing with my motorcycles to learn their limits.

[BlaineWasHere]

^^^ lol. You can easily find the limits of any car at autoX in about 40 seconds.

[kuhlka]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

^^^ lol. You can easily find the limits of any car at autoX in about 40 seconds.

Really? How often do you slam on your brakes to a complete stop or practice drifting during autoX?

Been there. Done that. I fully plan to attend some events in the future, but I'd like a place to practice in the meantime without having to wait for others to schedule shit out and be limited to maybe 4-8 runs.

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by kuhlka

Really? How often do you slam on your brakes to a complete stop or practice drifting during autoX?

Been there. Done that. I fully plan to attend some events in the future, but I'd like a place to practice in the meantime without having to wait for others to schedule shit out and be limited to maybe 4-8 runs.

You can practice drifting all you want at autoX. You could also go to a drifting event.

Also going from 55-20mph in a braking zone at autoX you'll want to slow down as fast as possible which is pretty much the same as a panic stop (unless you can't figure out all you need to do is keep your foot down to complete the panic stop).

Or go illegally hoon up a parking lot and make us all look like assholes. Whatever.

[campy]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

You can practice drifting all you want at autoX.

The first run of the first time I took the FRS to an autox, I was sliding around all over the place because I wasn't used to the car, but I didn't knock over any cones or cause any traffic. They scolded me multiple times, announced it over the loudspeakers, and personally approached me and told me to go to a drift event instead. I've been doing this for a few years, and I've never seen so many people with their jimmies rustled like that after just one run before.

So no, don't practice drifting at an autox. Go to motorsport-appropriate events for what you want to do.

PS: if you're leaving skidmarks on the pavement, I don't think the cop will just give you a warning. Someone's gotta pay to get that cleaned up, and they don't want it coming out of the school's budget.