Wish Me Luck!

Ok. Tomorrow is my first autocross race. If anyone has any suggestions, pointers, helpful hints, it would be greatly appreciated. I think I'll be in a class by myself (DM--just glad it's not BM) unless this Lotus shows up that I've seen there before. I have meatballs ready to put on tonight (Dave calls them veggie balls as I am vegetarian). The number is 55. I'm scared. v v

Keep you foot on the accelerator, aim for the apex and power out

Good Luck

LJ--I knew you'd answer! Do you mean the apex of the turn? Power out means go fast?? Help! v

The Apex is the exact center of the turn. Start wide, and turn in towards the apex then exit wide. It straightens out the curve. Power out of the turn. Most performance driving calls for slowing before you enter the turn and acceleration from the apex on.
If you get real good, you can heel toe, heel on the accelerator and toe on the brake pedal.

Another form of driving is called trail braking. This requires that you pre-select the gear necessary to have pleanty of power. As you enter the turn, your left foot is on the brake and your right foot is on the accelerator. As you turn the steering wheel one degree, you let up one degree on the brake etc etc. This will carry you through the turn with minimal wheel spin. These cars react poorly if you enter a turn too fast and decide to lift from the accelerator or apply the brakes. The outer rear wheel will roll towards the outside of the tires and limit your adhesion. The outside tires are taking the full load during a turn.
Remember, if the arse end of you car breaks loose, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid.

Stay in second? v

Good Luck!
See ya at Carlisle Vicki.

In most Auto X courses you can stay in 2nd for the turns. I've seen some where you can get into 3rd but for now, I wouldn't do it.

One thing to remember KEEP YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS though the corner. If you lift off there's a good chance that you'll spin, nothing to really fret about but just frustrating none the less.

I would also say to go slower than you think (on the first run) and run smoothly. On the next run take everything in a bit hotter. Another thing I did the first time was have an instructor ride with me the first 2 runs, it really helped. Also, take advantage of whatever strengh's you and the car have. If you think you're brakes are great then you should late break, etc.

Most of all, HAVE FUN!

Bert is absolutely correct.

Start off slow. Many of the best drivers appear to be slow but, the reality is that the more ""forward"" momentum you have, the better the elapsed time.

In other words, time spent skidding or sliding sideways is time not well spent. (sure, it's fun, but not productive)

You want your car to go forward under power, not sideways.

You may see some drivers that are very abrupt, they over accelerate then skid during deceleration, they take corners sideways and appear to be going fast but, when the clock stops, they were slow.

Other more experienced drivers appear to be slow but since they constantly had forward motion, they have better elapsed times.

Well, I DID IT!!! It was incredible fun! I walked the course twice, but was still extremely nervous the first time out. In fact, before I drove first, I RODE with Dave his first run and knew then I didn't want to race because it was like being on a runaway train car! It almost made me sick. But, I had committed myself and was going to do it, even though I don't have sufficient pride to not back out really (if that makes sense; i.e., I could have easily backed out because the pride thing doesn't bother me about stuff like this). I groused the entire way up to the starting line how I am too old or too female or too something. I did what was suggested and did a very slow run the first time out (95 seconds), then my second run did a 79!!! I was scared the second time up too, but surprised myself. But, it was SO MUCH FUN!! I seem to have decent proprioception, so I'm sure I can do even better the more I do it. Of course, beating people means nothing to me, but the challenge of beating ones own time makes it more fun! It felt like the first I ran a 10K or the half marathon or the Triathalon. A monster to kiss, and I kissed it. Thank you all for your comments. I appreciate the support. Thanks LJ. v v

VV

Proprioception (good nerve impulses) Wow, a $5.50 word. I'm glad you didn't use Steatopygia LOL

Well, I'm glad you had fun. Once people overcome their fears, imagined or real, the fun begins.

Usually riding in a car that's cornering at full force tends to make the passenger a little, (or in some cases A LOT} sick.

Just be thankful that you didn't sing to ""Ralph"" while in Daves car. It takes some training and time to be able to "ride shotgun" while someone else is in control.

Next step is to go to Lowes, Home Depot etc. and purchase some cones and lay out your own track on the weekends at some commercial parking lot. Then practice. Later, you may decide to purchase some suspension upgrades (namely shocks) and some real sticky tires.

Glad you had fun also. I really enjoy it a lot and there are so many good people doing it in San Diego, which keeps bringing me back. Most of the people there are trying to help you out.

Also it doesn't hurt to have the coolest car there (unless some of you other SD Spyders finally show up)!

Way to go Vicky. Post some pics so we can see you kickin some butt on the track.

David--the only pictures I have are of Dave because he rode with me both times and it made me sick to ride with him, so I took pictures. I'll post those plus a goofy after-race shot of me. I bet I might be the only autocrosser who has a pillow behind her and stack shoes on to reach the pedals! v

Nice pictures Vicki.

How did you do? Did you have fun?

Tony