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?
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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?
Kick ass! Good luck with that bro!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by jim
I thought you liked your car?
So, you aren't racing against other vehicles? Not much fun in that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridge
If it's your only car you risk alot.
You race against others, but it's delayed start, so cars launch about 30 seconds behind each other.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
I'd catch you in the first turn and spin you out. [Muaha]Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridge
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.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by tmleadr03
I think you should do some drifting with your car instead. [Awesom]
I registered for an event this weekend at Front Range Airport, in the novice class.Quote:
Originally Posted by tmleadr03
Tray drifting ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjiDlyR_n7I
Two words.
Dash cam.
I'm thinkin about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
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
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)
Autocross is an absolute blast. Especially in the Stock classes.
What car you running?
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeT
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?
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.
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.
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!
My mostly stock Mazda 3. Got firmer suspension and an SRI, but that's it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zundfolge
http://i.imgur.com/KmYiHOpl.jpg
Solo at Front Range Airport this SundayQuote:
Originally Posted by drift_g35
Thanks. I have a buddy who will be going, and who can photograph me. I'm going to see about an onboard camera.Quote:
Originally Posted by USAFGopherMike
Let me know when you burn up them tires. [Beer]
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by USAFGopherMike
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.
YEP.Quote:
Originally Posted by cofi
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
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).
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.
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.
Hearing the tires squeelin' would be cool though. How fast do you run in these races?
As fast as possible :DQuote:
Originally Posted by GilpinGuy
I'll put Blur - Song 2 over it :DQuote:
Originally Posted by tmleadr03