Hey
Later on this month will be my first time participating in an auto-x event. Is there anything I need to know or do to prepare for the event?
Thanks

 

1. have fun
2. relax, but dont
3. gassing it isnt everything. its all in the smoothness of your driving line
4. attend as many autocrosses as possible.

 

I shouldn't fill up the gas tank right? What kind of helmet would I need? Should I let under-inflate or over-inflate my tires?

 

I usually do fill up the gas tank actually. If you're on a low tank your fuel will cut out on hard right hand turns. 3/4 tank is what I hear should be a good ammount, you might be able to go lower and not get this "cut out", but I haven't.

You probably don't need a helmet, they usually provide loaners. However, if you do get one, I believe it needs to be SNELL certified within the last 5 years maybe?

Usually you over-inflate your tires. For exact pressures you're going to have to find out what works best for you. I'm still slowly figuring out what works good for me. I have a test-and-tune this weekend so I'll post back with what worked for me.

 

Yea the whole fuel cut off thing def sux and happened to me several times on hard turns, so make sure ur good to go on that. Since your going soon take water and a few snacks as well maybe some sunscreen cause it gets tired and hot out there and ull end up being exahusted and not running a good run.

 

For the gas I usually make sure, on site, I have 5/8 left. Fuel cuts are terrible. Had them plenty of times.

Definitely have water, sunscreen, and a HAT. It'll save you.

For tires, remember your front pressure will rise as you drive hard, from temperature.

You generally want the rear to have less traction than the front. So, adjust pressure accordingly for your tires. Also set the rear stiffer via swaybars, dampening, etc. Soften the front.

 

I'd run your tires at max PSI and adjust downwards if needed, too. If you don't have an air bubble or compressor, then you're going to have a hard time filling them back up.

Mainly, just relax and try to concentrate. It can be easy to get lost in the sea of cones when you're out there.

The most important thing for me is to walk to course several times to get a good feel for where the turns are, etc. Walk it as if you were driving it by cutting the corners, taking the apexes, etc.

Have fun -- autocross is a blast.

 

Love the cones...by avoiding them. Take it ez on yourself since its your first time. Have fun. O, and dont forget to brake, alot.

 

this is a video karnundrum sent me from his last auto x event. watch and learn, it is a pretty awesome video!

http://www.kanundrum.net/cdcautox.wmv

 

well, the idea in a good run is to generally not use your brakes :] smooth out the driving lines. but, its not something to worry about, especially your first time.

 

while having a high average speed is important for making a really good time. you should be well aware that brakes do more than just slow the car down, they are critical shifting the weight controlling the car while following the line. so good brakes and proper technique will fetch the best times. just remember, brake in, power out.

 

i disagree when it comes to cone hitting, you should hit a fwe cones just to know what the limits of your car are, and the dimensions so u know how close u can turn to the cones so that ur line is more straight in situations like a slalom

 

Just don't run straight through the cones and drag them to the finish. That's just embarassing...

 

i thought you got more points for more cones? i thought they were like time cards?

 

Haha, yea like in Bullrun

 

oh man, y did u have to post that up =/



anyone else start having sudden urges to slolem (sp?) through cones on the highway?

look, go ALL out and see if you can loose control of your car and see how to get back on track b/c if you ever find yourself in a similar position on the street you'll be able to save yourself, hopefully. Test the limits of your car...see how fast you can brake, learn the awesome understeer...dunno why, just seems important to know it in general

hitting cones is lots of fun too and it takes the pressure off b/c it's mad funny when it's caught on tape. it's only mortifying when you see a 100k car dragging it under his car till the very end.

enjoy yourself! i found i ran better times when i was pretending i was (KILLING RICE, jkjk, see viet, even i have a sense of humor) driving on the highway with the windows down and music up.

oh and always look 2 or 3 turns ahead of where you are, have an instructor sit in with you to get you familiar with how to train yourself to look ahead and react instinctively. once you're familiar with the course you'll start driving more smoothly. i hope one day just walking the course will be enough since you'll know what your car can do and have the turns in your mind.

then again, i've only been a few times *shrug*

 

Tips that may or may not have been covered...

- have fun
- sunscreen! i'm still peeing from last weekend.
- tires: a little more pressure - sometimes between 5-10psi more than normal. or like someone else said, start high and go from there. a good tire pressure gauge is essential!
- relax - it's not all hard gas and hard brake - smoother is faster overall.

Here's a good general link with a LOT of basic info:
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

Oh, and a helmet is not necessary - like someone else mentioned, there are usually loaners. Solotime.com has some good deals if you might make a regular habit out of it. I suggest blue painters tape for numbers/class if you're not ready to invest in magnetic stuff.

 

Just went auto crossing for the first time on sunday.
Heres some pics:

 

So how'd you do?

That looks like a LOT of cones... at least compared to how our region sets up courses.

 

I had a 61 secs which was avg for my class. The best time was a 911 GT3 and his time was 46 secs. It was fun and I can't wait to go again.