My First Autox!

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Woo hoo! I had my first Autox! About two weeks ago I ran in the OCR PCA autox. What a complete blast. My first goals were: 1) don't get lost on the track; and 2) don't hold up traffic. No sweat there. Had one of the instructors (Garey Cooper) ride with me on my first time out and from there it only got better.

I don't have enough accolades for how the car felt. I was able to steer with the throttle, keep it on the edge of adhesion - the car simply telegraphed everything it was going to do. Man that was fun!

Schumacher is in no danger - in fact, my time was in the bottom 1/3 of the group (1.2 sec off the mean time), so no bragging rights here. But in my timed runs, I was able to take 5 seconds off my time, with each lap consecutively better.

I signed up for the April event - so now to move into the middle 1/3.

Thanks to all who posted advice - it made a real difference. Now I have some maintenance questions I'll post separately.

Don

(P.S. - when I get a pic of my car on the track I'll post it for fun)

pwd72s · 04-09-2002, 07:07 PM

OH-oh....sounds like another fanatic has been converted...

makaio · 04-09-2002, 08:00 PM

Next you won't be caring what your paint looks like, and trying to figure out how to purchase a new set of R-compound tires.

I thought I was going to get to run in some TT's with the GGR region this year, but do to purchasing a new house i just couldn't finance it. I've been jonesing to get back out on the track. On the bright side, i am going to my first auto-x this weekend. I know i did things backwards, but Thunderhill just calls your name.

I'm like a moth to flame!

LeeH · 04-09-2002, 09:21 PM

Besides seat time, one of the best ways to improve your auto-cross times is to walk the course until your legs give out.

Get there very early and walk it until they throw you off the course. I ran (and won) C stock a few years ago in the Atlanta region SCCA. I loved to see my competition come screaming into the paddock minutes before registration closed and have enough time to walk the course once or twice. Meanwhile I would have walked it 10 or more times. It really makes a difference.

pwd72s · 04-09-2002, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeeH
Besides seat time, one of the best ways to improve your auto-cross times is to walk the course until your legs give out.

Get there very early and walk it until they throw you off the course. I ran (and won) C stock a few years ago in the Atlanta region SCCA. I loved to see my competition come screaming into the paddock minutes before registration closed and have enough time to walk the course once or twice. Meanwhile I would have walked it 10 or more times. It really makes a difference.

Couldn't agree more...but as you're walking, realize WHY...as you walk, drive the course in your mind. At each point ask yourself what gear you expect to be in at that point, what your speed will be...which side of the course is best for the next corner, where do you plan on beginning to brake, etc. etc. As you get more experienced, the answers to these walk questions will come easier to you, and your times will improve. Why am I telling you this? I don't have plans to auto-x now...a been there, done that, got burnt out thing...