first real auto-x advice needed

MaSTi · 11-02-2009, 10:19 PM

So here's the details...

I just ran my 2nd auto-x. My first was limited because I broke a brake line after my first run. On that first auto-x I just co-drove my buddy's 08 STi. I was able to be competitive with his car. ie within 3 or less seconds of how he drove it.

My car(07) is a little more powerful and has springs over his sotckers. Both cars have after market f/r sways.

So, like I said I just finished my 2nd auto-x, but technically it's the first with MY car. I had a few spin outs, and it seems like my cars was less forgiving when I really pushed it. I spun out 3 of the 6 runs(morning first two laps) pretty much EVERYONE got squirly or spun (it was a light mist/rain). I was told by my friends I was steering too much, but was wondering if there's anything else I could do to get better? I clearly pushed the car too hard, but should I try setting up my suspension or tire pressure differently next time, or is it just learning the car first?

Mods are: stg 2 protune, adj whitelines, and RCE yellows.

Suggestions welcome, but there's no more auto-x this year.

Gotta do the ice racing from here on in.

KC · 11-02-2009, 10:44 PM

What tires did your friend have vs what you have? Tires play a big part when autoxing on damp/wet and cool conditions.

Also, in the wet, softer is better with spring rate/rebound/compression. Your higher rates on stock struts probably weren't helping things.

In the wet, your friend is right. Smooth hands! (Same advice in the dry, but you can 'get away' with some choppiness)

Lots of people can offer advice, but only way to get better is to have an instructor ride shotgun, someone with quite a few years under their belt and not just a friend that's been doing it a year or two...

Get thee to an SCCA event and get as many rides as you can with an instructor. You may get fewer runs, but you'll get better driving feedback than many other clubs in the area (unless those instructors are also SCCA instructors).

--kC

MaSTi · 11-03-2009, 09:22 AM

Only differences were:

07 vs 08 STi
07 has RCE springs and custom alignment
07 had GSDs for tires vs. stock 08 tires (Dunlops)

sachilles · 11-03-2009, 10:41 AM

More seat time will do you a world of good. It will take you several events before you start to develop some of the instincts that will help you.
Go have fun, and don't put too much thought into how you are doing compared to everyone else. Concentrate on improving your times relative to yourself.
The first couple of events will be more about you getting use to your car, and how it behaves when it is on the edge.

Ice racing will be very good for you, as it will help to teach you how to be smooth.

edit:
I see you are from Mass,
There is still at least one autox left in the season in new england(NH), if you are looking for more seat time.
PM me if you want details.

KC · 11-03-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachilles

More seat time will do you a world of good. It will take you several events before you start to develop some of the instincts that will help you.
Go have fun, and don't put too much thought into how you are doing compared to everyone else. Concentrate on improving your times relative to yourself.
The first couple of events will be more about you getting use to your car, and how it behaves when it is on the edge.

Ice racing will be very good for you, as it will help to teach you how to be smooth.

edit:
I see you are from Mass,
There is still at least one autox left in the season in new england(NH), if you are looking for more seat time.
PM me if you want details.

Why the secrecy? FCSCC has one this weekend. I'm toying with the idea of going...

sachilles · 11-03-2009, 11:47 AM

no secrecy.
sccnh.org for a saturday event at the hobo railroad.
Amec also has one in Albany NY this weekend.
Just didn't think anyone besides the original poster would care.

MaSTi · 11-03-2009, 01:41 PM

Thanks for the input guys. Unfortunatly I can not make it this weekend since I have to work. I'll be out there more next season for sure.

This season was tough enough to balacne between work and having a new born, so we'll try for next year.

sachilles · 11-03-2009, 02:14 PM

<-------9 month old.
I feel your pain.

MaSTi · 11-03-2009, 04:06 PM

yep 3.5month old here.

M3's R scooby snacks · 11-03-2009, 06:14 PM

Seat time, seat time, seat time...The learning curve in autocross is huge and you will make big improvements for your 1st several auto-crosses. Soon it will be hard to shave 1/10ths off and the top several in class will be separated by this type of margin.

Most clubs have practice days to really work on tire pressures and set-ups but right now I would say do as many events as you can. Keep at it- remember to have fun, ask questions. I read the book "The secrets of solo racing" (by Henry Watts? I think) when I first got involved and thought that helped understand different things- then again it's sort of like learning Karate from a book which brings us back to seat time, seat time, seat time!

jasonrmorrow · 11-03-2009, 08:56 PM

First off check your ego (not saying you have one) at the gate. No point going out and
thinking you are fast or that your car is fast. It could be, and you aren't !

Just go to as many events as you can and DO NOT change anything on the car. Find out what pressures to run by seeing if the tire is rolling over, once you find that pressure don't attempt to adjust it.

At this point your driving is no where near consistent enough, and you're feel isn't good enough to play with tire pressures.

I set my dunlop star specs to 35 psi all around and never touch it. Even in the rain, changing surface type etc, it just won't matter enough with your skills right now.
Ride with other drivers, have them ride with you. Soak up all the knowledge you can but
keep quiet and just listen for a while.

Keeping the car consistent and getting as many events/runs in as possible is the best
advice I can give. It took me about 17 events this year (my first year) but I won the final two local events in Pax total/Raw total/ and took FTD. Also had the single best PAX score of the season in the last event.

Be patient, be smooth, keep the car the same and you will improve quickly. Set your goals at improving every event. Take your time as a % of the fastest time and track your progress.

jasonrmorrow · 11-03-2009, 08:56 PM

Double post...delete this one if you can

The_Mule · 11-03-2009, 11:14 PM

Look. Ahead.

Remember there are windows in the doors too...

11-02-2009, 10:19 PM	#1
MaSTi Scooby Specialist Member#: 41358 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Winchendon, MA Vehicle: 07 STi OBP	first real auto-x advice needed So here's the details... I just ran my 2nd auto-x. My first was limited because I broke a brake line after my first run. On that first auto-x I just co-drove my buddy's 08 STi. I was able to be competitive with his car. ie within 3 or less seconds of how he drove it. My car(07) is a little more powerful and has springs over his sotckers. Both cars have after market f/r sways. So, like I said I just finished my 2nd auto-x, but technically it's the first with MY car. I had a few spin outs, and it seems like my cars was less forgiving when I really pushed it. I spun out 3 of the 6 runs(morning first two laps) pretty much EVERYONE got squirly or spun (it was a light mist/rain). I was told by my friends I was steering too much, but was wondering if there's anything else I could do to get better? I clearly pushed the car too hard, but should I try setting up my suspension or tire pressure differently next time, or is it just learning the car first? Mods are: stg 2 protune, adj whitelines, and RCE yellows. Suggestions welcome, but there's no more auto-x this year. Gotta do the ice racing from here on in.

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11-02-2009, 10:44 PM	#2
KC Scooby Guru Member#: 442 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: SE Mass/RI Vehicle: 2000 Honda S2000 White	What tires did your friend have vs what you have? Tires play a big part when autoxing on damp/wet and cool conditions. Also, in the wet, softer is better with spring rate/rebound/compression. Your higher rates on stock struts probably weren't helping things. In the wet, your friend is right. Smooth hands! (Same advice in the dry, but you can 'get away' with some choppiness) Lots of people can offer advice, but only way to get better is to have an instructor ride shotgun, someone with quite a few years under their belt and not just a friend that's been doing it a year or two... Get thee to an SCCA event and get as many rides as you can with an instructor. You may get fewer runs, but you'll get better driving feedback than many other clubs in the area (unless those instructors are also SCCA instructors). --kC

11-03-2009, 09:22 AM	#3
MaSTi Scooby Specialist Member#: 41358 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Winchendon, MA Vehicle: 07 STi OBP	Only differences were: 07 vs 08 STi 07 has RCE springs and custom alignment 07 had GSDs for tires vs. stock 08 tires (Dunlops)

11-03-2009, 10:41 AM	#4
sachilles Scooby Specialist Member#: 115107 Join Date: May 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Waitsfield VT Vehicle: 02 wrx wagon 61 Morris Mini	More seat time will do you a world of good. It will take you several events before you start to develop some of the instincts that will help you. Go have fun, and don't put too much thought into how you are doing compared to everyone else. Concentrate on improving your times relative to yourself. The first couple of events will be more about you getting use to your car, and how it behaves when it is on the edge. Ice racing will be very good for you, as it will help to teach you how to be smooth. edit: I see you are from Mass, There is still at least one autox left in the season in new england(NH), if you are looking for more seat time. PM me if you want details.

11-03-2009, 11:47 AM	#6
sachilles Scooby Specialist Member#: 115107 Join Date: May 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Waitsfield VT Vehicle: 02 wrx wagon 61 Morris Mini	no secrecy. sccnh.org for a saturday event at the hobo railroad. Amec also has one in Albany NY this weekend. Just didn't think anyone besides the original poster would care.

11-03-2009, 01:41 PM	#7
MaSTi Scooby Specialist Member#: 41358 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Winchendon, MA Vehicle: 07 STi OBP	Thanks for the input guys. Unfortunatly I can not make it this weekend since I have to work. I'll be out there more next season for sure. This season was tough enough to balacne between work and having a new born, so we'll try for next year.

11-03-2009, 02:14 PM	#8
sachilles Scooby Specialist Member#: 115107 Join Date: May 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Waitsfield VT Vehicle: 02 wrx wagon 61 Morris Mini	<-------9 month old. I feel your pain.

11-03-2009, 04:06 PM	#9
MaSTi Scooby Specialist Member#: 41358 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Winchendon, MA Vehicle: 07 STi OBP	yep 3.5month old here.

11-03-2009, 06:14 PM	#10
M3's R scooby snacks Scooby Newbie Member#: 193431 Join Date: Nov 2008 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Olympia, WA Vehicle: 2009 Rallitek-WRX WR Blue	Seat time, seat time, seat time...The learning curve in autocross is huge and you will make big improvements for your 1st several auto-crosses. Soon it will be hard to shave 1/10ths off and the top several in class will be separated by this type of margin. Most clubs have practice days to really work on tire pressures and set-ups but right now I would say do as many events as you can. Keep at it- remember to have fun, ask questions. I read the book "The secrets of solo racing" (by Henry Watts? I think) when I first got involved and thought that helped understand different things- then again it's sort of like learning Karate from a book which brings us back to seat time, seat time, seat time!

11-03-2009, 08:56 PM	#11
jasonrmorrow Scooby Newbie Member#: 161907 Join Date: Oct 2007	First off check your ego (not saying you have one) at the gate. No point going out and thinking you are fast or that your car is fast. It could be, and you aren't ! Just go to as many events as you can and DO NOT change anything on the car. Find out what pressures to run by seeing if the tire is rolling over, once you find that pressure don't attempt to adjust it. At this point your driving is no where near consistent enough, and you're feel isn't good enough to play with tire pressures. I set my dunlop star specs to 35 psi all around and never touch it. Even in the rain, changing surface type etc, it just won't matter enough with your skills right now. Ride with other drivers, have them ride with you. Soak up all the knowledge you can but keep quiet and just listen for a while. Keeping the car consistent and getting as many events/runs in as possible is the best advice I can give. It took me about 17 events this year (my first year) but I won the final two local events in Pax total/Raw total/ and took FTD. Also had the single best PAX score of the season in the last event. Be patient, be smooth, keep the car the same and you will improve quickly. Set your goals at improving every event. Take your time as a % of the fastest time and track your progress.

11-03-2009, 11:14 PM	#13
The_Mule Scooby Newbie Member#: 142630 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Antonio TX Vehicle: 2006 Impreza WRX STi WR Bluuuue	Look. Ahead. Remember there are windows in the doors too...