I've got autocross school with my local club coming up on March 31st. I've been racing for 1 year, and have improved a lot, from terrible, to reasonably competent. I've had one fluke third-place finish, and I'm now consistently mid pack.
I replaced my first Miata with a really good es legal Miata in February, so the car is fully prepped and will be on a good set of rivals.
I'm not the only one with autocross school coming up, thatsnowinnebago just posted also. Can anyone give us any tips or recommendations?
I don't know what you are looking for, but: I wish I'd had more to write on than what they gave me. I felt like there were so many tips that I could not get them all down. I think more schools bring in go pro's to borrow, some of that is helpful. But really for me, it was just remembering what was said and trying to read what I had scrawled on the sheet of paper I was given.
Come prepared. Sun screen, water, car ready to go, the usual stuff.
Have a goal. What do you think you need to work on? Why? How can an instructor help you with that?
Be flexible. Sometimes you're wrong about yourself. You think you need to improve lines but what you really need is more speed between elements or you suck at slaloms or something that an instructor sees that you haven't.
Remember that this is fun. Do have fun.
Should we bring a compressor and tire gauge? Sounds like maybe a notebook and pen would be a good call too. I hadn't thought of that, thanks.
In reply to Floating Doc :
the fact that you have some limited experience is invaluable rather than someone who has never done any track style driving. Things are in perspective for you yet Hopefully you haven't developed significant bad habits that can be dealt with without having to unlearn a lot of stuff. Have fun.
thatsnowinnebago said:
Should we bring a compressor and tire gauge?
Is this a trick question?
Bring an open mind; much easier to learn things quicker that way.
Ovid_and_Flem said:
thatsnowinnebago said:
Should we bring a compressor and tire gauge?
Is this a trick question?
Ooh, that is one of my favorites!
What Mazda deuce said, and I'll second Anthony GS on open mind.
If you want to learn and listen you will learn.
The tool sounds to be correct. Now it's just learning how to use it and the more open you are to feedback the more you will get out of the day.
It's not a competitive environment so there's only so much to learn. Done be afraid to put someone fast in your car either. It's an excellent learning experience to watch someone fast drive your car.
In reply to Floating Doc :
Follow this link to an 11 part autocross training video. Watch the whole series twice.
The cars are slightly different but the physics is the same. Anti lock brakes changes that chapter a little. You don't need an antiquated G-analisty machine (but the info is cool.) You will not have the benefit of a circular skid pad (but the info and logic is cool.)
I assure you that this will be 80‰ of what the school tries to teach you. If you watch this series (twice) you'll be far more prepared than the other attendees.
After the school, watch this whole series again before your next autox event to serve as a training reminder.
Thanks for the replies. I have watched those videos, last year when starting out. I'll go back and watch them again.
Kinch Reindl has also got some good videos, which I've watched repeatedly.
I always bring the usual supplies, water, sunscreen, lunch, the obligatory big hat, an umbrella (for sun more than rain here), rain gear, a few essential tools, tire gauge, air pump, torque wrench, oil, coolant, zip ties, painter's tape, duck tape, a tarp to cover it all...
I'd already planned on a note book. I take lots of continuing education classes, so I'm well accustomed to taking classes and approaching learning with an open and receptive mind.
I had an instructor ride with me for one run at the last event. That also includes having asked some of my faster friends to drive my car; I have a codrive coming up next month.
