My first AutoCross experience went a little like this.

"Mathias Rios" (Mars478)
08/05/2014 at 21:45 • Filed to: 944, 944life, autocross, mathias rios, drift

The chinese made WANDA WP16 tires that came with my 944 combined with my sub-par driving led to this. This is the most interesting run of the 4 I did that day, with the last one being my fastest. Unfortunately I was dead last overall. #sadface. Despite this, I had an amazing time with some other oppo's, and look forward to improving my skills and the car's abilities.

DISCUSSION (24)

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 21:46

It's okay because DRIFT

Rico > Brian Silvestro
08/05/2014 at 21:52

Needs better tires! But overall that didn't seem that bad, the wavey-ness at the start of the video made me feel like I was either entering a dream sequence or my monitor was going to turn into a portal leading me to an awesome autocross event.

Brian Silvestro > Rico
08/05/2014 at 21:52

I said the same thing. But I think you replied to the wrong thread.

daender > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 21:53

Now you know the limits of your tires! Go back out there and try to get as close to it as you can!

Rico > Brian Silvestro
08/05/2014 at 21:53

FACK! I've made my decision, I must live with it.

Mathias Rios > daender
08/05/2014 at 21:53

These tires are barely usable so they have to go asap, but yes it did teach me an important lesson on the quality of tires.

Brian Silvestro > Rico
08/05/2014 at 21:54

It will haunt you for the rest of eternity.

WRXforScience > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 21:56

Few people realize how much skill and specialization autocross requires until they try it themselves. Focus on looking ahead, minimizing steering input, and being smooth and you will be amazed at how much you improve.

daender > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 21:56

I'm driving on cheap Chinese tires as well. A lot of pro/veterans have advised me to learn how to get the most out of crappy tires before moving up to stickier compounds to make the most of them.

Mathias Rios > daender
08/05/2014 at 21:58

That's actually an excellent point. It also gives me an excuse to delay my tire purchase a bit longer :P

dogisbadob > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 21:58

well at least cheap chinese tires are good for something :p

Flavien Vidal > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 21:58

Weight transfert, weight transfert, weight transfert and weight transfert :)

Mathias Rios > WRXforScience
08/05/2014 at 21:59

I learned that at this event. It's not as easy as it seems and a lot of people talking smack about how good their cars were got similar times as me. I look forward to improving.

Mathias Rios > Flavien Vidal
08/05/2014 at 22:00

Yes, my 944 has a lot more body roll than I thought it did. Fortunately yesterday I picked up some stiffer sway bars to help remedy the body roll a bit :)

Mathias Rios > dogisbadob
08/05/2014 at 22:00

dooooriftoooo

Rico > Brian Silvestro
08/05/2014 at 22:02

Kinja'd!!!

Brian Silvestro > Rico
08/05/2014 at 22:05

I wish I had audio for this....

WRXforScience > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 22:10

If I were to describe autocross it would be: humbling. 80% of autocross is the driver, I've got dozens of pictures of exotic cars that I've beaten at autocross but for every fast car I've beaten there is a Miata, s2000, sub $10k beater that has beaten me.

Flavien Vidal > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 22:16

Smoother and more precise "steering decisions" will help more I think ;)

First oversteer by you having to correct your steering input and doing it in a too brutal way, second oversteer was due to sudden steering input in the direction of the turn while the car was already at almost maximum load on that same side. Weirdly enough, you might have more difficulty controling the car at the extreme with much stickier tires... Crap tires are good for one thing, you can easily play with their limits at lower speed and learn about the car as the dynamic do not change.

Stay with those tires, then when you can what you feel are the fastest times with them, then go with upgrades. But first, learn with what you have. I spent years with a Mustang a crappy tires before finally getting something "fast" with the Corvette... I don't think I would enjoy the Corvette as much if I hadn't learned what driving on track with a "problematical" car was first... Being fast in a slow, not made for it, car is by far what teaches you the most.

Agrajag > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 22:22

Nice save. Cheap tires can be a ton of fun.

Mathias Rios > Flavien Vidal
08/05/2014 at 22:31

I very much appreciate your response. Thank you.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 22:39

I too have tires that weren't meant for grip. I thought about immediately upgrading wheels and tires. I didn't though, I waited and I am so glad I did. I am nearly as fast as half the guys in classes similar to mine. Not to mention I actually won an event on my crappy tires. Plus I would have won another if I was still in C Stock, but those damn headers! I think I have learned more on crappy tires than on nice grippy ones! Plus I sometimes get some mad dorifto when I am really going for it.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Mathias Rios
08/05/2014 at 22:46

also mess with tire pressures it helps a lot! I usually set mine at 38 psi cold and keep them around 39 hot. I also have a RWD car!

rabidpenguin > Mathias Rios
08/07/2014 at 12:23

I started doing auto-x this year with my DeLorean, tons of fun and makes you a better driver.

I usually run with the NJBMWCCA, which is much smaller and much less competitive than the events that run at Met Life Stadium. The other big difference is that you get twice the amount of runs(10) for the same price. They actually are having an event this weekend in Somerset, which I will be attending.