Hand soreness after autocross

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Twinz

One of the things I tell students is, no matter what your skill or experience level, driving at the limit (the car's and yours) should be just a little difficult the whole time.

If it feels easy, you are probably going too slow.

If it feels like pulling teeth, you are probably trying to go too fast.


The limiting factor for new autocrossers is usually the eyes. Figuring out where the next element is AND what you intend to do when you get there will make your right foot wait longer than it wants too, but it will also make the sport a LOT easier. (And death grip moments more rare)As you get comfortable speaking "cone" the delay will get shorter and shorter.

Let the car do the work. Just tell it what you want and try to be reasonable with your demands.

I know that the whole "look where you want to go not at what you want to avoid" is driving 101 but Twin nailed it with the eyes comment.
Back in the past I used to instruct Urban Evasive Maneuvering to new Army drivers. Picture a closed road course designed by Michael Bay complete with people shooting at you and Thunderflash "bombs" going off. The number of guys that would stare directly at and therefore run right over a "bomb" was startling. The same applies to cones (except they don't usually blow up) so keep your eyes ahead and where you want the turn to start and end not the cones or corners and you should be able to relax your grip a bit.

[Shady195]

As been said, loosen your grip on the wheel.

While its a bit different, it was one of my biggest issues when i first started drifting. You don't need to death grip the wheel, it will tell you what it wants and needs.

You only need enough pressure so that you can turn the wheel without it slipping through your fingers.