Advice -- Just trying to change my mind set

danegrey · 12-17-2014, 02:45 PM

Need some advice on autocross and setup, I have autocross off and on over 10 years, last year was my 1st full season with the Z. This is the first real handling car, have done Mustang GT’s and bunch of odd cars

I have read many of the threads, but at times I just get confused on what to do and how to do it. When it comes time to do the autocross I get all thumbs, never sure what is the right braking, gas, I really think I have a lead right foot. More speed/more speed oh-oh I have to stop/turn

Now what I have done to my car.

1) Nismo sway bars front / back
2) Tires
Michelin Super Sport
Front: 265/30 19 ZR
Rear: 305/30 19 ZR
3) Siebon Carbon Rear Wing

Which has me in ASP for SCCA and AS for NASA.

The other item I am always better when I have a coach in the car and then after that red mist/all thumbs.
Just looking for some ideas on what to do and how I can get better.

Thanks ahead of time

Jordo! · 12-17-2014, 03:09 PM

Seat time. It's all about seat time. No point in playing further with your set up until you find its limits. Other than that, its good to try and visualize the best line through a turn before you dive in.

My experience is limited tho'... some of the hotshoes on here may have more specific advice.

redline10000 · 12-17-2014, 03:14 PM

Do they have autox schools near you? Those really help you since the instructors will tell you what you are doing wrong. Also though I'm in my 3rd year of autox I always do novice walkthroughs during the course walk. This helps you get a second perspective on the lines to take and makes sure you don't forget your fundamentals.

Lastly I found this book to be a pretty good help to me and helping me understand car dynamics better. Ive been a much better driver over all after reading it. Good luck!

Jordo! · 12-17-2014, 03:20 PM

On the above note: also check out this --> Autocross to Win (DGs Autocross Secrets) - ATW Home Page

redline10000 · 12-17-2014, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

On the above note: also check out this --> Autocross to Win (DGs Autocross Secrets) - ATW Home Page

I like that site too. Thats what's convinced me to go with custom built Koni yellows for next season.

Zauskycop · 12-17-2014, 06:44 PM

Find someone who will ride with you who is a GOOD driver (not just average, not just better than you...look for someone who runs nationals, and is consistently in the top 5 or 10 locally. Have them ride with you for tips, then if the region permits, have them drive your car with you IN IT, to show you what it is capable of...it can be an enlightening experience. But don't just watch them...make note of their throttle, their steering, where the brake, their lines. Even if you can gleam ONE good thing off of them, it will make you a better driver.

I see you are in Atlanta. There are MANY great drivers there that I know, and all of them would be helpful to you if you ask politely.

Tracy Ramsey

blackcherry20 · 12-17-2014, 08:54 PM

Seat time.
And
Come to set up so you get to run the course as many times for practice as you like

Seriously.

danegrey · 12-25-2014, 05:52 PM

Thanks for all your comments, it just re-enforces what I need to do, seat time, find someone to ride/drive, been thinking about that, pay for there entry fee and see if they want to do a double, take all the drivers school. test and tune time I can get.
Thanks all again

danegrey · 12-25-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcherry20

Seat time.
And
Come to set up so you get to run the course as many times for practice as you like

Seriously.

Would love to do that up there with you folks, but work is going to be changing in 2015. So trips may be limited....

blackcherry20 · 12-25-2014, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danegrey

Would love to do that up there with you folks, but work is going to be changing in 2015. So trips may be limited....

Do what you can...just get more time. Hope to see you next season.

12-17-2014, 02:45 PM	#1 (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	Advice -- Just trying to change my mind set Need some advice on autocross and setup, I have autocross off and on over 10 years, last year was my 1st full season with the Z. This is the first real handling car, have done Mustang GT’s and bunch of odd cars I have read many of the threads, but at times I just get confused on what to do and how to do it. When it comes time to do the autocross I get all thumbs, never sure what is the right braking, gas, I really think I have a lead right foot. More speed/more speed oh-oh I have to stop/turn Now what I have done to my car. 1) Nismo sway bars front / back 2) Tires Michelin Super Sport Front: 265/30 19 ZR Rear: 305/30 19 ZR 3) Siebon Carbon Rear Wing Which has me in ASP for SCCA and AS for NASA. The other item I am always better when I have a coach in the car and then after that red mist/all thumbs. Just looking for some ideas on what to do and how I can get better. Thanks ahead of time blackcherry20 likes this. __________________ Lots of Changes the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

12-17-2014, 03:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Seat time. It's all about seat time. No point in playing further with your set up until you find its limits. Other than that, its good to try and visualize the best line through a turn before you dive in. My experience is limited tho'... some of the hotshoes on here may have more specific advice. danegrey and FLUJOKE like this. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

12-17-2014, 03:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
redline10000 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: boston Posts: 265 Drives: 2011 370z sport Rep Power: 12	Do they have autox schools near you? Those really help you since the instructors will tell you what you are doing wrong. Also though I'm in my 3rd year of autox I always do novice walkthroughs during the course walk. This helps you get a second perspective on the lines to take and makes sure you don't forget your fundamentals. Lastly I found this book to be a pretty good help to me and helping me understand car dynamics better. Ive been a much better driver over all after reading it. Good luck! Jordo! likes this. __________________ AAM Axleback + AAM Midpipe \| K&N Drop in filters \| Eibach Front Sway bar \|Whiteline diff bushing\| Dunlop ZII

12-17-2014, 03:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	On the above note: also check out this --> Autocross to Win (DGs Autocross Secrets) - ATW Home Page redline10000 likes this. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

12-17-2014, 06:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zauskycop Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hinckley IL Posts: 228 Drives: 2012 370Z, '16 Miata Rep Power: 14	Find someone who will ride with you who is a GOOD driver (not just average, not just better than you...look for someone who runs nationals, and is consistently in the top 5 or 10 locally. Have them ride with you for tips, then if the region permits, have them drive your car with you IN IT, to show you what it is capable of...it can be an enlightening experience. But don't just watch them...make note of their throttle, their steering, where the brake, their lines. Even if you can gleam ONE good thing off of them, it will make you a better driver. I see you are in Atlanta. There are MANY great drivers there that I know, and all of them would be helpful to you if you ask politely. Tracy Ramsey Jordo! likes this.

12-17-2014, 08:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
blackcherry20 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 22,749 Drives: ‘17 badazz Z51 Rep Power: 240459	Seat time. And Come to set up so you get to run the course as many times for practice as you like Seriously. Z-Girl 12 likes this. __________________ Grand Sport Corvette Arctic White

12-25-2014, 05:52 PM	#8 (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	Thanks for all your comments, it just re-enforces what I need to do, seat time, find someone to ride/drive, been thinking about that, pay for there entry fee and see if they want to do a double, take all the drivers school. test and tune time I can get. Thanks all again __________________ Lots of Changes the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

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