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I'm thinking about participating in an autocross event. Anybody done one before? What was it like? Any experiences you want to share, or tips to impart?
GilpinGuy
07-23-2013, 18:46
Kick ass! Good luck with that bro!
Great-Kazoo
07-23-2013, 18:52
Didn't you just repair your car?
Didn't you just repair your car?
From another driver turning into me, yeah. There are no walls at the event, just a course laid out with safety cones. Worst case scenario, I plaster the guy working the corner.
I thought you liked your car?
From another driver turning into me, yeah. There are no walls at the event, just a course laid out with safety cones. Worst case scenario, I plaster the guy working the corner.
So, you aren't racing against other vehicles? Not much fun in that.
If it's your only car you risk alot.
So, you aren't racing against other vehicles? Not much fun in that.
You race against others, but it's delayed start, so cars launch about 30 seconds behind each other.
You race against others, but it's delayed start, so cars launch about 30 seconds behind each other.
I'd catch you in the first turn and spin you out. [Muaha]
tmleadr03
07-23-2013, 19:19
I said it before I will say it again.
DO IT!!
I actually think you would be better served by finding an advanced class first though.
spongejosh
07-23-2013, 19:21
Autocross is a blast! I've heard they get really full out here but I've never been to an event in Colorado. You'll probably have to work when you're not racing. Don't forget the sunscreen and water.
I said it before I will say it again.
DO IT!!
I actually think you would be better served by finding an advanced class first though.
Shh. He doesn't need a class first. Just go for it. You used to drive Denver to Colorado Springs, didn't you Ridge? It's just like that.
I think you should do some drifting with your car instead. [Awesom]
I said it before I will say it again.
DO IT!!
I actually think you would be better served by finding an advanced class first though.
I registered for an event this weekend at Front Range Airport, in the novice class.
I think you should do some drifting with your car instead. [Awesom]
Tray drifting ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjiDlyR_n7I
Two words.
Dash cam.
I'm thinkin about it.
tmleadr03
07-23-2013, 19:51
Smart phone with a memory chip, and a good cell phone holder that lets the camera look forward.
You will destroy your tires....go buy used one's and have them mounted before you go
Cylinder Head
07-23-2013, 22:03
Yes, I have done one before. You would be best served taking professional instruction first, and not having a wrong-wheel-drive car in the first place.
I do a few a year. They're fun, but costly.....trailer your car up, just in case you break.
issues for newbees
tires
brakes
clutch
rear end
driveshafts
and I saw a guy flip his car once
my suggestion, try it with your car, if you like it, buy yourself a track car (Miata's are awesome and cheap)
Zundfolge
07-24-2013, 10:03
Autocross is an absolute blast. Especially in the Stock classes.
What car you running?
I do a few a year. They're fun, but costly.....trailer your car up, just in case you break.
issues for newbees
tires
brakes
clutch
rear end
driveshafts
and I saw a guy flip his car once
my suggestion, try it with your car, if you like it, buy yourself a track car (Miata's are awesome and cheap)
This! I had a buddy try and convince me to get into Autocross- but his BMW was a manual, mine's an auto (with the triptronic shift). He told me that odds were good that I'd roast my tires, destroy my brakes, wear out my clutch and mostly likely need to fix my suspension sooner than with normal driving... But it's a helluva lot of fun! I've always wanted to do it, but refuse to subject my daily driver to such abuse.
It is a lot of fun; I ran my '97 Trans Am in the F Stock class in the late 90s before I got into dirt track racing. It is definitely hard on your tires and brakes. How hard it is on the rest of your car greatly depends on how well you drive. i never caused any premature wear on my car, or broke anything.
My only advice is learn your car and don't push it in the beginning. The speeds aren't that fast; depending on your car and how fast you can come out of the turns into the straits. There is a lot of rapid weight transfer, which is the most challenging part of the courses. I always gave the alignment tech. my adjustments to set up the car the way I wanted.
What car are you running?
drift_g35
07-24-2013, 11:24
What event are you doing? I did the Pikes peak international raceway Auto Cross and then some at Dicks park, and some at the the high school in castle rock. I messed up my tires bad on the pikes peak one since it was much longer than the others. My tires were fine at dicks and the high school.
Larry Ashcraft
07-24-2013, 15:33
I've participated in two, both a long time ago and both in the wrong vehicles.
First was about 1969, in my 1960 Thunderbird with a manual transmission and Lincoln suspension (called a "Nascar T-Bird). It was held in the Pueblo Midtown shopping center parking lot. The car was way too heavy, but I really didn't do bad at all. Lost a lot of rubber though.
The second time was in the 1980s, in my 1968 Mustang GT. The car was a 390 (think Bullitt) so it was front heavy and hard to handle. Still didn't do too bad, even whipped a couple of Corvettes, and I was the only one doing smoky burnouts on the starting line.
Just don't push it on your first run. I've seen guys mess up nice cars by pushing them past the driver's (or the car's) limits. Brake late as possible into the turns, and come out fast. You can't make up enough time in the straights, like I tried to do in my Mustang.
USAFGopherMike
07-24-2013, 18:14
Have done track time in an RX7, GTR, M3 & Supra. If it's your daily driver, I don't recommend it. If you insist, have a set of dedicated track tires and be ready to replace the above listed components. Highly addictive and a blast, but can get expensive quick. As mentioned, a class is highly recommended, and the miata is a great first track car. Pics/Video or didn't happen. Enjoy!
Autocross is an absolute blast. Especially in the Stock classes.
What car you running?
My mostly stock Mazda 3. Got firmer suspension and an SRI, but that's it.
http://i.imgur.com/KmYiHOpl.jpg
What event are you doing? I did the Pikes peak international raceway Auto Cross and then some at Dicks park, and some at the the high school in castle rock. I messed up my tires bad on the pikes peak one since it was much longer than the others. My tires were fine at dicks and the high school.
Solo at Front Range Airport this Sunday
Have done track time in an RX7, GTR, M3 & Supra. If it's your daily driver, I don't recommend it. If you insist, have a set of dedicated track tires and be ready to replace the above listed components. Highly addictive and a blast, but can get expensive quick. As mentioned, a class is highly recommended, and the miata is a great first track car. Pics/Video or didn't happen. Enjoy!
Thanks. I have a buddy who will be going, and who can photograph me. I'm going to see about an onboard camera.
tmleadr03
07-24-2013, 18:29
Let me know when you burn up them tires. [Beer]
USAFGopherMike
07-24-2013, 18:34
Yeah, those tires will take a beating. Most people don't think of it their first time, but your brake fluid is going to likely get cooked. May want to replace it afterwards (full bleed).
Yeah, those tires will take a beating. Most people don't think of it their first time, but your brake fluid is going to likely get cooked. May want to replace it afterwards (full bleed).
Cool, thanks for the tip.
USAFGopherMike
07-24-2013, 18:45
Anytime. After your first time, you'll be looking for suspension kits, exhaust, intake, big brake kits. Then comes the roll cage, a helmet, and some type of number. LOL.. mark my words.
You will destroy your tires....go buy used one's and have them mounted before you go
YEP.
I used to teach an entry level autocross course and yes, newbies shredded their tires. Every once in a while a kid got Dad's hot car, and then I helped shred the tires.
It is a lot of fun if you know what you are doing. I don't own a car I dislike enough right now.
Testing the cameras...
http://youtu.be/f5T0Ja88p0Y
http://youtu.be/IIapZ0PJe84
GilpinGuy
07-26-2013, 22:28
Huh. I figured the GoPro cam would have been better, but I actually think the cell camera had a "flatter" picture and did just fine. Cell cam has my vote (if you're looking for opinions).
tmleadr03
07-26-2013, 22:41
Told ya the cell phone would do just fine.
The cellphone has a better image, but the depth perception on it is off.
I'm going to run both, though.
tmleadr03
07-26-2013, 22:45
Kill the noise on the gopro, that is obnoxious.
I hooked my cell phone into a Porsche at the track last summer. Ran like a champ and the driver had a good movie to watch at the end.
GilpinGuy
07-26-2013, 22:50
Hearing the tires squeelin' would be cool though. How fast do you run in these races?
Hearing the tires squeelin' would be cool though. How fast do you run in these races?
As fast as possible :D
Kill the noise on the gopro, that is obnoxious..
I'll put Blur - Song 2 over it :D
So, when's the race? Tomorrow?
tmleadr03
07-26-2013, 22:59
As fast as possible :D
LOL. Talk to me about tires when your done.
Can you mount the cell phone behind the front seat facing forward some how? Then sync the gopro to the cell and join it in one video?
GilpinGuy
07-26-2013, 23:00
LOL - of course. What I was getting at was, keep the GoPro sound on if there will be a bunch of squeelin going on and engine noises from shifting, etc. If the wind will just make it sound shitty, ditch it and get some kick ass tunes going.
GilpinGuy
07-26-2013, 23:01
Can you mount the cell phone behind the front seat facing forward some how? Then sync the gopro to the cell and join it in one video?
Cool idea....
Do you have to wear a helmet?
Can you mount the cell phone behind the front seat facing forward some how? Then sync the gopro to the cell and join it in one video?
Mount it to the dash facing the driver so we can see the look on his face.
So, when's the race? Tomorrow?
Sunday
Do you have to wear a helmet?
Yep, Snell 95 rated helmets are required
GilpinGuy
07-26-2013, 23:07
Cool shit man. Good luck. Looking forward to seeing some cool vids...and a trophy. [Beer]
I'm thinking I might mount the GoPro lower, on the side of the car. Already have the cell pointed straight ahead. Maybe use it to get some wheel turning/cone smashing action.
Welp, I survived. Didn't do great times. My best was ~82 seconds, placing me dead last in my class.
Editing the videos (to remove the 3 and a half minutes of me queuing up to go) and then I'll upload them to Youtube and post the links in this thread.
Welp, I survived. Didn't do great times. My best was ~82 seconds, placing me dead last in my class.
Editing the videos (to remove the 3 and a half minutes of me queuing up to go) and then I'll upload them to Youtube and post the links in this thread.
what were the good times on the track in your class???
everyone sucks there first time out dont get discouraged is counter intuitive you have to drive slow and smooth to get low times
what were the good times on the track in your class???
everyone sucks there first time out dont get discouraged is counter intuitive you have to drive slow and smooth to get low times
The next car up on me in final scoring had 75 seconds his last run, a Fiat 500 Abarth. Top in the class was mid 60s.
tmleadr03
07-28-2013, 18:24
Time for more GT4.
Exterior vids are uploaded
http://youtu.be/U5c-JFjd6UU
http://youtu.be/XGKQJQFMWnY
http://youtu.be/Jdrj8ZGAIVg
3 video per post limit for whatever reason
http://youtu.be/WAEN1ht_V0E
tmleadr03
07-28-2013, 18:45
Are you seriously hanging your arm out the window while you did the course?
Are you seriously hanging your arm out the window while you did the course?
I was bracing against the door. You'll notice I only did it during right turns
Interior 1-3
http://youtu.be/GIx3QscDdhM
http://youtu.be/3MHsOCProwM
http://youtu.be/murtA4Af8BQ
And 4
http://youtu.be/4w9Ha7WmEX8
tmleadr03
07-28-2013, 19:58
So watching it your lines are a bit weak. I know you get a penalty for hitting cones, but you are bleeding way too far out on your turns and not hitting the apex very well. First time I understand but something to think about for future runs.
Also, OEM tires are the not the best traction. A good set of shoes and you will probably pull 10 seconds off your time with that alone.
If you want to practice knowing where your tires are in relation to things you see out your window hit up an empty parking lot and put some empty soda cans out there. Purposely drive over them with either your driver or passenger tire until you KNOW you are going to hit it. This will teach you where your vehicle is in relation to what is on the road in front of you. Do this while turning for advanced training.
All in all, your first time, you did good.
Wish I had the $ for all the worn parts to do this or some SCCA in my R32. Keep my mind off it's other bizzare issues.
Actually update of sorts, gf's dad ran my check engine light, was a replace gas cap code. Nuisance since I had my tank replaced under warranty, it's had trouble starting if I fill the tank and auto fill on pump shuts off like tanks full when empty.
Finally also showed a code for insufficient air intake/flow? (Maybe all my issues tied to that but was never severe enough to throw the code for it?)
So for the phone mount, just grabbed it local or ordered it online?
So watching it your lines are a bit weak. I know you get a penalty for hitting cones, but you are bleeding way too far out on your turns and not hitting the apex very well. First time I understand but something to think about for future runs.
Also, OEM tires are the not the best traction. A good set of shoes and you will probably pull 10 seconds off your time with that alone.
If you want to practice knowing where your tires are in relation to things you see out your window hit up an empty parking lot and put some empty soda cans out there. Purposely drive over them with either your driver or passenger tire until you KNOW you are going to hit it. This will teach you where your vehicle is in relation to what is on the road in front of you. Do this while turning for advanced training.
All in all, your first time, you did good.
Yeah, a big thing to is that I had my phone placed right in the line of sight. It's why I missed that cone on my first time out and got a DNF, and damn near missed it my second time out. I'm sure it was making me go wide on the left side, because I couldn't track the cone the whole time.
But all in all, I realized looking at my videos while editing them that I was taking the slaloms too wide. View obstructed on the right, and camera on the left that I didn't want to be hitting cones with. Would not have either of them placed where they were when I go out again.
So for the phone mount, just grabbed it local or ordered it online?
I grabbed it at a gas station. Suction cups to the windshield, and clamps the phone in place. I just slid the phone over enough that the lens wasn't obstructed (very much, anyway).
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