First AutoX event

Read T

Biggest thing I find myself not doing at AX is looking ahead, once you start doing that you'll drop time even more. And of course hands. I always keep mine at 9+3. If you don't kill some cones during the day you arn't trying hard enough.

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2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars
SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

gomer_110

Or spin out for that matter.

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'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

Read T

Oh yeah, been there done that at AX and HPDE

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2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars
SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

IMWEZL

Not bad! Who rode with you during the first run? You did great and didn't get lost.

03threefiftyz

Look ahead and go faster...

The most recent vids of my car are from the Toledo Pro Solo....and yes from :20-:22 the right side wheels are about 6-8" off the ground. We guessed soft for the concrete site in OH, and it was the wrong choice.

You can see that even though I am about to get flung out the window from the grip, I am looking the other direction at the upcoming turn...

chrischhorn

i had an instructor ride with me my first 2 runs. 1st run i did get lost. 2nd i didnt. 3rd i did as i tried the look ahead approach and looked a bit to far lol. last one which is the video posted i felt very comfortable bit i shouldve pushed it harder. even after just the first session, i feel so much more confident then i use to in my car. you really learn a lot once you get to push your car near its limits.

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R.I.P. 8/01/13 1SlowZ
One day I'll have another....

chrischhorn

So i have a few people message me about the tires i was running. The tires im running the bridgestone Potenza RE970's on front which are an all season tire. By no means good for autocross. they did better then i expected but they are still ALL SEASONS! The rears are the Bridgestone Potenza RE760's. As a lot of you know, they arent the best tire either. its on thr lower end of performance line for the Potenzas which is why i was breaking traction constantly at 3k rpms in 2nd gear lol. and yes, the entire run was done in 2nd gear. never switched gears at all.

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R.I.P. 8/01/13 1SlowZ
One day I'll have another....

cossie1600

If you want to do this more and be competitive, you need to drop some money on tires

Z1NONLY

I caught myself doing that same "gangsta lean" bit my first autocross. I couldn't see your right hand, but if it was like my first time, it was resting on or near the gear shift.

I also remember thinking that that sea of orange cones looked like my son had thrown all his toys on the living room floor. Sure, they tell you what each element means and what you are supposed to do with it, but it's a lot like learning a foreign language.


My recommendations for new autocrossers differ (slightly) from what's been said.

Looking ahead is essential, but I don't push that too hard until after they learn to "speak cone". The gibberish "ahead" looks a lot like the gibberish that's right right in front their hood. I recommend they not drive faster than they can see. (meaning see and decipher) If you get on the gas before you know where you want to go, you will go nowhere fast.

If they are disciplined enough to not get ahead of their eyes, their desire to go faster will naturally get their eyes further ahead. (it just takes some time)

I have the same philosophy with hands and the steering wheel. I tell students that hand-over-hand is generally wasted energy, but not to "sweat" it at first. (at least not beyond just using both hands.)

As they get familiar/comfortable with the cones, and their eyes start getting further down course, the hands start to end up where they need to be in anticipation of "what's next." (with only minor reminders)

Good tires tend to cover up mistakes. As a new driver, you want to know every time you make little mistakes. Crappy tires are often good for that. I recommend killing whatever tires you have on there now and learn as much as you can with them.

The GoPro Santa brought me is great for catching hands:

IMWEZL

All seasons on Oahu? Must be wanting to check out Haleakela on Maui or maybe Big Island.

chrischhorn

lol, Im from texas where weather can be a bit harry during the winter. Only been out here 5 months and when i transferred, they gave me 2 weeks notice. The tires are actually carry overs from my Altima. 255/45/18's.

already working on that. New RE-11's are in the works. As stated by Z1, i plan on shredding these tires up and learning more before i even think about being competitive. Season ends in 2 months, 3 events left before then. July 14th and its on! New season to display the new skills!

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R.I.P. 8/01/13 1SlowZ
One day I'll have another....

cossie1600

Forgot you guys have no winter, I am jealous

chrischhorn

no winter? no fall or spring either lol. i go to work everyday and its like 85-90 degrees out lol. only thing that would stop us from going to the beach is rain. coldest it gets is like 65 at night lol.

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R.I.P. 8/01/13 1SlowZ
One day I'll have another....

cossie1600

tell that to the 26" of snow that I had to dig out of last weekend. argggg

chrischhorn

LOL sorry to hear. In other news.....I just picked up a set of 275/40/18's RE-11's off craigslist, brand new for $450

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R.I.P. 8/01/13 1SlowZ
One day I'll have another....