Autocrossers: Check in here!

[Highrev1]

Yeah he CAN be fast...Unless he is running with me. I tend to Psych people out.. I am a loud mouth...I am sure your surprised.

[Sirbelch]

Originally Posted by Highrev1

Yeah he CAN be fast...Unless he is running with me. I tend to Psych people out.. I am a loud mouth...I am sure your surprised.

No shit? wow. I guess you learn something knew everyday.

[piknockout]

Gonzo, glad I could help out. I'm not always the best at explaining/teaching what little I know...but I'm good at yelling at the right time! And you're good at listening. There are some people I ride with and try to help them out yelling "Gas!" and "Brake!" and "Turn" and they just seem like their ignoring you...and then go flying way past the line. :rolleyes:

But I can say I saw definitive improvement in your driving throughout the day. Not only in times, but they way you/the car looked on course. As a matter of fact at one point in the afternoon after watching you go up a section of the course I actually asked someone if you were the one driving the car...I couldn't tell! And that last time I rode with you in the afternoon I was very impressed with how you were driving versus the morning. Much more aggressive and much better lines. There were a few spots where I was thinking "he's not hitting this"...and then you made it. Now you just have to learn how to learn the course, where it's going, the right line, and how fast you can take your car through it all...in only 3-4 runs. That's where the fun starts, but you're definitely on the right track.

I'm a little frustrated that I didn't get to drive my car on the course in the afternoon, would have loved to see what I could do running the course the other way. I thought originally Pat was going to show up and we would just split sessions throughout the day. But when I stated that I needed him to do the late sessions, I guess he took it as he was doing the entire afternoon and I was doing the morning. Oh well, still got to drive the afternoon course a couple of times...thanks for letting me take the Si for a spin! It was definitely fun...but not as much fun as driving Danny Kao's STU EVO. I giggled like a little school girl the entire time on course. I think I found my next car.

But the day was still very productive overall. Found out that the car handles WAY better than it used to, especially in transitions. Got my tire pressures figured out. Looks like despite all the changes to the wheels/tires and suspension, the initial setup/balance was good out of the box. I might need to increase the rear bar a little bit, but I'll wait a couple of events before trying that. But I'm very pleased at the moment.

[Gonzo]

It felt good to realize I could start the car's rotation so early. I guess I was thinking I had to keep the car really stable and tight especially in slaloms but as it turns out aggressive steering and rotation (actually making those rear tires work for a change ) while keeping on the power a little can actually be the fast way around.

It is a bit of a leap of faith when an good driver starts giving you commands. The first few times you said turn on the backside slalom I was thinking to myself "This soon?" and then it was in Josh I trust and I just went for it. A driving epiphany ensued.

If that EVO is as fun to drive as it is to watch I'll be it's a blast. You can't help but smile when you see it tearing ass around that track like a happy puppy or something. It works for Danny too since every time you see him you can't help but smile and return a thumbs up. He's got a great attitude, in fact a lot of folks out there do.

I have a ball park of where my tires should be. I didn't quite nail it but then again I was out there mostly for experience. That was most important for improvements. I'll fiddle with pressures a little for the rest of the season but I think next year's test and tune I will have enough experience to have that be more of a focus.

[piknockout]

Assuming you continue on your STX journey, after an off-season's worth of parts you'll probably be testing more than tire pressures.

First points event will be a blast...just make sure you get there EARLY this time. You'll only get a couple course walks and won't be able to take 20 runs to figure it out.

[Gonzo]

Yeah, fortunately I think we're afternoon this time so I won't have to get up well before the crack of dawn.

What time are you planning on getting there?


Yeah, I might do the suspension over the off season. I'd like to get the brakes done before September.

Between the Dragon, two autocross schools, and a test and tune I have probably done a number to my pads already. I will probably check them out this week. Though they did pass the oh so rigorous state inspection about a couple weeks ago. Then again they were done at the dealer so if they were thin then they would have probably tried to sell me.

Rotors, pads, lines, and fluid I guess are next up, though I realize that will only help marginally at normal events.

[piknockout]

Brakes will help, but suspension goodies will help more. Perhaps save the money and get the suspension completed first, then bump up the brakes.

I'll probably be there around 10am give or take.

[Selektaa]

I just ran my 1st autocross yesterday, and had a blast. I'm looking to get into it more, and wanted a few pointers from you guys. First off, what class should my car (06 Si coupe) be in? It looks like you guys mostly running G-Stock, but I see STX mentioned as well. They put me in STX, and I was the only car in my class, with about a dozen in STS. I have:

Injen CAI
Front camber bolts (stock mounting holes)
Comptech Short Shifter Kit

Was STX the right call based on this short list of mods? Also, I'd like to get some stickier tires and smaller cheap rims to run on race days. Will 15s or 16s clear our brakes, or do I need to stick with 17s?

[Gonzo]

With those mods you will be in STX. Get rid of all of them and you can be G-Stock. I am surprised you were the only one in STX. It seems to be one of the most popular (not to mention diverse) classes in our region.

Better tires are going to be the best improvement you can make aside from improving the nut behind the wheel. A lot of 16's will fit our brakes. 15's are not a safe bet.

Congrats on joining the sport!



As far as suspension, not sure what to do. Not long ago the best "plug and play" thing was HFP, but now Koni is finally rolling stuff out, as is Redshift. I'd love to get a Redshift setup but I don't know if I could afford it. I have no doubt they're great, but good stuff costs good money. We'll see.

[hugeevilrobot]

I'll be there on Sunday, though I guess this will be my second time autox'ing at all in my car, I went to the level 2 school but had to co-drive my roomates WRX, someone either tried stealing my wheels and stopped, or I was utterly incompetent installing them, as I had 2 lugnuts on there. Oh well, GS is pretty well loaded with minis, so its all for fun anyway.

On a related note, I actually have < 3k miles on my car, and the original oil is in there... should I swap it out for synthetic? The thought of running it hard with any metallic crap in there from break in is not comforting.

[piknockout]

As Gonzo said, you are in STX with those mods. My suggestion since that was your first event, just keep driving the car as is. Learn to drive what you have and then start modding the car as needed to fit your driving style. There is more to learn in the first year of autocrossing through seat time than any one part you can put on the car...except for perhaps r-comps when running in stock class or SM.

And Gonzo, just be glad you're not running SM. They don't call it the "Spend Money" class for nothing.

[piknockout]

BTW, hope it's not a repost.

Top 10 Autocross Driving Tips by Andy Hollis

And Gonzo, below is what I was attempting to explain to you about the slalom.

Originally Posted by Andy Hollis

8] Attack the back. For slaloms (also applicable to most offsets), getting close to the cones is critical for quick times (see #1). To get close, we must move the car less, which means bigger arcs. Bigger arcs come from less steering and require earlier turning (see #2). Now for the fun part... When you go by a slalom cone and start turning the steering wheel back the other way, when does the car start to actually change direction? Answer: When the wheel crosses the center point (Not when you first start turning back!) How long does that take? If you are smooth, it takes .25 - .5 seconds. Now, how long is a typical person's reaction time? Answer: about .5 seconds. Finally, how long does it take to go between slalom cones? Answer: Typically on the order of 1 second. Given all of that, your brain must make the decision to begin turning the steering wheel back the other way just *before* you go by the previous cone!!

Since this is a mental issue, a good visualization technique to get used to this is to think about trying to run over the back side of each slalom cone with the inside rear tire of the car. To hit it with the rear tire (and not the front), the car must be arcing well before the cone and the arc must be shallow. Attack the back!

[Gonzo]

That is kind of a sensitive subject for people. You'll hear all sorts of different things and unfortunately at least on this forum we're not terribly knowledgeable about oil composition nor do we have any hard facts on the oil that comes with the car.

I personally switched mine out pretty early, probably before the time you are at now. I am running Amsoil right now for engine and transmission (I highly recommend their transmission fluid.)

Theoretically your oil filter should be able to take care of metal shavings and what not but even so that means metal particles are still floating around in there which doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies. When I checked the oil in my mom's Cayenne the other day a metal shaving came out with it. I guess the filter just hadn't reached that on yet, huh? :xyznervous: I swapped out my oil filter (huge PITA) and oil at the same time for my first change.

A lot of people say the oil that comes in the car is "break-in oil" and has special "break-in additives" (See molybdenum) and that the engine needs to run it for the entire duration of a normal oil change period.

Really I can't imagine there is enough to not warrant switching to synthetics. In addition it is not like synthetic oils don't have molybdenum in them to begin with. (Any oil labeled as "Energy Conserving" has a good amount in it to increase efficiency via anti-wear, ofr instance) There are lots of advantages to synthetic oils and I don't know of any disadvantages when it comes to modern engines.

Honda clearly knows what they are doing when it comes to engine, but even so it makes me wonder if the factory oil is so great when the transmission fluid that comes with the car is clearly questionable.

Anyhow, lots of cars come from the factory filled with synthetics. Corvettes and Porsche's for instance all come from the factory with Mobil 1.

I switched for the added protection and durability of synthetics. Also they tend to maintain their composure in a greater range of temperatures.

In the end it is of course up to you and I always encourage people to poke around for themselves. Someone can feel free to correct me or share their experiences but I don't know of anything to loose switching to synthetic.

[Gonzo]

Thanks for posting that Josh, I will be reading the whole thing.

Yeah, running over the back side with the inside rear wheel makes sense. I heard similar things before but from what people were saying it sounded like you should try to run over the side of the cone, which obviously doesn't work...

[Gonzo]

And yes, yelling turn definitely worked! Explaining the theory of driving is useful, granted it is easier to read and understand when you are relaxed than right after a run where you are trying to think about so many things at once.

Not too many drivers are good at telling you important things while driving. You and Brian however are both good at it. Brian made the joke at the school that he was intimating to new drivers because he would shout commands often.

Personally I like that. Changing a bad habit can be tough. Having someone say "turn in earlier" is one thing but having someone shotgun not afraid to tell you exactly what you need to do when you need to do it is crucial. As I said earlier those first few times you yelled turn I was kinda timid and reluctant but as the turns kept coming and you were able to encourage me to turn in earlier and earlier you really get to understand why it is done that way.

You can ride shotgun and see someone do an excellent run but until you feel it in your own hands it is hard to fully understand. Having someone side seat unafraid to give you fast input works quite well for me.

In short, shouting works

Brake! Turn! Power!

[Gonzo]

Say Josh, are you doing autocrossers Inc this year? From what I was told at the practice event, it sounds like they are similar to normal events but perhaps smaller and with more runs.

Also it looked like they might do team events? That sounds pretty fun, maybe for next year.

[piknockout]

I will be doing a full D.C. season and A.I. season. A.I. is just like any other autocross, but generally with fewer people but the same 4 runs. Only if attendance is REALLY light will you get more than 4 runs. Although this year, it "might" run more like D.C. We'll see though, this is the first year that they're running at Fed Ex as it used to be up at Ripken in Aberdeen...5 minutes from my new house.

[Gonzo]

Do they share the same registration system as the normal events? I checked their site a little while ago but didn't see where they had a list of events this year.

Also do they have a season subscription for AI?

[piknockout]

Yes, just go to dlbracing.com and pick Autocrosser's Inc. instead of WDCR.