First time to auto cross

I am going to auto cross for the first time this weekend. Anyone have any tips for me. I have a mostly stock 99 SS.

Try to be smooth and have fun. Careful with the slaloms. Last year was my first year and I 180'd two times in those damn things. It's a blast but isn't easy. Talk to and maybe try to get a ride with someone in a car like yours. Helped me alot just riding in another car like mine. Lowered my times every time. You'll have a great time.

Before the event runs begin, find an f-body driver (or even a Mustang driver) and introduce yourself as a first timer. If he isn't all that experienced, but has been around more than you, he will probably be able to tell you who to talk to.

It seems that local event rules vary regarding riders. If it is permitted, try to get a ride with one of the faster rwd drivers. Alternatively, see if they can ride with you.

I learned the most sitting in the passenger seat, not with an experienced driver in my passenger seat. Feeling the forces is more important than hearing words (for me at least).

Finally, you are there to have fun. Don't forget that.

Cool I am going with a groupe of my friends friends. I know for a fact that one of them also has a LS1 SS. I don't know if he has auto x befor tho. If not I will tag along with some one how has. Any other good tips. Thanks for the help.
Adam

Too bad you weren't local. When I see new guys show up in f-bodies or Mustangs, I always go introduce myself and offer assistance, rides, etc. I am tired of Hondas.

One other important item--inflate your tires to ~40-42 psi, otherwise you will probably be shreading the outside of your tires. Use a piece of chalk and draw a line or two on each tire, make a run, and then see how much you are bending the sidewall. You don't want too much because you will just have less traction, but too little and you will wear on the outside quickly.

For you: there is all the usual stuff like a fold-up chair (unless you like standing all day), sunscreen, hat, water, something to snack on, etc. Walk the track as much as you can to memorize it.

For your car: tire gauge, remove all loose items, portable air

I'm sure there is an FAQ someplace about this stuff.

One thing that I still have a hard time to wrap my head around... I always enter the turns too hot...

Its most likely better not to go faster in entry, but to set yourself up better so you can get back on the gas sooner.. which may have you slowing down alot more before enterign the turn....

Just that itself improved my times by like 5 seconds out of about a minute! :eek:

Now I got another 5-15 seconds to shave off to catch up with some of the others.. ;)

Opinions vary on tire pressures. I run my stock Z28 30 psi in the front and 28 psi in the rear. I'd go lower on the rear if I wasn't concerned that I was going to peel the tire from the bead... In case you are wondering, I have run 45-50 events over the last 2 years and all but 2 events have been in Camaros.

The chalking advice is correct. Still, I suggest that you track down a rwd/V8 guy at the event and he should (unless he's a jerk) walk you through all of this.

Originally posted by Ken S
One thing that I still have a hard time to wrap my head around... I always enter the turns too hot...

Its most likely better not to go faster in entry, but to set yourself up better so you can get back on the gas sooner.. which may have you slowing down alot more before enterign the turn....

Just that itself improved my times by like 5 seconds out of about a minute! :eek:

Now I got another 5-15 seconds to shave off to catch up with some of the others.. ;)

Something that runs through my head to avoid getting into turns too hot is something another guy once told me. "BRAKE, TURN, ACCELERATE" in that order with little overlap between them.

Thanks for all the respones. I had not even thought about the tire pressure thing. I am just going to a practice event so I am not to woried about my times but haveing fun. I will not have a problem getting in a V8/rwd car. I am almost sertan I will be able to ride along in another Camaro.

Adam

If there are instructional "Novice walk-throughs" available, take advantage of them. You get to learn from the instructors' experiences. In your case, your best bet would be if you can find an instructor who is driving a powerful front engine/rear wheel drive car.

Ditto for having an instructor ride along with you.

Walk the course enough times so that you know where it goes. Reacting at the last instant to "oh! so THAT'S where I'm supposed to be going . . " equals spins, hitting pylons, and missing gates.

Take the first run a little on the easy side. This is far different from any driving that you've ever done on the street. It's easier to go faster everywhere on your following runs than it is to go the right amount slower in the places where you had problems. Not to mention the ego-boost that you'll get when run #2 is a second or two faster than run #1.

Norm

Agree about the instructional walk through by one of the better drivers. Unfortunately, at least in my area, most of the time there is a crowd of about 20-30 guys & gals trying to walk right next to him :)

Thanks for the help guys. I just got back and had a great time. It ended up being a practice. So there were lots of instructors around for tips and there was even a free class with more tips. I went for a ride in another Camaro SS befor I tired. That was nice so I got a feel of it. My first run I went real slow and progesivly got faster. I feel like I learned so much about driving just from this. I also got to go for a ride in a 2003 ZO6. The driver was nationaly ranked auto crosser. He had been doing it for about 20 years. There is no way I could posibly explain how cool that was. He was taking the corners faster than i thought posible. Thanks agin for all the help.

Adam

Very cool:D

Possibly, you're hooked on it now..hehe

Before you know it you'll be asking about sway bars, konis, hoosiers, AO32Rs, springs, and things...

Goodluck with future events

Ya I have gotten hooked. I have been looking at hooshers (sp?) and swaybars.
Adam

Originally posted by Lukin
...I feel like I learned so much about driving just from this...

Oh yeah! And you're just breaking the ice, Grasshopper.

I'm convinced if more people would autocross, we'd have less crashes on the streets. If I didn't autocross I'm positive that I would have wrecked my SS at least once by now. The evasive maneuvers that I have had to pull off would not have been possible without the knowledge and skills I have received in the past year and a half.

Enjoy. And welcome to our sickness!

Originally posted by KeithO
Too bad you weren't local. When I see new guys show up in f-bodies or Mustangs, I always go introduce myself and offer assistance, rides, etc. I am tired of Hondas.

LOL! My first race was the last race of last season. That was exactly what the guy said when he got in my car: “It’s good to be back in some RWD muscle. I’m tired off all of these Hondas and Neon’s.”