Autocross tip of the day - look where you're going

Woody wrote: Can't you see how cool he looks?!

LOL Those glasses did make me look a little flashy, didn't they?

Back to the original post of the thread: in dirt biking you learn about something called 'target fixation'. It's the same thing which allows you to catch a ball as long as you are watching it. It works like this: if you are riding and stare at something nasty bad (hole, stump etc) on the trail, you will most certainly drift right over to and hit it. This can be turned to your advantage if you stare where you want to go.

In reply to kazoospec: This is what I like to do (when I arrive early enough) but on the third walk through I look for €rap littered all over the track, it's amazing what you'll find. Some of the highlights from my last autocross include a 4" nail, two 7/8" diameter bolts (sheared off of something) w/ matching nylock nuts, a pair of scissors, a coat hanger (with the threatening metal hook!) a leather belt and an assortment of beer bottle glass. Granted there was a flea market there the week before but still, those almost certainly would have lodged into someone's tire.

I would love to go to the track (more seat time) but I ultimately don't wan't the risk and think that it would be a conflict to get HPDE insurance on a rental (I don't own a car).

Since it appears to be a Sentra SE-R Spec V, shouldn't he be looking at an engine rebuild since he isn't allowed to swap out that stupid header/catalytic converter nonsense in stock class? That is definitely where he is headed.

One time I was out on course, and decidedly NOT looking ahead at the course....somewhat distracted

i always thought it'd be more helpful (and faster) to ride it on a bicycle instead of walking it. Never actually tried it though. Is that legal? I've never seen it done

There was a controversy about the bicycle question in our region a few years back. Never did hear a solid resolution to it.

Curmudgeon wrote: There was a controversy about the bicycle question in our region a few years back. Never did hear a solid resolution to it.

Co-driving my friend's Nissan bicycle and we didn't get kicked out.

Oh... you meant the pedal kind, yeah I dont think those are legal nationally for walk throughs.

Carro Atrezzi wrote: i always thought it'd be more helpful (and faster) to ride it on a bicycle instead of walking it. Never actually tried it though. Is that legal? I've never seen it done

I pretty sure it's not "legal" (the "s) are because I can't quickly lay my hands on the relevant rule .... since it would create an unfair advantage (compared to the other competitors) ... that said, with one of the regions where I compete we allow one of the drivers to ride his bicycle on the course ... he's handicapped in a way that wouldn't allow him to compete if he had to walk ... he doesn't take advantage of this allowance/he rides very slowly and doesn't gain any real advantage

LainfordExpress wrote: Since it appears to be a Sentra SE-R Spec V, shouldn't he be looking at an engine rebuild since he isn't allowed to swap out that stupid header/catalytic converter nonsense in stock class? That is definitely where he is headed.

I autocrossed that car for 8 years with the stock manifold and never had a problem with it. When I sold it, the new owner immediately swapped it out for a header, then sold the original manifold on e-bay for the same amount that he spent on the header. It's parked right outside my office window as I type this, and still looks good.

My current Sentra, of course, has the turbo exhaust manifold and will therefore not have that problem.

If you're looking the same direction your tires are pointed, seems to me that you're not looking far enough ahead.

In reply to ReverendDexter:

I said "If your head isn't pointed..." Your eyes are allowed to move!

Curmudgeon wrote: 'target fixation'... can be turned to your advantage if you stare where you want to go.

Yep. If you know you're gonna crash, start looking at something soft.