The Great Autocross Mega Thread!

[slowbubblecar]

This is John, James logged into my computer and I am having issues logging out.

I definitly think it is possible to do well, just know that I wont at all. I have talked to a few local viper owners about autocross and they pretty much change the topic to saying I should go to Brainerd with them in May.

I Maybe I should get the GSX going and get some practice in before trying to take out the viper.

But at the same time, I might aswell just practice in the viper so I can learn to handle the car better.....

Sure looks like a lot of fun.

[MustGoFaster]

I'd recommend autoXing first. Open tracks are fun, but I learned A LOT more about my car, and car control from AX than I did on open track days. Since the speeds are slower, the potential penalty for any given mistake is much smaller.

I have been to three or four times as many autocrosses as I have track days. The worst I've seen autocrossing is a Subaru going under/threw a fence, scratched paint, bruised ego. Worst I have seen at a track day is a wreaked car with the driver paying a visit to the hospital. I have also seen a few wreaked race cars without any driver injury, mostly due to one dangerous corner catching people pushing things that little be too much. (The Kink at Road America)

With any event (including driving to grandma's house) there is the potential for things to go seriously wrong. The above is just my personal experience, based on having done both types of events

[Matt D.]

Autocrossers make better road racers, not vice versa.

Of course Viper owners are going to talk down on autocross. Most if not all of them have probably never tried it, and they probably all have money to blow on track days and yet don't really learn anything about becoming a better driver. Our local club has instructors that will ride long with you for free, can't ask for anything more than that.

[Kracka]

Originally Posted by Matt D.

Our local club has instructors that will ride long with you for free, can't ask for anything more than that.

How true this is! A few quick words of advice can really make a big difference.

Wasn't there a woman autocrossing a Viper at DCTC last summer?

[Matt D.]

Originally Posted by Kracka

Wasn't there a woman autocrossing a Viper at DCTC last summer?

Yeah, she was driving her boy toy's green Viper, and he was in his Ford GT. She whooped his ass.

[john]

The people I talked to didn't talk down on it really. I know a few who have auto crossed but I guess they have been to the track on several occasions. I am pretty sure I know the owner and driver of the green viper assuming it was a neon-ish green...

I know more than a couple of Salvage titled vipers driving around here that have gone hard into the wall at brainerd. Obviously a concern of mine.

They have a viper day coming up at brainerd which costs ~550 or so. There are going to be actual viper race car drivers there instructing and are holding some kind of class. Would be a great learning experience but not sure if I can foot the money for a day or so of entertainment....

Definitly interested in autocrossing due to the cost, the flexability in attending, and it looks like a lot of fun.

[Kracka]

Try it out! Worst case scenario is you "wasted" $30 and hate it.

[cmspaz]

Originally Posted by Kracka

Try it out! Worst case scenario is you "wasted" $30 and hate it.

The key is the quotes, regardless of how you feel at the end of the day, you'll have learned a lot. Especially since it'll be your first event.

[Shotgun!]

Originally Posted by Matt D.

Yeah, she was driving her boy toy's green Viper, and he was in his Ford GT. She whooped his ass.

I remember both of those from one of the Amery airport events. Very hard to imagine those cars at DCTC.

[MustGoFaster]

Just picture them spinning in the grass! Ok, only the guy in the GT did it once.

[Kracka]

To everyone taking the novice school this weekend, pay attention in class today and kill some cones tomorrow! If you're anal about your car I recommend some painters tape or contact paper to cover at least the front corners of your bumper

[cmspaz]

My car still bears some cone scuffs from last season. Here's to plans for new paint!

I'm just glad my car passed tech. I need to get those bearings taken care of.

[s1ngletracker]

I hope my car passes tech!

I thought about driving up in my Cherokee with the 5" lift for tech and seeing what they said. haha

[MustGoFaster]

I think there would have been a mention of a rollover risk...

[s1ngletracker]

yes, obviously

[s1ngletracker]

How picky are they going to be about tire tread? I just noticed my rear tires, on the outside is almost down to no tread at all. I suppose they could consider this dangerous? Should I put my other wheels on?

[Kracka]

Its probably too late now, but your tires should be above the wear indicators.

[Kracka]

You guys are lucky! I've yet to race in rain.

[s1ngletracker]

wow. I am hooked. I put on my other shitty wheels/tires. The instructor said shitty tires will make me a better driver

What was everyone's best time? I squeaked out a 33.9, I was pretty happy with my improvement throughout the day.

[cmspaz]

33.4 clean, 33.0 dirty. Andrew managed a 32.9 The Exige ran a 32.4, if anyone wants a benchmark. I guess my hypothesis about DSMs being fast in the rain has been proven true.

But yeah, the rain was a great learning experience, and tons of fun. For some reason, my faster runs always involved me being tail-happy and getting sideways during braking, so maybe that's something to look into setup-wise when I fix my wheel bearings and get a long-needed alignment.

I honestly feel the same way about my 520 treadwear all-seasons, but it doesn't stop me from bitching about them every chance I get. As far as today went, they came through surprisingly well, all things considered.