Going to my first autocross this Sunday, I don’t know anybody down here that attends, so I'm on my own, any tips or things I should know will be appreciated, tire press, an idea of how my car might feel, etc.

Thanks,

Most tips and tricks are described on this website http://www.scca.com/home.aspx

Remove all weight that you can, and lose items........every time they try to do it locally, some nay sayers comes in and get the track shut down due to noise complaints..........grrrrr

Going to my first autocross this Sunday, I don’t know anybody down here that attends, so I'm on my own, any tips or things I should know will be appreciated, tire press, an idea of how my car might feel, etc.

Thanks,

I see you're in Miami, where are you doing AutoX at?

I see you're in Miami, where are you doing AutoX at?

I am curious also....I can see Homestead Miami Raceway from my house....

I did not see anything planned for this weekend.

thanks for the link.
it's at homestead.
http://www.erscc.com/

I just took my G8 on a track, check out this video, you can get an idea, of how the G8 handles in the corners: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61MKzzGx4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61MKzzGx4U

Glad you are giving autocross a try, its fun stuff.
I've found the stock tire pressure recommendations are best (36f/39r), anything more and the car pushes and slides, anything less and it rolls too much.
I agree with what others have said, get any excess stuff out of the car.
Adjust your seat so you have good vision and good control over the wheel and pedals and can hold yourself in place better. I move my seat a little more forward and a little higher than my normal driving position.
You can probably keep the car in 2nd gear, depending on the course layout.
If you overdrive and start sliding around, slow down a little and your times will improve, but don't be afraid to get aggressive. After a couple of runs you'll see what you can do and what you can't do.
When going into a corner, stab the brakes to slow down, then start turning. Your tires only have so much grip and this will be divided between braking, accelerating, and turning, so don't try to get them doing too many things at once.
You will be fastest with ESP off if you drive it right.
Try to get a ride with one of the more experienced guys and try to get one of them to ride with you, they can be a huge help.
Read as much as you can on the SCCA site.
Bring sunblock and be prepared for a long, hot day between running and working.
And most of all, have fun!

Well I ran the tires as recommended 36/39.
The day went well for my first time. I meet some nice people that helped me. I ran the FS class
1st run was 62. Sec learning the track
2nd run was 63. Sec I pushed the car this time and my back end came around in a corner and came to a complete stop, manage not to hit any cones.
3rd run was 56 Sec I did much better hit the corner more aggressive.
4th run was 57 Sec, I bit slower but by far the most fun, really pushed the car in this one came of all corners sideways, I learned it’s not the fastest way around the track but its sure fun.
At the end of the day I didn’t even know that I have won my class I was very surprised second went to a G37.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx129/Sachary23/Autocross/P5302015a.jpg

thanks,

I just took my G8 on a track, check out this video, you can get an idea, of how the G8 handles in the corners: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61MKzzGx4U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61MKzzGx4U

Tight Video!!!

Well I ran the tires as recommended 36/39.
The day went well for my first time. I meet some nice people that helped me. I ran the FS class
1st run was 62. Sec learning the track
2nd run was 63. Sec I pushed the car this time and my back end came around in a corner and came to a complete stop, manage not to hit any cones.
3rd run was 56 Sec I did much better hit the corner more aggressive.
4th run was 57 Sec, I bit slower but by far the most fun, really pushed the car in this one came of all corners sideways, I learned it’s not the fastest way around the track but its sure fun.
At the end of the day I didn’t even know that I have won my class I was very surprised second went to a G37.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx129/Sachary23/Autocross/P5302015a.jpg


Good job. I just auto crossed today for the first time and it is mad crazy fun. You made a huge improvement on your time!
thanks,

Glad you are giving autocross a try, its fun stuff.
I've found the stock tire pressure recommendations are best (36f/39r), anything more and the car pushes and slides, anything less and it rolls too much.
You will be fastest with ESP off if you drive it right.


I feel that the car (GXP in my case) balances better with the equal pressure front and rear. With the stock pressure the stock summer tires roll a lot on the sidewall, so I've been running about 45 psi. And driving it with ESP off is tricky, the gas pedal is way too touchy. You really have to be very patient out of the turns.

Congrats on the first place finish in your class! :wink2:

And driving it with ESP off is tricky, the gas pedal is way too touchy. You really have to be very patient out of the turns.

It is really amazing to me how much the traction control slows down the car. I would hit the throttle coming out of a turn and can feel the car bogging down until it gets itself straightened out then you can feel the power come on.

One of the most important tips in autocross is keep looking ahead. This will allow you to stay in throttle a lot longer knowing what is coming up.

Cheers,
JJ

It is really amazing to me how much the traction control slows down the car. I would hit the throttle coming out of a turn and can feel the car bogging down until it gets itself straightened out then you can feel the power come on.


Doesn't feel to me like it bogs down much. It only bogs down if I enter the turn too fast, then have to scrub off speed in the turn. But if entering the turn slowly and then powering through it while unwinding the steering, the traction control works very good. It even lets the car to power-steer into the turn a little. Without ESP this effect is stronger but it's very hard to meter the throttle just right. Press it a little too much and the car tries to spin.

Maybe it's the difference between the automatic transmission and stick. They have very different throttle calibrations, with only stick being too touchy.

The other time where I feel a lot of bogging-down is in the rain. In the rain the car is much easier to drive with ESP off than on.

Doesn't feel to me like it bogs down much. It only bogs down if I enter the turn too fast, then have to scrub off speed in the turn. But if entering the turn slowly and then powering through it while unwinding the steering, the traction control works very good. It even lets the car to power-steer into the turn a little. Without ESP this effect is stronger but it's very hard to meter the throttle just right. Press it a little too much and the car tries to spin.

Maybe it's the difference between the automatic transmission and stick. They have very different throttle calibrations, with only stick being too touchy.

The other time where I feel a lot of bogging-down is in the rain. In the rain the car is much easier to drive with ESP off than on.

I agree with the comment about the differences between the stick and auto trans. I am also running race slicks on all 4 corners which also makes a big difference on the speed entering a corner.

Two events ago, I had an excellent lap going but the car felt like it was lagging coming out of the turns. I thought for sure that was going to be my best time of the day, but I actually lost 4 tenths of a second and realized that I had the TC on. I think it would have easily been my best time of the day and a shot a first place in my class. This is strictly my observation of what my car was doing. I am sure that it all depends on how the course is setup along with driver's input as to how the TC will handle the situation if it is enabled.

One other question, have you done any type of performance alignment yet? I am at -1.2 degrees in of camber in the front and -1 degree in the back. I am going to have my camber moved up to -2 or as close to possible on the front the next alignment that I get. It really helps out keeping the traction coming out of the corners.

Cheers,
JJ