Tomorrow I will be participating in my first autox event. It is being held at Gainesville Speedway's road course practice track. From what I've figured out so far, this is a 1.6 mile road course. Seeing as this is my first event, I am totally clueless as to what I'm doing. I was wondering if you guys have any tips or pointers for me. How should the car be set up? As light as possible? Full tank of gas, empty, or half way? My car is an '01 Z28 with intake and exhaust mods...but absolutely no suspension mods whatsoever. I am riding on 275/40/17 Yokohama AVS 100 tires. Is there anything in particular I need to bring with me besides a helmet? Any help will greatly be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
-Dan

 

walk the course, then walk it again, and again and again until it is memorized in your mind.

then keep saying this to yourself.
slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

try to shift as little as possible.

dont worry about the cars setup, just try to stay on course the first few times.

now if i only could do what i say.

 

Glad you decided to come out. Look for myself in a white Trans Am, Chuck in a sunset orange SS Camaro and Jim in a navy blue metallic Z28 and we will be glad to show you the ropes.

As far as things to bring: helmet, cooler with food and drinks, tire gauge and an open mind. You will want to take the pressure up on the front tires to the 38psi range to help them from rolling under. This being a road course it is much easier to follow and you aren't likely to get lost. You will get four runs so take it easy at least your first run and get a feel for how your car handles on a track.

Chuck usually brings a blue tarp shade structure so look for us there. It usually winds up being the f-body lounge. Look forward to seeing you there.

 

one more thing.

if given the choice of taking out a cone or going off course, take the cone. thake it proudly, and enjoy. the two second penalty is better than having the whole run erased.

 

Call me anytime after 5:00 if you want help finding the track. (407)718-3266

Otherwise look me up as soon as you get there so I can get you signed in, teched and ready to go. I'll be wearing Blue shorts and a red MSCC polo shirt. Or just ask for Chuck Peterson. Most people know who I am.

 

Just wanted to thank everybody for today...I had an awesome time and learned A LOT....especially how bad my stock set up really is.

Here's a pic from today.

http://www.pbase.com/image/22873945

-Dan

 

Very cool picture. Glad you had a good time. Sounds like something I might try sometime too.

Dan

 

I'm going to try autocrossing for the first time up here in Vancouver. I'm going with Amit who has an SS camaro and me with my firehawk. We both have the Bilstein suspension package to give our f-bodys a chance. UBC will be the place to be on the 9th of this month and we will post results. Wish us luck.

 

Glad you had fun Dan. Come join us some time at the Tavares facility. We're usually there the second Saturday or Sunday of the month. Just keep an eye on the web site here.

You can pick up a ST 35mm front bar as an inexpensive first mod and reduce that body roll to something like this.

 

Glad you could make it, Dan!

I fogrot about the photos. Wonder if they might have the files at the meeting?

Jeff - Did you figure out what's going on with your lugnut and/or stud?

 

I hope Chris brings at least the thumbnail images to the meeting. He said he got some good shots of my car but I couldn't wait around for them to get downloaded.

I haven't worked on the stud yet and I probably won't have time until next weekend. I need to pick up a replacement because more than likely it's going to break when I try to get it off.