I will be taking the SS autocrossing for the first time this weekend. Not only will this be the first time for the SS it will be my first time. Any helpful hints so I dont look like too much of a fool.

 

Show up early and walk the course a couple of times. Bring a note pad, and scetch the crouse as you walk it, this will help you when it actually comes time to make a run in the car. If possible take a walk with the organizers they will explain what you need to do, and how to approach the difficult protions.

Go slow on your first run, and make sure to not go off course. This will give you a baseline to work from, plus it prevents you from DNF'n the whole day. After getting the first run out of the way, try doing everything with a little more speed, but keep in mind that these events are not won with HP, but instead perscision. After a couple of runs you will get an idea where your car is good, and where you need to be careful. Then use what you've learned to try and put together a better run each time.

If at all possible try and take some runs with an instructor, they will best be able to help you with improving your times. This should be easy as they will get an oppurtunity to drive a car they've never driven before.

I would recomend taping your license plate, and the portions behind your wheel wells. The plates to prevent warranty issues, the wheel wheels to prevent scratches. Most of all have fun, and make some friends. Having people to hang out with at these events really makes them worth while. Plus if you can make friendly with some better drivers they can offer you real time advice.

 

thanks for the advice pkskull77

My brother in law who has autocrossed for years will be driving my car all day as well. So, hopefully I will get a few rides with him to learn as much as possible.

 

Let everyone know how you did.

 

I actually just autocrossed yesterday. I was on a very tight coarse and it was tough with the large turning radius but atleast i didn't have to back up. The SS did pretty well though my broth beat me in his Jetta GLI but he was in SM class. And no other Ds class cars were there.
I don't have LSD on my car either so that was tough, when ever i tried to accelerate i just smoked them and by the end got a nice amount of rubber on the side of my car. But anyways it was fun.

 

i thought our cars had a tight turning radius because of the electronic steering?

 

Well my first autocross was alot of fun. To begin with the course was a large fast (so Im told) course set up on 3 runways. I reached speeds in excess of 60 twice on the course. My bother in law was the first car in D-stock that wasn't running racing tires, and I finished first in the novice division.

heres a picture



https://www.cobaltss.net/gallery/sho...php?i=1430&c=3

 

To give you some idea of my coarse it was made for Mazda Miatas which have a truning diameter of 30.2 Ft. On the other hand the SS is at 33.5 Ft. So in some places i nearly had to stop to make the turn. Atleast i didn't have to back up like the Corvettes with their 39 Ft

 

What cars were running novice that day?

 

That's weird. I've never seen a course where you were supposed to back up to make a corner. I run with a couple of different midwest regions and most give you a DNF for backing up on any part of the course.

 

there was a celica GTS, and some mazdas thats were novices in D stock... not for sure about the rest of the classes

 

It wasn't meant make people back up it was just so tight that corvettes had to do it know and then to make it through and no body liked the track since it was so tight. Some new guy deisgned it so hopfully next time it will be better.

 

Coming in a little late to this, but welcome to the joy/heartache/expense of autocrossing!!