First Autocross in the Z

tims370z · 04-18-2018, 04:12 PM

This past weekend I participated in a Starting Line Driver School and the first event of the local chapter here in Pittsburgh.

It was just an absolute blast! I learned a tremendous amount about my ability and the car's ability. With never driven a RWD or even a MT before on the autocross track, there was a bit of learning curve. Things got real interesting when it started to rain for the last two runs of the final heat.

Overall I achieved my three biggest goals of the weekend:
1. Learn something
2. Don't brake myself or the car
3. Show improvement

For those more experienced autocross-ers, what has been the most contributing factor to being competitive in your local chapters?

I see autocrossing as a hobby, not something I may be competitive at at a national level, but would still like to hang with the others in the B Street class and shed my "Novice" status.

Rusty · 04-19-2018, 08:55 PM

Glad you had fun. Where did they hold the event at? I didn't know anything about it.

gomer_110 · 04-19-2018, 09:32 PM

IMHO, the biggest trick to getting better is seat time. Additionally, having one of the faster region guys codrive your car at an event so you can see first hand what you're doing the same and different than them can make a difference.

While it's too late to get in (event is capped out), you could come check out the Pittrace Match Tour in a little over a week and see what a low key national event is like. I'll be there running in BSP.

Rusty · 04-19-2018, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

IMHO, the biggest trick to getting better is seat time. Additionally, having one of the faster region guys codrive your car at an event so you can see first hand what you're doing the same and different than them can make a difference.

While it's too late to get in (event is capped out), you could come check out the Pittrace Match Tour in a little over a week and see what a low key national event is like. I'll be there running in BSP.

You going to PittRace? When? If I can. I'll try to come up to see you.

gomer_110 · 04-19-2018, 10:57 PM

The Match Tour is the 28th and 29th.

Brendan · 04-19-2018, 10:58 PM

Glad you had a good time. Like Gomer said, seat time, seat time, seat time

Rusty · 04-19-2018, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

The Match Tour is the 28th and 29th.

I'm going to be busy with doing EastWest's diff bushing. He wants me to install a SPL kit.

Quicksilvers · 04-20-2018, 12:58 AM

Congratulations definitely go out there and learn as practice makes perfect and there is nothing like seat time.

tims370z · 04-20-2018, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Glad you had fun. Where did they hold the event at? I didn't know anything about it.

At Pittsburgh International Raceway (formerly known as Beaver Run). Check out their site for the schedule: 2018 AutoX Schedule – STCsolo.com

tims370z · 04-20-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

IMHO, the biggest trick to getting better is seat time. Additionally, having one of the faster region guys codrive your car at an event so you can see first hand what you're doing the same and different than them can make a difference.

While it's too late to get in (event is capped out), you could come check out the Pittrace Match Tour in a little over a week and see what a low key national event is like. I'll be there running in BSP.

Completely agree! At the Starting Line School, it was enlightening when the instructor drove my car. I didn't know it could do that!

I was planning on attending the event to watch. I'll stop by in the pitts if I do. If not I'll be at the next regular event in June.

tims370z · 04-20-2018, 09:13 AM

I also picked up this book, Secrets of Solo Racing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/09...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rusty · 04-20-2018, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tims370z

At Pittsburgh International Raceway (formerly known as Beaver Run). Check out their site for the schedule: 2018 AutoX Schedule – STCsolo.com

I do track days there.

danegrey · 04-20-2018, 01:06 PM

seat time / seat time / and less right foot... which is always my problem

04-19-2018, 08:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,218 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	Glad you had fun. Where did they hold the event at? I didn't know anything about it. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

04-19-2018, 09:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	IMHO, the biggest trick to getting better is seat time. Additionally, having one of the faster region guys codrive your car at an event so you can see first hand what you're doing the same and different than them can make a difference. While it's too late to get in (event is capped out), you could come check out the Pittrace Match Tour in a little over a week and see what a low key national event is like. I'll be there running in BSP. JARblue, Brendan and tims370z like this. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

04-19-2018, 10:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	The Match Tour is the 28th and 29th. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

04-19-2018, 10:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
Brendan Track Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 642 Drives: Poor man's Porsche Rep Power: 542	Glad you had a good time. Like Gomer said, seat time, seat time, seat time tims370z likes this.

04-20-2018, 12:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
Quicksilvers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,039 Drives: 2017 370z Rep Power: 25463	Congratulations definitely go out there and learn as practice makes perfect and there is nothing like seat time. Rusty and tims370z like this.

04-20-2018, 09:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
tims370z Base Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 104 Drives: 15 Nissan 370Z Sport Rep Power: 8	I also picked up this book, Secrets of Solo Racing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/09...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

04-20-2018, 01:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
danegrey A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Knoxville Age: 71 Posts: 3,190 Drives: 12 370Z BK Cherry M6 Rep Power: 649540	seat time / seat time / and less right foot... which is always my problem tims370z likes this. __________________ Lots of Changes the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

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